My theory is that RJ is still alive.  Bob Kirkland. Yep, he’s still alive and the whole killed during attempt to escape thing was staged.  He was revealed in the 100th episode and in the recap of the previous episode they keep showing the scene where he gets shot; as if the director is trying to make sure the audience remembers what happened to him so twist gets even bigger.   

The Sheriff doesn’t fit the profile of RJ, and that voice that he did was an obvious attempt to imitate RJ’s voice almost successfully.  Also, as others have pointed out, there are holes in the theory which will IMO get filled later.  

Christina Frye disappeared from the scene.  I thought she was an important character and I truly believe that she’ll be back.  Also Rosalind Harker – the blind woman who can identify RJ.  Doesn’t it seem strange that Jane wouldn’t confirm RJs death by having her identify the body? Or for that matter any of the CBI or FBI members?   

Remember you are watching The Mentalist, and the ultimate con will be that the director BH plays a “Jane” trick on the audience!