The death of Dr. John Forsyth, a Missouri emergency room doctor, whose body was found 11 months ago in a lake in northwest Arkansas, has been ruled a suicide by Arkansas authorities. Forsyth, a father of eight who was engaged, had been missing since May 21, 2023, when he didn’t show up for his shift at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, Missouri. His body was found in Beaver Lake in Arkansas after a kayaker discovered it on May 30. An autopsy determined that Forsyth died from a gunshot wound to the head.
The Benton County Sheriff’s office stated that they have not found any evidence disputing the medical examiner’s findings regarding Forsyth’s death. As part of their investigation, surveillance videos showed Forsyth riding a bicycle to Beaver Lake, with the bicycle being discovered near where his body was found. The circumstances surrounding Forsyth’s death and the lack of details made public led to national attention on his case, especially in light of his upcoming marriage and plans to see one of his daughters.
News of Forsyth’s death brought attention from online publications covering cryptocurrency, as he and his brother, Richard, had founded Onfo LLC, a “network mining” venture in 2018. The brothers aimed to provide people, including those in developing nations, the opportunity to invest in digital currency without requiring cash upfront. Their belief was that the crypto industry was becoming driven by greed, rather than the original decentralized vision they had in mind. A Facebook discussion group about the case grew to over 1,000 members, further highlighting the public interest in Forsyth’s death.
Prior to his disappearance, Forsyth had finalized his second divorce, which required him to pay significant monthly sums to his ex-wife and children. However, family members and the ex-wife’s attorney described the split as amicable. The sheriff’s department reported that Forsyth was last seen walking towards his RV in the hospital parking lot, although reports surfaced that he was last seen at a nearby public swimming pool. Richard Forsyth mentioned finding his brother’s car unlocked at the pool with his cellphones, laptop, and important documents inside, adding to the mystery surrounding Forsyth’s disappearance.
The revelations about Forsyth’s personal and professional life, including his involvement in cryptocurrency with his brother, coupled with the manner of his death, fueled speculation and interest in the case. Both the tragic circumstances of his death and the unknown aspects of his final moments have left family, friends, and the public searching for answers. The Benton County Sheriff’s office has committed to investigating any new leads that may arise, but for now, the ruling of suicide remains the official cause of Dr. Forsyth’s death. If you or someone you know is in need of help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988 or through an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
