I'm reaching? LOL
Listen Bankie, to you and everyone else on this forum, Johnny J was just a name, a sound, a distant figure that helped to create work that you enjoyed.
To me, he was a friend. Somebody I hung out with. Somebody I spent hours talking to. I rode around LA with him in his car. I met his wife and family. We discussed our lives and careers. I would have met up with him many more times since than if it weren't for what happened.
I shed tears when he died, not because I was a fan of his work, but because this person was my friend. I couldn't afford to make it out to LA on short notice for his funeral, but a friend of mine who also knew Johnny went, and sent regards to his wife and family on my behalf. My friend witnessed the grief from the people close to Johnny. He saw his casket, and it may even have been open. I don't recall, but I'll ask him when I speak to him next.
And you want to start speculating that he's alive based upon essentially nothing.
You want to take this further? Get in contact with Darren Vegas and ask him. I'd put money on it that he'll tell you he meant someone else.