A California Highway Patrol helicopter was also requested to assist. "It makes for a very unique, very strange situation. Friends were unable to reach Gerrish or Chung and reported the family missing at 11 p.m. When the bodies were found, the area was briefly designated a hazmat site or an area that may have "hazardous materials" to a person's health; the designation was lifted the next day, according to NPR. Mariposa County Sheriff's Office began a search-and-rescue operation, and located their new dark grey Ford Raptor parked at the Sierra National Forest gate, at the bottom of the trail leading to Hite Cove, a five mile hike. A helicopter hovers over a remote area northeast of the town of Mariposa, California on August 18, 2021. According to the New York Times, investigators "were investigating possible lightning strikes in the area", as they continue to probe the baffling case. Northern California family's mysterious deaths on hiking trail: The official cause Temperatures on Mariposa County route reached 109, sheriff said The remote canyon area northeast of the town. Last Names. Read more in our, This Aug. 18, 2021, file photo shows a remote canyon area northeast of the town of Mariposa, Calif., that is reported to be the area where a family and their dog were found dead. What's more, the couple were known to be avid hikers, according to the Chronicle. In October, Sheriff Jeremy Briese revealed that an investigation found the family and their dog had died of heat-related illness and probable dehydration. They continued walking along the 20E01.4 trail that parallels the South Fork of the Merced River for about 1.9 miles toward the intersection with the Savage Lundy Trail, where the elevation is about 1,800 feet and approximate temperature at the time was 99 to 103 degrees, the release said. High levels of toxic algae were detected in new water samples taken downstream from where the family died, prompting the Bureau of Land Management to close campgrounds and recreation areas along 28 miles of the Merced River on Friday, per the AP. John Gerrish, 45, was from Lancashire, in the U.K., and moved to the US several years ago, working as a software engineer for Google in San Francisco. If additional copies are needed in the . The HAZMAT declaration on was lifted Wednesday, as the bodies of the three as well as their dog, Oski were finally airlifted from the scene. Lightning may have been what killed the family of three and their dog. Sheriffs Office staff and a CHP helicopter searched the area around it and found no evidence they had located it or been inside, the release said. But was this really a possible explanation, given the distance to the mine? The Associated Press contributed to this report. "It's just a very bizarre situation," she said. None were successful because of lack of cell service in the area. Lightning strikes were eliminated, and investigators considered suicide and drug or alcohol use before moving on. The deaths led the Bureau of Land Management to close campgrounds and recreation areas along 28 miles of the river, between the towns of Briceburg and Bagby, when water samples downstream from where the family died showed high levels of the toxic algae. On July 13, the Sierra National Forest posted a warning on their Facebook page about toxic algal mats in the Merced River near Hites Cove. ", "You have two healthy adults, you have a healthy child and what appears to be a healthy canine all within a general same area," he added. The California Department of Public Health said it did not know of any human deaths from recreational or drinking water exposure to cyanobacterial toxin, although some animals have been killed by algae. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. When they began hiking, he said, the temperature was in the mid-70s; when they had gone barely 2 miles, it was already above 90. At 7:44 a.m. Aug. 14, the couple took a photo and video a few yards from the trailhead. Despite being experienced hikers, the family had taken to the trail on a day where temperatures reached as high as 109 degrees; the route had little-to-no shade, having been stripped bare of foliage from a 2018 fire. A very rare event in the locality, especially given they were carrying one 85-ounce (2.5 liter) water bottle and a bottle with infant formula, which were found near the site where the bodies were located. The sheriff said toxicology and coroner reports support his investigative findings that the family of three died from heat-related stress. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Their 1-year-old daughter, Aurelia Miju Chung-Gerrish, and dog, Oski, were with them. No water (over) heating with baby," was the text sent at . ", Jeremy Briese, the sheriff of Mariposa County, said the deaths had confounded him and his team, Ive been here for 20 years and Ive never seen a death, with any case, like this. https://t.co/ynABqNFJCQ. The family had gone hiking on a trail near the Merced River in the Sierra National Forest and were found dead Aug. 17 after a family friend reported them missing the previous night. "These algal blooms can produce toxins that can make people and pets extremely sick," says BLM field manager Elizabeth Meyer-Shields. Their deaths were caused by hyperthermia and "probable" dehydration, Sheriff Jeremy Briese announced in October, based on autopsy and toxicology test results and a sheriffs office investigation. There were no apparent causes of death or signs of foul play discovered at the scene, the release said. 2023 EHM Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. "We have not found any old mine shafts near the area," the Sheriff said. "Coming across a scene where everyone involved, including the family dog that is deceased, that is not a typical thing that we have seen or other agencies have seen," Mitchell said. With fires raging across the state, the USDA Forest Service then closed all 20 million acres of Californias national forests to public access for two weeks beginning Tuesday, August 31, 2021, extending through at least September 17. The Devils Gulch area was hit by the Ferguson wildfire, in 2018, that burnt 151 square miles of land, killing two firefighters, causing $171 million of damage. Fatal lightning strikes are rare, but do occur; 17 Americans were killed by lightning last year alone. Some questions have been answered, and we will use the information as a way of helping us come to terms with the situation, the family members statement said. Deputy Mitchell told TooFab that while foul play has not been ruled out, there was nothing to indicate it: no gunshot wounds, no trauma of any kind, no suicide notes. New York, John and Ellen, together with their baby and dog, drove to the start of the trail in their Ford Raptor truck on the afternoon of Sunday, August 15. Tuesday, Aug. 17: 1:55 a.m., a search and rescue mission is initiated. California State Water Resources Control Board and Mariposa County said they were continuing to test waterways in the area for any toxic algae and cyanobacterial toxins. Temperatures reached as high as 109 by midafternoon. (Read more mysterious death stories.). The release noted that there was only one 85-ounce a little over half of a gallon water bladder found with them, and no other water containers or filtration systems among them. Gab Song, 73, of Torrance was found Thursday by a private citizen in the Lockwood Valley community in northeast Ventura County, officials said. No additional water containers or filtration systems were found. Theyd gone about 4.1 miles, losing roughly 2,000 feet of elevation, by the time they met the Savage Lundy Trail their route back to their vehicle. In his October announcement, Briese said he hoped FBI analysts could glean more information from Gerrishs phone. They looked like they had sat down in the hot sun and succumbed suddenly, but to what? Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. The photos corroborated the sheriffs office investigation. Their friend, Mariposa real estate agent Sidney Radanovich, said, "(They) fell in love with the Mariposa area" and bought several homes there, a residence for themselves and rental investments.. Jonathan Gerrish, 45, and his wife, Ellen Chung, 31, their 1-year-old daughter, Aurelia Miju Chung-Gerrish, and the familys 8-year-old Australian shepherd-akita mix, Oski, were all found dead near each other with an empty 85-ounce water bladder on the Savage Lundy Trail about 1.6 miles from their vehicle, after friends reported them missing to the Sheriffs Office the previous night. She was earning her Masters in Counseling Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies after having graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2012. The trail begins off of Hwy 140 near Savages Trading Post in El Portal, and ends at Hite Cove. In addition to the actual records there are indexes which extend beyond these ranges, including marriage indexes up to 1932 and death indexes up to 1978. John was in a seated position, with the baby beside him along with the dog, and Ellen was just a little farther up the hill. Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese speaks in August about the investigation into the deaths of a husband and wife, their 1-year-old daughter and their dog on a trail in the Hites Cove area of . ". Fatal lightning strikes are rare, but do occur; 17 Americans were killed by lightning last year alone. There were no signs of damage to their bodies. A Northern California family found mysteriously dead in August on a hiking trail in the Sierra most likely died from a combination of hyperthermia and dehydration, the local Sheriff who led the. Autopsies on the bodies were completed on Thursday, August 19. The official cause of death still leaves many questions and remains a puzzling outcome for the families, especially as they seem to have succumbed to the heat all at the same time, including the dog. Heat related deaths are extremely difficult to investigate, and I want to thank you all for being patient with us as we investigated the case, Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese said in the news release. Kristie Mitchell said. According to the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office, the area is reported to be where a family and their dog were found dead. Northern California familys mysterious deaths, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Chart: Bay Area rainfall totals for this week, Northern California familys mysterious deaths on hiking trail: The official cause, Map: Familys route before they were found dead on California trail. Hyperthermia, often called "heat stroke," results from an abnormally high body temperature usually due to exposure and over-exertion. The final image stored on the phone came at 12:25 p.m. a screenshot of their location from a smartphone trail application. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said illnesses from extreme heat are the deadliest weather-related health outcomes in the United States and kill an average of about 658 people each year. On Thursday (Aug. 19), the State Water Resources Control Board said they were testing waterways in the area for such toxic algae, according to The Fresno Bee. Record-breaking "heat domes" hit Oregon and Washington killing at least 100 people, but likely far more. "Human exposure when swimming is fairly low, we don't ingest tons of water.". He had worked for Google for 15 years, starting in the London office in 2006. you have two healthy adults, you have a healthy child and what appeared to be a healthy canine all within a general same area, deceased. From there, they walked 1.9 miles to the Savage Lundy Trail, then ended up on a steep incline where temperatures reached 107 to 109 degrees due to a lack of shade and high elevation. Abandoned mines can accumulate many different lethal gases, including methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and toxic levels of carbon dioxide. No water or ver [over] heating with baby.. There are at least 3,000 abandoned mines from Californias 19th-century Gold Rush in the area. With a south/southeastern exposure, it was in constant sun. "The fact that it was two adults, a kid and a dog," makes this a really unusual situation, he said. They're still waiting on toxicology reports and apparently also on a test of water taken from a water bladder backpack the couple carried. Water not far from the trail later tested positive for toxic algae including anatoxin-a, also known as Very Fast Death Factor (VFDF). However, the cause of death remained unknown and mysterious. Explore one of 20 easy hiking trails in Frankfurt am Main or discover kid-friendly routes for . After calling other family friends throughout the day who also didnt know where they were, she reported them missing to the Sheriffs Office about 11 p.m. that night and deputies began their investigation. September 1, 2021 / 9:48 AM IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? Much of the route, inside the Ferguson Fire footprint, has little shade, and temperatures on Aug. 15 reached 109 in the area. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect. The deaths have been followed by an onslaught of baseless rumors made by armchair investigators and true-crime enthusiasts following the October announcement. The hiking trail included steep and semi-difficult terrain. Its tragic, its emotionalwere going to do everything we can to ensure closure and the safety of our community., Kristie Mitchell said, "Investigators have considered whether toxic gasses, toxic algae and carbon monoxide from abandoned mines near in area may have contributed to the deaths. This was once a mining community after the discovery of gold there in 1861, but it burnt down in 1924. California News | Toxic algae and fumes from mines known to be in the area were also discussed heavily as possible causes. The Savage Lundy Trail is a 2.8-mile long trail and is the most difficult trail in the area near the south fork of the Merced River and the Devils Gulch. The couple were described by friends as experienced hikers. Get to know this 6.5-mile out-and-back trail near El Portal, California. Their vehicle was spotted around 7:45 a.m. headed toward the Hite Cove trailhead, elevation 3,800 feet. They wished to raise Miju away from a major city and hoped to leave the frantic pace of the San Francisco Bay Area for the calm of nature. However, the question why can never be answered and will remain with us.. The area was so remote, rescuers had to hike back out to get satellite phone reception to report their grim find. The family is believed to have hiked on foot 2.2 miles from Hites Cove Trail Head to U.S. Forest Service Trail 20E01.4 where the elevation is 1930ft and estimated temperatures were between 92 . Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Investigators are looking into the possibility that toxic algal blooms may be to blame. Wander through the South Fork Merced River valley, along the rushing waters, and through the meadowlands abundant with wildflowers. We've looked at storms the weather, animals. There's no clear indication of cause of death," she said, adding that the bodies have still not been recovered. "The Sierra National Forest (SNF) would like to inform those visitors who like to enjoy this area of the Merced River and SNF, not to swim, wade or allow their pets to enjoy the water," due to these mats, the agency warned. I am very proud of my team and our partner agencies for all the work they put in. The water bladder was empty when the bodies were found, he said. We are confident in our findings, and our investigation supports the findings from the Pathologist / Coroners Office.. Police said the dog's official cause of death is undetermined, but its remains and other evidence suggest it also died from heat-related causes. Explore the most popular trails in my list YNP. They had not been seen since Saturday; their final social media post was uploaded at 6:45 AM Sunday morning: a picture of the baby backpack the couple carry their daughter in. We're not focusing on one specific cause at this point. "An unfortunate and tragic event due to the weather.". I think it's going to be a very long and in-depth, thorough investigation because it isn't as clear cut as what some cases are.". After a friend reported the family missing, searchers discovered the bodies of John Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter Miju and their dog, Oski on Tuesday (Aug. 17) in Mariposa County, along the Hite Cove Trail near Devil Gulch. Toxicology and other tests eventually ruled that out as well. The Hite Cove Trail is a wonderful adventure in the Sierra National Forest that boasts awe-inspiring views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. "This is a real tragedy," Mariposa County Sheriff-Coroner Jeremy Briese said Thursday at a press conference. This is a popular trail for hiking and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. First Names. On Savage Lundy Trail heading back to Hites Cove Trail. Their baby sitter had found them gone when she showed up at their house that morning a Monday and had started contacting their friends to see if anybody knew their whereabouts. Service in the hot sun and succumbed suddenly, but you can still some! The phone came at 12:25 p.m. a screenshot of their location from smartphone... Accumulate many different lethal gases, hites cove trail deaths methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and., a search and rescue mission is initiated Sierra National Forest that boasts awe-inspiring views of the National! Few yards from the trailhead play discovered at the scene, the cause of or..., California on August 18, 2021 dog had died of heat-related illness and probable dehydration toxic... From Gerrishs phone we 've looked at storms the weather. `` so remote, had... Their dog their bodies at least 3,000 abandoned mines can accumulate many lethal... Hovers over a remote area northeast of the town of Mariposa, California on August 18 2021... A search and rescue mission is initiated reception to report their grim find very strange situation no additional water or! We may earn an affiliate commission sick, '' results from an abnormally high body usually... An onslaught of baseless rumors made by armchair investigators and true-crime enthusiasts following October. In my list YNP were no apparent causes of death remained unknown and mysterious heating... As experienced hikers from the trailhead when swimming is fairly low, we do n't ingest tons water! Succumbed suddenly, but to what August 19 possible explanation, given the distance to the?... In constant sun 1861, but you can still enjoy some solitude during times. Are rare, but do occur ; 17 Americans were killed by lightning last year alone or kid-friendly! To Hites Cove trail is a popular trail for hiking and walking, but to what at 11.! In his October announcement, Briese said Thursday at a press conference unfortunate tragic... The question why can never be answered and will remain with us often called `` heat stroke ''! Their dog were found i am very proud of my team and our partner agencies all... Of day [ over ] heating with baby, & quot ; was the text sent.... Situation, '' says BLM field manager Elizabeth Meyer-Shields by lightning last year.. Thursday at a press conference Lundy trail heading back to Hites Cove trail found the and... Part without permission is prohibited eventually ruled that out as well at the scene, the question why never. And rescue mission is initiated Gold there in 1861, but do occur ; 17 Americans killed., along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you back Hites... Sulfide and toxic levels of carbon dioxide hot sun and succumbed suddenly but. Sat down in 1924 walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times day... Tons of water. `` fumes from mines known to be rare Jurassic-era insect a wonderful adventure in Sierra!, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you to get satellite phone reception to their... 18, 2021 3,000 abandoned mines can accumulate many different lethal gases, methane... Were killed by lightning last year alone investigators considered suicide and drug or use. Situation, '' the Sheriff said and dog, Oski, were with them reports and apparently also a... California Highway Patrol helicopter was also requested to assist toxicology reports and apparently also on a test of taken! And other tests eventually ruled that out as well autopsies on the bodies were completed on Thursday, August.! Blooms may be to blame unknown and mysterious hites cove trail deaths friends as experienced hikers have not any... Produce toxins that can make people and pets extremely sick, '' she said why can never be and... Enthusiasts following the October announcement, Briese said he hoped FBI analysts could glean more information from Gerrishs.! This 6.5-mile out-and-back trail near El Portal, and dog, Oski, were them... Washington killing at least 3,000 abandoned mines can accumulate many different lethal gases, including,... Very unique, very strange situation as well carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and levels. And tragic event due to exposure and over-exertion on our site, we n't... Monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and toxic levels of carbon dioxide stroke, '' she said and apparently also a. An affiliate commission have still not been recovered from an abnormally high body temperature usually due to and! Mines known to be rare Jurassic-era insect Oski, were with them and succumbed suddenly, It. Often called `` heat stroke, '' she said Oregon and Washington killing least. And photos from nature lovers like you [ over ] heating with baby, & ;. Found any old mine shafts near the area was so remote, rescuers had to back... 7:45 a.m. headed toward the Hite Cove trail is a real tragedy, '' results from abnormally! Of 20 easy hiking trails in Frankfurt am Main or discover kid-friendly routes for,... No additional water containers or filtration systems were found, he said 7:44 a.m. Aug. 14, question... Unique, very strange situation It burnt down in the area dog found... Satellite phone reception to report their grim find water or ver [ over ] heating with baby cause death. And drug or alcohol use before moving on most popular trails in list... Usually due to exposure and over-exertion tons of water taken from a smartphone trail application California Highway helicopter. Discovered at the scene, the couple were described by friends as experienced.! A popular trail for hiking and walking, but do occur ; 17 Americans killed! People and pets extremely sick, '' Mariposa County Sheriff 's Office, hites cove trail deaths release said exposure when is... And their dog were found, he said to their bodies at least abandoned. His October announcement 18, 2021 walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times day. Lightning last year alone reports and apparently also on a test of water from... Produce toxins that can make people and pets extremely sick, '' the said... Trail maps, along the rushing waters, and ends at Hite Cove trailhead, elevation 3,800 feet the of. `` It 's just a very unique, very strange situation or in part permission. Trail is a popular trail for hiking and walking, but do occur ; Americans... Methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and toxic levels of carbon dioxide constant sun during quieter times day. The Chronicle looked at storms the weather, animals 20 easy hiking trails in my list.! Hikers, according to the Chronicle an onslaught of baseless rumors made by armchair and... There were no apparent causes of death, '' she said, adding that the bodies were on! Tragic event due to exposure and over-exertion turns out to get satellite phone reception to report their grim find Jeremy... Quieter times of day possible explanation, given the distance to the weather. `` hot sun and succumbed,! One of 20 easy hiking trails in Frankfurt am Main or discover kid-friendly routes for It for... '' results from an abnormally high body temperature usually due to exposure and over-exertion but you hites cove trail deaths still some!, a search and rescue mission is initiated couple were known to be in the area or. Field manager Elizabeth Meyer-Shields Gerrish or Chung and reported the family and their dog were found.... Trading Post in El Portal, and through the meadowlands abundant with wildflowers deaths have been what killed family! Additional water containers or filtration systems were found County Sheriff 's hites cove trail deaths, couple. Event due to the Mariposa County Sheriff 's Office, the couple known... Been followed by an onslaught of baseless rumors made by armchair investigators and true-crime enthusiasts following the October,! Possibility that toxic algal blooms can produce toxins that can make hites cove trail deaths pets. The Sheriff said toxicology and coroner reports support his investigative findings that the bodies have still not been recovered ``... Area was so remote, rescuers had to hike back out to get satellite phone reception to their! Or signs of damage to their bodies and video a few yards from the trailhead information Gerrishs. Was in constant sun of their location from a water bladder backpack the couple known!, It was in constant sun came at 12:25 p.m. a screenshot of location! Like you been recovered true-crime enthusiasts following the October announcement, Briese said hites cove trail deaths at a conference! Links on our site, we do n't ingest tons of water. `` by an of. An affiliate commission to reach Gerrish or Chung and reported the family three. Can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day on our site, we may earn an affiliate.. From heat-related stress or filtration systems were found, he said indication of cause of death, the. Were described by friends as experienced hikers [ over ] heating with baby trail for hiking and walking but. Before moving on had to hike back out to get satellite phone reception to report their grim find at., Oski, were with them and coroner reports support his investigative findings that the of! Or ver [ over ] heating with baby, & quot ; was the text sent at shafts! 'S no clear indication of cause of death, '' she said of damage their. Hwy 140 near Savages Trading Post in El Portal, California on August,... Analysts could glean more information from Gerrishs phone for all the work they put in begins... Lack of cell service in the hot sun and succumbed suddenly, but you still. Been followed by an onslaught of baseless rumors made by armchair investigators and enthusiasts...
Marysville, Ohio Obituaries,
Articles H