This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
In 2018, the emaciated body of an unidentified man was discovered in the Florida wilderness, and the mystery continued for nearly three years.
The case of Vance John Rodriguez, known in hiking circles as “Mostly Harmless,” is examined in Max’s new documentary, “They Called Him Almost Harmless,” by Emmy Award-winning director Patricia Gillespie.
“There’s a bigger story behind this mystery,” Gillespie told FOX News Digital. “It’s about how we live online and the myth-making that happens in digital spaces. It’s not just about Mostly Harmless, but the community that came together to find him, the hiking community. Much of that generosity is ignored online: people willing to spend their time trying to bring answers to someone’s family.”
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The case of Van Rodriguez, known in hiking circles as “Denim” and “Almost Harmless,” is examined in a new documentary about Max, “They Called Him Almost Harmless.” (maximum)
Hiker Brandon Dowell met Rodriguez, who also referred to wearing jeans as “denim,” eight months before Rodriguez died. The two met in Georgia.
“I decided to go camping by myself that night,” Dowell told Fox News Digital. “I looked up and saw this guy, this ungainly guy, marching out of the woods. My first impression was, ‘Wow, this guy looks like he’s been out for a long time.’ You can see the scratches on his backpack. He looked tired and haggard. ”
The two quickly bonded over everything, including a rough childhood, rejection from their fathers, girlfriends, and society. But when it came time to say goodbye the next day, Rodriguez, 42, refused to keep in touch.
Brandon Dowell, a fellow Appalachian Trail hiker, met Vance Rodriguez eight months before Rodriguez died. (maximum)
“I remember asking him, ‘Do you want to exchange emails or something?'” Dowell recalled. “He just shook his head, no. He seemed really sad about it. We shook hands and that was it. It was tough. You want to hold on to that connection, but… That’s what it is on the trail. Maybe you’ll see.”
Later, when news broke that a body had been found inside a yellow tent, Dowell didn’t think much of it. The body was found with no wallet, cell phone, or identification. There were scars on his abdomen, but no obvious tattoos.
Investigators found $3,500 in cash, a notebook with computer code scrawled on it, and a large amount of food. The man who died weighed only 83 pounds, and his DNA, along with his fingerprints, were not found in any database. There were no loved ones to visit with missing relatives.
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Vance Rodriguez was found dead inside a yellow tent in the middle of the Florida wilderness. (maximum)
After the hiker’s photo spread, many people came forward with stories of encountering the stranger on the Appalachian Trail. Others remembered his unusually large backpack, chubby cheeks and friendly demeanor.
He seemed mostly harmless.
Investigators were puzzled. But thousands of internet sleuths have stepped forward. Many amateur detectives joined Facebook groups to try to determine the identity of the deceased hiker.
“I’m 1000% sure they were helpful,” Gillespie explained. “I don’t think we would have had the resources to solve this case without them. I think a lot of the issues that are talked about in the detective community are internet issues. How do we as humans interact with each other online?” “I think we have a problem with how we deal with it.” “…Especially on the internet and social media, we make so many assumptions about each other. Everything in that environment feeds into the anger machine and creates it.” Masu.”
Natasha Teasley, an outdoor enthusiast and internet sleuth, was among those keen to determine the identity of the mysterious deceased man. (maximum)
The frenzy to identify unknown hikers reached a fever pitch with Ben Reynolds’ discovery. He created an online journal detailing how hiking helped him cope with his cancer diagnosis. Many cyber detectives were convinced that he was the hiker in question, so his family became the focus of the harassment.
However, the person who received the tip was Christy Harris, a delivery worker from Virginia who had always dreamed of becoming an FBI agent. He finally had a name on his face. The man, described as “mostly harmless,” was also Rodriguez, from Baton Rouge. His identity was confirmed by police in 2021.
As information about Rodriguez’s identity spread, his past also came to light. In the documentary, Rodriguez claimed to be lonely, suffering from mental health and spending hours playing computer games. He became more and more obsessed with coding. Some ex-girlfriends claimed that he was mentally and physically abusive, while others pointed out that he was isolated from his family.
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Vance Rodriguez’s past has upset many in the hiking community. (Collier County Sheriff’s Office)
According to Wired.com, Rodriguez intended to commit suicide when he was 15 years old. After firing the gun in his stomach, he reportedly decided to live and raised his hands as a truck passed by. He survived, but a surgical scar remained on his abdomen.
In 2017, Rodriguez abandoned his passport, wallet and credit cards in his New York City apartment. From there he spent the next 15 months in the forest. Along the Appalachian Trail, he met several hikers who described him as warm and friendly with kind eyes.
”[This story] “That was one of the challenges I wanted to take on,” Gillespie explained, “How can someone who appears to be one-sided on the internet turn out to be such a completely different person?” People like Brandon actually met him and looked at him in an incredibly positive light. And it turns out he did some not-so-good things in his life. Especially in the digital space, we tend to judge things in black and white and see people as good or bad. The reality is that people can be both.”
“Citizen Detective” Christy Harris was eventually given a tip to Vance Rodriguez’s identity. (maximum)
Gillespie said her team has contacted Rodriguez’s family. they refused to participate.
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“They were forced out into the public eye because this incident became a huge phenomenon on the internet,” she said. “When Mostly Harmless came into the public eye, it brought his family into the public eye as well. That happened long before I was on the scene. I respect his family’s decision not to be publicly involved.”As a filmmaker, I want people to be ready and ready to tell their own stories, rather than pressure people to tell their own stories.” We work hard to make you feel empowered. ”
“There are a lot of people along the way who have been hurt,” Dowell said in the film.
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Vance Rodriguez’s unusually large red backpack caught the attention of many on the trail. (Collier County Sheriff’s Office)
“A lot of people are in a period of transition,” he explained. “It could be a divorce, it could be losing a loved one. It’s a major life event and they find themselves in a situation where they have to escape. They have to walk away and find a solution. So a lot of people… It takes a major event in your life to push you to the point where you have to walk in the woods for six months and not shower every day to avoid getting dirty. “Of course, sometimes it’s the love of adventure, but that’s not always the case. For me, the trails were where I truly understood my life. It was a mental reset.”
Gillespie said it took so long to finally identify Rodriguez “because he didn’t want to be found.” Those who know Rodriguez confirm that sentiment.
Dowell admitted she had a hard time uncovering the true identities of the “nice people” she met along the way.
“We were talking about abuse from father figures,” he recalled. “It was something we connected on and talked about for a while, and how it affected us. It never occurred to me that he would start continuing the cycle of abuse. What if? If he stayed there, I wish he did.”I’ve been trying to get better.” ”
Vance Rodriguez’s notebook with computer code scrawled in it was found near his bed. (Collier County Sheriff’s Office)
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The circumstances of Rodriguez’s final moments remain a mystery. However, the documentary says he likely chose to starve to death. There was no suspicion of foul play.
Since then, Dowell has written a song about meeting his band, Bombadier. He said the experience helped him cope with the news he discovered along with others in his community hiking.
“He left everything and walked away,” Dowell said. “I didn’t have a cell phone or anything. And for me, that was pretty cool. … Sometimes there’s room for forgiveness, sometimes there’s not. I’m still trying to figure it out. is.”
“They Called Him Mostly Harmless” is available to stream on MAX.
