In the season one finale, “Red John’s Footsteps,” they find
Red John’s lair.  Red John escapes, BUT his fingerprints and DNA (he was drinking a cup of tea) would be all over the house. They
also know he was building something (he ordered supplies), he hung out with his
old partner’s son (the town sheriff), he hung around a small town for at least 5
months, and he sometimes picked up mail at his PO Box.  That seems like more than enough to catch him,
especially for Patrick Jane.   I mean they have his DNA, right!?!

Go back and watch that episode. Can you really imagine Bret
Stiles, Walter Mashburn, or Bob Kirkland hanging out in that dilapidated farm house?



Also, if they have Red John’s fingerprints and DNA, but
haven’t caught him, that means he isn't in the system. That means he can’t work
at the CBI or any other government agency.  



Remember when Red John was just a serial killer. Yeah, me
too. 

I find it interesting, and I wonder if anyone else agrees, that immediately prior to joining the CBI Patrick was in a mental institution. I know this is sort of along the lines of accusing him of being Red John but perhaps he did murder his own wife and daughter and drew the smiley face above his bed. Then he went to the asylum where, because he can't accept what he has done, has been playing out his fantasy of the CBI. I wonder if this will turn out like Shutter Island and he'll wake up in an institution after he finally kills Red John. 

We are RJ.

Roy Carmen fits the profile.
But dud they shake hands? They must have at Jane's session

Bob Kirkland. Homeland Security.

We see him shake hands with Jane in 'If it Bleeds, It Leads' when passing in the hallway. Strange considering Jane doesn't shake hands often.  Also, he knows Jane, but Jane doesn't know him. 

We see Kirkland previously (in Red Dawn) in the car with CBI agent Alexa Shultz. His only words are 'thank you' yet it is said with such robotic distorted tones, his voice sounds strangely familiar.  Could she be Alexa's boss that she in fact is referring to? Is she the FBI informant and Minelli is the CBI informant?

Jane notices something too in 'If it Bleeds, It Leads' after his car wreck and Agent Kirkland is on the radio. He asks 'who is that guy.' Lisbon doesn't respond, but Jane has noticed something, possibly his voice?

Please note the way he pauses when he speaks, his emphasis on certain consonants, specifically his 'S's.

I am wondering about him, Lisbon seems to take to him quickly.  He is sly, suave, very clean, and seems to be an interesting character. Lets see what continues to be revealed.

I think theory #428 is right on.  

Season 3 Episode 2. This Danny guy, Patricks brother in law (His wifes brother). This man fits the Red John description perfectly. Think about everything we know about Red John, watch this episode with 150% focus and tell me this can't be him!

Red John can be seen in the season finale that Patrick Jane shoots the false Red John.
He is the guy with the red shirt wearing the black cap (he seems to be fond of wearing baseball hats). You can see him at the mall, in the background many times. He is talking to the coffee girl, the fake red john stares at him directly while walking away just before Patrick shoots him (off screen). He also is seen running from the same place the cop (the one that gets killed in the bathtub) comes from at the end (again off screen). I am sure this is him. Who wants to bet.