I have a crazy idea.  Brett Partridge isn't dead.  Think about it- we never saw a body.  The only follow-up that we got in the next episode was (if my memory serves me correctly) Gale Bertram stating that he was dead.  We thought we saw him die, but what if he was just acting?  Perhaps one of Red John's associates distracted Theresa Lisbon by opening the door, and then, the person who swiped her from behind and knocked her out was none other than Brett Partridge himself.  We have known all along that Red John has associates.  Although I don't necessarily think that Red John is a part of Tyger Tyger, I think he uses them to do his bidding.  I don't think any of them know who he is.  So what if Gale Bertram, and possibly others, helped cover up the fact that it wasn't Brett Partridge who died?  Maybe they killed some other poor sap and said it was Partridge.  Maybe there was no body at all.  I firmly believe that Partridge's death was faked.  His physical description and voice match perfectly.  I think he has been trying to throw Jane off track for years.  He also seems like the quiet, simple, understated, psychopath sort.  And, Heller had said that Red John IS one of the 7 on the list.  Brett Partridge has my vote for the identity of Red John.