Found Deceased MO - John Forsyth, 49, doctor, Mercy ER Clinic, Cassville, 21 May 2023 *car found*

[jellybean96]

Looking at another current case, it appears it took over a year before LE declared Eric Richins' death a homicide. It's not mentioned in the current coverage, but I don't believe his cause of death was declared as fentanyl overdose, or the manner of death as homicide, until they arrested his wife. Otherwise, I think the case would have attracted attention. So IMO, LE don't always release these things if they there's an advantage to the investigation to keep it quiet

JMO

I am normally wondering WTH LE is doing in cases like this. But I am feeling really confident that LE knows what's going on and has a good guess at who they need to be looking at. They have kept a tight lid on their investigation and IMHO that is giving me good vibes about them solving this.

I can see a situation where they don't make any major update until they arrest someone (if it comes to that, and I bet it does).

 

[Deleted member 718]

I am normally wondering WTH LE is doing in cases like this. But I am feeling really confident that LE knows what's going on and has a good guess at who they need to be looking at. They have kept a tight lid on their investigation and IMHO that is giving me good vibes about them solving this.

I can see a situation where they don't make any major update until they arrest someone (if it comes to that, and I bet it does).

Even though he went missing at Cassville, his body was found in Arkansas. So it's a Benton County investigation. And they haven't said a word other than his body was found.

 

[DeDee]

I agree, LE stating there is no danger to the community speaks volumes. LE seems to have a very good sense of what happened.
But why won't LE either declare it a suicide or a murder? That is the mystery to me.

JMO

I think LE has been investigating since day one.

In video, @ 1:25, the reporter guides your eyes toward the rather large gathering of officials: police, CSI, MSP, CSD...
It was posted May 22 or the next morning, after he vanished, it was filmed.

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[LadyL]

No turning back easily if his car is close by.

Sometimes a person will discard their shoes or their glasses, etc. on their way to a possible spot.

Or the car being left was an effort to stage the scene as something else, or he didn’t want to be found, imo.

[bbm]

the car being left behind didn't make any sense to me until reading your post

 

[?!?]

Warm memories shared at Forsyth vigil - Cassville Democrat

com .

www.cassville-democrat.com

 

[Wallendo]

I doubt he had access to suicide drugs working as an Emergency Physician. An MD with a full DEA license can prescribe, possess, or distribute these drugs, but would be very unlikely to have direct access to these. these drugs are generally either stored in the pharmacy in a secure location of in a secured dispensing machine where every transaction is recorded.

Based on LE's silence, I suspect they already know what happened. JF's brother, in describing the earlier undocumented kidnapping, describes a scenario which fits what we currently know about this case; i.e. he was driven to the lake, shot, and thrown off a bridge. Although, to be honest, I would like to know more about the source of the story, and how that "friend" fits into the larger picture.

 

[Lexiintoronto]

I doubt he had access to suicide drugs working as an Emergency Physician. An MD with a full DEA license can prescribe, possess, or distribute these drugs, but would be very unlikely to have direct access to these. these drugs are generally either stored in the pharmacy in a secure location of in a secured dispensing machine where every transaction is recorded.

Based on LE's silence, I suspect they already know what happened. JF's brother, in describing the earlier undocumented kidnapping, describes a scenario which fits what we currently know about this case; i.e. he was driven to the lake, shot, and thrown off a bridge. Although, to be honest, I would like to know more about the source of the story, and how that "friend" fits into the larger picture.

I’ve seen some cases of healthcare workers accessing drugs and the transaction seems fine, but they didn’t administer the partial or entire dose. They used it for something else (for themselves or to harm a patient.)

Drugs haven’t been mentioned in this case, it’s just my 2cents.

 

[Charlot123]

I doubt he had access to suicide drugs working as an Emergency Physician. An MD with a full DEA license can prescribe, possess, or distribute these drugs, but would be very unlikely to have direct access to these. these drugs are generally either stored in the pharmacy in a secure location of in a secured dispensing machine where every transaction is recorded.

Based on LE's silence, I suspect they already know what happened. JF's brother, in describing the earlier undocumented kidnapping, describes a scenario which fits what we currently know about this case; i.e. he was driven to the lake, shot, and thrown off a bridge. Although, to be honest, I would like to know more about the source of the story, and how that "friend" fits into the larger picture.

Even if he did, OD on drugs would undoubtedly be suicide. Not every person wants to leave this legacy to his family. Doctors would weigh in the chances of it being successful, too, and what happens if it fails.

 

[NoSpoonFeeding]

Do you see an overwhelmed image in Dr Forsyth? It appears to me that he was living his life in the same manner in which he had been for quite a while. He worked long hours and often spoke of math. His divorce was finalized after 2 years, although not a dime seems to be paid to the former wife since the judgement was issued. I'm unsure of his intentions in that regard. He was a self-defined Bitcoin expert.

My understanding is that the doctor's RV had been parked at the hospital off and on for years. He was at Mercy for 20yrs. He lived somewhere nearby with his large family for a while as well as other locations so it wasn't as if John lived full-time inside the RV. He wasn't confined.

Here's my thing. As a doctor, he could have ODed on something that he had easy access to in the ER and take it anywhere in the woods and never be found. Why choose a gun in the lake when he didn't even own a firearm?

When it comes to suicide, others not understanding the victim's choice of location or means is not a factor that goes to show whether or not it was a suicide. A medical examiner/pathologist is not going to examine the body/circumstances and make a ruling based on whether or not a "logical" place and method of suicide was chosen by a particular victim.
A gunshot in the right place is very final. It might seem strange but many victims are trying to be considerate, they don't do anything inside a home, office, car etc. Some go to where a stranger will find them instead of family.
As a family member of a suicide victim, I understand comments like "he didn't seem/look overwhelmed" coming from even family members. In this case, I don't think the 8th and 9th children were planned. Keeping that kind of secret, and having the mother in that position too, had to have been stressful. The recent financial change could have been too.
I don't know what the manner of death was for the victim in this case is, but some people don't want to die in the woods (animal activity etc), and never be found. Perhaps he didn't want to make suicide obvious and wanted his family to at least have a chance of finding his body. If he overdosed it could he shown that he obtained and took the substance himself. Maybe stealing drugs from the hospital wasn't okay to him. MOO

 

[Teche]

Was it the oldest son mention that his father had a bout with sadness? Maybe I’m confused.

 

[cocomod]

How does LDS view suicide? That might be a reason to make a suicide look like murder.

I am LDS and my brother-in-law committed suicide. It does not have any stigma with regards to the church. In fact, I received a lot of comfort from the church after my BIL's death. In the past, there was a huge - basically suicide is the same as murder - stigma. However, the last 20 years or so have been much different. I personally don't think he would hide it due to his religion.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I am LDS and my brother-in-law committed suicide. It does not have any stigma with regards to the church. In fact, I received a lot of comfort from the church after my BIL's death. In the past, there was a huge - basically suicide is the same as murder - stigma. However, the last 20 years or so have been much different. I personally don't think he would hide it due to his religion.

I sooo appreciate your sharing of your experiences.
I had been trying to understand the beliefs of suicide within LDS, and felt what I had read did express that suicide is murder. The Wikipedia entry is attached.
But, I have also discussed with my LDS relative, and, though they are not as strong as your anti-stigma, they share in the need to understand and compassionately assist relatives in these cases.

Views on suicide in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Snoopster]

I am LDS and my brother-in-law committed suicide. It does not have any stigma with regards to the church. In fact, I received a lot of comfort from the church after my BIL's death. In the past, there was a huge - basically suicide is the same as murder - stigma. However, the last 20 years or so have been much different. I personally don't think he would hide it due to his religion.

Hugs to you and your family @cocomod !

And thank your for the insight you shared.

 

[Snoopster]

So, so many great views shared here on this thread!
One minute I'm agreeing with those who say suicide. The next minute it's obvious that it's murder.

So as I stand back I fall back on Occam's Razor. What do I see?

A man who is likely under a lot of stress. A man who was juggling a lot of balls, some of which might have dropped and made some people angry.

Scenario #1:
He arrived back at the RV to an unfortunate surprise...angry parties were waiting for him. They forced him in his car and drove him to the park. They gave him an ultimatim...pay up or you and your fiance are toast. He didn't have the money (liquid) so he paced to think of an alternative. But then... ??? (I have no idea! Did he decide to kill himself? Did he wander in hopelessness? )

Scenario #2:
Our victim was under incredible pressure due to crypto, impending arrival of baby, and, divorce settlement. <modsnip: not victim friendly> How would he find a way out? Perhaps he could fake his death a run off? He arranges with someone to pick him up and drive him elsewhere to implement his plan. They meet him but balk at the idea. He's back at first base. So he hitches a ride to the lake and kills himself.

Scenario #3:
JF has ticked off some people due to his business dealings. They 'welcome' him when he arrives back at his RV. They tell him (and perhaps accompany him) to drive to the park to discuss the situation further. They abduct him and take him somewhere to 'pressure him' (i.e. torture) to reveal where the money is that can make them whole. He has no access to liquid funds so they ultimately kill him and dump him in the lake.

I'm leaning toward scenario #3, but even a slight wind can push over toward #1 or #2.

So Occam's Razor is a bust!

 

[TwinkieDefense]

June 14, 2023 article -

Recent homicide was Cassville’s first in 12 years

CASSVILLE, Mo. – The town of Cassville has been gripped by a handful of tragedies in recent weeks. On May 30, police found the body of missing Cassville Doctor John Forsyth in Arkansas. A day…

www.ozarksfirst.com

[…]

“We don’t normally have homicides,” interim Police Chief Donald Privett said. “The last one, I believe the last time [we investigated] this type of work was in 2011.”

[…]

Privett reassures the community all recent incidents were isolated and there is no threat.

[…]

 

[Vresia]

Was it the oldest son mention that his father had a bout with sadness? Maybe I’m confused.

I can't remember seeing any reports or videos of what the son has said. I've seen mentions of him commenting but I'm drawing a blank. If you (anyone) has any links, I would greatly appreciate them. TIA

 

[Gobstopper]

June 14, 2023 article -

Recent homicide was Cassville’s first in 12 years

CASSVILLE, Mo. – The town of Cassville has been gripped by a handful of tragedies in recent weeks. On May 30, police found the body of missing Cassville Doctor John Forsyth in Arkansas. A day…

www.ozarksfirst.com

[…]

“We don’t normally have homicides,” interim Police Chief Donald Privett said. “The last one, I believe the last time [we investigated] this type of work was in 2011.”

[…]

Privett reassures the community all recent incidents were isolated and there is no threat.

[…]

So is he calling it a homicide like the title of the article and saying there's no threat or is he implying this isn't a homicide by saying, we don't normally have homicides? Then he says, "all recent incidents were isolated and there's no threat."

I was thinking homicide until he referred to the death as an incident. MOO

 

[Lovequestions]

So is he calling it a homicide like the title of the article and saying there's no threat or is he implying this isn't a homicide by saying, we don't normally have homicides? Then he says, "all recent incidents were isolated and there's no threat."

I was thinking homicide until he referred to the death as an incident. MOO

But the stabbing was a homicide for sure ,he says first in 12 years, if he was referring to the doctor’s as a homicide ,wouldn’t he say first two homicide’s in 12 years , or something like that ? Moo

 

[Lovequestions]

So is he calling it a homicide like the title of the article and saying there's no threat or is he implying this isn't a homicide by saying, we don't normally have homicides? Then he says, "all recent incidents were isolated and there's no threat."

I was thinking homicide until he referred to the death as an incident. MOO

Oh wait he says homicide’s so more than one MOO

 

[NoSpoonFeeding]

Posted by Snoopster: (Can't quote, edited post)
Scenario #1:
He arrived back at the RV to an unfortunate surprise...angry parties were waiting for him. They forced him in his car and drove him to the park. They gave him an ultimatim...pay up or you and your fiance are toast. He didn't have the money (liquid) so he paced to think of an alternative. But then... ??? (I have no idea! Did he decide to kill himself? Did he wander in hopelessness? ) end quote


<modsnip: quoted post was removed> How do you explain that kidnappers don't appear on videos at the hospital, the Aquatic Center or the yard waste drop-off? All three locations are mentioned as having videos involving this case. Not to mention I'm sure LE also checked for videos on the streets to and from these locations.
MOO, you can pretty much eliminate the scenarios that involve others being in his RV and in his car with him at the park/yard waste drop-off.
It is known that he went to his RV and then drove away from the hospital, after he got off work the morning he disappeared. I'm guessing there are a number of cameras recording activities in the entire hospital and in the parking lots. At the yard waste drop-off, he chose where to park, he was seen getting out of his car, only one person got out of the car, got into the white SUV, got out, and walked around for 15 minutes before leaving the area of his car. To me, that indicates that he was acting of his own free will. I think LE would have watched the video for any activity long after he walked away, at least until that officer came thru later in the day. Both the car and the RV were impounded, I'm sure that forensics were done on both.

ER doctor found shot dead in lake; family believes 'foul play' involved, says he was kidnapped

John Forsythe, the Missouri ER doctor who had been missing for more than a week, was found shot dead in an Arkansas lake about 20 miles from his unlocked car.

lawandcrime.com

<modsnip: not an approved source>