Found Deceased CA - Fang Jin, 47, flew to LA from China, train to Palm Springs, Morongo Basin, 21 Jul 2023, w/ JohnRoot Fitzpatrick, 55, missing, 30 Jul ‘23

[flowershop]

you would think, with the publicity now, some one would remember them buying water, drinks, supplies, gas... unless they already have and reported to LE

I have a friend in this area and just today I sent her a link about this case. She had not heard of it before.

 

[10ofRods]

I reached out to the folks who run The Palms and they don't remember seeing her that night.

Good for you!

I wish I knew how to "reach out" to the Los Angeles Times. They don't really have a local crimes section any more, and they do not cover all the other 2999 missing people very well (it really takes a podcast? I'm not sure what it takes). I know that the service area of the LA Times is often focused on...Los Angeles County/City.

The story has scrolled off the front page of the High Desert News, as far as I can tell (which is normal - one or two stories, then nothing).

The Victorville news outlet gave just one article to the case, on August 3:

Woman who flew in from China now missing after trip to Morongo Basin area

Sheriff’s officials are seeking the public’s help in locating a 47-year-old woman who went missing in the Morongo Basin area on July 22.

www.vvdailypress.com

Most residents of the counties involved in this case probably read something other than the L.A. Times - but the various desert news papers would be the place to put a missing persons ad.

 

[10ofRods]

you would think, with the publicity now, some one would remember them buying water, drinks, supplies, gas... unless they already have and reported to LE

Most people do not read a daily paper. Even in my workplace (a college) neither the faculty nor the students read a daily newspaper. Those of us who teach in or adjacent to forensics do pay attention, but most people do not. There are no news stands on campus any more.

None of my students watch or read news or current events. Well, I should say 95% do not - and it's definitely a struggle to get them to start.

The only reason I know about this case is from WS, I've seen absolutely nothing about it in the 10-12 California papers I read daily (I did eventually find articles in two desert newspapers). L.A. Times has nothing; my city newspaper has nothing; the city where I work has a newspaper - nothing; Santa Barbara newspaper - nothing (and so on).

That's because this story is local to San Bernardino, IMO.

It's possible someone has contacted LE - but since they were not always in San Bernardino and none of the other counties is publicizing this case, it would have been in San Bernardino. Unless both of them went into the counter of the convenience store, I doubt anyone would have noticed them or registered that they were there. He's an average looking man of his age, she's an average looking woman of her age (no one is going to make special note of a solo Chinese traveler buying something at a busy convenience store).

Most of us buy gas at the pump and never see a clerk. They did not appear to have lots of supplies in their truck, and drive-throughs are a viable and nearly invisible way of getting things.

I just wish they could find that darned truck. I also wish that San Bernardino Sheriff would contact border officials - and not treat this as voluntarily missing.

Sigh.

 

[nao]

Moo..I read most news on my phone, and it's mostly international news. Local news I know nothing about...if something local happens..someone on local FB will be yapping about it....it is sad we do have local paper but I never read it. I used to..now I just rely on FB gossip for news....moo

 

[cenilla]

Thing is, she was reportedly in contact with family every other day until the 21st at night.. and then radio silence? IMO It doesn't sound like a situation where she wanted to run off with her new beau, I mean, where would they even go?

I agree. based on what I read, neither Jin Fang nor JRF has good reasons to run off.
Jin ran a homestay business in Portugal(that's how her good friend Emily met her), she returned to China when COVID hit and Tourism was down. she is financially stable and a veteran traveler, her parents and daughter love her, Why would she give it all up?
If she wanted to stay in the US, she could simply pay and "marry" JRF, he gets money and she gets citizenship, or the 2 of them could set up a joint-venture then she could get a work visa...there are many ways to stay in US, why would she need to elope? I highly doubt that she planned to become a US citizen and start a completely different life in US at age 47. China is a rising power and has impeccable cities and peaceful society, she is from Guangdong, a highly developed province, life is beautiful there if you have a little money, which she does have.

JRF had served as a navy seal for more than 20 years (if his statement on linkedin is true), so he has handsome pensions or retirement that he wouldn't want to give up. He also has his own business. His love for his ex-wife might have been lost, but her divorce filing shows that they have minor children, it gives him less reason to go into hiding--well, I presume most parents don't abandon their kids.

 

[Lusitana]

If he's retired Navy, he could still get on base, correct? (Not that I think they are there.)

Yes. There would be record of it if he got on any base too.

 

[AnyNameIWish]

That Trellis law link shows "legal separation w/o minor children "- So I don't think JRF has children with this wife.

JRF address in Morongo Valley is a trailer, so I'm not sure how handsome his pension is... but of course, everyone manages their money differently. I don't see him owning a business?

 

[Lusitana]

That Trellis law link shows "legal separation w/o minor children "- So I don't think JRF has children with this wife.

JRF address in Morongo Valley is a trailer, so I'm not sure how handsome his pension is... but of course, everyone manages their money differently. I don't see him owning a business?

It only says that they don't have minor children. They could have adult children.

 

[10ofRods]

That Trellis law link shows "legal separation w/o minor children "- So I don't think JRF has children with this wife.

JRF address in Morongo Valley is a trailer, so I'm not sure how handsome his pension is... but of course, everyone manages their money differently. I don't see him owning a business?

If you accept money as payment for any service rendered (such as guiding), you now own a business in California.

If you rent out a room in your house (where was Fang staying, exactly?), you now have a business in California (and should report the rental income on taxes, etc).

It's wise to get a business license, but not necessary.

IMO.

 

[richie2023]

I agree. based on what I read, neither Jin Fang nor JRF has good reasons to run off.
Jin ran a homestay business in Portugal(that's how her good friend Emily met her), she returned to China when COVID hit and Tourism was down. she is financially stable and a veteran traveler, her parents and daughter love her, Why would she give it all up?
If she wanted to stay in the US, she could simply pay and "marry" JRF, he gets money and she gets citizenship, or the 2 of them could set up a joint-venture then she could get a work visa...there are many ways to stay in US, why would she need to elope? I highly doubt that she planned to become a US citizen and start a completely different life in US at age 47. China is a rising power and has impeccable cities and peaceful society, she is from Guangdong, a highly developed province, life is beautiful there if you have a little money, which she does have.

JRF had served as a navy seal for more than 20 years (if his statement on linkedin is true), so he has handsome pensions or retirement that he wouldn't want to give up. He also has his own business. His love for his ex-wife might have been lost, but her divorce filing shows that they have minor children, it gives him less reason to go into hiding--well, I presume most parents don't abandon their kids.

Thanks for providing these two insightful (Chinese) Articles. Fang Jin doesn't have a valid reason to stay in US.
I can't say the same thing about John Root's disappearing. Did Fang's friend Emily (in the US?) try to reach out to John Root's ex-wife? John Root's so-called friend is also looking for him. They might have their own agenda than Jin's friend.

 

[AnyNameIWish]

I am not in the camp that believes in any of this talk of JRF being a hired tour guide for pay- it just doesn't make sense and conflicting reports from her family/friends make this near impossible to understand... The daughter has clearly stated otherwise in Chinese media. Why would LE say he was a "hired guide" if he isn't?

 

[citizen_sleuth]

I agree. based on what I read, neither Jin Fang nor JRF has good reasons to run off.
Jin ran a homestay business in Portugal(that's how her good friend Emily met her), she returned to China when COVID hit and Tourism was down. she is financially stable and a veteran traveler, her parents and daughter love her, Why would she give it all up?
If she wanted to stay in the US, she could simply pay and "marry" JRF, he gets money and she gets citizenship, or the 2 of them could set up a joint-venture then she could get a work visa...there are many ways to stay in US, why would she need to elope? I highly doubt that she planned to become a US citizen and start a completely different life in US at age 47. China is a rising power and has impeccable cities and peaceful society, she is from Guangdong, a highly developed province, life is beautiful there if you have a little money, which she does have.

JRF had served as a navy seal for more than 20 years (if his statement on linkedin is true), so he has handsome pensions or retirement that he wouldn't want to give up. He also has his own business. His love for his ex-wife might have been lost, but her divorce filing shows that they have minor children, it gives him less reason to go into hiding--well, I presume most parents don't abandon their kids.

I tend to agree that it seems unlikely she planned on eloping, although I will say that a foreigner cannot come to the US on a tourist (B-1) visa with the intention of marrying. They have to first file the I-129F form to receive a K-1 visa (sometimes referred to as a 'fiance visa') which is quite a lengthy process. Currently, the processing time for a K-1 visa at the California service center is 16.5 months according to USCIS.

 

[ClaireNC]

Thanks for providing these two insightful (Chinese) Articles. Fang Jin doesn't have a valid reason to stay in US.
I can't say the same thing about John Root's disappearing. Did Fang's friend Emily (in the US?) try to reach out to John Root's ex-wife? John Root's so-called friend is also looking for him. They might have their own agenda than Jin's friend.

The guys name is John Fitzpatrick. Root Is his middle name. I think the friend Emily is in Europe. Not sure what friends Ms Jin has in the US. I agree Fang doesn’t seem to have a valid reason to stay in the US. JRF doesn’t seem to have much reason to stay here either.

 

[AnyNameIWish]

I think the friend Emily is in Europe. Not sure what friends Ms Jin has in the US.

Emily is posting on SnooSite from the US(?) I think and MF is in Europe? (MF has posted publicly on F B claiming she is a close friend.)

 

[JennieM]

What can her family do to put more pressure on the police handling this case? It seems the police has wasted precious time in finding this lady

 

[azure]

That Trellis law link shows "legal separation w/o minor children "- So I don't think JRF has children with this wife.

JRF address in Morongo Valley is a trailer, so I'm not sure how handsome his pension is... but of course, everyone manages their money differently. I don't see him owning a business?

I'm not posting his address so I think this is allowed, here are some historical sales prices for Roadrunner Mobile Home Park, where JRF resides according to public records.

Roadrunner Mobile Home Park Homes For Sale - Morongo Valley, CA Real Estate | BEX Realty

Find Roadrunner Mobile Home Park real estate with MLS listings of Morongo Valley homes for sale presented by the leader in California real estate.

www.bexrealty.com

 

[azure]

What can her family do to put more pressure on the police handling this case? It seems the police has wasted precious time in finding this lady

What seems to be apparent, especially post-pandemic, is that unless the missing person is a child or in extreme circumstances like the recent hoax out of AL, LE doesn't really perform searches. Sometimes you'll get one or two search days from LE, but it's largely up to family and friends, and these two don't seem to have much/any in the US.

 

[JennieM]

What seems to be apparent, especially post-pandemic, is that unless the missing person is a child, LE doesn't really perform searches. It's largely up to family and friends, and these two don't seem to have much/any in the US.

Isn’t there an embassy representative who can step in for them? There must be someone out there who can help them! No one seems to care about FJ missing.

 

[azure]

Isn’t there an embassy representative who can step in for them? There must be someone out there who can help them! No one seems to care about FJ missing.

Sorry, I edited my comment slightly since you quoted!

Diplomatic ties between the US and China are pretty chilly, and China has 1.412 billion citizens. Given that it's not illegal for an adult to go missing (at least yet, from an immigration standpoint) and there's no overt signs of foul play, I don't think anyone is going to look too hard.

Maybe if this blows up on social media, LE will be forced to look. That seems to be how things go lately.

 

[AnyNameIWish]

Maybe if this blows up on social media, LE will be forced to look. That seems to be how things go lately.

YEP. This is the only way, I think.... unfortunately there are so much erroneous/confusing / details in dispute in the reporting ("tour guide", location of his Tacoma on the 24th, what the phone pings exactly mean/her phone?) - it's going to need to be a full force effort of blowing up the search for her on the Internets, Especially considering the fact that not one person is in that zip code actually mobilizing in person to find her.