Found Deceased CA - Fang Jin, 47, flew to LA from China, train to Palm Springs, Morongo Basin, 21 Jul 2023, w/ John Root Fitzpatrick, 55, (fnd dec.), 30 Jul ‘23 #2

[NervousNellie]

Yes, of course, after the police investigation is over.

Rest in peace, JF.

At this point he is a victim, like any other deceased person, and IMO, police do not want baseless public speculation to overwhelm his family and friends, so that they can mourn their loss in peace.

IMO the police are focussing on what happened to Fang, they are not and never have been ignoring her disappearance, they just needed to find some evidence - namely the truck.

JMO

According to the article, they found the truck in September but yet did not change the status of the missing individuals, even though one of them was dead?

 

[charminglane]

According to the article, they found the truck in September but yet did not change the status of the missing individuals, even though one of them was dead?

Missing Person Center last updated 9/28, Both still missing.
NAMUS too hard to read on my phone.

 

[Sundog]

Wow that article said that his friend last name Hoss, had met her before they left for the camping trip. Did someone try to rob him and take her? Did someone try to rob them and she got away, but had nowhere to go or didn't know where to go?

We need to know how JRF died. Was it murder? Suicide? Other?

Where is Fang Jin, and why didn't this article in the San Diego Tribune say more about Fang Jin who is still missing?

 

[Cedars]

According to the article, they found the truck in September but yet did not change the status of the missing individuals, even though one of them was dead?

I don't think that was a mistake, it's just a bureaucratic tool. It will be updated when they finish investigating his death.

JMO

 

[Sundog]

According to the article, they found the truck in September but yet did not change the status of the missing individuals, even though one of them was dead?

The end of September was only 11 days ago, and the San Diego Tribune article published this morning says that JRF's family was notified last week, which could have been as early as October 2nd. So this news is very recent.

Praying for Fang Jin and her family as they receive this news, that Fang Jin will soon be found and they can get some answers.

 

[Sundog]

At first I thought maybe an accident and she tried to go find help but why would an accident in a canyon be classified top secret???

<snipped for focus>

We don't know if the investigation is "classified as top secret," the San Diego Tribune article only said that the medical examiner who is conducting the autopsy stated that she couldn't comment on the case because it was "sealed." We don't know what s/he meant by that, it could merely mean that she can't make a comment because the case is still under investigation.

 

[Sundog]

It may have taken a little while for LE to locate JF's next of kin, and thank goodness the San Diego Tribune newspaper picked up the story.


EBM

 

[Sundog]

I hope now that a large metropolitan area newspaper has picked up this news story that some of the smaller media outlets in San Bernardino County will follow up on it quickly and that we will get some more news. Several of the SB county media outlets had written a news story on Fang Jin missing earlier, and hopefully the same journalists will now report on it again.

 

[Cedars]

<snipped for focus>

We don't know if the investigation is "classified as top secret," the San Diego Tribune article only said that the medical examiner who is conducting the autopsy stated that she couldn't comment on the case because it was "sealed." We don't know what s/he meant by that, it could merely mean that she can't make a comment because the case is still under investigation.

Yes, I'm watching another case in Alabama, police are, after several months, still investigating, so medical findings have not been released, even to family. In that case the questions are: was it suicide or homocide, and, if homocide, who did it?

ETA: In this case, accident would also be possible. For example, getting lost on a hike. Also, after several months, remains would not be pristine...

Until police are confident that all the facts prove the final conclusion, they won't release anything. Once it's out in public, they don't want to retract and say 'oops, changed our minds'.

JMO

 

[crhedBngr]

WOW.

My thoughts go to murder/suicide as well.

Praying FJ is found.

JMVHO.

 

[slowpoke]

@mark1969 , I’m so sorry for this latest development, with the man Fang was with being found deceased! I cannot imagine how Fang’s family and friends must feel, at this point. Please know we hold you all in our thoughts and hearts.

We still need to find Fang, and I at least have more faith now that the SBCSO is/has been working behind the scenes—just keeping a ‘tight lip’ of any progress.

 

[ClaireNC]

Wow! Shocking and sad. Where is Fang? So sorry for the families.

I updated the map with the latest news. Fang Jin Case Map

I wonder if the report of the phone ping in Julian was actually from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It’s not that far from Julian.

 

[sfinkz]

JRF’s body was discovered in Harper Canyon. The turnoff to the canyon, Kane Springs Road (three miles of sandy, rocky desert washboard) is 25 miles east of Julian, where JRF’s phone last pinged July 24, on Highway 78.

 

[Bostongirl]

JRF’s body was discovered in Harper Canyon. The turnoff to the canyon, Kane Springs Road (three miles of sandy, rocky desert washboard) is 25 miles east of Julian, where JRF’s phone last pinged July 24, on Highway 78.

Wow, based on this the ping in Julian is only about 45 mins from where JRF was found. Have “they” been out there since 7/24? Hoping that they locate Jin soon.

IMO

 

[Megnut]

JRF’s body was discovered in Harper Canyon. The turnoff to the canyon, Kane Springs Road (three miles of sandy, rocky desert washboard) is 25 miles east of Julian, where JRF’s phone last pinged July 24, on Highway 78.

Wow, based on this the ping in Julian is only about 45 mins from where JRF was found. Have “they” been out there since 7/24? Hoping that they locate Jin soon.

IMO

Is this an area for hiking? Sight-seeing?

I'm finding it harder to hold on to an accident..

 

[Breazy]

Have been following and praying Fang is found safe. I'm curious to know JRF cause of death. I think that will give some insight into what may have happened to Fang.

 

[crhedBngr]

Is this an area for hiking? Sight-seeing?

I'm finding it harder to hold on to an accident..

@Megnut : Harper Canyon does have a hiking loop.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/harper-canyon-loop

Harper Canyon Trail Hiking Trail, Carmel Valley Village, California

JMVHO.

 

[Sundog]

Have been following and praying Fang is found safe. I'm curious to know JRF cause of death. I think that will give some insight into what may have happened to Fang.

Agree, the cause JRF's death may give some insight into what happened to Fang Jin.

What are the possibiities? Murder? Suicide? Natural causes? Death due to the elements? Drug overdose? Accident?

If murder, could Fang Jin have been kidnapped and still be alive? If natural cause or drug overdose, could Fang Jin have set out to find help if the truck was inoperable? Could Fang Jin have been in an accident and JRF set out to get help but at some point his truck was inoperable and he succombed to the elements?

Could there have been a flash flood that impacted them, or one of them?

 

[espirtu pampa]

Could it be good ideat to inquire

 

[10ofRods]

It seems as if she was separated from him days prior.

Sinking feeling.

Me too. It's clear that LE is keeping back details, so I am going out on a limb and thinking MoD for JRF is suicide.

The only other possibility I can think of is that it is wilderness misadventure - but typically, when people are found, there are more details and LE isn't so tight-lipped. Instead, LE describes the circumstances and what people can do to keep the same thing from happening to them.

If something happened to Fang on July 21, and then he went to Julian - this would be the next stop past Julian (IOW, not far from Julian).

It's really angering if he died without revealing where she is.