'They Called Him Mostly Harmless': Max's documentary sheds light on Vance Rodriguez's death
EVERGLADES, FLORIDA: The upcoming Max documentary, 'They Called Him Mostly Harmless', draws inspiration from the true story of an unknown hiker who was found dead at an Everglades hiking trail.
Directed by Patricia E Gillespie, the documentary will be released on Thursday, February 8. The hiker, known by the trail names 'Ben Bilemy' and 'Mostly Harmless' for communication with other hikers, was later identified as Vance Rodriguez.
The documentary features interviews with online sleuths who worked tirelessly to unveil the real identity of Ben Bilemy, ultimately revealing him to be a 44-year-old man named Vance Rodriguez.
The documentary tracks local authorities' efforts to unravel the mystery
The documentary provides insight into Rodriguez's unfortunate disappearance and his death. It was determined that he had been dead for several days upon his discovery in the Big Cypress National Preserve, however, the exact cause of death remains unknown.
The documentary explores the challenges faced by the local authorities in determining the true identity of the body. Any suspicion of foul play or an underlying medical condition as the cause of death was rejected by the autopsy reports.
Moreover, the discovery of $3,500, intact with his body, eliminates the possibility of robbery, further deepening the mystery surrounding his death. While the identity of the body is still unknown, online sleuths worked together to solve the enigmatic case.
A timeline of his reported sightings was created with the help of thousands of online sleuths, leading to the ultimate revelation of his true identity: Vance Rodriguez.
The mysterious death of Vance Rodriguez
Rodriguez, a native of Louisiana, used his trailing names, 'Ben Bilmey' and 'Mostly Harmless,' during his solitary hike in the Florida Everglades without any identification.
The documentary focuses on the extraordinary efforts made by amateur investigators who employed unconventional methods to find leads.
In addition to disclosing Rodriguez's identity, the documentary delves into his personal life, exploiting potential motivations behind his unidentified solo hike and the use of trail names.
The documentary also addresses the broader themes of human decision-making, the desire for independence, and personal struggles.
'They Called Him Mostly Harmless' will premiere on Max on February 8.