Not saying it's him, but check out Reede Smiths face expression starting at about 1:12 when Rigsby says "We were this close to catching Red John before you blew it."  

I wouldn't say he is red john, but a good friend of red john is likely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_s2oCpsneE

Not accusing anyone in particular but I wanna say I agree with the post a couple below me about Lorelei maybe beng alive. Youtube the scene where she is dead and it doesnt look right, she looks asleep, with very little blood, Kirkland is watching her closely (could easily be in on it, seems he has to be a disciple at least). It does not look like the other RJ murders and Jane reacts in a very suspicious way. He surveys it closely and then tries to get out of there quickly by saying "she had it coming"(maybe to not give away what he knows to Lisbon?) Heller loves twists like this, and so its not unthinkable that Jane discovered RJ's plan and countered with a fake list. Other evidence to back her possibly being alive is when Jane and Lisbon are talking he says "if we assume Lorelei is telling the truth.." rather than "if we assume Lorelei WAS telling the truth.." shes dead right? I doubt thats just a mistake. Also when they are talking about why Jane cant tell Lisbon who is on the list he says I cant because one of them is inside the CBI. The final list has two CBI agents, Haffner and Betram, so that doesnt make sense. Plenty of reasons to think the list is fake. If anyone has any explanation for these mishaps Id like to hear cuz it doesn't seem right that the writers just made a mistake that big

I keep reading all these far-fetched and honestly, quite ridiculous theories, and I think,"This is way to complicated! Think back to what Patrick always says! "The simplest answer is usually the correct one."" I honestly don't think Bruno would make it so complicated by making PJ or Lisbon Red John, Lorelei still being alive or more of this nonsense. People made it way to complicated by letting their imaginations loose or thinking of ways the story line could become "interesting." Anyway, lets get to it.


What so we know? We know that RJ is a shade less than 6'0, short, straight black hair and a soft voice. This is based on Rosalind's description in the season 1 finale. Logically, this would rule out Bret Stiles, because of his age and physique. However, even if I rule out a suspect as Red John, I most certainly will not rule them out as a disciple. Bertram is bald and 6'3. Reeder Smith is fat and his physical characteristics are not the same as Rosalind's description. Sherriff McAllister is taller and too unimportant and slightly older than RJ. His characteristics are not those of RJ's. Ray Haffener is 6'1, and even though many people might say that is almost six feet, he does not match the description and does not seem smart enough. Now we get to the last tow who are more believable. Robert Kirkland, a Homelqmd Security agent could very well be RJ. He is definetly a suspect after he murdered Jason. But, he is 5'9, and I'm sorry people, but I don't see him as RJ, even if he is a murderer and probably a disciple. Last but certainly not least, Brett Partridge. His voice. Listen to the voice of Red John from the season 2 or 4 finale, and compare it with RJ's. He could definetly modify it like that, IF he even modifies it. Next, he is 5'11. The exact height Rosalind Harker described. He is the forensics expert on RJ crimes, so he could tidy up after himself, and being with the CBI, he can keep on eye on Jane. I feel that he has a hidden side and he holds something back. He is definetly the serial killer maniac psychopath type of guy. He is more than he lets on. PJ and him naturally hate each other.

Even if I am against the nonsense of many theories, I won't deny there is something fishy about most of these suspects and they are on the list for a reason. For instance, maybe Stiles is the master mind, and he sends his assassins under one symbol to murder. Not saying that is what I think, just saying I won't rule it out.

Anyway, I trust the list and I am certain PJ is not RJ, nor is Lisbon.
Thanks for reading!

Obviously there is no way to be completely sure, every character has done and said a million things that make him or her just as likely to be red john. But Im going to assume Heller isnt being tricky when he says RJ is one of the 7. He says we will be disappointed when we find out, and Reede would be ver very disappointing because his role in the show is so small. Also, rearrange the letters in his name and it spells "The Red is me." Finally, the only episode he appears in is titled, "The Crimson Ticket." Remember when RJ has Jane and he says Roll Tide? Well the Crimson Tide of Alabama use that slogan, and the ticket thing sounds like a football reference. But I can make strong cases for Partridge and Van Pelt as well, so who knows!?!?!?!?!

[This is my first post - I've been reading others' for hours, but sorry if this has all already been said. This is sort of just a random jumble of my RJ related thoughts.]

I am finding it very difficult to figure out who Red John is from Jane's final list. In my opinion, they are all either too obvious, or just wrong in some way. 

Bret Styles, for example - he's a freaking cult leader with hundreds of willing followers at his disposal. Not to mention he knew where to find Kristina Frye. He is just too Red John-ish for me to think he actually is RJ. Unless he is obviously too obvious (if that makes sense haha), a sort of 'hiding in plain sight' deal. But I don't think so.

As for the people who are obviously wrong - Reede Smith. Apart from the fact that he is such a minor character who barely made any impression, he just doesn't fit Rosalind's description. Unless she was lying for some reason (but I doubt it).

Bertram is an interesting possibility - I thought it would be almost funny if it was him, and the whole 'assassin with the rope' thing was a sort of game for him. Imagine if he was RJ, and Jane had been this close to accusing him of being an accomplice before figuring out the significance of the rope, and nabbing O'Loughlin. However, Bertram just doesn't seem smart or 'mentalist' enough to be RJ... Unless it's all an act. 

The only people I seriously considered were Kirkland and Partridge. To be frank, they both give me the creeps. Partridge definitely has the high voice, and Kirkland is all kinds of suspicious. But neither of them feel like Red John, although they definitely could be followers.

Honestly? I think when Bruno Heller said that RJ is 'definitely on the final list' he was misleading us. I suppose he would have to say that regardless of if he was or not - if he said 'maybe' then the whole storyline would be for nothing. He is very clever in his interviews, like he is playing a game with us all. I think he is a bit of a genius, and I am convinced that he has been subtly giving us RJ's identity this whole time - we just have to put together the right clues.

There are still a lot of things bothering me - the whole 'he is mar/man' thing has been on my mind throughout the whole show, as has Kristina Frye and 'roll tide'. Everything must connect somehow...

What I do know is that Red John has to be someone who is a lot like Jane (either openly or under the surface): charismatic, highly intelligent, manipulative, a very capable hypnotist, warm on the surface with coldness underneath. If it wasn't such an already disproven theory, I might suggest Jane himself.

Anyway, sorry for this ramble - I'm sure it's all been said. I just needed to put my random RJ thoughts out there before they drove me insane. This site is incredible!