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 #3

[megs1477]

If we assume the truck was near the fence, the most prominent trails would have been a foot trail going directly north from the fence area toward Pinyon Wash. And there would have been a trail going west up along Pinyon Canyon. They knew how long the road along Fish Creek was, and it would have seemed to be too long to retrace their steps.

The opening of Harper Canyon, however, would not have a direct trail, nor would it appear to be the obvious easiest exit, IMHO.

To me, Harper Canyon would not look like the best route. By distance, it might have looked more direct on a map and appear to be less distance than getting to Highway 78 by Pinyon Wash, but Pinyon Wash at least had a road of 5 miles and a chance of cell service, whereas Harper Canyon would have been 5 miles of no trail and no cell service.

Do you think perhaps he was familiar with that trail? Maybe had hiked it before and knew it went to Old Kane Springs Rd?

 

[I'm Nobody]

Going with the theory that the truck became disabled and they decided to hike out to find help…
I’m going to make several assumptions:
1- They did not have adequate water, as they did not intend to spend an extended amount of time outside the vehicle.
2- Cell service is very bad. No service would mean no GPS/Map.
3- They likely were not dressed appropriately for an extended hike.

There are several possible scenarios that could have led to the truck becoming disabled. Regardless, it’s possible they decided to hike out to get help, verses staying and waiting to be found. The only reason I can think for not retracing their path, would be the higher likelihood of encountering someone else on the trail.
Knowing JRF’s background, something would have had to happen to cause him to become incapacitated. Possibly heat stroke, perhaps a fall that made it so he could not walk. The. JF continues on without him, heading towards 78 but not knowing where to go because there is no cell service or WiFi signal.
JRF’s phone could have pinged off a Julian tower in that area if it was in his person or in his truck and managed to establish a weak signal at some point. JF’s phone would have had no connection at any time since she relied on WiFi.
Following the path from the truck, JRF went down first, JF shed the backpack and continued on.
Alternately, JF could have become disorientated and continued on off the trail and the backpack was washed by the storm.

I strongly believe had misinformation not circulated early on, this event would have been considered a tragic accident by most, if not all. While I may be wrong, I still have not seen a single fact or piece of evidence in this case that points to anything other than an accident.

Yes^^^ Thank you.
They likely had no first aid kit, no way to get medical attention.
SO Heat stroke, heart attack, somehow incapacitated.

What about rattlesnakes???????????

Only bc facing a rattlesnake would likely give me a heart attack.
JMO
"This area is home to rattlesnakes. While not aggressive, they are venomous. If you encounter a rattlesnake, leave it be and maintain a safe distance."
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Tips to Safely Enjoy Anza-Borrego Desert State Park This Winter Season

California State Parks

www.parks.ca.gov

Different county but good info about rattlesnakes. ONLY approx "300 rattlesnake bites are reported annually" to CA poison control. YIKES!

Snakes on a trail: Tips for hiking in rattlesnake country

Summer is the perfect time to hike Sonoma County's trails. It's also the time of the year when the northern Pacific rattlesnake is most active in the region's parks. While it's rare for a human to suffer a rattlesnake bite, it is helpful to know some basics about rattlesnake behavior and what to...

parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov

 

[Herat]

Do you think perhaps he was familiar with that trail? Maybe had hiked it before and knew it went to Old Kane Springs Rd?

Certainly possible. I would have though if he wanted to explore archeologic sites in the mountains between Pinyon Wash and Harper Canyon, he would have left the vehicle on the north side, either off of Pinyon Wash or Old Kane Springs Road.

Maybe he was familiar with the Octotillo Wells area and was planning on ending up there near the Desert Ironwood resort. Although I would think it would close during the heat of the summer.

To drive in from Fish Creek would be a much longer drive and they would still have a couple more miles of hiking to do to get to the mountains just south of Highway 78.

 

[mark1969]

Only quoting source in approved MSM. Seems JRF was encouraged to be the gentleman (according to the source) and endure the journey for initial encounter.
Apparently, he balked. Military hindrance IYO.
Not being in total control in MOO.
Also IMOO, the perception/reality of this case as military hero/wounded warrior lies at the heart.

It may sound silly ...but can someone send me a dictionary of all abrevations that everyone is using here ...because for me as a Dutch speaking European and as only Verified Insider of this group ...I really want to get out most of it ...and not in a cryptical way if possible..... thanks alot for helping me out....

 

[megs1477]

Yes^^^ Thank you.
They likely had no first aid kit, no way to get medical attention.
SO Heat stroke, heart attack, somehow incapacitated.

What about rattlesnakes???????????

Only bc facing a rattlesnake would likely give me a heart attack.
JMO
"This area is home to rattlesnakes. While not aggressive, they are venomous. If you encounter a rattlesnake, leave it be and maintain a safe distance."
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Tips to Safely Enjoy Anza-Borrego Desert State Park This Winter Season

California State Parks

www.parks.ca.gov

Different county but good info about rattlesnakes. ONLY approx "300 rattlesnake bites are reported annually" to CA poison control. YIKES!

Snakes on a trail: Tips for hiking in rattlesnake country

Summer is the perfect time to hike Sonoma County's trails. It's also the time of the year when the northern Pacific rattlesnake is most active in the region's parks. While it's rare for a human to suffer a rattlesnake bite, it is helpful to know some basics about rattlesnake behavior and what to...

parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov

Thank you for the source of my nightmares tonight!!

 

[mark1969]

Glad to think you are considering that they may have been (at some point) trying to get above Harper Flat (because, well, planning a low altitude downward hike - requiring so much effort to get back up to their truck - is truly extraordinary in such hot weather).

An early morning or early evening hike up above the Flat seems more sensible - although it's still possible they did no such thing. But why - after apparently doing very little hiking/photography in Joshua Tree, did they decide to go up to Pinyon Wash/Harper Flat and then...go hiking? Without stores of water to return to as needed?

The find of Fang's backpack is consistent with the two of them being there together, doing some kind of outdoor thing (just stopping for photos, as usual?) What else did they run into? Why are both phones out of commission? If both were still together and adventuring on the 24th, what happened that made JRF's phone cease to ping????

His body wasn't *that* far from the truck and was likely much nearer the truck before the rains. What could have happened to disable JRF from self-rescue in a situation like this - it's not as if they were that far from Highway 78. Did he not have a camelback and if he didn't, why not? If he had one, I hope they find it. But LE saying there was virtually no water in the truck is quite concerning.

One element we haven't talked about much is that people in the budding phase of a romance get a lot of dopamine hits and may very well be a bit more careless/carefree/deliriously happy than usual. This can lead to poor decision-making. I just think it strange that her phone stopped working and that his ceases to ping, apparently, after the 24th.

IMO.

Does someone knows if in this whole area there should be 100% cellphone coverage ?
If they were together for example in night of 23rd and because of being tired , not noticing the fence , broke it, wrecked the car , hurt themselves ....then trying to call without coverage , still by night trying to find help but because of injuries not be able anymore to do so , one of them died , the other one desperately lost ...and finally also died ?

 

[megs1477]

Does someone knows if in this whole area there should be 100% cellphone coverage ?
If they were together for example in night of 23rd and because of being tired , not noticing the fence , broke it, wrecked the car , hurt themselves ....then trying to call without coverage , still by night trying to find help but because of injuries not be able anymore to do so , one of them died , the other one desperately lost ...and finally also died ?

There were cell phone coverage maps posted very early in this thread. There is very limited to no cell phone coverage in this entire area.

 

[Interested_But_Confused]

Does someone knows if in this whole area there should be 100% cellphone coverage ?
If they were together for example in night of 23rd and because of being tired , not noticing the fence , broke it, wrecked the car , hurt themselves ....then trying to call without coverage , still by night trying to find help but because of injuries not be able anymore to do so , one of them died , the other one desperately lost ...and finally also died ?

I'm not sure how much cellphone coverage the area had. Probably patchy at best.

You have previously said that you know Fang's cellphone battery died on the 25th. If you don't mind answering, how do you know that? And when Fang's family and friends were attempting to contact her from the 22nd onwards, did her phone actually ring or was there no response at all?

The reason I ask is that if her cellphone was ringing, it must have had a signal. And if you were able to tell when the phone's battery died, that also suggests it had a signal.

If the phone had a signal Fang should have been able to make calls from it.

 

[I'm Nobody]

It may sound silly ...but can someone send me a dictionary of all abrevations that everyone is using here ...because for me as a Dutch speaking European and as only Verified Insider of this group ...I really want to get out most of it ...and not in a cryptical way if possible..... thanks alot for helping me out....

Mark, This one was listed on WS=Websleuths forum a while back. Hope it helps. I need it sometimes too.

Chat Abbreviations

A searchable list of acronyms and abbreviations people use in text messaging and online chat.

pc.net

 

[Herat]

It may sound silly ...but can someone send me a dictionary of all abrevations that everyone is using here ...because for me as a Dutch speaking European and as only Verified Insider of this group ...I really want to get out most of it ...and not in a cryptical way if possible..... thanks alot for helping me out....

If you use the Search box on the upper right and enter the poster’s name “Imamaze” in the Members search, you will find postings with the list of acronyms

 

[mark1969]

I'm not sure how much cellphone coverage the area had. Probably patchy at best.

You have previously said that you know Fang's cellphone battery died on the 25th. If you don't mind answering, how do you know that? And when Fang's family and friends were attempting to contact her from the 22nd onwards, did her phone actually ring or was there no response at all?

The reason I ask is that if her cellphone was ringing, it must have had a signal. And if you were able to tell when the phone's battery died, that also suggests it had a signal.

If the phone had a signal Fang should have been able to make calls from it.

In our European cellphone system ....it works like this ....if you call someone and you get to hear ringing tone than this means the other cellphone is active connected with battery in the net....if you immediately without ringing tone get the voicemail or operators voice then it means no connection because phone is off or battery died....Since her daughter Lin and friends tried to call Fang since 22nd of July several times a day ...we know it was ringing but at 25th stopped ringing

 

[Interested_But_Confused]

In our European cellphone system ....it works like this ....if you call someone and you get to hear ringing tone than this means the other cellphone is active connected with battery in the net....if you immediately without ringing tone get the voicemail or operators voice then it means no connection because phone is off or battery died....Since her daughter Lin and friends tried to call Fang since 22nd of July several times a day ...we know it was ringing but at 25th stopped ringing

That's great information, thank you. If Fang's cellphone was ringing, that means it was connected to a cellphone tower or wifi and there was some reason why Fang didn't or couldn't answer it.

Wherever the phone was, it had a signal until the 25th when it either lost signal or its battery died.

 

[Herat]

If you use the Search box on the upper right and enter the poster’s name “Imamaze” in the Members search, you will find postings with the list of acronyms

I’m sorry that didn’t work the second time I tried it, Mark1969

Go to the main orange-colored FORUM tab and scroll down about 2/3 of the column until you get to Resource Center and then open Forum Finesse.

About half a page down is a post called WebSleuth Lingo made by poster imamaze. That will have most all you’ll need.

 

[Interested_But_Confused]

In our European cellphone system ....it works like this ....if you call someone and you get to hear ringing tone than this means the other cellphone is active connected with battery in the net....if you immediately without ringing tone get the voicemail or operators voice then it means no connection because phone is off or battery died....Since her daughter Lin and friends tried to call Fang since 22nd of July several times a day ...we know it was ringing but at 25th stopped ringing

I don't think this question has been asked before, but the answer might be important: In the past, had Fang EVER gone a day or two without answering her cellphone? Even if it had only happened once or twice.

 

[AnyNameIWish]

Not silly at all. It takes some getting used to!

"Only quoting source in approved MSM - Main Stream Media (for us, only in English. Nothing in Chinese translated on google). Seems JRF was encouraged to be the gentleman (according to the source) and endure the journey for initial encounter.
Apparently, he balked. Military hindrance IYO. (IN YOUR OPINION?)
Not being in total control in MOO. (MY OPINION ONLY)
Also IMOO (IN MY OPINION ONLY?), the perception/reality of this case as military hero/wounded warrior lies at the heart."

Please correct me, I'm also confused and the link above doesn't list all of these. Thanks all

 

[Bogbacal2]

I think someone simply saw a bright blue double cab Tacoma. I have been surprised at how many of them I saw on my daily commute during the time right after this pair when missing.

The way I read it, a blue truck was sighted, but I"m not sure the license plate was verified (I doubt most people would have the license plate memorized). I need way more than just a truck sighting in order to believe it was JRF's truck, as it makes no sense.

OTOH, I'm the one who has been suggesting that perhaps JRF did leave Morongo Valley, go down toward Julian, and then come back.

So...your theory is still on my list. If that sighting was indeed JRF, then the mobile home door being open at around the same time is very odd and concerning. It also would mean that the truck went to Pinyon Wash Road/edge of Harper Flat sometime after that. Since JRF's phone pinged near Julian on the 24th, he was in the general area prior - but perhaps not at Harper Flat. Odd that there are no more phone pings after the 24th. Did JRF acquire a new phone? Did he stop using his phone for some reason?

It's so hard to put all of this together.

IMO

Yes-regarding phone pings. It is very odd that JRF phone did not ping after the 24th. Here I go again with the truck scenario-as you said, lots of trucks like JRF; If it were in fact John’s truck, I toy with the idea that JRF and Fang met with foul play at JRF trailer. “Someone” ( more than one?) drove them out to area body was found, used the truck for a bit and returned the truck before the flood. Far fetched!
I also agree with your thoughts on JRF possibly leaving Morongo Valley and returning.
As previously talked about, that leaves us with 3 scenarios. Accident, Fang and JRF victims of foul play or JRF harmed fang and took his life. The latter is starting to look like the less likely scenario (which was originally at the top of my list). As I said earlier, it would be helpful for someone who was close to JRF to shed some light into his life, habits, patterns….I know DH made Fangs daughters suspicious-i wish Mark could have a conversation with DH (he has not spoken with DH has he? Memory is failing in that one!) and his lack of help is very strange.

 

[Carovb5]

In our European cellphone system ....it works like this ....if you call someone and you get to hear ringing tone than this means the other cellphone is active connected with battery in the net....if you immediately without ringing tone get the voicemail or operators voice then it means no connection because phone is off or battery died....Since her daughter Lin and friends tried to call Fang since 22nd of July several times a day ...we know it was ringing but at 25th stopped ringing

That’s important, because everytime someone rang her and it was ringing, the phone connected to towers. The police can then get the info: where the phone was (unfortunately often a bigger terrain) by those ‘pings’ (connections) with those towers.

 

[L'Eau_d'Hiver]

The find of Fang's backpack is consistent with the two of them being there together, doing some kind of outdoor thing (just stopping for photos, as usual?)

There's also a possibility Fang's backpack could have been left there at some point by someone else...

 

[mark1969]

I don't think this question has been asked before, but the answer might be important: In the past, had Fang EVER gone a day or two without answering her cellphone? Even if it had only happened once or twice.

By coïncidence she was not prepared well to have almost no cellphonecoverage for the 2 or 3 days coming.....I am very convinced that they did not plan to stay out for more than 1 max 2 days......

 

[ClaireNC]

In my opinion, there is no way in hello that this is an accident, a wilderness misadventure. They didn’t go hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in the heat of the summer. That’s just ridiculous. Fang had already commented about the temperamental nature of the water and power supply at JRF‘s house. Why would she agree to go hiking in that god-forsaken place? There are so many other places they could have gone during her first week in the desert.