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

[Sundog]

Some of the businesses in Morongo Valley that may be worth checking out by a PI are the Morongo Valley Storage and the Chevron gas station -- both are likely in close proximity to the trailer park residence of JRF. There is also a FedEx business where it might be good to make and hang some flyers. And at the gas station(s) in the area. The color of the truck stands out.

Some more conversations with the friend who reported JRF missing might be helpful as well, but with caution, as we don't know that much about his reliability and/or any safety issues. And does JRF have any family or other close friends? Does he go to a VA hospital for his medical care when needed since he is a veteran? Medical records are confidential (HIPPA), but there might be some way to find out if he has any next of kin listed somewhere?
Local bank(s) and post office are good places to hang flyers, also, if they will permit it close by, as everyone in the area will use these services. And grocery stores, of course. I wouldn't rule out popular places of worship, either, and the closest car dealers. What year was his truck, where did he buy it? Where does he have it serviced? etc.

Just trying to brainstorm about possibilities and then identify the most likely actions that could possibly lead to some useful information.

 

[10ofRods]

Unfortunately, I'm not sure drones or helicopters could adequately cover this vast area. San Bernardino County is over 20,000 square miles, roughly twice the size of Belgium. And that's assuming that they didn't leave the county.

I do have one idea. Recently there's been some talk about using AI tools to search satellite imagery. From one article:

A ‘ChatGPT’ For Satellite Photos Already Exists

Using advanced generative AI and a massive dataset of Earth images, it’s possible to discover objects almost anywhere in just hours.

www.defenseone.com

A researcher from AI company Synthetaic has created a tool that will allow users to find virtually any large object that exists in any satellite photo of the Earth within just one day.

Maybe you could reach out to Synthetaic and see if they would be willing to help look for a blue truck in a remote desert location somewhere in the SW US.

And we already know they left the county, if they went to Thermal. Thermal is in Riverside County (another very large county). And if one or both made it to Julian, that's in San Diego County. If they spent time near the Salton Sea, that could have taken them into Imperial County. Lots of public land and very, very many different legal jurisdictions (in terms of public authority - cities have police; counties have sheriffs; public lands have rangers and wardens. There are always LE-rangers on federal or California public lands (although they may have a vast territory to cover).

If the Julian report is false, then there were very few ravines or gullies for them to go off into, as the Thermal area is fairly flat. Thermal itself is below sea level.

Truck is bright blue - that pic of JRF standing by the truck would be an excellent flyer element, as the DL photo on the NAMUS report doesn't look the way he does now. If he didn't go to Julian (the daughter must surely have had a reason to contact the ranger - or for the ranger to contact her? I assume that the "friend" had something to do with that - perhaps he got a text?) That means rangers and LE near Julian have word of the disappearance (at least, I'd say it's a near certainty).

But how to get the word out to a lot of people in a low population density, desert area...is a hard one. If Fang Jin was on medications, the daughters need to mention that to SBCSO and have the NAMUS poster updated and try to get her declared medically endangered or something like that.

IMO

 

[Sundog]

Someone posted awhile back that JRF was trying to sell his mobile home recently. If that is the case, then maybe look into this, did he work with a realtor who may know what his future plans were if he sold his home?

Again, just looking at possible sources of information.

 

[PNW]

What's Sentinel?

It would be great if the blue truck were somewhere near Julian. Not many places it could be (and still be roadside). Many places it could go off into a ravine. Drone searches could be done - but Julian is merely the last place that JRF's phone pinged (apparently). Daily drivers would see cars by the side of the road - so one would have to posit an accident.

San Bernardino County, all by itself, is the largest county in the world (and roughly the size of Switzerland, IIRC). Then, apparently, they were also within Riverside, Imperial and San Diego Counties. San Diego County is also very large - and quite urban.

So we have a complex situation in which two different kinds of searches are at play. Poorly informed (no last sighting) searches of a vast area with all kinds of terrain OR a deliberate attempt to hide the truck (as our verified insider has suggested - perhaps in a storage area).

But here's how I see the problem:

instead of a probably futile search over territory that's the size of a few European nations (and sparsely populated - not sure if people from highly populated areas can really understand how sparsely populated the Salton Sea/Imperial County area is)...we need a digital search. Where did JRF buy gas? Use an ATM? Etc. How is he accessing his funds? How would he pay for a storage unit without a credit card?

IOW, hopefully, LE is attending to all this - although I've never seen it in a voluntarily missing case.

SO, one thing family can do is persist in trying to get SBCSO to change Fang Jin's status to "involuntarily missing." The daughters would be crucial for this. Where I work, it takes LE about 24 hours to get a translator in possibly criminal cases and people just...zoom (or similar). It's difficult for the daughter in China, I realize that. But if there is a daughter in Belgium, perhaps she can do a three-way Zoom and attempt to basically get LE to change the status? Or at least note that the family does not consider FJ to be voluntarily missing??

IMO.

Here, police have access to the Language Line which gives them 24 hr access to certified language interpreters. I’ve used it many times and there has never been an interpreter unavailable in any language I’ve need, even very rare dialects.

 

[megs1477]

Oh, okay. Certainly possible. In that case, I'd think somehow checking with his neighbors (or that friend who tried to contact the daughter) would be in order. LE has led everyone in four counties to believe that last known location was Julian.

I wasn’t saying he made it home, possibly went off the road, etc on the way. I was suggesting a possible route to check.

 

[Curiousobserver]

So, if the two together indeed had an accident somewhere, when do we think it may have happened, and whereabouts?

Fang’s last video was sent on 7/21 at 10pm of the Twentynine Palms area. This is her last contact.

Then, we heard JRF’s pickup truck was captured on camera in the Thermal, CA area on 7/22. So, Fang would still be with JRF under this scenario.

Then, activity from JRF’s cell phone was detected in the Julian, CA area on 7/24.

If misadventure happened, then they must have been somewhere where Fang’s phone was not working, since she did not send any updates to her loved ones after 7/21. Phone broke, lost, or just no cell phone reception?

But,since phone activity was detected on 7/24 in the Julian area (for JRF, anyway), perhaps Fang was going to send photo or video updates then, but then something happened before she could do so.

If she lost or damaged her phone, maybe she didn’t know anyone’s phone numbers, so couldn’t send a message through JRF’s phone. Is that plausible?

So, the misadventure must have happened on 7/24. The desert areas are vast, but I guess the best search locations might be around wherever the last phone ping was.

Where else would be starting places to search? I was thinking JRF’s home would be one place. See if there’s any notes or maps, etc that might give a clue where intended destinations were.

Cell phone coverage looks pretty good in most of that area- but I think it makes sense that any possible accident happened in a signal free area. It would be interesting to see a high resolution map of cell coverage and match it to their likely routes.

Cell coverage in Julian for AT&T, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon

Cell coverage in Julian for AT&T, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon

www.signalchecker.com

 

[10ofRods]

Here, police have access to the Language Line which gives them 24 hr access to certified language interpreters. I’ve used it many times and there has never been an interpreter unavailable in any language I’ve need, even very rare dialects.

That's true where I live as well. No idea about San Bernardino County - but I would think it, too, has the service.

 

[10ofRods]

I wasn’t saying he made it home, possibly went off the road, etc on the way. I was suggesting a possible route to check.

I figured that's what you meant. There are three possible routes, covering maybe 1500 square miles (with side roads). We don't know which route they took to get there (had they already taken the "scenic" route past Salton Sea? Or did they take the quicker route, to get to cooler temps? (And then the fastest route toward Morongo Valley?)

We don't know that they did turn north again. They could have gone in any direction from Thermal (or from Julian, if we consider the Ranger's information via the daughter). It takes a couple of days to drone search a square mile thoroughly (and some people have been found by crowd-sourcing the drone and/or satellite pictures that are available). But this would be a very large drone project. There are definitely drone clubs that can easily do a few square miles on a weekend day - they are all volunteers (maybe there are some professional drone search groups?)

If they came to Julian via Salton City, then perhaps the next scenic spot would be Mount Palomar. HIgh, cooler and forested, it's very beautiful and has many roads with curves. It's heavily visited though, so one would need to use a resource to figure out where a car could be off the road, unseen. Even a drone can't see through heavy woods and underbrush. There are some roads right on the mountainside that get less travel though (very twisty and lots of brush and trees).

I guess I would get in touch with the people at Palomar Observatory and ask if there's a ranger or other person to contact about putting up fliers on that land.

Remote area typical of parts of the region. Note the sign saying the area is not patrolled (which usually means not maintained). Only hikers or maybe some types of hunters would be up there.

IMO.

 

[Bogbacal2]

Wish cameras at the travel center could be checked. Those are open 24hrs.

 

[Bogbacal2]

I figured that's what you meant. There are three possible routes, covering maybe 1500 square miles (with side roads). We don't know which route they took to get there (had they already taken the "scenic" route past Salton Sea? Or did they take the quicker route, to get to cooler temps? (And then the fastest route toward Morongo Valley?)

We don't know that they did turn north again. They could have gone in any direction from Thermal (or from Julian, if we consider the Ranger's information via the daughter). It takes a couple of days to drone search a square mile thoroughly (and some people have been found by crowd-sourcing the drone and/or satellite pictures that are available). But this would be a very large drone project. There are definitely drone clubs that can easily do a few square miles on a weekend day - they are all volunteers (maybe there are some professional drone search groups?)

If they came to Julian via Salton City, then perhaps the next scenic spot would be Mount Palomar. HIgh, cooler and forested, it's very beautiful and has many roads with curves. It's heavily visited though, so one would need to use a resource to figure out where a car could be off the road, unseen. Even a drone can't see through heavy woods and underbrush. There are some roads right on the mountainside that get less travel though (very twisty and lots of brush and trees).

I guess I would get in touch with the people at Palomar Observatory and ask if there's a ranger or other person to contact about putting up fliers on that land.

Remote area typical of parts of the region. Note the sign saying the area is not patrolled (which usually means not maintained). Only hikers or maybe some types of hunters would be up there.

IMO.

Looking at the remote area, I have a bigger picture of the area. I am leaning towards an accident or truck broke down. He can’t just disappear! Tomnod satellite would have been a perfect resource for us to use to search. I am not seeing anything similar.

 

[Sundog]

Texas EquuSearch uses drones, atv's, and many other resources to search for missing persons. Families and close friends of missing persons can fill out a form on their website to report a missing person. They require that the family has reported the person as missing to local LE and that there is a case file number by LE.

They often work with families and law enforcement to find missing persons in both criminal and non-criminal cases. They have worked on cases in 42 states. They know what they are doing. Even if they don't organize a search, they may be a valuable resource in other ways.

Fang Jin has been missing for a full two months now. She is listed as missing on Namus, #MP106467. Maybe with this case file number on Namus as well as a casefile number with LE, a report can be filed with EquuSearch.

On the Namus website, they include an "Agency Case Number 092301014" and date reported to San Bernardino County Sheriff station in Morongo Basin on July 22, 2023. I would check to see if that is the LE case number for the missing person case number for Fang Jin with the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department to be sure.

Texas EquuSearch Search And Recovery Non-Profit

Texas EquuSearch is a non-profit organization that provides search and recovery services to families of missing persons and law enforcement.

texasequusearch.org

 

[tarabull]

Just a sidenote...

Can You Fly a Drone in Joshua Tree?

Ahead, we will take a closer look at the drone laws in Joshua Tree to dispel any confusion.

www.droneblog.com

ETA:

Joshua Tree Photography with a Drone: What You Need To Know – Mojave Guide

 

[acutename]

If you look at the highways, they make a big loop through thermal, down through Julian, then come back up to JRF’s home. Personally, I would start the search along that route. Maybe just driving it and looking out around any sharp curves to see if a truck could be hidden in the foliage. JMOO

Julian has some trees but I do not think there is too much "brush" in the desert. Rods may know more about that area...

 

[acutename]

I figured that's what you meant. There are three possible routes, covering maybe 1500 square miles (with side roads). We don't know which route they took to get there (had they already taken the "scenic" route past Salton Sea? Or did they take the quicker route, to get to cooler temps? (And then the fastest route toward Morongo Valley?)

We don't know that they did turn north again. They could have gone in any direction from Thermal (or from Julian, if we consider the Ranger's information via the daughter). It takes a couple of days to drone search a square mile thoroughly (and some people have been found by crowd-sourcing the drone and/or satellite pictures that are available). But this would be a very large drone project. There are definitely drone clubs that can easily do a few square miles on a weekend day - they are all volunteers (maybe there are some professional drone search groups?)

If they came to Julian via Salton City, then perhaps the next scenic spot would be Mount Palomar. HIgh, cooler and forested, it's very beautiful and has many roads with curves. It's heavily visited though, so one would need to use a resource to figure out where a car could be off the road, unseen. Even a drone can't see through heavy woods and underbrush. There are some roads right on the mountainside that get less travel though (very twisty and lots of brush and trees).

I guess I would get in touch with the people at Palomar Observatory and ask if there's a ranger or other person to contact about putting up fliers on that land.

Remote area typical of parts of the region. Note the sign saying the area is not patrolled (which usually means not maintained). Only hikers or maybe some types of hunters would be up there.

IMO.

actually, since Fang was in contact up until 7/21, the daughters might know more about "where they had already been," so you could narrow "where they might have been going next." wonder if she had a list of places she wanted to see or was just relying on JRF's choices.

 

[acutename]

I figured that's what you meant. There are three possible routes, covering maybe 1500 square miles (with side roads). We don't know which route they took to get there (had they already taken the "scenic" route past Salton Sea? Or did they take the quicker route, to get to cooler temps? (And then the fastest route toward Morongo Valley?)

We don't know that they did turn north again. They could have gone in any direction from Thermal (or from Julian, if we consider the Ranger's information via the daughter). It takes a couple of days to drone search a square mile thoroughly (and some people have been found by crowd-sourcing the drone and/or satellite pictures that are available). But this would be a very large drone project. There are definitely drone clubs that can easily do a few square miles on a weekend day - they are all volunteers (maybe there are some professional drone search groups?)

If they came to Julian via Salton City, then perhaps the next scenic spot would be Mount Palomar. HIgh, cooler and forested, it's very beautiful and has many roads with curves. It's heavily visited though, so one would need to use a resource to figure out where a car could be off the road, unseen. Even a drone can't see through heavy woods and underbrush. There are some roads right on the mountainside that get less travel though (very twisty and lots of brush and trees).

I guess I would get in touch with the people at Palomar Observatory and ask if there's a ranger or other person to contact about putting up fliers on that land.

Remote area typical of parts of the region. Note the sign saying the area is not patrolled (which usually means not maintained). Only hikers or maybe some types of hunters would be up there.

IMO.

read the reviews on the Palomar hiking trail- they say hot, no tree cover, you need a lot of water

 

[tarabull]

just looking at natural hot springs --- deep creek is in the mojave...fwiw

Twentynine Palms to Julian

maps.app.goo.gl

Deep Creek Hot Springs - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[hazel324]

Thx , this part is done last week because we hired PI

Good news! At this point I think we need to confirm that everyone is on the same page regarding timeframe, pings, car sighting etc.

Just for example, Jin Fang's daughters, friends 'n family obviously including you Mark, may know a fact that we here on WS aren't aware of... also to confirm we're on same page regarding the vehicle sighting by park ranger/LE (even if it annoyingly turns out to be incorrect) everyone needs to have the same 'facts'

The map (provided by Claire I believe) was so well done and I think it's important that, via Mark, family confirm they are working off the same info. Am just saying this because we literally don't know if family group has information we don't...

So Mark, please can you let us know if PI hired is working of exact same info we have here ? just to ensure cohesion in going forward

I've asked a podcaster who has immense experience with the missing and is very talented to look at this for us. He said he will...I want to make sure we have all avail info because it's not an easy one f'sure

Fang Jin - Google My Maps

47-year-old Jin Fang 金芳, who was last seen 7/21/23 in or near Morongo Valley, CA. John Root Fitzpatrick- reported missing 7/30/23 Fang Jin is a tourist from China. She met a man online, who told her he could be her tour guide. She arrived in LA on 7/14 and left for Palm Springs on 7/15 by...

www.google.com

 

[ClaireNC]

Good news! At this point I think we need to confirm that everyone is on the same page regarding timeframe, pings, car sighting etc.

Just for example, Jin Fang's daughters, friends 'n family obviously including you Mark, may know a fact that we here on WS aren't aware of... also to confirm we're on same page regarding the vehicle sighting by park ranger/LE (even if it annoyingly turns out to be incorrect) everyone needs to have the same 'facts'

The map (provided by Claire I believe) was so well done and I think it's important that, via Mark, family confirm they are working off the same info. Am just saying this because we literally don't know if family group has information we don't...

So Mark, please can you let us know if PI hired is working of exact same info we have here ? just to ensure cohesion in going forward

I've asked a podcaster who has immense experience with the missing and is very talented to look at this for us. He said he will...I want to make sure we have all avail info because it's not an easy one f'sure

Fang Jin - Google My Maps

47-year-old Jin Fang 金芳, who was last seen 7/21/23 in or near Morongo Valley, CA. John Root Fitzpatrick- reported missing 7/30/23 Fang Jin is a tourist from China. She met a man online, who told her he could be her tour guide. She arrived in LA on 7/14 and left for Palm Springs on 7/15 by...

www.google.com

I agree completely. We need to lay out the details and timeline and make sure we all have the same information.

Thanks for linking the map! I made a few minor changes. Fang Jin Case Map This map has had nearly 1,800 views since I created it.

 

[mark1969]

Our insider may be able to provide info supporting a theory they didn't return to his abode once on their road trip. Sorry mods if I'm doing this wrong.
@mark1969

at this moment there is no prove that they went back more than once to JRF home

 

[mark1969]

Good news! At this point I think we need to confirm that everyone is on the same page regarding timeframe, pings, car sighting etc.

Just for example, Jin Fang's daughters, friends 'n family obviously including you Mark, may know a fact that we here on WS aren't aware of... also to confirm we're on same page regarding the vehicle sighting by park ranger/LE (even if it annoyingly turns out to be incorrect) everyone needs to have the same 'facts'

The map (provided by Claire I believe) was so well done and I think it's important that, via Mark, family confirm they are working off the same info. Am just saying this because we literally don't know if family group has information we don't...

So Mark, please can you let us know if PI hired is working of exact same info we have here ? just to ensure cohesion in going forward

I've asked a podcaster who has immense experience with the missing and is very talented to look at this for us. He said he will...I want to make sure we have all avail info because it's not an easy one f'sure

Fang Jin - Google My Maps

47-year-old Jin Fang 金芳, who was last seen 7/21/23 in or near Morongo Valley, CA. John Root Fitzpatrick- reported missing 7/30/23 Fang Jin is a tourist from China. She met a man online, who told her he could be her tour guide. She arrived in LA on 7/14 and left for Palm Springs on 7/15 by...

www.google.com

This map data is indeed reflecting the start data we gave to the PI , ofcourse all this used data inside need to be verified again