The perplexing case surrounding the death of Dr. John Forsyth, a respected emergency room physician from Missouri, has reached a definitive conclusion. Arkansas authorities have officially ruled his death a suicide, bringing an end to the extensive speculation that arose following the discovery of his body in Beaver Lake, Arkansas, nearly a year ago. This ruling addresses the myriad of theories, particularly those circulating on social media, which questioned whether Dr. Forsyth’s disappearance was linked to his cryptocurrency ventures.
Dr. John Forsyth, 49, was last seen close to his RV parked at the Cassville, Missouri, hospital where he was employed. His absence from his shift at Mercy Hospital on May 21, 2023, triggered an immediate search for the father of eight, who was also engaged to be married. Despite search efforts, no trace of Dr. John Forsyth was found until May 30, when a kayaker discovered his body in Beaver Lake, Arkansas, approximately 20 miles south of his workplace.
Detectives from the Benton County, Arkansas, Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday that Dr. Forsyth’s death was caused by a gunshot wound to the head. An autopsy conducted by the chief medical examiner at the Arkansas State Crime Lab officially confirmed the manner of death as suicide.
According to the sheriff’s office statement, “Detectives have not been able to find any information or evidence that would lead us to dispute the medical examiner’s findings.” They also indicated that while the case is considered closed, any new, objective physical evidence that emerges will be investigated.
The investigation revealed surveillance footage showing Dr. John Forsyth riding a bicycle towards Beaver Lake. This bicycle was later found near the location where his body was recovered, further supporting the timeline and circumstances leading to his death.
The initial ambiguity and limited public details surrounding Dr. Forsyth’s disappearance fueled widespread interest and speculation, turning the case into a national talking point. Adding to the intrigue were details about his personal life, including his engagement following two divorces. His brother, Richard Forsyth, had previously described Dr. John Forsyth as being enthusiastic about his upcoming marriage and the anticipation of a new child. He was also scheduled to visit one of his daughters, indicating a positive outlook on life, which contrasted sharply with the eventual finding of suicide.
The cryptocurrency community also took keen interest in the case, given Dr. John Forsyth’s involvement in digital currency ventures. Richard Forsyth had mentioned that prior to his death, Dr. John Forsyth had made vague comments about feeling endangered, which further ignited speculative theories, although no concrete evidence ever surfaced to substantiate these fears in relation to his death.
In previous statements to OzarksFirst, Richard Forsyth addressed the rampant rumors, particularly those concerning a specific individual who was allegedly upset with Dr. Forsyth. However, this individual was reportedly overseas, and Richard Forsyth expressed doubt about their involvement in his brother’s death, believing it to be an unrelated matter. He recounted, “He expressed some extreme emotions towards us that he would get revenge. And ultimately his campaign failed, and we didn’t hear from him again… I don’t see that being enough motivation for someone to cross the Atlantic and cause trouble.”
Richard Forsyth has not yet responded to requests for comments following the Benton County sheriff’s announcement, as of the time of this report.
Dr. John Forsyth and his brother Richard co-founded Onfo LLC in 2018, a venture described as a “network mining” operation. According to Onfo’s website at the time, account holders could accumulate credits by referring new users, without any initial cash investment. Richard Forsyth explained after his brother’s death that their aim with Onfo was to democratize access to decentralized digital currency, especially for individuals in developing countries and those with limited financial resources. He indicated that they felt the cryptocurrency space had become overly focused on wealth and luxury, moving away from its original inclusive ethos.
Beyond his crypto business, the circumstances around Dr. John Forsyth’s disappearance captured public attention, evidenced by a Facebook discussion group that quickly grew to over a thousand members.
Adding another layer to the complex narrative, just ten days before he went missing, Dr. John Forsyth’s second divorce was finalized. The divorce settlement required him to pay $15,000 monthly to his ex-wife and an additional $3,999 per month for the support of their four children. Despite the financial implications, family members and his ex-wife’s attorney described the divorce as amicable, dismissing any suggestion that it played a role in his disappearance or death.
A week after Dr. John Forsyth vanished, his sister, Tiffany Andelin, shared a poignant message on Facebook, stating that he had “disappeared, seemingly into thin air.” She conveyed the emotional turmoil experienced by the family, writing, “I’m grieving, I’m afraid, and it feels like the world has tipped into sheer chaos.”
Initial reports indicated Dr. Forsyth was last seen walking towards his RV in the parking area of Mercy Hospital in Cassville. However, subsequent reports clarified that he was last seen in the parking lot of a public swimming pool in Cassville, about a mile from the hospital. Richard Forsyth confirmed that his brother’s car was found unlocked at this location with cellphones, a laptop, and important documents inside, adding to the perplexing nature of his disappearance.
The ruling of suicide by Arkansas authorities provides a conclusion to the mystery surrounding the death of Dr. John Forsyth. While speculations and theories had circulated widely, the official findings point to a personal tragedy.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.
For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email [email protected].
