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

[crhedBngr]

Dear WS members .... in the middle of this search for answers , we already want to thank you all for your amazing support in this journey....
We hope that this support can be maintained until more questions of the cause of dead can be released....and more answers can be given to the family, friends and specially to daughter E (just celebrated her 10th birthday in Belgium last month) and daughter L ( who is studying in China)

We'll be here, Mark.

JMVHO.

 

[10ofRods]

"Shortly thereafter, Fitzpatrick's 4-wheel-drive Toyota Tacoma was found damaged and abandoned in the area south of the Harper Flat."

The truck was found SOUTH of Harper Flat? That's not Pinyon Wash Road or Pinyon Mountain Road, both of which are north-west of Harper Flat.,

Exactly. It's so confusing. I don't think it's possible that it was on a road of any kind, if they need a copter to get it out. It sounds like it is wedged somewhere in a place where none of the tow trucks, even the kind with a big wench, could get there.

It's possible the truck came to rest there after the rains. The truck was found further away from Highway 78 than I expected.

IMO

 

[nao]

Moo...4x4's and/or wrecked autos need to go on a flatbed to move. Probably just can't get a tow truck out there, tow trucks don't 4x4 I don't think...moo

 

[10ofRods]

How did they come upon these remains? Was it just a random search? Did they have a reason to be looking where they did?

His truck was nearby. HIs bones were found (apparently in a wash just south of Harper Flat?) So they had two major clues for where to look.

It was not at all a random search. JRF's phone pings off nearby Julian tower (20 miles away - but probably the closest tower aimed in that direction) on the 24th. There were posts on FB about the finding of the truck (on various pages - mostly the Anza Borrego State Park page). It was found in mid-September, which is when JRF's bones were found. It stood to reason that if Jin Fang's body was up there, it would be in the same general area.

I'm reading that in one of the reports, it is said that a camper found her bones but I think this is in error. Do we have a source for that? I think she was found in the recent organized search.

 

[Herat]

His truck was nearby. HIs bones were found (apparently in a wash just south of Harper Flat?) So they had two major clues for where to look.

It was not at all a random search. JRF's phone pings off nearby Julian tower (20 miles away - but probably the closest tower aimed in that direction) on the 24th. There were posts on FB about the finding of the truck (on various pages - mostly the Anza Borrego State Park page). It was found in mid-September, which is when JRF's bones were found. It stood to reason that if Jin Fang's body was up there, it would be in the same general area.

I'm reading that in one of the reports, it is said that a camper found her bones but I think this is in error. Do we have a source for that? I think she was found in the recent organized search.

All the reports I have seen and the maps that WS'rs have made show his remains found in Harper Canyon, NORTH-EAST of Harper Flat, as if he was heading towards Highway 78. My guess is that it's about 2-2.5 miles from the presumed area of the truck, and it would be substantially down in elevation from the south end of Harper Flat, where the Fish Creek Canyon road becomes Hapapa Flat. There is a small trail to what is called Dave McCain Spring, which is a dry spring and actually has been turned into a "guzzler" to water Bighorn Sheep. I don't know if perhaps he was heading that way to find water, and found none.

Guzzlers are installed in wildlife areas to provide sources of water for wildlife, and are often present in BLM and remote areas of the west. In this area the are intended to provide water for Bighorn Sheep, but I have also seen them as resources for birds such as chukar.

I noticed it on the hiking trip report of the Harper Canyon trip:

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

If you look at the photo section, you can see two photos of this hiking group at the guzzler, photos of 11 and 12, taken in March 2018.

That hike circled around the guzzler and took photos of it (where it looks completely dry), although they didn't label it as Dave McCain Spring. I had been map searching for it much closer to the Harper Canyon wash and was surprised to see it was so far south. I'm just wondering if this is where they might have headed.

 

[10ofRods]

All the reports I have seen and the maps that WS'rs have made show his remains found in Harper Canyon, NORTH-EAST of Harper Flat, as if he was heading towards Highway 78. My guess is that it's about 2-2.5 miles from the presumed area of the truck, and it would be substantially down in elevation from the south end of Harper Flat, where the Fish Creek Canyon road becomes Hapapa Flat. There is a small trail to what is called Dave McCain Spring, which is a dry spring and actually has been turned into a "guzzler" to water Bighorn Sheep. I don't know if perhaps he was heading that way to find water, and found none.

Guzzlers are installed in wildlife areas to provide sources of water for wildlife, and are often present in BLM and remote areas of the west. In this area the are intended to provide water for Bighorn Sheep, but I have also seen them as resources for birds such as chukar.

I noticed it on the hiking trip report of the Harper Canyon trip:

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

If you look at the photo section, you can see two photos of this hiking group at the guzzler, photos of 11 and 12, taken in March 2018.

That hike circled around the guzzler and took photos of it (where it looks completely dry), although they didn't label it as Dave McCain Spring. I had been map searching for it much closer to the Harper Canyon wash and was surprised to see it was so far south. I'm just wondering if this is where they might have headed.

Thank you for directing me to those pictures! If they had had a truck accident, they could have been looking for water.

In one post about the trail, it does say that the approach road is closed 4 miles from the Harper Canyon trailhead. I wonder about things such as JRF perhaps driving around the road barrier to proceed on up to Harper Flat. People have difficulty finding the loop, but report that even on the straight approach up the canyon, it's prickly and difficult.

From what I can tell, there's now a fence keeping cars on Old Kane Springs Road from making to Harper Flat - so if he was found nearer the highway, that makes sense.

Still wish we knew where that truck was found.

 

[charminglane]

Maybe when/if the truck gets hauled out, Godfredson or another reporter will be there to witness.
Providing more specifics.
Many, many questions remain.

 

[mark1969]

His truck was nearby. HIs bones were found (apparently in a wash just south of Harper Flat?) So they had two major clues for where to look.

It was not at all a random search. JRF's phone pings off nearby Julian tower (20 miles away - but probably the closest tower aimed in that direction) on the 24th. There were posts on FB about the finding of the truck (on various pages - mostly the Anza Borrego State Park page). It was found in mid-September, which is when JRF's bones were found. It stood to reason that if Jin Fang's body was up there, it would be in the same general area.

I'm reading that in one of the reports, it is said that a camper found her bones but I think this is in error. Do we have a source for that? I think she was found in the recent organized search.

There was a specific search organised by sheriff of San Diego last saturday when new remains were found ... coming friday we will get result of identification.

 

[I'm Nobody]

Fang was spiritual, into nature / meditation. Somebody once told me white butterflies are communications from deceased who loved being with you. I wasn't all that spiritual at the time, but I found myself wishing/hoping that true. Today when I see a white butterfly, I believe it's someone I loved paying me a visit. May Fang's daughters find signs, whatever they may be, that offer them peace & comfort in the days ahead.
Blessings
JMO

 

[Sundog]

This video shows dirt bikers riding in the area. It’s a difficult area to navigate.

<snipped for focus>

This video shows that one of the reporters from CBS8 went out to the area to see if he could locate JRF's blue Toyota truck. In the video you can see him asking a guy driving a Jeep if he has seen the abandoned truck. The reporter is on a dirt bike like other bikers in the video. I hope he stays on the case and is determined to find out what happened to Fang Jin. He must be somewhat determined if he has gone out to the state park and is asking questions regarding trying to locate the truck for his own reporting investigation.

 

[slowpoke]

<snipped for focus>

This video shows that one of the reporters from CBS8 went out to the area to see if he could locate JRF's blue Toyota truck. In the video you can see him asking a guy driving a Jeep if he has seen the abandoned truck. The reporter is on a dirt bike like other bikers in the video. I hope he stays on the case and is determined to find out what happened to Fang Jin. He must be somewhat determined if he has gone out to the state park and is asking questions regarding trying to locate the truck for his own reporting investigation.

David Gotfredson is an amazing investigative reporter. When he covers a case, he follows up with it, and sees it through!
I’ve seen him in the Dia Abrams case, and in the Maya Millette case. He is a treasure.

 

[Teche]

For anyone else hitting access issues, here are screenshots of the most recent article from cbs8, a San Diego affiliate.

San diego is has a much larger population, local news has more eyeballs, and San Bernardino and San Diego often work closely out in the desert.

Jin has a college-child and a 7 yr. old.

 

[tvscum]

and more answers can be given to the family, friends and specially to daughter E (just celebrated her 10th birthday in Belgium last month) and daughter L ( who is studying in China)

VI says younger child just turned 10 (sounds like the age 7 remark was an estimate)

 

[vls12345]

@mark1969, sending my condolences to you, Jin's daughters and other family and friends. You have been a true friend to Jin and her daughters as you have worked to find information and take steps to find Jin. I know it has been a hard, frustrating, and sad few months and I am sorry all of you are having to navigate these events.

 

[sfinkz]

A heartbreaking paradox in search of missing; discover a beautiful spirit and realize, in all likelihood, no longer among the living.
May the findings be the greatest comfort and bring peace (extreme recklessness by operator of Tacoma being most benign) for the family/friends of Yama, whose soul has touched many hearts across many continents and lives on.

 

[mark1969]

Jin has a college-child and a 7 yr. old.

David was wrong E is 10 and L is 21

 

[megs1477]

It just occurred to me, when I was pulling JRF’s criminal records, his traffic citations came up too. I did not document them, but there were quite a few. I remember thinking he was not a great driver. Having watched the videos that were previously posted, it would seem, if you are not an excellent driver to begin with, it would be easy to make a tragic mistake. JMOO

 

[Megnut]

It just occurred to me, when I was pulling JRF’s criminal records, his traffic citations came up too. I did not document them, but there were quite a few. I remember thinking he was not a great driver. Having watched the videos that were previously posted, it would seem, if you are not an excellent driver to begin with, it would be easy to make a tragic mistake. JMOO

Especially if he/they were driving in the dark.

JMO

 

[Ou41aw]

Not sure if connected to getting the truck out or anything, but AB State Park today posted on Facebook that Pinyon and Nolina Wash will be closed November 2, 2023 through November 6, 2023 for maintenance. These washes are in the area nearby to Harper Flat.

https://www.facebook.com/AnzaBorrego/posts/351335634074371

 

[Herat]

Not sure if connected to getting the truck out or anything, but AB State Park today posted on Facebook that Pinyon and Nolina Wash will be closed November 2, 2023 through November 6, 2023 for maintenance. These washes are in the area nearby to Harper Flat.

https://www.facebook.com/AnzaBorrego/posts/351335634074371

Well, that is certainly curious, given current events and remains located. I would surmise this means :

1. Removing a vehicle ( by helicopter?)
2. Searching for more evidence, clothing, materials that might have been in their vehicle on on their persons.

That area would still be higher in elevation than Highway 78, and in the event of significant flash flooding, materials would be expected to flow northward, towards Highway 78, rather than southward into the area of Harper Flat.

However, I would not call those areas "south of Harper Flat". I agree that driving in Fish Creek Trails seems a highly likely scenic route to have been taken, and that would have normally ended up along Hapaha Flat, just south of Harper Flat.

I found this photo travelogue of a trip along that route into the "ancient Indian village sites" in the area. It describes the drive in along Fish Creek, Sandstone Canyon, and then Hapaha Flat. The route looks well marked with signs. I think there is also a "squeeze" area on Sandstone Canyon, so the turn north leading to Hapaha Flat makes sense. The road to Dave McCain Spring looks quite flat and without bad rocks. This was in 2012, so it doesn't look like the guzzler at Dave McCain Spring had been installed yet. There is only a badly damaged metal tank.

Very interesting. The route looks quite reasonable for a 4WD ( amazed he took a 2WD pickup w a camper and his kids ). I don't really see any rock-hopping requirement in the drive in broad daylight, no obvious reason for a vehicle to get damaged.

All, in all, this seems like a nice trip, in cooler weather.

Hapaha Flat, Dave Mcain Spring, Split Rock - Completed Trips - Anza Borrego Desert