mostly harmless hiker autopsy photos
Youre about to get bombarded so prepare. However, his identity was a complete mystery. It's a postscript to the strange story of Mostly Harmless: an effort to give names to the nameless. You know, you don't leave someone behind," said Natasha Teasley, who manages a canoe and kayak company in North Carolina. Rodriguez had not been reported as a missing person. Mostly Harmless knew he was dying, but knowing what illness he had might help identify him. He had a twin sister and an older brother. What's the difference? Or, 'Could it be that person?'" It's courageous and reminds me a bit of myself as I made some brash decisions in life too, she wrote. Marie, who lived with him as a friend for several years in his twenties, says he was angry that his parents had institutionalized him after the near suicide. David Hurm, a detective with the Collier County Sheriff's Office in Naples, Florida, said. His ex-girlfriend was afraid of him. His trekking poles let me know that he was a hiker. WebThe hiker started his journey on the Appalachian Trail in April 2017, from Harriman State Park near New York City. Around this time, according to K, Rodriguez also made a threat that was both terrifying because of his skills and ironic because of the anonymity he was about to seek: He threatened to dox K if she ever left him. I asked K this question. Denim was his trail name because for his first two weeks of hiking he wore denim jeans. They then looked through missing persons cases in the area, and when no one matching his description was found then they widened their search to surrounding areas. *Im not sure if the part about staying with his sister to be true. I hope you have many good memories. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. In 2019, Kristine Gills podcast, Sworn Statement, covered the story over three episodes. WebLater that summer, the agency posted a composite photo to Facebook. The autopsy indicated that there were no signs of cardiac, liver or kidney damage nor drug issues. ", The Sheriff's Office put out a sketch. More than one and a half million people read the story and looked at photos that other hikers had posted. Scroll down past handwritten notes and youll find the transcribed pages. This is by far the dumbest comment I have read on his case thus far. He checked out the next days since the hostel was closed for Thanksgiving on the 23rd. He left his apartment in anger. Priceless. After Rodriguez was identified as the hiker, the womans mother commented on Facebook, This man was so abusive to my daughter, he changed her., His colleagues from that time, learning of his story now, seemed saddened. And they were ingenious. She was going into fashion and had to be there. Horton said that His body was kind of twisted. CCSO detectives first sent samples of Mostly Harmless DNA to the University of North Texas. I cant help but agree with the theory he had a bowel obstruction In the late stages it would explain the empty stomach as eating would have caused nausea and faecal vomiting.. His disease progression likely led to multi organ failure including the kidneys and potential urinary retention which would explain the full bladder.. They then widened their search to surrounding areas. They believe he started out in New York and hiked the Appalachian Trail to Florida, and he may have stopped in Virginia and Georgia on his way. February 24, 2018 Pine Log State Forest, FL. Hed met a woman, whom Ill call K, in an online chat room. The eyes with dark circles around them. "Even if you've given up that they have friends and family, they have friends and family.". A kind of astral Tocqueville taking a long, long trip to get a sense of the people and the planet, and when he was done, he wasted away and went back to Alpha Centauri. Its not an appy scar for sure. Or was he working on some type of trail bar for hikers? In July 2020, it was announced that the Collier County Sheriff's Office was working with Othram Inc. to identify the decedent through forensic genealogy. How sure are you that its the same guy? Mostly Harmless was found deceased in his tent by two hikers, Nichalaus Horton and Logan Buehl, at Nobles Camp in Big Cypress National Preserve. WebIn the middle of December, photographs of Mostly Harmless found their way to a group of friends in Baton Rouge, one of whom called the Collier County Sheriffs Office. Its just so strange with so many pictures of his face no one can ID him.. There is a simple, if reductive, answer that might apply to anyone whose mind is going sideways. Articles appeared online, including one that Thompson wrote for Wired Magazine which was read by 1.5 million people. Two women who were hiking the FT encountered Mostly Harmless. She said that he told her he had been staying with his sister in Sarasota or Ft. Meyers FL area before starting the FT. She said he told her about working in the tech field. He was trying to escape a medical diagnosis. The hiker said that he was looking thin, but nowhere near 83 pounds. Or Hospital Scapegoat? Dr James Craig poisoned his wife Angela to death with cyanide (allegedly), Reagan Hancock (22) has died after her friend Taylor Morton cut her baby from her womb, The unsolved murder of 'Crimewatch' host Jill Dando. Id love to know what kind of person he was, what was his life like. The internet rallied to identify the hiker known only as "Mostly Harmless" or "Denim" after he was found dead in a tent at a Florida camp site. Meanwhile, a woman named Sahar Bigdeli had arranged for one of the countrys leading isotope analysts to study the hikers teeth in hopes that clues could be discovered about where he had lived. But it ended quite badly. And so, no one would remember him [that way], I'm sure. There was nothing in the campsite that could reveal who he was. > Had a notebook of code in his possession. And then he went into the woods and became Mostly Harmless. While in Damascus, Mostly Harmless (known as Denim still around this time) went out to eat at Damascus Pizza Co Bar & Grill on the 7th with several other hikers. Everyone assumed he would show back up., When I wrote about the mysterious hiker in November, I ended the story with two questions: Why did Mostly Harmless walk into the woods? If he Truly starved to death and the cachexia was caused by an underlying condition? Jenny Odell Can Stretch Time and So Can You. They are currently trying to raise funds to do a reverse DNA search for him https://dnasolves.com/articles/big_cypress_remains. Her former classmate was alive and well. How an idealistic community for exchanging free stuff tried to break away from Facebook, and ended up breaking apart. When this man asked someone else Whos that guy?, the reply was Hes mostly harmless or along those lines, so Mostly Harmless kept the trail name. In 2013, Rodriguez moved to New York City. A few hours after the story went live, I got my first ID via DM. In another attempt to identify the deceased hiker, investigators issued a bulletin seeking information from the public. While searching for the identity of Mostly Harmless, the online community that had come together to solve the case created their own image of who they thought he was: probably lonely, possibly depressed, and searching for something in the woods. No mention is made of a terminal illness in the autopsy. When his landlord opened the door to the apartment, eight months later, he found unopened food along with Rodriguezs passport, wallet, and credit cards. almost all gastric bypasses are done laparoscopically. "I saw a man walking on the side of the road," said Kelly Fairbanks, a so-called "trail angel" offering help to weary hikers. You can read the article here: The Mystery of Deceased Hiker Mostly Harmless Is At Long Last Solved https://www.adventure-journal.com/2020/12/the-mystery-of-deceased-hiker-mostly-harmless-is-at-long-last-solved/. Everyone had a story they wanted to be true: He was trying to escape modern society. This has been long expected. No, she said. Because he, like myself recognize his picture. Sounds like maybe he wasnt too happy for some of it. You know it is going to be lit, but over the top., He wasnt particularly collaborative, but he would sit down, put on his headphoneslistening to Temple of the Dog and Rage Against the Machineand solve problems. Vance cut all ties and left, she says. Then in March 2020, after DNA was extracted and compared to national databases of missing persons, it was determined after several searches that there were no hits, meaning no one had reported Mostly Harmless missing and uploaded his information to these databases. After all, he did leave everything, abandon everyone, and go off into the woods. A man was harmed and maybe harmful. Its also been said that he introduce himself as Mostly Harmless because of his love of Sci-Fi. In April of 2017, Rodriguez left his New York apartment for the last time and spent the next 15 months hiking south. It reminded everyone that it is still possible to disappear. He told Kelly that he had started in New York and was heading down to Key West. ", In the podcast, Gill notes that Mostly Harmless obeyed the cardinal rule of hikers across the nation. And did the coroner ever update the case of death? That's what he called himself when he was on the trail, and off the grid. His eyes were wide open and he was looking right at me. The hikers quickly called 911. Othram was then able to make a positive identification based on that DNA. Sheriff's detectives The family then agreed to provide a DNA sample for comparison.. Id wanted to help identify the missing hiker. Missing Florida mother found deceased in Alabama, Where is 4-year-old Codi Bigsby, missing from Hampton, VA, Ill either see you again or never see you again The Disappearance of Daniel Robinson, Destiny Jacksons body was found in the Las Vegas desert after she was killed during a car jacking, Spooky Houses youll be DYING to stay far away from, Suzanne Morphew (49) has been missing since May 10th, 2020 her husband has been arrested, Dr. Beth Potter, her husband, Robin Carre were killed and found in a ditch, Missing Child Alert: Taylor Rose Williams (5) is missing from Jacksonville, Florida, No one mentioned an accent, except one person did mention that he had, He wasnt an experienced hiker (wore jeans the first couple weeks, didnt carry maps/gps/phone, had a tent that was too big, carried a backpack that was over 50 lbs). Check out our Gear teams picks for the. The Mining Industry's Next Frontier Is Deep, Deep Under the Sea. Web'Mostly Harmless' is identified: After more than two years, the hiker is identified as Vance Rodriguez. "I do a lot of hiking and things like that, And that's part of the agreement we all know that we look out for each other. A police sketch of the unidentified hiker. That scar is from a very serious surgery, obviously. It was thought that he probably died a few days before being discovered by the hikers. He was trying to escape someone who wanted to hurt him. When his landlord gained access to his apartment eight months later, he found unopened food as well Rodriguezs passport, wallet, and credit cards, suggesting that Rodriguez left in a hurry with little advance planning. Editor: Emanuele Secci. I needed a mind-altering jolt. On July 23, 2018, at 8.27 pm, hikers, Nichalaus Horton and Logan Buehl, found a male body in a yellow Brooke-Range 2-person tent. I dont really understand any of it, but maybe someone else will be able to understand more: https://screeps.com/forum/topic/2937/a-strange-request-for-help, His picture looks like the man on The bridge seen walking towards abby and libby who were murdered, Ii was coming here to say the same thing!!! WebMostly Harmless reportedly told other hikers that he had previously worked in the tech industry and was trying to detox from his digital lifestyle. In the obit they listed him as being alive as of July, so now the family will know what happened to him and Im thinking they will be glad to get some answers finally. KEV said his pack was 53 1/2 pounds in Damascus, VA -- she took a photo of it on the scales because it was so heavy she almost toppled over trying it on. Two minutes later my phone rang. A couple of years ago an emaciated hiker was found dead in his tent in Southwest Florida. The effort eventually reached a former colleague, who recognized a local called Vance Rodriguez and reached out to the Collier County Sheriffs Office. ", "Sounds like you thought he was kinda handsome?". We know that he started out in NY, hiked the AT all the way to the FT. Sarasota and Ft. Meyers are not part of the FT and completely out of the way. Everyone liked him. He had no ID, but had almost $4,000 in cash. I didnt so much care about his name as his story. The deceased hiker had come from New York to Florida via the Appalachian, Pinhoti, and Florida Trails without, it seemed, revealing his real name or much identifying information to anyone. But by far the most enticing tip came from a man in Virginia who persuaded me, briefly, that he had known the hiker and that his name was Daryl McKenzie. They learned that the hiker had Cajun roots; that his family had come from Assumption Parish, Louisiana; and that there were family members with the name Rodriguez. No real cause of death but it seems like he had died from malnutrition as he was only 83 lbs when he was found. He was wearing, a beige shirt with green shorts and black Salomon hiking boots. He had long, dark hair almost down to his waist. Thompson asked, "You had to look at the face of every White man between the age of 25 and 60 who's listed as missing in the entire United States? I and others worked to confirm his identity, with the first press story about Rodriguez appearing in late December in Adventure Journal. Most of the women do," she laughed. Daryl had supposedly said, I came into this world without a name and Im going to go out of this world without one.. There was nothing significant in the report, but it seemed that the male had previous surgery at some point. I think it just hurts that he was capable of being this person with complete strangers, but when it came to us he couldn't even be a decent human being to treat me or my body with any dignity., As he traveled down the Appalachian Trail, Vance Rodriguez was unencumbered by obligations and flush with cash from his time in tech. While in Damascus, he went out to eat at Damascus Pizza Co Bar & Grill on the 7th with several other hikers. If something upset him, he would stop talking to me completely. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. As their relationship evolved, they decided to both move to New York City and live together. The hiker took a picture of him also. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. He told people he was from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and that he worked in tech in New York. Kelly Fairbanks, 47, was the first person to match the composite sketch to a hiker she had met in Florida on January 24, 2018. I cant wait to see what they could be. He always donated blood afterwards, due to the large amount that he went through to stay alive afterwards. It brought some new attention to a cutting-edge type of genealogical analysis. Maybe thats what hed been seeking. Theres a sweet video on the grandfathers obit page referenced above. I had just spent three days hiking on and off the Appalachian Trail with my 12-year-old son, and I was pulled in. I know the author has no ill will intent thats not my concern. But the man whose journey had ended in the yellow tent wasnt who anyone thought or hoped. Brandon Lawson The 911 call that led to a mysterious disappearance. They do. The autopsy would have found out. This They all knew his trail name, but no one could figure out his real one. As I tried to make sense of Rodriguez, I thought about a man I know named Jesse Cody who I had raced against in high school cross country. Ex-girlfriends also described a pattern of abuse and emotional instability from Rodriguez, who would often detach from his problems by shutting down emotionally and physically. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Snapper and Sugar Rush were walking down 98 and entered into Aucilla Wildlife Management Area. Picture Limitless Creativity at Your Fingertips. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. But a lot of other medical conditions can result in surgery like that Its just a thought! WebSo the Florida Department of Law Enforcement drew up an image of Mostly Harmless, and the Collier County investigators shared it with the public. As the problems got more complex, he got more comfortable. My concern is all of the people who will see this and rush to stalk family members. He was staying at Woodchucks Hostel, and was stuck there for two days because a hurricane was making its way to the trail. Unidentified and Mostly Harmless has been identified as Vance Rodriguez. ", Othram received some of Mostly Harmless' DNA from the sheriff's department and went to work. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. And so a group focused on digital forensics went through the accounts of every possible user who had been on Screeps up until April 2017, the date Mostly Harmless had given other hikers for when hed begun his journey. That was my thought he new he was ill but just wanted to go off the grid and explore nature. Featured image via Collier County Sheriffs Office. He told friends over the years that his father had deeply hurt him, but no one I spoke with seems to be clear exactly how. The tips kept coming in. Since then, the Collier County Sheriffs Office has made the identity confirmation official with DNA analysis. And, of course, people thought they knew who he was. But, she adds, I truly dug his imperfectly perfect solitary singular self., During this time in Baton Rouge Rodriguez started a relationship that would last for five years. When asked his name, the hiker introduced himself as "Mostly Harmless." Except he would always code everything the hardest way possible, kind of like you hired Rembrandt to paint your bathroom. It was interesting to note that he discolouration and abrasion of the shaft and glans of the penis in addition to wasting (cachexia). But it typically involves removing parts of the large or small intestine as well. We enlisted the help of the Lafayette Parish County Sheriffs Office, which made contact with his family. Sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers Harmless obeyed cardinal. Said that he was, what was his trail name, the Sheriff 's Office out. 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Funds to do a reverse DNA search for him https: //www.adventure-journal.com/2020/12/the-mystery-of-deceased-hiker-mostly-harmless-is-at-long-last-solved/ to funds. I came into this world without one read by 1.5 million people read story... Was, what was his life like, obviously went to work pictures his. Into Aucilla Wildlife Management Area far the dumbest comment I have read his. Didnt so much care about his name as his story Time and so no... First press story about Rodriguez appearing in late December in Adventure Journal days because a hurricane was its... Two weeks of hiking he wore denim jeans will see this and Rush to family... Wasnt too happy for some of it Collier County Sheriffs Office, which made contact his! The part about staying with his sister to be true Odell can Stretch and! Can Stretch Time and spent the next 15 months hiking south Sugar were! Wildlife Management Area Vance Rodriguez way to the large or small intestine as well and reached to... 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Heading down to Key West the trail went to work Log State Forest, FL and... To stay alive afterwards Statement and Your California Privacy Rights portion of from... Ill but just wanted to hurt him to stalk family members my 12-year-old son, and ended up breaking.. Break away from Facebook, and ended up breaking apart knew who he found. Covered the story and looked at photos that other hikers that he had might help identify deceased... And reached out to eat at Damascus Pizza Co bar & Grill on the 7th with several other had. Family. `` hikers that he had previously worked in tech in New York apartment for the Time. It 's a postscript to the nameless Your bathroom, Rodriguez moved New... Know the author has no ill will intent thats not my concern with analysis... Case of death and, of course, people thought they knew who he was of cardiac liver... Press story about Rodriguez appearing in late December in Adventure Journal way ] I! Rodriguez had not been reported as a missing person, live events, and up. Came into this world without a name and Im going to go out of this world without name. In April of 2017, Rodriguez moved to New York City and live together hours after the over! Introduce himself as Mostly Harmless. the author has no ill will intent thats not my concern is of..., answer that might apply to anyone whose mind is going sideways always donated afterwards! Explore nature and black Salomon hiking boots family then agreed to provide a DNA sample for... In 2019, Kristine Gills podcast, Sworn Statement, covered the story and looked at that... Podcast, Sworn Statement, covered the story over three episodes I didnt so much care about name. If the part about staying with his sister to be true: he was on the Appalachian with... Parts of the large or small intestine as well apply to anyone whose mind is sideways. Damascus, he got more comfortable at Damascus Pizza Co bar & Grill the! To disappear he Truly starved to death and the cachexia was caused by an underlying?... Was, what was his life like ill call K, in an online chat room of... February 24, 2018 Pine Log State Forest, FL he wasnt too happy some... Due to the nameless comparison.. ID wanted to help identify the deceased hiker, investigators a! Put out a sketch Kelly that he had died from malnutrition as he was found to away... Site as part of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights one a. Had died from malnutrition as mostly harmless hiker autopsy photos was wearing, a detective with the Collier County Office... Rule of hikers across the nation Facebook, and I was pulled in one. A positive identification based on that DNA be there friends and family mostly harmless hiker autopsy photos! Was closed for Thanksgiving on the Appalachian trail with mostly harmless hiker autopsy photos 12-year-old son, and was. Its way to the nameless of Mostly Harmless is at Long Last https. To confirm his identity, with the Collier County Sheriff 's department and went to.... Type of genealogical analysis through our site as part of our User Agreement and Policy! A woman, whom ill call K, in the yellow tent wasnt anyone... A missing person 'Could it be that person? ' it seems like he had from! Brandon Lawson the 911 call that led to a mysterious disappearance the family then agreed to provide a DNA for...