CA FANG JIN: Missing from San Bernardino County, CA - July 2023 - Age 47 *Found Deceased*

Chinese woman remains missing, while her boyfriend was found dead in San Diego County

A Chinese woman who toured the Mojave Desert remains missing, while her boyfriend from San Bernardino County was found dead in San Diego County

www.vvdailypress.com

Chinese woman remains missing, while her boyfriend was found dead in San Diego County​

The investigation continues into a missing Chinese national and her friend, a former Navy SEAL from Morongo Valley.

The most recent update in the case came in September, roughly two months after Fan Jin and John Root Fitzpatrick went missing.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials reported that the body of veteran Fitzpatrick, 52, was found last month in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Sheriff’s spokesperson Mara Rodriguez told the Daily Press on Wednesday that there is no update on Jin's whereabouts, and the missing person's case remains open.

The 47-year-old woman was last heard from in July.

After meeting a man, later identified as Fitzpatrick, online and corresponding with him for six months, Jin decided to meet him, her family said.

“Jin did her best to check into the man’s background, ordering a background report and verifying the man’s identity, military service, and employment record,” according to a GoFundMe account set up by family friend Kyle Zhou.

Jin flew from China to Los Angeles on July 14.

After arriving, she boarded a train from Los Angeles to the Palm Springs area. The following day, she was picked up by a man whom she hired for a tour of the Morongo Basin area, sheriff's officials stated.

Jin had planned to camp in an unknown area in the Morongo Basin, which is situated southeast of Lucerne and Johnson valleys in the High Desert, police stated.

On July 16, the couple was seen on surveillance video purchasing toiletries inside the Marine Corps Exchange at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, according to a search warrant issued by San Bernardino County Superior Court.

The man took her to Joshua Tree National Park and then “supposedly went camping” with her at “a small town in the desert,” her family said.

The pair reportedly took at least one hiking trip to the desert. Jin also stayed with Fitzpatrick at the Roadrunner Mobile Home Park in Morongo Valley.

Jin continued to send photos to her family in China, including one of Fitzpatrick’s driver's license and another of him with his blue Toyota pickup, the search warrant revealed.

On July 22, photos and messages were no longer being received by Jin’s family, she wasn't answering her phone, and her social media posts stopped. Her phone showed that it was no longer in service on July 25, according to her family.

Jin’s friend filed a missing person’s report on July 26 with the sheriff’s department when she couldn’t contact her. Jin had booked a return flight in October, and her family said she did not intend to stay in the U.S.

Fitzpatrick was reported missing on July 30, according to the man’s longtime friend and military colleague, Darryl Hoss, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Hoss reported his friend missing when Fitzpatrick didn’t return from an extended camping trip to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the Union-Tribune stated.

According to military records reviewed by the Union-Tribune, Fitzpatrick was honorably discharged from active service in 2010 as a chief petty officer, master parachutist, and instructor who had completed multiple tours overseas.

In 2020, Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and was later placed in the veteran's treatment court, hinting at underlying issues, according to the Hi-Desert Star. He eventually completed the program, and the charge was dismissed this year.

Investigators stated that on July 22, Fitzpatrick’s vehicle, a blue Toyota Tacoma truck, was captured on camera in Thermal, just south of Indio and about 60 miles north of where his body would later be found.

On Aug. 1, deputies conducted a welfare check at Fitzpatrick’s mobile home located on 29 Palms Highway in Morongo Valley, according to the search warrant.

Detectives visited Fitzpatrick’s mobile home and found the front door open. Investigators entered to see if the couple were inside and found no one.

Detectives did find items belonging to Jin inside the home and the "odor of decomposition,” the court document stated.

Sheriff's officials also discovered and took a red suitcase that contained Jin’s property. Additionally, her straw hat, sandals, green shoes, an SD card from a Ring camera, a green helmet, and a white purse with her belongings.

Deputies also found receipts from the Marine Corps Exchange.

On July 3, Fitzpatrick was seen on a store security camera purchasing duct tape, according to the search warrant. At that time, he was seen with a white/Hispanic man, who left the store with the purchased items, the court document stated.

A month later, sheriff’s investigators served a second search warrant at the mobile home, where they took three iPhones.


MEDIA - FANG JIN: Missing from San Bernardino County, CA - July 2023 - Age 47

 

[Whatsnext]

Danke. I just took the first bite of anything I've eaten today. Beib deiner mutter in den hintern Benny!!!!

Sorry Mel!

 

[Mel70]

Sorry Mel!

 

[Guess Who]

And the odor of decomposition?

Who knows what that could have been. It was over 100 and they hadn't been there for a bit. Lots of stuff could have gone bad or critters could have died or ...

People aren't the only contributors to decomp odor.

 

[GrandmaBear]

It was nearly 120 or so out at the time. If one had a problem and the other went for help, they both could have easily died from heat exposure and./or dehydration.

So what is you theory then in why the vehicle was allegedly so many miles away. Heat wouldn't have gotten to them in all those miles? Also a bit odd to me his thoughts were for them to do a channel or some such on how to teach Chinese to live in the desert... So wouldn't he take her out there prepared so as to show her HOW to survive, not how for both of them to die in heat? He was going to teach the opposite.

So many other things too. No cell signal? Did the truck break down? Were they 4wheelin'? Did that break down too?

But the biggest one for me is the vehicle was MILES away.

Some survivalist teacher he is or teaching prep to live out there...

Funny that just the opposite happened, not making it for days as he was teaching her how to but instead showing how to die immediately...

And what was the smell? At home wasn't it?

I just would also think if the truck broke down, was out of gas, or something made perfect sense, there wouldn't be all this secrecy from LE yet... We don't know enough. He could well be dead from a gunshot wound to his head with the weapon still in his hand.

It is also hard to ignore these two were strangers. Maybe felt they knew each other well behind internet personas (both or one).

PLUS there is info of him having some issues.

Put all those things together and I don't think this was accidental BUT I can see with the heat and all and the fact we have not enough info, to have that as a possibility. I can't exclude it but there's sure a lot of other things that lead me away from that for my opinion on it.

I don't think we even know that she willingly left the home/trailer wasn't it? Or do we know that? Were they seen all happy going off on an advent? I can't recall. Don't think so though.

I don't think we even know that she died in the desert do we? He may have went there to dispose of her and then trying to create an alibi and HE ended up dying of heat or he just decided suicide was his only option as he stayed "lost" and realized they knew she was missing...

 

[GrandmaBear]

It was nearly 120 or so out at the time. If one had a problem and the other went for help, they both could have easily died from heat exposure and./or dehydration.

I just answered to this was thinking it was this one I responded to but apparently not, but one of the ones near it. it is certainly possible, just not where I lean with the things I just put in my response to a post as the reasons.

 

[GrandmaBear]

And the odor of decomposition?

Exactly! There are quite a few reasons or at least there are for me that i don't lean towards natural deaths. For sure not with both. That is ONE of them.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Who knows what that could have been. It was over 100 and they hadn't been there for a bit. Lots of stuff could have gone bad or critters could have died or ...

People aren't the only contributors to decomp odor.

That's true but when you look at the whole picture of why this is even being investigated, that a woman came to meet a man she only knew from the internet and all the other things including what I just mentioned and no oomph in me to point out others, I don't think death by heat and natural causes is going to be the answer for what happened to both of them for sure, or for the smell in the home. I don't think it the most likely anyhow.

The vehicle, cell phones, and more...

 

[Mel70]

Who knows what that could have been. It was over 100 and they hadn't been there for a bit. Lots of stuff could have gone bad or critters could have died or ...

People aren't the only contributors to decomp odor.

The only time. I was walking home from school. It was a dead birdie. I was upset. I've been fortunate that was it.

 

[GrandmaBear]

You are such a city girl girlfriend. No offense Lol. Even so, you can't tell me can you that you've never seen a dead deer on the side of a road or a skunk dead on it, etc. Or can you say never to that?

But ya never said did you smell decomp? From the bird? Undoubtedly no, I am guessing. If I had a life and time I could tell all a comparison and it was about a bear outside and not that close that was dead and how long it took to smell and for the smell to reach further and I could compare it to some things but I don't have it in me and am on LONGGG day four our of six and back again today a.m. and that's without other life bullsh*t.

But the bear one would be interesting.

This decomp smell was in his home/trailer was it not? I can't go look back, I am close to down for the count (I wrote this last night and then promptly DID go down for the count before finishing). Pretty sure it was remarked on about the search of the home. How long was it from her allegedly missing to the search of the home? I don't think it was weeks. I don't think a dog would have died and rotted in those days and one would assume the home (mobile home wasn't it?) had air or he would have about died living in it as well in an area that reached such temps. An animal isn't likely to have starved to death or been too hot so died and then decomped in that number of days and with AC. Plus the remark did not end with they found some dead animal explaining it.

I personally don't think the decomp thing was from anyone but her... The whole scenario although a lot of things that don't make sense (probably cover up) is classic. Woman goes to man's home, hopeful relationship, partnership, whatever and is never seen again. Smell of decomp. Both eventually found dead, her FIRST by a long shot (time of death would be interesting if they can determine on both). Classic likelihood and that is just the basics. Now add in the other sh*t in this one. They meet on the internet in who knows what group, start talking, she comes to ANOTHER country yet seems she informs her family pretty well of intent, visit, not staying, why, keeps in touch, etc. Then HE allegedly thinks they can do some podcast or some such of teaching Chinese how to live in an American desert. THUD, no time to find emoji. Huh? Was he talking this with her online before she came?

Were THEY talking of such things, her as well, before she even came here.. Because, sorry to say, but it sounds a bit nutty and we don't even know the reasoning Chinese would want to live in or learn to live in an American desert. Did only he think it or both talk of it because if only him why wouldn't this be a bit of a red flag to her as some odd talk/idea...

I also find it odd her family quickly from out of country knew to be worried, as in maybe they had reason to worry even when she went to come here, about him, how it sounded, etc. Yet when
she had not been in contact, and she had it seemed informed them of her plans throughout and played it mostly "safe" other than coming here and meeting this man alone. So it would appear this not young adult woman coming to another country to meet a not young adult man responsibly had things in place as to her safety including keeping in contact with family, etc. and YET there is no safety in coming alone and then going with the adult man.

On the other hand,his "friend" reported him missing after news broke of her missing wasn't it by several days or at least a few?

And cops are holding in all details of both deaths, circumstances, WHERE the truck was found and FAR more.

There just isn't anything in this one that points to natural causes for me or heat, desert, etc. Unless intentional. Let's see how you as a Chinese can do out here in 120 degree heat... For our future show... Wonder if he was filming... Just one thought. IF she even left the trailer alive. Or was there a sighting at a store of some type, I can't recall Or was it just of him I think now. Buying ductt tape or something? Am I mixing up cases? Between little time and just not staying up on them and then new ones, not sure.

It isn't for me that it couldn't be accident/natural, it is all the other things many of which I've mentioned in the posts or two I can hardly formulate (tired), so far behind and so tired. But if what little we have is true, I just don't see it. I get investigations being secret, we see it all the time, sharing little but what is the big secret of the location of the vehicle for one...A few other things have come out, why not that one? I don't even think we know if miles away means 10 or 50.... Just that it was MILES away... That in and of itself doesn't work for me in 120 degree weather. With plans, you'd think with water, you'd think with supplies and phones...? Did the truck have gas in it yet, AC and a phone charger?

Or were they trying (or he) to show how to survive (Chinese survive right in an American desert?) without vehicle, water, phones or anything... And sure, it backfired on her and him... But if so, he has video of the footage up until because for the show ya know.

Who knows. I don't know. It could all be natural causes. I do put some significance though on her family and their thoughts pretty quickly early on... And the secrecy here and the smell of decomp and more.

Did she expect his home to be like it was? Did she expect him to be different? She maybe told and kept her family informed but she still came here ALONE to meet a stranger. Seems somewhat a classic likely tale to me. Sadly.

Sorry, answered your post and then just kind of jumped off of it.

 

[Guess Who]

Exactly! There are quite a few reasons or at least there are for me that i don't lean towards natural deaths. For sure not with both. That is ONE of them.

They did not say what kind of decomp it was though.

 

[Guess Who]

You are such a city girl girlfriend. No offense Lol. Even so, you can't tell me can you that you've never seen a dead deer on the side of a road or a skunk dead on it, etc. Or can you say never to that?

But ya never said did you smell decomp? From the bird? Undoubtedly no, I am guessing. If I had a life and time I could tell all a comparison and it was about a bear outside and not that close that was dead and how long it took to smell and for the smell to reach further and I could compare it to some things but I don't have it in me and am on LONGGG day four our of six and back again today a.m. and that's without other life bullsh*t.

But the bear one would be interesting.

This decomp smell was in his home/trailer was it not? I can't go look back, I am close to down for the count (I wrote this last night and then promptly DID go down for the count before finishing). Pretty sure it was remarked on about the search of the home. How long was it from her allegedly missing to the search of the home? I don't think it was weeks. I don't think a dog would have died and rotted in those days and one would assume the home (mobile home wasn't it?) had air or he would have about died living in it as well in an area that reached such temps. An animal isn't likely to have starved to death or been too hot so died and then decomped in that number of days and with AC. Plus the remark did not end with they found some dead animal explaining it.

I personally don't think the decomp thing was from anyone but her... The whole scenario although a lot of things that don't make sense (probably cover up) is classic. Woman goes to man's home, hopeful relationship, partnership, whatever and is never seen again. Smell of decomp. Both eventually found dead, her FIRST by a long shot (time of death would be interesting if they can determine on both). Classic likelihood and that is just the basics. Now add in the other sh*t in this one. They meet on the internet in who knows what group, start talking, she comes to ANOTHER country yet seems she informs her family pretty well of intent, visit, not staying, why, keeps in touch, etc. Then HE allegedly thinks they can do some podcast or some such of teaching Chinese how to live in an American desert. THUD, no time to find emoji. Huh? Was he talking this with her online before she came?

Were THEY talking of such things, her as well, before she even came here.. Because, sorry to say, but it sounds a bit nutty and we don't even know the reasoning Chinese would want to live in or learn to live in an American desert. Did only he think it or both talk of it because if only him why wouldn't this be a bit of a red flag to her as some odd talk/idea...

I also find it odd her family quickly from out of country knew to be worried, as in maybe they had reason to worry even when she went to come here, about him, how it sounded, etc. Yet when
she had not been in contact, and she had it seemed informed them of her plans throughout and played it mostly "safe" other than coming here and meeting this man alone. So it would appear this not young adult woman coming to another country to meet a not young adult man responsibly had things in place as to her safety including keeping in contact with family, etc. and YET there is no safety in coming alone and then going with the adult man.

On the other hand,his "friend" reported him missing after news broke of her missing wasn't it by several days or at least a few?

And cops are holding in all details of both deaths, circumstances, WHERE the truck was found and FAR more.

There just isn't anything in this one that points to natural causes for me or heat, desert, etc. Unless intentional. Let's see how you as a Chinese can do out here in 120 degree heat... For our future show... Wonder if he was filming... Just one thought. IF she even left the trailer alive. Or was there a sighting at a store of some type, I can't recall Or was it just of him I think now. Buying ductt tape or something? Am I mixing up cases? Between little time and just not staying up on them and then new ones, not sure.

It isn't for me that it couldn't be accident/natural, it is all the other things many of which I've mentioned in the posts or two I can hardly formulate (tired), so far behind and so tired. But if what little we have is true, I just don't see it. I get investigations being secret, we see it all the time, sharing little but what is the big secret of the location of the vehicle for one...A few other things have come out, why not that one? I don't even think we know if miles away means 10 or 50.... Just that it was MILES away... That in and of itself doesn't work for me in 120 degree weather. With plans, you'd think with water, you'd think with supplies and phones...? Did the truck have gas in it yet, AC and a phone charger?

Or were they trying (or he) to show how to survive (Chinese survive right in an American desert?) without vehicle, water, phones or anything... And sure, it backfired on her and him... But if so, he has video of the footage up until because for the show ya know.

Who knows. I don't know. It could all be natural causes. I do put some significance though on her family and their thoughts pretty quickly early on... And the secrecy here and the smell of decomp and more.

Did she expect his home to be like it was? Did she expect him to be different? She maybe told and kept her family informed but she still came here ALONE to meet a stranger. Seems somewhat a classic likely tale to me. Sadly.

Sorry, answered your post and then just kind of jumped off of it.

But the smell could have originated from under the trailer it the vents, etc. We just don't know to be able to jump to conclusions.

 

[Whatsnext]

But the smell could have originated from under the trailer it the vents, etc. We just don't know to be able to jump to conclusions.

Exactly, we don't know one way or the other.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Death certificate reveals location of Fang Jin’s body in Anza Borrrego

Remains of missing Chinese tourist found near body of former Navy SEAL.

www.cbs8.com

Author: David Gotfredson
Published: 3:44 PM PST December 7, 2023
Updated: 6:19 PM PST December 7, 2023

SAN DIEGO — The remains of a Chinese tourist missing since July in the Anza Borrego desert were found about two and a half miles away from the body of her Navy SEAL companion, according to a death certificate obtained by CBS 8.

The death certificate confirmed the remains of Fang Jin, 47, were located downstream from Harper Canyon. A San Diego County Sheriff’s search and rescue team found Jin’s body on October 28.

Jin’s death certificate lists GPS coordinates of 33°08'02 N 116°11'50 W as the location of her body.

A hiker located the remains of John Fitzpatrick, 52, on September 17 closer to the Harper Canyon trailhead. Fitzpatrick death certificate lists GPS coordinates of 33°7'14.9 N 116°14'27.8 W as the location of his body.

The GPS coordinates for Fitzpatrick’s remains are more specific than the GPS coordinates listed for the location of Jin’s remains. The Navy SEAL’s GPS coordinates are pinpointed down to a decimal location. It’s unclear why the GPS coordinates listed for Jin’s body do not include decimal accuracy.

Even so, the coordinates indicate Jin’s remains were found near or in a desert wash about 2.8 miles downstream from Fitzpatrick’s body.

The cause of death on both death certificates was listed as “pending.” Autopsies in both cases remain sealed at the request of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department because of an ongoing investigation.

 

[GrandmaBear]

But the smell could have originated from under the trailer it the vents, etc. We just don't know to be able to jump to conclusions.

What we know is it was mentioned and likely for a reason. What we also know is decomp was smelled in a home where two people had been who are now dead. We also know she had never met him in person prior to now an came to the country and stayed with him and again both are now dead. Decomp smelled or noted in a home of someone who had not a soul missing wouldn/'t be as significant perhaps but in this one I'd suspect it is and was pointed out for a reason. It certainly can't be ignored at this point. LE may know what it relates to while we don't. Hard to say. However, I do think the likelihood of it being noted relates to human death. And we have that in this case.

But yes of course, that is speculation and we can't be sure. I don't find the jumping to a conclusion about accidental desert deaths any more likely and in fact I find it more unlikely as the man was going to teach her and the Chinese to survive in the desert and so you'd think he'd know how to and be prepared. Of course that doesn't mean he really knew a bit about how to do so but who knows...

When one looks at the few facts here and his history and their online relationship, I think one thing is though more likely than the other. But anything is possible.

I wonder if we will get to know the truth. Her autopsy alone has taken how long already... I can think of reasons for that and they wouldn't be natural death.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Death certificate reveals location of Fang Jin’s body in Anza Borrrego

Remains of missing Chinese tourist found near body of former Navy SEAL.

www.cbs8.com

Author: David Gotfredson
Published: 3:44 PM PST December 7, 2023
Updated: 6:19 PM PST December 7, 2023

SAN DIEGO — The remains of a Chinese tourist missing since July in the Anza Borrego desert were found about two and a half miles away from the body of her Navy SEAL companion, according to a death certificate obtained by CBS 8.

The death certificate confirmed the remains of Fang Jin, 47, were located downstream from Harper Canyon. A San Diego County Sheriff’s search and rescue team found Jin’s body on October 28.

Jin’s death certificate lists GPS coordinates of 33°08'02 N 116°11'50 W as the location of her body.

A hiker located the remains of John Fitzpatrick, 52, on September 17 closer to the Harper Canyon trailhead. Fitzpatrick death certificate lists GPS coordinates of 33°7'14.9 N 116°14'27.8 W as the location of his body.

The GPS coordinates for Fitzpatrick’s remains are more specific than the GPS coordinates listed for the location of Jin’s remains. The Navy SEAL’s GPS coordinates are pinpointed down to a decimal location. It’s unclear why the GPS coordinates listed for Jin’s body do not include decimal accuracy.

Even so, the coordinates indicate Jin’s remains were found near or in a desert wash about 2.8 miles downstream from Fitzpatrick’s body.

The cause of death on both death certificates was listed as “pending.” Autopsies in both cases remain sealed at the request of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department because of an ongoing investigation.

Interesting... One has decimal accuracy and the other does not. What would be the reason for that? Never heard of such before.

Maybe all of her remains were not in one location? Maybe whoever found her moved her? Maybe whatever agency or officers responding just didn't bother with that kind of accuracy...? Weird.

 

[buyerninety]

I'm a bit skeptical that she got washed to there. Seems like she
may have emerged from the mouth of the canyon during or as
it came dark and possibly was trying to walk towards the lights
of Ocotillo Wells or Ocotillo Oasis. Injured, maybe.

 

[RoundPeg]

I'm a bit skeptical that she got washed to there. Seems like she
may have emerged from the mouth of the canyon during or as
it came dark and possibly was trying to walk towards the lights
of Ocotillo Wells or Ocotillo Oasis. Injured, maybe.

Anyway to figure out when there was water in the wash? I'm a bit confused by upstream and downstream in a desert setting, those words seem to me to be an active waterway.

 

[Mel70]

You are such a city girl girlfriend. No offense Lol. Even so, you can't tell me can you that you've never seen a dead deer on the side of a road or a skunk dead on it, etc. Or can you say never to that?

But ya never said did you smell decomp? From the bird? Undoubtedly no, I am guessing. If I had a life and time I could tell all a comparison and it was about a bear outside and not that close that was dead and how long it took to smell and for the smell to reach further and I could compare it to some things but I don't have it in me and am on LONGGG day four our of six and back again today a.m. and that's without other life bullsh*t.

But the bear one would be interesting.

This decomp smell was in his home/trailer was it not? I can't go look back, I am close to down for the count (I wrote this last night and then promptly DID go down for the count before finishing). Pretty sure it was remarked on about the search of the home. How long was it from her allegedly missing to the search of the home? I don't think it was weeks. I don't think a dog would have died and rotted in those days and one would assume the home (mobile home wasn't it?) had air or he would have about died living in it as well in an area that reached such temps. An animal isn't likely to have starved to death or been too hot so died and then decomped in that number of days and with AC. Plus the remark did not end with they found some dead animal explaining it.

I personally don't think the decomp thing was from anyone but her... The whole scenario although a lot of things that don't make sense (probably cover up) is classic. Woman goes to man's home, hopeful relationship, partnership, whatever and is never seen again. Smell of decomp. Both eventually found dead, her FIRST by a long shot (time of death would be interesting if they can determine on both). Classic likelihood and that is just the basics. Now add in the other sh*t in this one. They meet on the internet in who knows what group, start talking, she comes to ANOTHER country yet seems she informs her family pretty well of intent, visit, not staying, why, keeps in touch, etc. Then HE allegedly thinks they can do some podcast or some such of teaching Chinese how to live in an American desert. THUD, no time to find emoji. Huh? Was he talking this with her online before she came?

Were THEY talking of such things, her as well, before she even came here.. Because, sorry to say, but it sounds a bit nutty and we don't even know the reasoning Chinese would want to live in or learn to live in an American desert. Did only he think it or both talk of it because if only him why wouldn't this be a bit of a red flag to her as some odd talk/idea...

I also find it odd her family quickly from out of country knew to be worried, as in maybe they had reason to worry even when she went to come here, about him, how it sounded, etc. Yet when
she had not been in contact, and she had it seemed informed them of her plans throughout and played it mostly "safe" other than coming here and meeting this man alone. So it would appear this not young adult woman coming to another country to meet a not young adult man responsibly had things in place as to her safety including keeping in contact with family, etc. and YET there is no safety in coming alone and then going with the adult man.

On the other hand,his "friend" reported him missing after news broke of her missing wasn't it by several days or at least a few?

And cops are holding in all details of both deaths, circumstances, WHERE the truck was found and FAR more.

There just isn't anything in this one that points to natural causes for me or heat, desert, etc. Unless intentional. Let's see how you as a Chinese can do out here in 120 degree heat... For our future show... Wonder if he was filming... Just one thought. IF she even left the trailer alive. Or was there a sighting at a store of some type, I can't recall Or was it just of him I think now. Buying ductt tape or something? Am I mixing up cases? Between little time and just not staying up on them and then new ones, not sure.

It isn't for me that it couldn't be accident/natural, it is all the other things many of which I've mentioned in the posts or two I can hardly formulate (tired), so far behind and so tired. But if what little we have is true, I just don't see it. I get investigations being secret, we see it all the time, sharing little but what is the big secret of the location of the vehicle for one...A few other things have come out, why not that one? I don't even think we know if miles away means 10 or 50.... Just that it was MILES away... That in and of itself doesn't work for me in 120 degree weather. With plans, you'd think with water, you'd think with supplies and phones...? Did the truck have gas in it yet, AC and a phone charger?

Or were they trying (or he) to show how to survive (Chinese survive right in an American desert?) without vehicle, water, phones or anything... And sure, it backfired on her and him... But if so, he has video of the footage up until because for the show ya know.

Who knows. I don't know. It could all be natural causes. I do put some significance though on her family and their thoughts pretty quickly early on... And the secrecy here and the smell of decomp and more.

Did she expect his home to be like it was? Did she expect him to be different? She maybe told and kept her family informed but she still came here ALONE to meet a stranger. Seems somewhat a classic likely tale to me. Sadly.

Sorry, answered your post and then just kind of jumped off of it.

I did say the first time I smelled comp was then. Seeing animals killed on the road. Of course. On the way to my grandparents. You always came across the unmistakable smell that someone hit a skunk. At least once during the trip.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I too found the downstream/upstream stuff since many feel they perished in the desert broke down and from heat, etc.

And that impression we all are given that it is just desert, no water, reprieve, towns near enough, etc. No cell coverage and all to call for help.

Vehicle broke down and out of gas i suppose or the air didn't work nor did phones.

Just saying that for me I don't see this as an accident BUT could certainly be wrong. And to be fair I figured when I read that that they are going by the way the water flows when there is flash flooding, etc like AZ gets which I know better than CA. Then gulleys, canals, ditches and runs fill and are fast and dangerous. So that's what I figured they meant.

But then comments about her washing out or coming out at a certain point, now that would mean water was present.

Placing my bet that this was no natural event or mishap. Too much to explain imo, especially with two. At the very least he'd have had to take her out somewhere that nothing worked, cell, or without cells, without backup, without air, with a vehcle that broke down etc. and not a word of anything like that have we heard of and so on. Add in the circumstances, she came here to meet a man she had never met, etc. It's too much imo to explain away. And that's without decomp whether it was animal food or human. Add it all up and it's too much to explain away.

So IF we ever get the TRUTH, I don't think it is going to be an accident. I mean I guess it's possible she ran off from him to get away from him and something happened. So is it possible she came to America to commit suicide so her family would never know. Lots of things are possible. But very unlikely imo.

But I'm also okay if I'm wrong about that. IF they give adequate proof. And not something like the reasons they say Alex Cox was natural causes or that Shannon Gilbert was as well/drowned/whatever. There needs to be more with all the surroundingi info and questions for that to satisfy.

Again jmo.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I'm a bit skeptical that she got washed to there. Seems like she
may have emerged from the mouth of the canyon during or as
it came dark and possibly was trying to walk towards the lights
of Ocotillo Wells or Ocotillo Oasis. Injured, maybe.

So with water present? Those places have water present this year and recently? Asking as I don't know, not from the area. I mean Lake Mead is drying so just an example of those of us not from an area don't know as many places formerly and always with water aren't the same any longer.