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

[hazel324]

Actually, I've been surprised there hasn't been a stronger response by the Chinese government. No news conferences, no press releases. It doesn't seem like there's much government interest at all. And similarly, the Chinese press and public haven't expressed much concern. Fang Jin's plight doesn't seem to have permeated the public discourse over there at all.

I think we would have seen a stronger reaction to date if the Chinese were going to use this to ramp up tensions.

You can contrast the Chinese response to other incidents. Like, for example, when Natalee Holloway went missing in Aruba there was a huge outcry that affected the island's tourist economy. Or even more recently, Jaahnavi Kandula's death in Seattle and subsequent comments by the police union caused fury in India and a diplomatic storm.

We've seen nothing like that in this case.

Insofar as reporting/publicity goes this case has been on the downlow always. Often, a few cases get HUGE, almost Worldwide coverage and others practically none. It just didn't get before the right 'eyes'

JRF was found at least 3 weeks ago, most probably longer, it's basically been kept secret....why ??

 

[10ofRods]

Insofar as reporting/publicity goes this case has been on the downlow always. Often, a few cases get HUGE, almost Worldwide coverage and others practically none. It just didn't get before the right 'eyes'

JRF was found at least 3 weeks ago, most probably longer, it's basically been kept secret....why ??

Because LE wants the Coroner to complete identification and preliminary autopsy, always, IMO.

They don't want to notify a family that someone is dead and be mistaken. If he diedon or around July 24-25, and wasn't found until Mid-September, his body could have been scavenged and immediate identification (although common sense) was not possible. They had to order dental records or other records and complete the investigation.

It's not uncommon for an investigation to take a month - out that way, even longer (few resources). He was technically found in San Diego County, I believe. If not SD, then Imperial County, who then had to transfer the information to SBSCO, who had to read and confirm it.

 

[hazel324]

Because LE wants the Coroner to complete identification and preliminary autopsy, always, IMO.

They don't want to notify a family that someone is dead and be mistaken. If he diedon or around July 24-25, and wasn't found until Mid-September, his body could have been scavenged and immediate identification (although common sense) was not possible. They had to order dental records or other records and complete the investigation.

It's not uncommon for an investigation to take a month - out that way, even longer (few resources). He was technically found in San Diego County, I believe. If not SD, then Imperial County, who then had to transfer the information to SBSCO, who had to read and confirm it.

"A spokesperson for the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office said Monday that the case surrounding Fitzpatrick’s death was under seal, and authorities could not comment on the ongoing investigation. Officials from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department deferred questions to their San Bernardino counterpart."

Okay, so under seal is normal in the US - am not familiar with that term

 

[sfinkz]

Insofar as reporting/publicity goes this case has been on the downlow always. Often, a few cases get HUGE, almost Worldwide coverage and others practically none. It just didn't get before the right 'eyes'

JRF was found at least 3 weeks ago, most probably longer, it's basically been kept secret....why ??

I can understand, with advanced decomposition (two months of 12-hour sun, reaching 110F, with a hurricane in the middle) positive ID taking 2-3 weeks. Presumably the vehicle was found virtually same time and an ID on that woulda taken 2-3 minutes, changing status of case. Very curious.
One thing I do know, however, A-B is one of the last places on earth a guy could hang out and no one would ask any questions, particularly in the absence of a concentrated search. So maybe the remains are recent.
Regardless, pointless to speculate until a shred of more evidence is released. If anything, being found adjacent to a trail near his vehicle—particularly if clothed for outdoor adventure—bolsters the argument for misadventure, of which I have been dubious. A bullet to the skull and firearm with the remains, however, would change the narrative.

 

[10ofRods]

"A spokesperson for the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office said Monday that the case surrounding Fitzpatrick’s death was under seal, and authorities could not comment on the ongoing investigation. Officials from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department deferred questions to their San Bernardino counterpart."

Okay, so under seal is normal in the US - am not familiar with that term

Not really normal if the death is due to natural causes or natural disaster. OTOH, death certificates in general are NOT public (but not under seal - which means that next of kin can and do get copies; and any lawyer can get a copy if they are willing to pay and go through the process).

Since this is two different counties at play, then if San Diego County suspects misadventure or crime, it is certainly going to defer to what it believes is the investigating authority (and if it's SBCSO, that implies that there's concern that Jin Fang going missing is not yet explained and is a case housed in SBC).

IOW, San Diego doesn't want to screw up a case that's under investigation elsewhere.

But no, "under seal" is not the default thing here.

IMO>

 

[hazel324]

The San Diego Union-Tribune news report was dated 10/11 (have to get this right as we print our dates the other way round to US ie 11/10 and it's Thursday here now!) but anyway, that's Wed -

They spoke with D Hoss on Friday - took a while to get to 'print' considering stories aren't necessarily printed any more...

 

[charminglane]

Is it Hoss or Haas?
Looking at a Navy Seal.

 

[jash]

Is it Hoss or Haas?
Looking at a Navy Seal.

Fitzpatrick, a former Navy SEAL and San Bernardino resident, was reported missing to San Bernardino officials on July 30, according to the man’s longtime friend, Darryl Hoss. The two had served together in the military, he said.
.
.
.
“He really had his stuff together … he knew how to run things,” said Hoss on a phone call Friday, remembering their time together in the military. “I followed his lead.”

www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/public-safety/story/2023-10-11/missing-san-bernardino-man-found-dead-anza-borrego-fitzpatrick

 

[charminglane]

Fitzpatrick, a former Navy SEAL and San Bernardino resident, was reported missing to San Bernardino officials on July 30, according to the man’s longtime friend, Darryl Hoss. The two had served together in the military, he said.
.
.
.
“He really had his stuff together … he knew how to run things,” said Hoss on a phone call Friday, remembering their time together in the military. “I followed his lead.”

www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/public-safety/story/2023-10-11/missing-san-bernardino-man-found-dead-anza-borrego-fitzpatrick

Thank you @jash.

 

[ch_13]

I've been looking at maps trying to discern anything that could have potentially drawn JRF & FJ to the area near Harper Canyon. And I came across this: Ancient Kumeyaay Winter Village. It just seems like the sort of off-the-beaten-path archeological site that may have interested her.

It's about 1 1/2 miles off the road and 6 1/2 miles from the Harper Canyon trailhead. So it's close enough to walk between the two locations.

Just a thought.

 

[10ofRods]

I can understand, with advanced decomposition (two months of 12-hour sun, reaching 110F, with a hurricane in the middle) positive ID taking 2-3 weeks. Presumably the vehicle was found virtually same time and an ID on that woulda taken 2-3 minutes, changing status of case. Very curious.
One thing I do know, however, A-B is one of the last places on earth a guy could hang out and no one would ask any questions, particularly in the absence of a concentrated search. So maybe the remains are recent.
Regardless, pointless to speculate until a shred of more evidence is released. If anything, being found adjacent to a trail near his vehicle—particularly if clothed for outdoor adventure—bolsters the argument for misadventure, of which I have been dubious. A bullet to the skull and firearm with the remains, however, would change the narrative.

Be odd if he died of exposure or heat within sight of his truck though, IMO. Possible of course. But then, where is his companion? Did she try to hike cross country for help? (Possible of course).

But for him to be near the truck is odd. I had said earlier that there was no big barrel of water in the bed of that truck and people said "maybe in the back seat," but I was talking about one of those big ones, meant to provide water for several days in the desert, because nearly every hike can turn into...misadventure, out there. Be prepared, IOW. More than a 5 gallon jug in the back seat, I think. Where he was found is really off the main path, no one would have come to help if his axle broke or he had a flat tire (but when they say "truck was parked," that implies it was still operating until it came to rest).

I do wonder if that particular area has cell service (it's up against some fairly high hills). Some of the peaks up there are 6500' above sea level and the range itself sits at around 1500-2000. So, it's possible they got stranded. Maybe they got stranded further out (and she didn't make it) and he headed back to the truck for help/water/whatever (that has to mean their phones weren't working). That scenario seems unlikely to me, for some reason.

There are a couple of wilderness misadventure cases where people died within sight (or nearly so) of their vehicle, or separated from another party and each had a very different outcome.

IMO.

 

[patternsfinder]

"A spokesperson for the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office said Monday that the case surrounding Fitzpatrick’s death was under seal, and authorities could not comment on the ongoing investigation. Officials from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department deferred questions to their San Bernardino counterpart."

Okay, so under seal is normal in the US - am not familiar with that term

From doing some quick research just now "under seal" is an official legal category of information that someone (potentially a DA, LE, etc) petitioned a court to keep from being publicly accessible. It is (from what my quick research can see) usually used in cases of sensitivity, and often more public interest. (Many google results referenced Prince's death, and the Eva Carson case from NC in 2008 gave another example of how it has been used before.)

So, for some reason, something happened that made LE decide to prioritize this case as sensitive.

I'm not sure, but from reading about other cases, it looks like a reporter could push to read the petition for keeping findings "under seal," which might reveal a slight bit more info.

Regarding the news article just coming out today. My take is that the article is most likely a result of JRF's friend reaching out to the reporter, potentially hoping the reporter would be able to get more information from LE about what happened. (If JRF's family and then friends were only notified a short time ago, it took some days for the reporter to gather details, make all the calls, and then get the really hesitant LE replies that were in that article.)

If that's the case, then for whatever reason, LE does want to keep this case quiet. But also likely are putting in more resources than any of us here guessed, given we only knew about the "voluntary missing' status. MOO.

 

[10ofRods]

I've been looking at maps trying to discern anything that could have potentially drawn JRF & FJ to the area near Harper Canyon. And I came across this: Ancient Kumeyaay Winter Village. It just seems like the sort of off-the-beaten-path archeological site that may have interested her.

It's about 1 1/2 miles off the road and 6 1/2 miles from the Harper Canyon trailhead. So it's close enough to walk between the two locations.

Just a thought.

There's also a small canyon with some fairly well-known petroglyphs near the Winter Village. Interesting you should bring it up because I was just trying to find my petroglyph book to see what was out there. There's a reason it was a Winter Village, though.

You say it's 1.5 miles off the road, which is 3 miles round trip. At the peak of summer. At the edge of the Mojave, at fairly low altitude for some of it - the road goes at around 1000-1500' feet above sea level, and climbing higher doesn't make it cooler until one gets to around 5000-6000' above sea level. It's very uneven terrain and the trail reports say the way is not clearly marked/not a regular trail (unmaintained, there are cairns that one has to be aware of).

HOWEVER, I was thinking - we don't know Jin Fang's personality. Is she the type who will select an interesting (or amazing) goal and absolutely think she has to complete it? The type who won't turn back if lost or overheated? Like, was seeing petroglyphs her Everest? Because then, yes, I can see how she would endure the heat and discomfort of getting there (if they went via the trail, wouldn't it have been 13 miles round trip? And is it even possible to go cross-country, off the trail? I have no clue).

It is definitely close enough to walk, but boy, would I not want to do it in 110-115 degree heat (and water alone won't keep a person safe). Death Valley advises tourists not to be out of their cars for more than 15 minutes when it gets to 115. They have people collapse (young people, old people, fit people, unfit people) every year. If you're only half a mile from a well touristed parking lot, you're probably okay (although both Joshua Tree and DV have deaths of that type every year). What would Jin Fang do if JRF (the driver and phone holder) plopped over of heat stroke? She couldn't lift him? Would she go for help? Would she think it advisable to go cross country? Did she know how to drive? Did she know the passcode to his phone?

What if it's the opposite (they walked out, she collapsed, he nearly dies, and collapses near the truck as he vainly attempts to get help?)

(Lots of scenarios given the heat and that we don't know the personalities. All I know is that nothing on Earth could make anyone I know go out to see those petroglyphs in July...)

Repost of news article:

Mystery surrounds missing San Bernardino man found dead in Anza-Borrego state park

EAST COUNTY — A mysterious death, a missing woman and many unanswered questions are at the heart of an investigation into a 52-year-old man found dead last month in Anza-Borrego Des…

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

IMO

 

[ch_13]

But for him to be near the truck is odd.

RSBM.

The actual quote in the article is: "Fitzpatrick’s truck was parked nearby, Hoss recalled the investigators saying."

We're going off the recollections of a conversation Hoss had with law enforcement. So, I wonder what "nearby" actually means.

From the comments on the AllTrail hiking page, it seems that Harper Canyon Road is closed to motor vehicles and you have to walk approximately 2 miles from Old Kane Springs Road to the canyon entrance. Then the trail itself extends at least another 3 miles and the canyon goes deeper than that. So JRF's body could have been quite far from his truck.

I wonder if the truck was found first and that precipitated the search for the missing couple. Eventually someone had to have noticed a bright blue truck parked on the side of a remote road that hadn't been moved in days.

 

[Sundog]

RSBM.

The actual quote in the article is: "Fitzpatrick’s truck was parked nearby, Hoss recalled the investigators saying."

We're going off the recollections of a conversation Hoss had with law enforcement. So, I wonder what "nearby" actually means.

<snipped for focus>

I don't think we know if Hoss had a conversation with LE or if he is repeating what JRF's family told him that they learned from LE. Would LE give this information to Hoss? I would think they would only give this information to the family when they informed the family that JRF was found deceased and that they gave the family some of the details.

Edited by me

 

[tarabull]

Mystery surrounds missing San Bernardino man found dead in Anza-Borrego state park

EAST COUNTY — A mysterious death, a missing woman and many unanswered questions are at the heart of an investigation into a 52-year-old man found dead last month in Anza-Borrego Des…

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Just :THUD: What!?!?!?!?!

 

[flowershop]

I did a Google search to learn more about Harper Canyon, the area where JRF was found deceased. One of the hiking websites mentioned that it is common for vehicles to get stuck in the sand. I also got the impression that this area did not receive a lot of visitors. Can anyone confirm?

Perhaps JRF and JF were stuck in the sand while driving and then walked to find help.

On a side note, I am amazed the San Diego Union Tribune article was found. When I do a search on JRF in Google this article does not come up.

 

[hazel324]

Just :THUD: What!?!?!?!?!

I know, right.....hit us like a ton of bricks today!

...and where is Fang ?

 

[Cedars]

It is definitely close enough to walk, but boy, would I not want to do it in 110-115 degree heat (and water alone won't keep a person safe).

I agree, and for some reason I don't see JRF going for a hike in that heat. I think they were on a driving tour, in his air-conditioned truck.

I have the feeling the truck was not on a road, since park officials/LE knew they were going to the state park. Park staff and police likely searched every road, and continued to check for the next few weeks. I think the truck was found off-road, in a more remote location.

JMO

 

[flowershop]

Was this area impacted at all by the rare tropical storm that entered SoCal? Tropical Storm Hilary hit on Aug. 20, 2023.

https://www.npr.org/2023/08/21/1195032403/hilary-california-flooding-storm-monday