Who is Red John? That is the question. But first a couple of observations;

Red John is a man
He is over 40
He's a known character (be that to Patrick or the viewer)
He is well connected
His own followers will do anything for him
He is a fan of classical music and poetry
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
He is a human with weaknesses and can be killed....

I think we've built him up to be some sort of monster, alien psychopath, we must remember he is a simple man with a twisted mind and a following to keep him undercover.

It would make sense for it to be someone who patrick is in regular contact with because of red johns obsession with him.

I feel grace has something to do with it definitely, in no way is she red John, but she's involved, why would the writers be so keen to bring her back so quickly after giving her a story to leave for the birth of her child (in real life)

I'm no closer to solving the mystery, but Kirkland may or may not be red John. His story will come to an end in the season finale, I believe he's got his own agenda.

I have believed all along that Minelli is red john, but I'm just not sure now, each to their own for who they think it is!!!!!!

Who's your final guess?

Here is some facts i found:
1. Red John Started to kill when he was 31 years.
2. Red John Birthday is something about these numbers: 12,31,21,31,11,32,23.
3. Red John is Someone, who an see Jane EVERY SINGLE DAY.

everyone is over thinking this. Heller wants that. He wants us to think of all the impossible, unlikely outcomes to blind us from the fact that red John is right under our noses. we just don't know it.

This is less of a theory rather then a question. Iv been trying to look back on things i may have over looked. In the first season, episode red johns friend. The writing on the wall "He is ma" then half a letter or an R. Whats everyone's thoughts on this? My initial thoughts at the time where maybe it wasn't a name (because if you were going to write a name why would you waste your energy with the He Is.. ) So he is many came to mind. What are your thoughts on it? any suggestions on what you think it may be?

I think Jane could be hallucinating Lorelei's and Lennon's deaths.  At the end of the 2nd episode this season, Jane is drinking belladona so he can hallucinate again.  It is possible he was doing it again when Lisbon showed up to tell him about Lorelei.

I also think Volker could be Red John.  He said he had a stuttering problem when he was young.  Although, he probably wouldn't have gotten caught if he was Red John.

There are 3 possible ways now for RK:

1) He is RJ

2) He is a friend of RJ

3) He is hunting RJ on his own

1) He makes is personal with Lennon and just says that he is a FRIEND not a friend of RJ. He wants to know if Lennon recognise him just to be sure that Lennon hasn't told to anybody and this to be sure that his identity is secure. In this care the conversation told us that Lennon is a friend of RJ but didn't met really met him. Or Lennon met someone who was playing RJ role.
He stays there after Lennon dies waiting for PJ to feel the man's sorrow when RK tells him that Lennon died.

2) Rk is just an accomplice of RJ and when he tells Lennon "i wish i had a friend..." is because he knows that failing to accomplish a RJ plan or being discoverd as an RJ associate means a terrible death by the Serial Killers hand. 

3) Robert Kirkland wants to get Red John on his own using his personal abilities and who knows maybe RJ did something to him like did with PJ (not that personal). He wants to be sure that Lennon hadn't recognised him and by knowing that he then knows that RJ doesn't know but RK had to kill Lennon because in any case in that moment RK is burned. Then procedes to erase Lennon for his own safety.
He has to kill him because he knows RJ will eventually kill him and then hunt down RK. Asking RJ name is useless because as soon as Lennon tells RJ or a RJ friend about RK... RK is a dead man.


I don't know who RJ is but Heller said whe saw him and that when we will know who he is it will be like "oooh... aaaah... really?" so it's a character of limitate relevance. 
I think is the the guy in the very first episode, the one with the skull tatoo on his arm (the same mask RJ had on his first meeting with PJ).
Also the age, the air, everything fit. 
The question is, has RJ to be a rich powerfull man? No, it is not necessary.
He is the leader of a setta. He has disciples. They died for him rather than betray him.
His power is not to be seen. I remind you to a speech of Devil's Advocate "your problem is that they see you coming. You are not a surprise. Learn not to be seen."
This is the reason. He has no interest on being caugt or suspected.
Bertram is similar to RJ but is a puppet. He is similiar by behaviour but it will be a decoy. Everybody looking in the wrong direction.

Red John is patrick janes dad. He is stubborn, easily could be violent, felt betrayed by Patrick and jealous that his son made it so famous and left him as a side show circus act. Also Patrick belittled red John and this caused his dad to snap and kill Patrick's family. He feels there is a point to prove that he is smarter than Patrick and is all the time teasing and leading Patrick on this huge chase. It is all revenge from a jealous hateful father. Also his dad has said to him 'he always follows things through to the end' , and in the episode'throwing fire' he tells young Patrick he is off to play poker with the boys!
This is the poker meetings where Lisbon and the high ranked cbi go to play.
His dad has worked his way to the top and has connections everywhere. He has the abilities that Patrick has and has used them to become powerful and feared.

Done!