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

[10ofRods]

I can't let go of the fact Fang stopped communicating with loved ones late 7/21. Had she been travelling and visiting the next locations, photos would have been uploaded...following the pattern of the previous week. She loved recording all the new sights around her and uploaded a LOT in that first week.

I believe JRF passed around 7/24-26. Dental records were deemed essential for a positive ID since his remains were so decomposed which is not surprising in that location. IMO cod might be undetermined, maybe misadventure for the records, as was likely his intention following a tragic situation that may never be revealed.

Do you have a source for them using dental records? Dental records were used to ID Suzanne Morphew and that was in the press release.

I thought all facts about this autopsy were under seal, but if we have an MSM about dental record, that's a very useful fact for me. Otherwise, it seems to me that the reason this story broke this week (3 weeks after the body was found) implies they needed some other method to ID him. Do you really have a source about the state of decomp? Because dental records are routinely used, decomp or not (and DNA is used as well, as are other things, such as jewelry or tattoos etc). It's pretty high and dry up there in Harper Canyon. Not a lot of scavengers either (but carrion birds for sure). I would love to know the details, of course.

TIA.

 

[Sundog]

Do you have a source for them using dental records? Dental records were used to ID Suzanne Morphew and that was in the press release.

I thought all facts about this autopsy were under seal, but if we have an MSM about dental record, that's a very useful fact for me. Otherwise, it seems to me that the reason this story broke this week (3 weeks after the body was found) implies they needed some other method to ID him. Do you really have a source about the state of decomp? Because dental records are routinely used, decomp or not (and DNA is used as well, as are other things, such as jewelry or tattoos etc). It's pretty high and dry up there in Harper Canyon. Not a lot of scavengers either (but carrion birds for sure). I would love to know the details, of course.

TIA.

I have not seen any MSM or other reporting that dental records were used. Nor any report of when they found the body, other than it was in "September." That might have been 13 days ago, for all we know. If that is the case, LW would have likely tried to find and notify his next of kin/family before any of this was made public to the San Diego Union Tribune or anyone else searching LE's records. If JRF had his wallet with him, he was likely identified immediately, but to confirm his ID, perhaps DNA was requested of the family. The friend, DH, was likely contacted by LE in San Bernardino to get contact info for JRF's family. DH had made the initial missing person notice to LE, so they could reach out to him for info on where to contact the family, unless they already knew. Chances are that the family of JRF have been in touch with LE in San Berdoo since DH reported him missing at the end of July.

 

[10ofRods]

It is quite possible they both succumbed to the heat. They went for a day trek and were ill equipped. It wouldn't be the first time it occurred. Happens a lot actually.

He could have left her to get to the truck to find help. And passed away. Heat, time, animals could make LE very cautious about cause of death. Hence sealed for now.

It is also possible this would have been an area that "should" have been searched based on his cell phone pings and was not. I am guessing a member of the public i.e. hunters, dirt biker riders, etc found the vehicle. Honestly depending how far away he was from the vehicle, sometimes vehicles get vandalized too. It could look suspicious, thus needed to be investigated.

His last ping was on the Julian tower - some 30 miles away. It's too big an area (just the Anza-Borrego park is very large) to pinpoint a ping without special analysis (which they could have done - through the FBI's cast program, and it would likely take about a month).

The area is too big to search quickly. For all we know, rangers at the park were systematically checking various dirt roads and trailheads. This particular trailhead is not used a whole lot, judging by its reviews on three different online review databases.

I too harbor a theory that they possibly went hiking and succumbed to heat, but it's quite odd that he would succumb of exposure right near his truck, which is what I believe the facts to be. It's a death of a person who was not actively under medical care for a serious illness - so of course it's suspicious. All deaths of this type are investigated. Death certificates are not obtainable by the public in the first place, in California. However, an "informational copy" can be requested by the press or other non-family members. I'm reading into the news article that this is not yet available (the family can request sealing of records and must be given time to do so, is my understanding). We don't even know when the certificate was issued, at this point. Or if it was issued.

IMO.

 

[10ofRods]

How many cases are out there where a woman travels overseas on vacation, kills a local man and then disappears? I can’t think of a precedent for that

Not very many where the woman permanently disappears. Here's one where the woman didn't disappear:

Socialite Jasmine Hartin fined after killing Belize police officer

Ex-partner of Lord Ashcroft’s son discharged gun at Henry Jemmott in 2021 as the pair drank together

www.theguardian.com

However, very few people are out in the middle of a vast wasteland, where there's little cell service, most people are transient (hikers, campers, hunters, offroaders). Anyway, I don't think statistical probabilities are great, but I think it's a greater than zero chance (that someone killed JRF). No way of knowing since we don't even know manner of death.
====================

On another topic:

I do not think JFR was a long term resident of the area. A public records search shows he had lived until fairly recently in Anaheim, and before that, Virginia. He had two other brief stays on the edge of the desert communities - but I don't think he was in Morongo/Indian Wells area for more than a year (probably less). As a person who has lived at the edge of deserts (and done desert hiking, off roading and camping for 30 years), I don't think there's anything such as being really experienced in the desert. It is an inherently inhospitable place for humans. Indian Wells, at least, has a well. Harper Canyon is a very dry environment with a welter of dry creek runs, amounting to a kind of delta of what look like trails (the actual trail, according to reports from those who have done it, is barely discernible).

Absolutely nothing about the way his truck was fitted out or his length of stay in Morongo makes me think he was desert experienced. His Seal training was on the east coast, if I'm reading correctly.

IMO.

 

[TravelingBug]

<snip>

I too harbor a theory that they possibly went hiking and succumbed to heat, but it's quite odd that he would succumb of exposure right near his truck, which is what I believe the facts to be. It's a death of a person who was not actively under medical care for a serious illness - so of course it's suspicious. All deaths of this type are investigated. Death certificates are not obtainable by the public in the first place, in California.

That's essentially what happened in AZ with Kathleen Patterson a year ago (linked thread below)

Hiked, got a bit disoriented or off course, went longer than she expected, apparently got dehydrated, and died very, very, very near the parking lot where her vehicle was.

Unlike this case, it was in a relatively highly trafficked area, even with it having been very hot here at the time, and there was a massive boots (and paws and hooves) on the ground and air search within hours of her not returning home when expected and she still wasn't found as quickly as you'd have thought.

She was just slightly off the main trail back to the (huge!) parking lot in a currently closed off area that she must have stumbled into when she was disoriented.

No one was searching that close to the lot thinking whatever happened would have been on one of the trails where she was headed, and no one thought if she'd made it out of the truly dangerous part of her hike that she could have fallen and died so very near to her car.

Knowing the area where Kathleen was hiking and also ultimately where she was found well, plus our weather at the time, and how prepared she really was (plus knew the area, people knew when she was leaving and would be finishing, etc) and a much less isolated situation, combined with the major immediate search response, and how none of that applies really with JRF and FJ, I can imagine it's possible in this case.

He could have been similarly disoriented and dehydrated from heat, especially if something happened prior (an issue with the car and him thinking he could walk somewhere to hope help might drive past? A hiking misadventure? Something with FJ and so trying to get back to the car?) and tried/collapsed and just not made it all the way back to the car perhaps.

Found Deceased - AZ - Kathleen Patterson 60, left home 7:30am for hike at Spur Cross Trail, last contact w/fam ph call 10:30am, Cave Creek, 25 Sept 2022

she got off track and texted that to her husband, as reported. But said she was ok and had enough water. Needless to say, she didn't. This time of year, we need so much water out here. She was carrying bottles, not a camelpak... and that trail has many offshoots and is easy to get off track...

www.websleuths.com

 

[Megnut]

His last ping was on the Julian tower - some 30 miles away. It's too big an area (just the Anza-Borrego park is very large) to pinpoint a ping without special analysis (which they could have done - through the FBI's cast program, and it would likely take about a month).

The area is too big to search quickly. For all we know, rangers at the park were systematically checking various dirt roads and trailheads. This particular trailhead is not used a whole lot, judging by its reviews on three different online review databases.

I too harbor a theory that they possibly went hiking and succumbed to heat, but it's quite odd that he would succumb of exposure right near his truck, which is what I believe the facts to be. It's a death of a person who was not actively under medical care for a serious illness - so of course it's suspicious. All deaths of this type are investigated. Death certificates are not obtainable by the public in the first place, in California. However, an "informational copy" can be requested by the press or other non-family members. I'm reading into the news article that this is not yet available (the family can request sealing of records and must be given time to do so, is my understanding). We don't even know when the certificate was issued, at this point. Or if it was issued.

IMO.

That's essentially what happened in AZ with Kathleen Patterson a year ago (linked thread below)

Hiked, got a bit disoriented or off course, went longer than she expected, apparently got dehydrated, and died very, very, very near the parking lot where her vehicle was.

Unlike this case, it was in a relatively highly trafficked area, even with it having been very hot here at the time, and there was a massive boots (and paws and hooves) on the ground and air search within hours of her not returning home when expected and she still wasn't found as quickly as you'd have thought.

She was just slightly off the main trail back to the (huge!) parking lot in a currently closed off area that she must have stumbled into when she was disoriented.

No one was searching that close to the lot thinking whatever happened would have been on one of the trails where she was headed, and no one thought if she'd made it out of the truly dangerous part of her hike that she could have fallen and died so very near to her car.

Knowing the area where Kathleen was hiking and also ultimately where she was found well, plus our weather at the time, and how prepared she really was (plus knew the area, people knew when she was leaving and would be finishing, etc) and a much less isolated situation, combined with the major immediate search response, and how none of that applies really with JRF and FJ, I can imagine it's possible in this case.

He could have been similarly disoriented and dehydrated from heat, especially if something happened prior (an issue with the car and him thinking he could walk somewhere to hope help might drive past? A hiking misadventure? Something with FJ and so trying to get back to the car?) and tried/collapsed and just not made it all the way back to the car perhaps.

Found Deceased - AZ - Kathleen Patterson 60, left home 7:30am for hike at Spur Cross Trail, last contact w/fam ph call 10:30am, Cave Creek, 25 Sept 2022

she got off track and texted that to her husband, as reported. But said she was ok and had enough water. Needless to say, she didn't. This time of year, we need so much water out here. She was carrying bottles, not a camelpak... and that trail has many offshoots and is easy to get off track...

www.websleuths.com

That's my thought too -- perhaps he nearly made it back to his truck --

 

[10ofRods]

That's my thought too -- perhaps he nearly made it back to his truck --

Entirely possible. Hyperthermia death can happen very suddenly. Water alone will not keep it from happening. Nor will electrolytes. The body's temperature will slowly go up (and sometimes quickly, in older people - usually said to be anyone over 50).

Sometimes people who were very fit when they were younger overdo it in the desert heat, as well. It can really hit suddenly and hard. For many, one of the first symptoms of hyperthermia is euphoria (hence the delightful effects of a sauna for some people - or the sweat lodge). Giddiness, loss of judgment, etc.

So she could still be out there - almost anywhere near Harper Canyon, but I imagine the trail itself has been search (although very easy to get off trail right there from the looks of the topo and satellite images).

It kind of makes sense, too, with the pings. Her phone is perhaps left behind on the 21st for whatever reason, maybe they planned only a quick 1 night trip. On the 22nd, they are in Thermal (and might have left Thermal on the 24th). His phone could have pinged off the Julian tower from the road near Harper Canyon.

Julian is up higher, appears to have a tower.

If they left Thermal on the 22nd, it's possible his phone was pinging from near Julian on the 23rd and 24th, before it finally goes dead. That would mean she is somewhere near Harper Canyon.

It is odd that she didn't text her daughters on the 22nd, though or communicate in some way, using his phone. It's also odd that she would leave her phone behind, to me. She was really into documenting her trips, IMO.

 

[mark1969]

We actually don't know that he drove the truck there himself. Somebody could have driven the truck there with him in it either alive or already deceased.

Very possible idea

 

[charminglane]

If we suppose this is a case of misadventure and everything between the two was honky dory -
He would never leave her out there alone. A Seal would pick her up and they would have been found together. If she wandered away exploring and didn’t respond to his shouts, he might have gone back to the truck to try and drive to find her.

It will be interesting if her phone is in the truck and the info is not being released. If she had her phone with her for photo use, we won't know until Fang is found.

 

[formerlyme]

If we suppose this is a case of misadventure and everything between the two was honky dory -
He would never leave her out there alone. A Seal would pick her up and they would have been found together. If she wandered away exploring and didn’t respond to his shouts, he might have gone back to the truck to try and drive to find her.

It will be interesting if her phone is in the truck and the info is not being released. If she had her phone with her for photo use, we won't know until Fang is found.

maybe she fell? and he was unable to retrieve her, had left cell in truck since no service , went to call for help? so many possibilities, hopefully more info is forthcoming.

 

[mark1969]

Fang sent pictures and/or videos every day except 7/18. The last one was sent at about 10 pm on 7/21. When her family didn’t hear from her again after that last odd video, they got worried and tried to call/text her and didn’t get a response. I don’t think Fang was in the truck when it was spotted at the campground, but that’s just my opinion.

At this moment this is our opinion as well
... what happened on 21st 22.30pm since Fitzpatrick did enter Marine base or officially not or yes ? Alot of strange things happened ... because they never drove by night and would go camping that nigh without taking her pasportt and any of her luggage ?????

 

[charminglane]

At this moment this is our opinion as well
... what happened on 21st 22.30pm since Fitzpatrick did enter Marine base or officially not or yes ? Alot of strange things happened ... because they never drove by night and would go camping that nigh without taking her pasportt and any of her luggage ?????

@mark1969 I don’t understand.
How do you know Fang did not take her passport or luggage with her?

 

[mark1969]

@mark1969 I don’t understand.
How do you know Fang did not take her passport or luggage with her?

We also do not understand why it has been found by police in Johns trailerhome together with 3 full luggages of her and cash money

 

[charminglane]

We also do not understand why it has been found by police in Johns trailerhome together with 3 full luggages of her and cash money

@mark1969
Was FJ’s wallet with credit cards located there at the trailerhome?

 

[Lusitana]

Call me crazy but I have a feeling he was murdered.

 

[justtrish]

We also do not understand why it has been found by police in Johns trailerhome together with 3 full luggages of her and cash money

Were they going out camping and she didn't want to bring expensive items out for that reason? I know tourists are targeted often because they often carry cash and their valuables with them. If she was able to leave them in his house locked up, then that might have felt safer than bringing them everywhere they went?

Edited to add: I lived in Hawaii for a few years and the location was very touristy. So many tourists arrive and don't want to leave valuables in their hotel so they would have things in their rental car.. stop at lookout points, go to the beach or other activites and then their cars get broken into and passports, IDs, everything stolen. People always warned them not to put them in their car, but people don't think it would happen.

If some areas they were traveling through was very touristy and she felt more comfortable leaving her items in his house that does make sense. She didn't need her passport or all her luggage all the time during the trip and risk them being stolen or lost?

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The body of Fitzpatrick, who went missing in July, has been found in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the local police confirmed, his truck was parked nearby. No further details have been released by the police

American man found dead, Chinese woman still missing after online-friendship meetup turns fatal

The body of an American man, John Root Fitzpatrick, who went missing in July, has been found, while

www.shine.cn

 

[charminglane]

Were they going out camping and she didn't want to bring expensive items out for that reason? I know tourists are targeted often because they often carry cash and their valuables with them. If she was able to leave them in his house locked up, then that might have felt safer than bringing them everywhere they went?

True. This also means that they were possible taking day trips, not over night, and it was an exploring day.

 

[slowpoke]

Ok, so, @mark1969 has given us some important information.

Fang’s 3 full suitcases were in JRF’s trailer home, as was her cash and passport.

So, that seems to confirm she was staying there (which we suspected, but it wasn’t spelled out for us).

We also know the police checked his home (but when, since they put out he was voluntary missing?).

It also tells us wherever she went, she intended to return since she left her belongings and money behind.

 

[espirtu pampa]

Would you leave your money and passport in a trailer while going out ?