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]

There appears to be some rain in the forecast for the southwestern US. My friend that is local to this part of CA says that mudslides would be a concern.

Hilary moves into Southern California after making landfall in Mexico's Baja California peninsula

Hilary was downgraded a few hours before landfall to a tropical storm as rain from the storm started spreading in Southern California, the National Weather Service said.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[dulcinea]

Just to give some perspective to the situation, 9 US states are smaller than San Bernardino County. Joshua Tree National Park, which is in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, is slightly larger than Rhode Island.

 

[Herat]

There appears to be some rain in the forecast for the southwestern US. My friend that is local to this part of CA says that mudslides would be a concern.

Hilary moves into Southern California after making landfall in Mexico's Baja California peninsula

Hilary was downgraded a few hours before landfall to a tropical storm as rain from the storm started spreading in Southern California, the National Weather Service said.

www.cbsnews.com

'The forecast in that area is for tropical storm Hilary to drop 6 to 9 inches of rain and 60 mph winds. Flash floods appear very possible.

This could really impact any trails or tracks of the vehicle.

 

[Dhighsmith]

With the current weather forecast looking for the inland deserts to get a nearly unprecedented amount of rain probably beginning late Sunday into Monday, I'm afraid it's going to complicate everything if anyone is looking for tracks off the road in case they were in an accident, etc.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1692227797287424374

https://twitter.com/x/status/1692227797287424374

Thanks for sharing info may be useful detail later on, there doesn’t seem to be an active search right now- this is just my opinion.
It would certainly help if JRF’s family and friends organized a search or flyer distribution, potential exposure for MSM.

 

[megs1477]

I think getting a national voice like Nancy Grace involved is not a bad idea.

Or maybe floating it past Gray Hughes.

From my experience there are “tiers” in the TC Community. Before it gets to Nancy Grace, it has to become conversation on Twitter. I sent the info to a CA base PI who worked on Kiely Rodni and has solved quite a few missing persons cases. I’m not sure if he is busy or not, but hopefully he will share.

I also posted to Twitter and tagged some of the reputable posters. I will do it again tomorrow with a different group. If they pick it up, it will start the conversation. Once that happens the small channels will pick it up, then the bigger channels, then the Nancy Graces… it’s quite a process.

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 started trying to look JRF on Ancestry last night. I was curious about his family, since there has been no mention of them. It looks like he was married to someone else previously and may have a child. I’m not sure. Once you take away the middle name it gets hard to confirm things due to the popularity of his name.

He previously lived in Virginia and still has the security business that is listed on LinkedIn registered there. I was thinking. His business said diplomatic security. That could easily branch out to include “security” for a Foreign National wanting someone to accompany her on a US vacation.

Just throwing this out there….I know several retired service members who live very meagerly. Especially those who spent years overseas. They see no reason to waste money on a fancy house they don’t care about.

 

[AnyNameIWish]

"His business said diplomatic security. That could easily branch out to include “security” for a Foreign National wanting someone to accompany her on a US vacation"

Woah now YES. This makes sense as to the "story". If LE is taking this angle, I kind of get it. But the daughter and 2 friends and Chinese media reports are saying this absolutely isn't true. If a Chinese national needs security/bodyguard during a trip to the USA, getting one so she can go "camping in the desert"..... just doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

[megs1477]

. If a Chinese national needs security/bodyguard during a trip to the USA, getting one so she can go "camping in the desert"..... just doesn't make a lot of sense.

If they met online and she asked him/he offered to accompany her on several camping trips, verses him advertising it as a service, I don’t think it’s too far of a stretch to classify it as a business trip. I guess the main question is did she pay him or did he do it for free, which I don’t think really matters. I think the important question is, was there a relationship developing (even if just on his side) that could cause issues.

 

[Dhighsmith]

It's weird to me that JRF, now regarded as voluntarily missing, seems to have no family or friends popping up to try a presser or some other information-generating thing (vigil, etc). The family needs to find locals to put up fliers, which is not costly. Many of us would pay for printing fliers, if one were made up. I don't live close enough to help, but there are churches, civic organizations, scouts, etc, and some of those people would certainly put up a few fliers. LE is not going to do that - they don't ever do that.

IME, I have not been able to get local PD to take my report about a missing person I believe I sighted, because that same missing person was reported 2 years earlier by someone else and when the police got to the spot of the sighting, no one was there. So the first thing they asked me was, "Is he in your line of sight right now?" And he wasn't, not any more. I learned from that. And I did go around with age-progressed photos of this person to local businesses (only one would okay putting up the flier) but none of the people at those businesses could remember seeing him. He looked homeless and probably just faded from their minds. Indeed, I believe he *is* homeless and not too far from where he went missing (sent all that information to the family who said that yes, he'd been sight up my way several times).

Police do not respond to missing person sightings over and over, they can't. Get a picture if you see one of this couple, and be on the phone to local LE immediately!

(And remember, outside of San Bernardino County, local LE likely have no heads up or reason to be looking - someone needs to get pictures and the NAMUS report and a brief case summary into the hands of the other counties (I count four of them) and, if possible, find a local resource officer with a friendly face.

IMO.

You’re absolutely right and there’s no criticism of the efforts of LE to locate Fang Jin. I have experience with a missing family member and understand the limitations of the resources when there’s no lead to investigate- I probably should stay clear of these unique missing persons cases and the challenges with no solution. This is a difficult case for all involved especially challenges with language and not having family representative present locally for sharing info with the family and to keep public attention- likely frustrating for everyone. It’s frustrating for me to have no answer for them on why there’s no interest in sharing her Mom’s info. So, I’m frustrated with a situation that I can’t fix, still hoping someone takes the interest needed for wide spread exposure. But, we know there’s no guarantee should the story take flight~ possible for the one person who needs to see her story. Hopefully, this better explains the frustration is with me.

 

[acutename]

I wish I could make the assumption that LE have contacted The Palms, but since they've classified the pair as "voluntarily missing" at this point in time, I seriously doubt anyone has contacted businesses located in towns where they may or may not have even gotten out of their car.

This one needs a large public awareness campaign, but I do not expect SBCSO to do that for voluntarily missing people at this point in time (or in any of the jurisdiction where this case is unfolding).

It's up to us, as individuals, to share this information as well as we can. If the family can use some of its fund raising to put ads in the High Desert News, for example, that might help. Would give people a reason to talk to each other, locally, and ask business owners if they've seen the pair.

We really don't even know that they were out there, do we?

IMO.

If you look at the Palms calendar on line, they say that they are closed for August....

The Palms in Wonder Valley Live Events | Twentynine Palms CA

The Palms in Wonder Valley Live Events, Twentynine Palms, California. 1,726 likes · 25 talking about this · 255 were here. This page is for the purpose of announcing all entertainment held at the...

www.facebook.com

not a local so not sure if "closed" means thoroughly locked up, but it sounds like it
not sure if the owners go away

 

[ClaireNC]

So many unanswered questions. Her return flight is scheduled for October. 3 months is a long time to explore the desert with a ‘tour guide.’ Was she planning to be with Fitzpatrick the whole time? Or was the plan to see the desert area with him for a few weeks then move on to other parts of the US? We really need more information.

Where was Ms Jin staying/sleeping while in the US? Was the plan to stay at Fitzpatrick’s home when they weren’t out camping? Or was she staying at hotels/Airbnbs during her visit? If she was staying with JRF, doesn’t this speak to the nature of their relationship?

 

[Dhighsmith]

According to family except for the missing post, there’s no other flyer available. I’m compiling the basic info along with photo and if there’s anyone available to help design, I would truly appreciate.
My Google Account was hacked and passwords compromised, after resetting passwords there are still issues, I’m hesitant to share files from either iPad or iPhone until I get someone to confirm- I’m not tech savvy.

Request submitted to be Verified.

 

[slowpoke]

So many unanswered questions. Her return flight is scheduled for October. 3 months is a long time to explore the desert with a ‘tour guide.’ Was she planning to be with Fitzpatrick the whole time? Or was the plan to see the desert area with him for a few weeks then move on to other parts of the US? We really need more information.

Where was Ms Jin staying/sleeping while in the US? Was the plan to stay at Fitzpatrick’s home when they weren’t out camping? Or was she staying at hotels/Airbnbs during her visit? If she was staying with JRF, doesn’t this speak to the nature of their relationship?

It would seem valuable for LE to enter JRT’s home in Morongo Valley to see if Fang’s suitcases of clothing, etc are there.
On the assumption that she was staying there, that is.

If they intentionally left for somewhere meaning to be away for an extended time, she and he may have packed up belongings for the trip. (Not to mention, they may discover other clues to help find the two.)

Can LE enter the home legally as doing a “wellness/welfare check”?

 

[AnyNameIWish]

I mean if no one has checked JRF’'s residence or checked the proximity of the trailer park for his truck, it would be a huuuuuge question mark as to why....

Need boots on the ground to get any movement. Need someone out there. Online surmisings can only do so much.

I think JFs belongings should be at JRF's residence IF she was staying with him (which is what we assume since we don't have any reports of a hotel other than the one she stayed at in LA on her 1st night in USA.) And... who stays with their "tour guide" in their house?

 

[Herat]

It would seem valuable for LE to enter JRT’s home in Morongo Valley to see if Fang’s suitcases of clothing, etc are there.
On the assumption that she was staying there, that is.

If they intentionally left for somewhere meaning to be away for an extended time, she and he may have packed up belongings for the trip. (Not to mention, they may discover other clues to help find the two.)

Can LE enter the home legally as doing a “wellness/welfare check”?

I think it would be possible for LE to enter the residence if a close relative of his had reported him missing and had proof he was expected to show up for some event or important appointment. Without that connection, it would be just snooping. Not that concerned friends can't be snooping about the condition of the property, mail or flyers piling up, check with nearby residents.

I would assume his pension funds would be a direct deposit, so that would need some court order from LE to look at his bank and credit cards.

Same with her. Did she have credit or debit cards and had they been used? As an experienced traveler, she would know to use credit cards at ATM's to get the best exchange rates rather than carry a lot of cash. She would officially become a missing person if she failed to show up for her October 3 return flight to China, and there had been no contact with relatives for some time. Although there is clearly reason for her daughter to be concerned that she has already missed the expected phone calls to check-in, I don't think LE officials are going to do much until she misses that flight, 6 weeks from now.

And clearly, by then, there will be far fewer contacts, tracks, or saved video of gas station, stores, plate trackers or other CCTV to observe.

 

[ClaireNC]

It would seem valuable for LE to enter JRT’s home in Morongo Valley to see if Fang’s suitcases of clothing, etc are there.
On the assumption that she was staying there, that is.

If they intentionally left for somewhere meaning to be away for an extended time, she and he may have packed up belongings for the trip. (Not to mention, they may discover other clues to help find the two.)

Can LE enter the home legally as doing a “wellness/welfare check”?

Great idea, though I think someone would need to request a welfare check. Unfortunately, LE hasn’t released any info regarding any kind of investigation. We don’t know if they’ve done anything to find these two.

 

[flowershop]

It would seem valuable for LE to enter JRT’s home in Morongo Valley to see if Fang’s suitcases of clothing, etc are there.
On the assumption that she was staying there, that is.

If they intentionally left for somewhere meaning to be away for an extended time, she and he may have packed up belongings for the trip. (Not to mention, they may discover other clues to help find the two.)

Can LE enter the home legally as doing a “wellness/welfare check”?

I would wonder if they could legally do so as well. On what grounds could officers get a warrant at this time?

 

[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 the links. The discussion in the qq link is so toxic. These Chinese netizens are questioning . They have zero sympathy for her disappearing.

 

[flowershop]

Thanks for the links. The discussion in the qq link is so toxic. These Chinese netizens are questioning . They have zero sympathy for her disappearing.

I didn't know you knew Chinese.

 

[Centaurus]

I didn't know you knew Chinese.

Google translate, maybe?

 

[10ofRods]

It would seem valuable for LE to enter JRT’s home in Morongo Valley to see if Fang’s suitcases of clothing, etc are there.
On the assumption that she was staying there, that is.

If they intentionally left for somewhere meaning to be away for an extended time, she and he may have packed up belongings for the trip. (Not to mention, they may discover other clues to help find the two.)

Can LE enter the home legally as doing a “wellness/welfare check”?

Short answer: no.

First of all, once again, family or friends would need to ask for a welfare check. I wouldn't be surprised if a local policeman has at least knocked on the door - but without a warrant, that's as far as they can go. Fang Jin's family cannot give permission for LE to enter the house of a non-relative (a stranger to them).

A family friend who has a key could do it. The right kind of neighbor might do it (and probably wouldn't get in a lot of trouble - although of course, one never knows).

I too am now assuming she was staying at his house ($2000, if that's the amount she brought, isn't going to get her three months in a cheap motel plus food, imo).

At any rate, I doubt LE will go inside the house unless a relative or friend of JRF calls them. LE can peer through the windows and see that no one is home, but they can't go in without permission or a warrant. If anyone knows of what LE can do to get a warrant in a case like this, please clue the rest of us in!

If a neighbor regularly saw both of them and now hasn't seen them in a month, maybe that neighbor could call for a welfare check? People in my neighborhood are constantly traveling (lots of older people) or taking in new roommates, coming and going, different cars in the driveway, etc - I would never think to call LE if I didn't see our neighbors for an extended period.

All jmo.