Identified! FL - Big Cypress Natl Preserve, Male Hiker, Denim & “Mostly Harmless” July 2018 - Vance Rodriguez #2

[Bit of hope]

I'd still go ahead and contact Ruston, LA Police.

5' 2" tall could be a clerical error. Or perhaps the conditions that could've led to stunted growth were removed, and he was able to gain another 5 or 6 inches in height. Not likely, but growth hormone therapy has produced some similar results.

As far as scaring is concerned, there is always the chance that LE is withholding information. Also, those scars may have visibly diminished or even disappeared over the course of 16 years.

Hair can change due to diet and disease. So, whether his hair is curly, straight or wavy isn't that big of a difference. JMHO

I do have a question...
When LE describes "perfect" teeth is this due to him having a great deal of dental care, (bonding, etc.) or due to the lack of gum disease or cavities, prevalent in people around MH's age?

That's ok Coffeeandacig. You know I respect you very much, "Knowing" you as a serious person. What if.....everybody is wrong and this is MH. Wearder things have happened. And it must be said.....LE had a lot of very strange possible matches, not matching up with the main stats, that they looked into and ruled out.

 

[CaseyLPC]

Even with the differences I think it still warrants calling it in. Just the rule out will be valuable information.

 

[SugarQueen]

I'd still go ahead and contact Ruston, LA Police.

5' 2" tall could be a clerical error. Or perhaps the conditions that could've led to stunted growth were removed, and he was able to gain another 5 or 6 inches in height. Not likely, but growth hormone therapy has produced some similar results.

As far as scaring is concerned, there is always the chance that LE is withholding information. Also, those scars may have visibly diminished or even disappeared over the course of 16 years.

Hair can change due to diet and disease. So, whether his hair is curly, straight or wavy isn't that big of a difference. JMHO

I do have a question...
When LE describes "perfect" teeth is this due to him having a great deal of dental care, (bonding, etc.) or due to the lack of gum disease or cavities, prevalent in people around MH's age?

LE told me perfect teeth/ no bonding/ fillings/ caps/ NOTHING! As for scars, LE told me the only scar was the small, very faint scar listed. They said that is one of the ways they have been able to rule out people quickly.
( doesn’t mean you shouldn’t call it in. Just replying to quoted post)

 

[Miranda]

Even with the differences I think it still warrants calling it in. Just the rule out will be valuable information.

Agreed. James has family who are actively searching for him on social media. At first I agreed about the nose being different but his siblings have posted a photo of an older James which, although quite blurry, clearly shows that his nose became more defined with age and definitely resembles a young Denim. According to his brother, someone claiming to be her brother called a store looking for his sister and the police traced the call to a mental facility but the family was never able to verify this (likely due to patient-doctor privelege). There is no mention of a date for when this happened.

I've always been very curious about the coding that he was working on, both it's content and it's level of sophistication. It seems reckless to state this as his career as well as claiming to live in Brooklyn unless he knew it very well. Surely some of the hikers he met along his journey would be familiar with New York and some familiar with programming.

Has anyone come across any information about the codes found?

 

[Gardener1850]

For what it's worth, I have found that James Wiggins' family is still pretty actively posting about him on their social media profiles. I haven't found a page on WebSleuths yet.

I can't find any better pictures, but recent (October 2018) replies to a Louisiana Missing Persons site can be seen here: James T. Wiggins – Unsolved Disappearance – Louisiana

BBM. Here's a thread for James: LA - LA - James Thomas Wiggins, 21, Ruston, 21 Dec 2002

FWIW, I don't think he is Denim due to the height difference, the teeth and the many scars but it doesn't hurt to send it in. Maybe James' family will share more info on his case when they find his thread here or perhaps the police in James' case will take another look just because of the suggestion of Denim as a possible match. MOO.

 

[RichardRyder]

BBM. Here's a thread for James: LA - LA - James Thomas Wiggins, 21, Ruston, 21 Dec 2002

FWIW, I don't think he is Denim due to the height difference, the teeth and the many scars but it doesn't hurt to send it in. Maybe James' family will share more info on his case when they find his thread here or perhaps the police in James' case will take another look just because of the suggestion of Denim as a possible match.

Thank you very much for making the thread - I really appreciate it!
This hunt for MH has really made an impact on me. I had no idea just how many people from all walks of life are dealing with this type of hardship. It’s really something that can help to make you appreciate your situation and your loved ones.

 

[Ajoyner36]

I visited that page earlier. I guess I missed their replies! Thank you. I will try to remember to call Ruston tomorrow.

I am just now seeing all of this talk about my brother James Wiggins.... Did anyone call Ruston? If so what did they say? I almost always get a huge run a round when I call them... It is very discouraging!

 

[Horrifiedmom]

I emailed them they just got back to me asking what jurisdiction Denim is in. And said that DNA testing against known samples from James would be necessary. I don't want to give them false info what's the exact jurisdiction for Denim?

 

[Suglo]

I emailed them they just got back to me asking what jurisdiction Denim is in. And said that DNA testing against known samples from James would be necessary. I don't want to give them false info what's the exact jurisdiction for Denim?

Collier County, Florida. The Collier County Sheriff’s Department is in charge of his case.

 

[Horrifiedmom]

That's what I thought! Thank you. I'll email them back right now!

 

[Gardener1850]

That's what I thought! Thank you. I'll email them back right now!

Thanks for emailing LE. You may also want to give them Denim's NAMUS profile number NamUs #UP51453 and link:
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

It may speed contact if they have the ME/C Case Number 2018-00358 and all the basic info from NAMUS. JMO.

 

[Ajoyner36]

I don't think that they have any known samples from James himself. However my sister and myself both sent in samples of our DNA to use for a family match several years ago...

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

That's what I thought! Thank you. I'll email them back right now!

They uploaded a new poster on NamUs a few months ago. It has contact information for the new detective and the crime research investigator. Agency case number is 18-234970, also per NamUs.


The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

 

[Horrifiedmom]

Thank you all. I sent them they link to Denims namus.

 

[nannymo]

Welcome Ajoyner.....I hope you can learn some information about your brother. Thank you for coming and looking! What do you think of the resemblance?

 

[Bit of hope]

I am just now seeing all of this talk about my brother James Wiggins.... Did anyone call Ruston? If so what did they say? I almost always get a huge run a round when I call them... It is very discouraging!

Hi, welcome Ajoyner. Sorry you and you sister have to endure all of it.

 

[RichardRyder]

Welcome @Ajoyner36
Even if this potential link to the hiker on this thread doesn’t pan out, please know that there is new thread for James here: LA - LA - James Thomas Wiggins, 21, Ruston, 21 Dec 2002
(Thank you to @Gardener1850 )

There are a lot of people here willing to help with whatever resources or info they can provide. It sounds like you and your family have dealt with a lot.

 

[MaryFromFla]

I'd still go ahead and contact Ruston, LA Police.

5' 2" tall could be a clerical error. Or perhaps the conditions that could've led to stunted growth were removed, and he was able to gain another 5 or 6 inches in height. Not likely, but growth hormone therapy has produced some similar results.

As far as scaring is concerned, there is always the chance that LE is withholding information. Also, those scars may have visibly diminished or even disappeared over the course of 16 years.

Hair can change due to diet and disease. So, whether his hair is curly, straight or wavy isn't that big of a difference. JMHO

I do have a question...
When LE describes "perfect" teeth is this due to him having a great deal of dental care, (bonding, etc.) or due to the lack of gum disease or cavities, prevalent in people around MH's age?

I think if they could tell he had previous work like braces they would keep it to theirselves hoping it could aid when a family member comes forward..possibly..but they did stress perfect teeth. It is one of the things that strikes me most in some pics is his smile.

 

[SugarQueen]

I had the pleasure of chatting with another thru hiker today. I filled him in on MH, and briefly told him about the forum. Turns out he is retired LE. I paid for his milk and banana. I told him to consider it a bit of trail magic.
He added me to a list he is keeping of folks to send cards to when he completes the hike.
He wanted me to pass on a message to everyone here thanking all of you for trying to ID this hiker.
Happy trails and safe travel Double T!

 

[Bit of hope]

I'm just "a little" frustrated here.....Who is this guy? Was there any follow up from the church diner?