Disclaimer: The article contains mentions of death. Reader discretion is advised.
On July 23, 2018, two hikers discovered the dead body of an unknown man at Big Cypress National Reserve, Florida. After the hikers reported the person’s death, authorities tried to find information about the deceased man. However, they could not find any information because the victim didn’t have a wallet or a phone. Eventually, police confirmed his identity as Vance Rodriguez, and he went by the trail name “Mostly Harmless.” Max’s latest documentary, They Called Him Mostly Harmless, unravels the mystery behind his death.
According to the Daily Mail, two hikers discovered a body inside a yellow tent at the national reserve. The publication also mentioned that authorities found cash worth $3,500, food supplies, and notebooks filled with computer codes. However, the documentary stated that nothing of importance was found that could have revealed his true identity. Even after his body was sent for autopsy, the medical examiner couldn’t find the actual cause of death. However, the autopsy revealed minor details about him.
Per The Guardian, the victim’s body was emaciated and weighed only 83 pounds. Moreover, the medical examiner couldn’t any trace of drugs in his system. He also had a small scar on his abdomen, but none of these details assisted the police in their investigation of the man’s identity. So, they released a sketch of his face on social media, which soon garnered information about the mysterious man, Vance Rodriguez.
How did the authorities identify ‘Mostly Harmless’?
Soon after police released the man’s sketch, others began circulating his picture. Many hikers came forward and revealed that they met the person while hiking. Daily Mail reported that some of them shared his photographs and revealed that Vance Rodriguez never told them his real name. Meanwhile, the documentary They Called Him Mostly Harmless noted that he would introduce himself as “Mostly Harmless.” The documentary also mentioned that several internet sleuths came forward to help authorities in solving the case.
In 2020, people formed a Facebook group to learn about “Mostly Harmless.” The group even partnered with Othram, a company that uses genetics to solve difficult cases. Time Magazine reported that the company needed $5,000 to run a DNA test on the hiker’s bone. Interestingly, the group managed to gather the amount through crowdfunding.
DNA testing results revealed that “Mostly Harmless” belonged to the southern part of Louisiana. According to Time Magazine, the Facebook group circulated the information on social media. Soon, people saw his photos and recognized him. Authorities were then able to locate his presumed family and took their DNA. Eventually, Vance Rodriguez’s DNA was a match.
They Called Him Mostly Harmless is available for streaming on HBO Max.
