Hi everyone

I posted a crazy little theory yesterday that, to my surprise, got a lot of positive feedback and support.  But I was not very clear on some points so I want to clarify some of the parts of this theory. I honestly do not believe that this will actually be the case. But this is just for fun so please don't judge or hate. Just enjoy and comment please.

Let's have a look at a little timeline in the show (at least what we know of):
Early 1980's -> Patrick Jane and Alex Jane are working together in the carnival as 'con artists'. 
Mid 1980's -> Patrick Jane has a falling out with his father and runs off with his wife.
1988 -> The first Red John killings take place on a farm from which we learn Visualize operates.

Now Red John vanishes for 10 years.

1998 -> Red John starts killing again, up until present Red John kills many including Patrick Jane's family.

Now what puzzled me is where was Red John for that 10 year gap? In the show they place emphasis on this fact. So I devised this next theory; see the timeline below:
Early 1980's -> Patrick Jane and Alex Jane work together as con artists in the carnival.
Mid 1980's -> Patrick and his father has a falling out. He runs of with his wife and his father becomes enraged over this.
Late 1980's -> Alex Jane starts Visualize and the first killings take place on the farm from which the organization conducts itself.  Alex is afraid of impending prosecution so he changes his appearance completely and gets a new identity. He becomes BRETT STILES.

Over the next 10 years he builds Visualize and becomes wealthy, influencial and powerful.

1998 -> Red John killings start again, Red John mastermind is Brett Stiles (Alex Jane). He hears of Patrick Jane and his way of exploiting people for financial gain and this makes him angry because that was why Patrick ran away, he did not want to do that. So he murders Patrick's family and decides to show him he's better at mindgames than Patrick.

I know this is crazy, but as a previous user commented, it fits all the clues:
1) Brett Stiles says: "I know Red John better than you will ever know him". Who knows you better than you know yourself?
2) The idea of plastic surgery was not excluded by Bruno Heller because the man in the end of season 3 who says he is Red John says: "I will get a new identity, a new face and make a new life for myself" (Please note I am not saying this man is Alex Jane or Brett Stiles)
3) Lorelei says "I can't believe you did not become best friends the moment you shook hands". If I knew that someone was Patrick's father, and I heard they met each other I also would not believe that Patrick had not recognized this man or become friends with him considering they worked together way back when.
4) If this theory were true, the Tyger Tyger reference could also tie in. Because the same one who 'created' Patrick Jane, also 'created' Brett Stiles.
5) Visualize gives 'hope' to people who are in need for financial gain. Is this not exactly what Alex Jane did? He tried selling that crystal to the sick girl, and his words were "We are selling her hope"
6) Alex may already have known about Patrick's 'happy memory'.
7) Brett Stiles told Patrick he knew his father, but we also know Brett knows Red John.
8) Visualize covered up the possibility of Red John having been a member of Visualize.
9) The timelines fit in well, because we never see what happens to Alex, and it is mentioned that he also left the carnival...to go where?

I know this is far-fetched but as I said I was having fun with this one. Thank you for enjoying the show with me and also having fun with this website. 

Please comment below as I would like to discuss this with you. 

Thanks

If Partridge is dead, there must be a reason, no? RJ kills the accomplices that cross him or cause unnecessary risk. So what did Partridge do in so far as helping RJ out, and what did he do to screw that up?

Maybe that is what Heller is referring to when he said that there was a reason that Bret died in episode one. Maybe we will find out what he did for RJ or what he didn't do for RJ and it will play a part in the storyline. I'm very intrigued either way if he's alive or dead!

Also, if RJ is in fact Partridge and he faked his death to avoid suspicion (because he knew he was on the list/a suspect in Jane's mind), then why would he implicate himself furthermore by uttering Tyger Tyger? He had to of known that Lisbon would obviously tell Jane about that, and Jane would get suspicious all over again (he would have more questions regarding Partridge thus more suspicion).

The Great Red Dragon is the seventh episode of the sixth season of The Mentalist.

"The Great Red Dragon" is a series of paintings by William Blake, the man who also wrote the poem "Tyger, Tyger" which Red John has been associated with, and has used to taunt Jane.

"The Great Red Dragon" is also mentioned in the bible revelations:

"And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast." (Rev 13:1-18)

Just as the dragon has 7 heads, Jane has 7 Red John suspects. In the bible, one of the heads is thought to be mortally wounded, but was healed.

Brett Partridge was thought to be mortally wounded, but will be healed.

Brett Partridge is Red John.