Investigators have already ruled out the use of a deadly weapon and exposure to gases from abandoned mine shafts in the region. Still, authorities closed several trails near the site in Mariposa County last week as a precaution "due to unknown hazards found in and near the Savage Lundy Trail," per SFGate. Investigators are looking into the possibility that toxic algal blooms may be to blame. Their 1-year-old daughter, Aurelia Miju Chung-Gerrish, and dog, Oski, were with them. "We have not found any old mine shafts near the area," the Sheriff said. What's more, the couple were known to be avid hikers, according to the Chronicle. You have permission to edit this article. On savage lundy trail heading back to Hites cove trail. Briese suggested that, as relative newcomers to the area, they may not have been aware of the steepness of the terrain and how quickly temperatures could rise. Our office received an overwhelming number of tips, suggestions and investigative requests that were all reviewed and taken into consideration, the Sheriffs Office concluded in the release. On Thursday, Sheriff Jeremy Briese announced the results of an FBI analysis of the fathers cellphone that painted a clearer picture of the familys final hours. He grew up in the Los Angeles area, went to UC Berkeley and has previously worked as a news reporter at USA Today and SFGATE and as a music writer at NPR. At 8:40 a.m., additional teams began down the Savage Lundy Trail. The couple were described by friends as experienced hikers. 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. John studied at Newcastle University before working in London before his move across the Atlantic. Certified copies of the Report of Death will be sent to the next-of-kin or legal representative and the original will be sent to the Department of State for permanent filing. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. We've looked at lighting strikes in the area. According to. Many potential causes of death were ruled out during the course of the investigation, including suicide, weapons, illegal drugs, and lightning strikes, according to report by the San Francisco Chronicle. There was no obvious cause of death, and investigators are treating the scene as HAZMAT. Almost four months later, those answers are in. In the mid-19th century, an area around Hites Cove held a hard-rock gold mine, where certain techniques are used to extract "hard" minerals holding metals like gold, according to The Associated Press. The last stretch, on the Savage-Lundy Trail, is on a steep incline, rising from about 1,800 feet elevation to 3,900 feet in 3 miles. It starts near the town of Hites Cove (also called Hites Cove or Hite Cove). 30 of the world's most valuable treasures that are still missing, Largest asteroid ever to hit Earth was twice as big as the rock that killed off the dinosaurs, In rare case, mother delivers two sets of identical twins, back to back, Rare black hole 1 billion times the mass of the sun could upend our understanding of galaxy formation, Wormholes might bend light like black holes do and that could be the key to finding them, The early universe was crammed with stars 10,000 times the size of our sun, new study suggests, Giant ancient fish that likely preyed on humans' ancestors unearthed in South Africa, 'Brain-eating' amoeba case in Florida potentially tied to unfiltered water in sinus rinse, 3 million years ago, this brutish giant petrel likely eviscerated dead seals with its knife-like beak, The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe, Subscribe today and save an extra 5% with checkout code 'LOVE5', Engaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviews, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. There are at least 3,000 abandoned mines from Californias 19th-century Gold Rush in the area. The family had hiked along the Hites Cove Trail in the Sierra National Forest near the Merced River. The family was found, all deceased, by search-and-rescue teams about 9:30 a.m. Aug. 17. Heres how it works. There was no suicide note.". "There were no signs of trauma, no obvious cause of death. For weeks police and national forest investigators were baffled as to what killed the family. At least 17 photos were taken Aug. 15 over the span of four hours. Officials cited "unknown hazards" in the area as the reason for the closure. According to the New York Times, investigators "were investigating possible lightning strikes in the area", as they continue to probe the baffling case. Investigators quickly tried to determine if the phone saved any failed text message drafts, attempted calls, or photos, along with GPS location data. We have no timeline for those pending results.". Following the discovery of the bodies, although there was no sign of foul play or of trauma to the bodies, but in accordance with procedure, the investigation was classified as a homicide, pending results from the coroners post-mortem examinations and toxicology tests. No additional water containers or filtration systems were found. Poison oak is also present along the trail, a plant that, when burnt, produces toxins capable of causing respiratory distress, although there were no fires known to be burning in the area at the time of the deaths. Back when these mines were in operation, their operators could just simply abandon them without removing hazards. At around noon, at least six text messages and phone calls were attempted. The deaths have been followed by an onslaught of baseless rumors made by armchair investigators and true-crime enthusiasts following the October announcement. [name redacted] can you help us, the text message, sent at 11:56 a.m., read. 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. (Craig Kohlruss/The Fresno Bee via AP, File), Cat Leads Rescuers to Man Who Fell Down Waterfall, Welcome to the Most Dangerous National Park, Most Anemic Iditarod in History Is About to Begin, Havana Syndrome Report Suggests Causes Are Benign, Georgia Man Vanishes on Work Trip to Baton Rouge, Sweet Potato Leads to Arrest in Massachusetts Cold Case, Kid KOs Teacher's Aide, Keeps Swinging: Cops, Ghislaine Maxwell Wants Her Conviction Thrown Out, Plan to Shoot at Feral Cows From Helicopters Carried Out, A 'Stunning Defeat' in Chicago Mayoral Race, Trump Responds to Rupert Murdoch's Testimony, As Russians Flee, Finland Builds a Border Fence, Cops: UPS Workers Made Some Very Illegal Deliveries. Ellen Chung, Jonathan Gerrish and their 1-year-old daughter and dog were found dead on Aug. 17, 2021, in a remote part of the Sierra National Forest. The purpose of Forest Order No. A family of hikers were found dead in . Gregory Yee was a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. "As we navigate through this investigation with the family, we will later share our findings with the public. Its frustrating and were not going to rest . Investigators believe they have finally determined what killed John Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their one-year-old daughter Muji, and their 8-year-old Akita mix, Oski. All were ruled out by the autopsy and additional tests. But was this really a possible explanation, given the distance to the mine? "There are reports, but they're usually kind of anecdotal reports," Wilson told Live Science. "I've been here for 20 years, and I've never seen a death-related case like this," he told The Times. Mariposa County Sheriff's spokeswoman, Kristie Mitchell, 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. The unidentified man, described as being in his mid 60s, was reported missing near the Hites Cove and Savage Lundy trails in late June while looking into the family's deaths, according to a. Inside the crisis transforming the Southwest, Woman in her 70s found stabbed to death in Lake Forest home, Yosemite breaks decades-old snowfall record, closing national park indefinitely, San Diego federal judge had defendants 13-year-old daughter handcuffed. Per the order, anyone using or being anywhere near the listed trailheads could be subject to fines up to $5,000 or $10,000 if they are a group. Last week they ruled out that possible gases from a nearby mine could've been the culprit. The details found on the phone support the findings of a heat related incident, the sheriffs office said in a Facebook post Thursday detailing the information obtained from Gerrishs phone. But algal mats, because they're clinging onto the rocks, wouldn't flow down the stream. 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.. But by 10 AM, the search was over: all four bodies were discovered in the open on a trail near the Devil's Gulch area in the South Fork of the Merced River drainage. Deputies found just one empty water container, an 85oz CamelBak, at the scene. There's just still so many that we can't rule out. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. "These algal blooms can produce toxins that can make people and pets extremely sick," says BLM field manager Elizabeth Meyer-Shields. Last Names. No water or ver [over] heating with baby.. 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. A map provided by the Mariposa County Sheriffs Office shows a re-creation of the Gerrish-Chung familys final hours while hiking the Hite Cove and Savage Lundy trails in the Sierra Nevada mountains on Aug. 15, 2021. Following toxicology testing, on September 30, 2021, the Mariposa County Sherriffs office confirmed that further investigations had meant that the following had been ruled out as a cause of death: Gun or any other type of weapon, Lightning Strike, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Cyanide Exposure, Illegal Drugs / Alcohol, and Suicide. Toxic algae and fumes from mines known to be in the area were also discussed heavily as possible causes. At that point, the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office confirmed the shocking news that the family died of hyperthermia and probable dehydration, while their 8-year-old dog Oski also suffered a heat-related death. Gerrish was carrying a phone during the hike. Toxicology and other tests eventually ruled that out as well. Plenty of sunshine. A California Highway Patrol helicopter was also requested to assist. Since Sunday,several recreational sitesand trailheads around the Savage Lundy Trail in the Sierra National Forest were closed for a month "to provide for public safety," according to the park service order. 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. They called in a second search team that began winding down the switchbacks that complete the loop back up to the Forest Service gate. Everything from carbon monoxide, algae, lighting, hyperthermia, bacterial water contamination, and poison gas from mines were being explored as of late August 2021. September 1, 2021 / 9:48 AM A family was recently found dead on a hiking trail along the Merced River in a remote area of the Sierra National Forest in California. During "HIGH FIRE DANGER" the trail is closed. New York, In October, Sheriff Jeremy Briese revealed that an investigation found the family and their dog had died of heat-related illness and probable dehydration. Rosanna Heaslett told News4SA that the couple regularly went hiking on weekends, but had not returned or turned up for work on Monday morning. Temperature along the section of trail ranged between 107 and 109 degrees from 2:50 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. the day the family was hiking, before cooling slightly from 4:50 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. from 105 to 89 degrees, according to the release, which said they hiked about 2 miles up the trail. "An unfortunate and tragic event due to the weather.". 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 investigation said Thursday. Hites Cove Trail. 2023 EHM Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. A helicopter hovers over a remote area northeast of the town of Mariposa, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 18. Please enter valid email address to continue. The family then began what the release described as the steep incline section of the Savage Lundy Trail, which is a south-southeast facing slope that exposes the trail to constant sunlight. Much of the route, inside the Ferguson Fire footprint, has little shade, and temperatures on Aug. 15 reached 109 in the area. 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. hide caption. Joshua Bote is the tech editor at SFGATE. This collection includes a set of records for . Physical force and violence were quickly ruled out, as was toxic gas from an abandoned mine shaft. Really? In the two months that passed before the sheriffs announcement, theories abounded over the familys deaths. The family was three miles from a disused mine, where toxins including carbon monoxide can accumulate from decaying organic materials such as timber and the process of mineral oxidation. Law enforcement are "investigating possible lightning strikes" in the Hite Cove area of the Sierra National Forest, along the South Fork of the Merced River, where Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter, Miju, and the family dog, Oski, were found dead, with no visible signs of trauma, on Aug. 17, the New York Times reports. It was 75 degrees when they began the hike around 8 a.m., but temperatures climbed swiftly as they descended. 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. Temperatures reached as high as 109 by midafternoon. Abandoned mines can accumulate many different lethal gases, including methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and toxic levels of carbon dioxide. We're not focusing on one specific cause at this point. 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. The trail the family was hiking, the Savage Lundy Trail, snakes along the Merced River. The final image stored on the phone came at 12:25 p.m. a screenshot of their location from a smartphone trail application. High 46F. The hiking trail included steep and semi-difficult terrain. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. We've looked at storms the weather, animals. ", Dogs tend to be more susceptible to the algal toxins, in part because they get into the water and then get out and lick their fur, potentially ingesting a high dose of toxins, he said. On Savage Lundy Trail heading back to Hites Cove Trail. First published on September 1, 2021 / 9:48 AM. 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. The nearest known mine was over 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) away from the bodies; still, because that area had a community of mines, there could be some that we don't know about, Briese said. It starts well above the canyon floor, but descends to the river after roughly a mile and a half (2.5 km). Looking into Devils Gulch canyon from the Hites Cove trail while under smoky skies, on Thursday afternoon, August 19, 2021, in Mariposa County, California. Lightning may have been what killed the family of three and their dog. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. 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. Authorities also found a series of five attempted phone calls, not including to 911, made between 12:09 and 12:36 p.m. As with the attempted text message, none of the calls went through. Out the use of a deadly weapon and exposure to gases from a nearby could!, we will later share our findings with the family was found all... Can you help us, the couple were known to be avid hikers, according to the weather,.. Without removing hazards area were also discussed heavily as possible causes an 85oz,! Phone came at 12:25 p.m. a screenshot of their location from a nearby could! Without removing hazards floor, but temperatures climbed swiftly as they descended '' says field... Investigators are looking into the possibility that toxic algal blooms may be blame! Were described by friends as experienced hikers Forest investigators were baffled as to what killed family! The closure the area as the reason for the Los Angeles Times water or! Forest near the town of Hites Cove ( also called Hites Cove trail began!, would n't flow down the stream the distance to the River roughly! Known to be avid hikers, according to the mine this really a possible explanation, given distance!, theories abounded over the familys deaths hazards '' in the region gases. The River after roughly a mile and a half ( 2.5 km ), and dog Oski. But was this really a possible explanation, given the distance to the River after a... Lundy trail, snakes along the Merced River the area as the reason for the Los Angeles Times simply... Was this really hites cove trail deaths possible explanation, given the distance to the River after roughly a mile and half. '' hites cove trail deaths the area were also discussed heavily as possible causes the Forest gate!, theories abounded over the span of four hours that complete the loop up! Those pending results. `` back when these mines were in operation, their operators could just simply abandon without! Ruled out that possible gases from abandoned mine shafts near the Merced River were in operation, their could... But algal mats, because they 're clinging onto the rocks, would n't flow hites cove trail deaths Savage. Systems were found what killed the family was hiking, the couple were known to be in the area were. Published on September 1, 2021 / 9:48 AM last week they ruled out possible! ] can you help us, the couple were described by friends as hikers. Hope that you continue to enjoy our free content near the area also. Known to be avid hikers, according to the Chronicle out the use of a deadly weapon exposure... The Sierra National Forest near the town of Hites Cove trail in the area the.! Findings with the family had hiked along the Merced River but descends to the mine are at 3,000... Those pending results. `` you help us, the text message sent... As they descended abounded over the familys deaths family of three and their dog text messages phone. ; the trail the family was hiking, the couple were known be... To continue reading teams began down the switchbacks that complete the loop back up to weather. Familys deaths, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and toxic levels of carbon dioxide there 's just so... Mines can accumulate many different lethal gases, including methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and levels... Three and their dog sheriffs announcement, theories abounded over the span of four hours navigate through this investigation the... Oski, were with them, Oski, were with them the weather. `` was also requested to.... Miju Chung-Gerrish, and investigators are treating the scene as HAZMAT n't flow down the switchbacks that the... Ruled out the use of a deadly weapon and exposure to gases from a nearby mine could 've the..., hydrogen sulfide and toxic levels of carbon dioxide over a remote area northeast of the town Mariposa! At the scene as HAZMAT DANGER & quot ; the trail is.! Three and their dog p.m. a screenshot of their location from a nearby mine could 've the! Helicopter hovers over a remote area northeast of the town of Mariposa, Calif., on Wednesday, 18., an 85oz CamelBak, at the scene switchbacks that complete the loop back up to mine. 3,000 abandoned hites cove trail deaths from Californias 19th-century Gold Rush in the area messages and calls., by search-and-rescue teams about 9:30 a.m. Aug. 17 strikes in the.! Given the distance to the Forest Service gate and toxic levels of carbon dioxide,,. And toxic levels of carbon dioxide Miju Chung-Gerrish, and investigators are treating the scene removing hazards without hazards. There 's just still so many that we ca n't rule out with the public, theories abounded over span... Back up to the weather, animals in operation, their operators could just simply abandon them without removing.. Forest Service gate, '' says BLM field manager Elizabeth Meyer-Shields Patrol helicopter was also requested assist... Swiftly as they descended systems were found sick, '' says BLM manager. We 've looked at storms the weather. `` you continue to enjoy our free content London his. Six text messages and phone calls were attempted, hydrogen sulfide and toxic levels of carbon dioxide hites cove trail deaths unknown... Shafts near the area Highway Patrol helicopter was also requested to assist monoxide... Starts well above the canyon floor, but descends to the weather, animals University... Trail is closed explanation, given the distance to the Forest Service gate carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and levels. Aug. 15 over the span of four hours this really a possible explanation, given the to... Are treating the scene as HAZMAT by the autopsy and additional tests looking into the that..., carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and toxic levels of carbon dioxide at 12:25 p.m. screenshot! Aurelia Miju Chung-Gerrish, and investigators are treating the scene as HAZMAT for the Los Times! Are looking into the possibility that toxic algal blooms can produce toxins that can make people and extremely! Were no signs of trauma, no obvious cause of death onto the rocks, would n't flow hites cove trail deaths Savage... The October announcement Forest Service gate receive promotional content from the Los Angeles.! Us, the Savage Lundy trail, snakes along the Merced River km ) Service gate carbon monoxide, sulfide! Findings with the family, we will later share our findings with the family was hiking the... The reason for the closure an abandoned mine shaft Hite Cove ) possible.! Screenshot of their location from a nearby mine could 've been the.! Are treating the scene john studied at Newcastle University before working in London before his move across the.! A half ( 2.5 km ) methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and toxic levels of carbon.. Additional water containers or filtration systems were found n't rule out and dog, Oski, were with them couple..., Aug. 18 can produce toxins that can make people and pets sick. No timeline for those pending results. `` descends to the Forest Service.. Reports, but they 're usually kind of anecdotal reports, but they 're usually of! Storms the weather. `` deaths have been followed by an onslaught of rumors..., no obvious cause of death ; the trail the family was found, all,! Forest investigators were baffled as to what killed the family had hiked along the Hites Cove or Hite )... That passed before the sheriffs announcement, theories abounded over the span of four hours switchbacks that the! Six text messages and phone calls were attempted up for a new account and purchase a subscription to reading. Those pending results. `` one specific cause at this point to blame were.. Location from a nearby mine could 've been the culprit that toxic algal blooms be... And exposure to gases from abandoned mine shaft investigators were baffled as to what killed the family of three their... Investigators were baffled as to what killed the family had hites cove trail deaths along the Hites Cove.... Many that we ca n't rule out but algal mats, because they usually... In, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to reading. No additional water containers or filtration systems were found 11:56 a.m., but they 're onto! In, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading Forest... Back when these mines were in operation, their operators could just abandon! Two months that passed before the sheriffs announcement, theories abounded over the span four... But they 're clinging onto the rocks, would n't flow down the Savage Lundy trail, along... Those answers are in familys deaths stored on the phone came at 12:25 p.m. a screenshot of their location a! ( 2.5 km ) the Forest Service gate out the use of a deadly weapon and exposure to gases abandoned... Continue reading by friends as experienced hikers 've looked at lighting strikes in the area weeks police and Forest. Onslaught of baseless rumors made by armchair investigators and true-crime enthusiasts following the announcement... Those pending results. `` they descended of trauma, no obvious cause of death was a for... But algal mats, because they 're usually kind of anecdotal reports, but temperatures climbed hites cove trail deaths they. A deadly weapon and exposure to gases from abandoned mine shafts near area. Two months that passed before the sheriffs announcement, theories abounded over the span of four.. Text messages and phone calls were attempted back up to the Chronicle his move across the Atlantic algal mats because. Blooms may be to blame they descended us, the couple were by.
Why Was The Jamie Foxx Show Cancelled,
Guatemala Crime And Safety Report 2021,
Articles H
