Vance Rodriguez

Ben Bilemy was an alias of a man found deceased in Florida in 2018. He also used the names "Denim" and "Mostly Harmless."

Case

On July 23, 2018, hikers stopped on the Florida Trail at a picnic table in Ochopee, Florida. They discovered a yellow tent and the decedent's body inside after yelling out and receiving no response.

There was no identification found on the body or at the campsite. The decedent appeared to be living at the park and did not seem to be in good health. He used the name "Ben Bilemy" at various hostels across Virginia, Georgia and Florida. He also used the names "Denim" and "Mostly Harmless". The name "Mostly Harmless" might be a reference to a character in Douglas Adams' Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Recent developments

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.

Exclusions

Eric Smith (2013)
Scott Godsey (2018)
David Whitehurst (1992)
Paul Glova (2018)
Glen Oldfield ll (2015)
Kyle Art (2018)
Robert Roush (2015)
Michael Robinson (2015)
Joel Thompson (1999)
Kristopher Fowler (2016)
Trevor Nichols (2017)
Kevin Mitchell (2015)
Ian Burnet (2011)
Shaun Steward (2008)
Sean Nooney (2012)
Alexander Glenn (2017)
Anthony Medearis (2002)
James Johansen (2007)
Michael Davis (2007)
David Broad (2011)
Scott Kurland (2017)
Terry Hattaway (2000)
Glenn Bartek (2012)
Adam Patterson (2005)
Adam Hecht (1989)
Ronald Lee Jr (2004)
Patrick Beavers (1997)
Daniel Newille (2002)

Characteristics

Dark brown hair with some gray.
Blue eyes.
Brown/gray beard.
Possible indistinct fine linear scar across the abdomen. Very faint.
He had perfect teeth.

Clothing

Beige Shirt.
Neon green shorts with gray accents.
Gray Russell "Performance" underwear (Size M).
Columbia baseball hat, possibly gray and white (very dirty).

Accessories

Yellow two-man tent (Manufacturer: Brooks-Range Mountaineering, Model: Foray).
Yellow sleeping bag.
Two hiking poles, black and copper (Brand "Outdoor Products").
One yellow and gray Isobutane 110 G fuel cartridge.
Bluegreen Nalgene water bottle.
$3,600 found in the tent.

Gallery

Theories

He may have worked in the tech industry.