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. Hyperthermia, toxic algal blooms, bacterial contamination, and escaping gas from abandoned gold mines were among the possibilities under investigation by the Sherrifs office. Gerrish was 45 and Chung was 30. "We respect and understand the need for information and details regarding this case. However, the cause of death remained unknown and mysterious. The announcement came as investigators continue looking into what killed John Gerrish, his wife Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter Miju and their dog back in mid-August. John was supposed to work Monday and never showed up and that raised more concerns. On Aug. 16, the release said the familys babysitter arrived for her normal shift at their Mariposa County home and was unable to locate them. 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. 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. 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. They had explored and ruled out a range of possibilities, including lightning strikes, potentially toxic gases from abandoned mines, suicide, weapons and foul play. The next day, Aug. 16, the familys babysitter arrived, but no one was home, Briese said. The mother, father and baby died of hyperthermia and probable dehydration, Mariposa County Sheriff's Office announced at a press conference Thursday. The body of Oski the dog was also examined by veterinary experts at the University of California, Davis. The family was found dead on the Savage Lundy Trail at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 17 with no cause of death immediately apparent. Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do. 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. That is why we're treating it as a hazmat situation. 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. The family also had a backpack with a Camelback bladder that held a small amount of water and this was sent for testing in case it was in some way contaminated. Data extracted from the phone allowed investigators to re-create the familys path and timeline based on GPS locations, the Sheriffs Office said. 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. 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. Almost four months later, those answers are in. Serious burns seldom occur.". There's just still so many that we can't rule out. The temperatures at this time were in the mid-70s. 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. Original records are located in the Hessian State Archives in Marburg and in the Institut fr Stadtgeschichte, Frankfurt. At 7:44 a.m. Aug. 14, the couple took a photo and video a few yards from the trailhead. Gab Song, 73, of Torrance was found Thursday by a private citizen in the Lockwood Valley community in northeast Ventura County, officials said. 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The Hite Cove trail rolls through the narrow canyon of the south fork of the Merced River. Investigators were also considering whether toxic algae blooms may have contributed to their deaths. "Our Sheriff's Chaplains and staff are working with their family and will continue to support them during this heartbreaking time.". "We do not have any evidence indicating that Jonathan, Ellen or Miju ingested any of that water," he said. The area was so remote, rescuers had to hike back out to get satellite phone reception to report their grim find. This data analysis was not released to the media. Map: Familys route before they were found dead on California trail Fernanda Bray spends most Mondays over the summer hiking down to the south fork of the Merced River, on the northern end of Hites Cove Trail, along Highway 140, swimming, fishing and playing. A Northern California family who were found dead in a remote hiking area are believed to have been killed by hyperthermia and probable dehydration, the Mariposa County sheriff said Thursday. Last Names. 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. This section of the trail makes a loop, with the halfway point the south fork of the Merced River. Investigators are seeking access to the couple's cellphones and social media accounts for further clues. But is that the likeliest explanation? Theres also very little shade along that portion of the trail due to the 2018 Ferguson Fire, the release said. "This is a very unusual, unique situation," Kristie Mitchell, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office,said last week. When the deputies found the truck, a search-and-rescue team hiked down the steep and straight road with flashlights and found shoe and paw prints similar to what would be expected from a family of that size with a dog. They were reported missing by friends. None of the four victims bore any signs of obvious trauma; however according to the National Weather Service: "Lightning is primarily an injury to the nervous system, often with brain injury and nerve injury. Indeed, Alan Wilson, a professor at the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences at Auburn University in Alabama, said that it's unusual for people to die from algal blooms. Everything from carbon monoxide, algae, lighting, hyperthermia, bacterial water contamination, and poison gas from mines were being explored as of late August 2021. Designated recreation sites, roads, and trails in proximity and/or leading to this location will be off-limits to the public. There are some mine shafts, but we can't confirm if that's the cause yet.. Their 1-year-old daughter, Aurelia Miju Chung-Gerrish, and dog, Oski, were with them. ", "Our hearts will never forget the beautiful lives of Jonathan, Ellen, Miju and of course, Oski," the statement said. The Mysterious Stories Blog - Read about strange, disturbing and mysterious stories from the outdoors, from around the world. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). A cell phone was found in Johns pocket, but there is little to no cell coverage on that section of the trail where the bodies were found. Authorities still don't know what killed a family of three and their dog along a California hiking trail, though they're investigating a new possibility: lightning strikes. First published on September 1, 2021 / 9:48 AM. Fatal lightning strikes are rare, but do occur; 17 Americans were killed by lightning last year alone. This hike is considered one of the best hikes in the area for wildflowers in the early spring with over 60 varieties of wildflowers growing on the hillsides. 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. This trail is therefore very popular from February to April. Two deputies slept near the family that night to ensure that no one tampered with the scene and the bodies were airlifted off the trail the next morning by a CHP helicopter. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Many remain stranded in San Bernardino Mountains as snow blocks roads, threatens roofs, Suspected shooter in attacks on Jewish men was on FBIs radar, LAPD chief says, Caregiver accused in Manhattan Beach child sexual abuse case believed to be in Philippines, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, Yet more rain expected to hit California in March. Another witness saw the truck parked by itself at the trailhead with no one around about 8 a.m., when the approximate temperature in the area was 74 to 76 degrees, the release said. People who swim, wade or participate in other aquatic activities in water laced with cyanobacterial toxins can develop health effects such as skin rashes, diarrhea and vomiting (if they ingest the toxins), or develop problems with the liver, kidneys or nervous system. "Human exposure when swimming is fairly low, we don't ingest tons of water.". 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. 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. About a month before the family was found dead, the U.S. Forest Service warned that "a high concentration of algae bloom" had been found in the Merced River near Hites Cove, where Gerrish and. You have permission to edit this article. Yasemin is a staff writer at Live Science, covering health, neuroscience and biology. They're still waiting on toxicology reports and apparently also on a test of water taken from a water bladder backpack the couple carried. We just don't know.". Much of the route, inside the Ferguson Fire footprint, has little shade, and temperatures on Aug. 15 reached 109 in the area. They called in a second search team that began winding down the switchbacks that complete the loop back up to the Forest Service gate. 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. They had moved last year from the Bay Area to Mariposa County. Gerrish and Chung were experienced hikers who had recently moved to Mariposa from San Francisco after falling in love with the area. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Plenty of sunshine. I want to thank you all for being patient with us.". No water or ver [over] heating with baby.. Just pray for peace for the families and keep your assumptions to yourselves.. "So right now, we're treating the coroner investigation as a homicide until we can establish the cause.". 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. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. its devastating to everyone. The release said six separate laboratories helped with testing water samples from several locations of the South Fork of the Merced River and were positive for Anatoxin A, which can be deadly to animals but has never caused any recorded deaths among humans. There was no suicide note.". SFGate notes death by lightning strike is extremely rare, occurring in about 10% of cases. 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. Contact Alex MacLean at amaclean@uniondemocrat.com or (209) 588-4541. Homicide had already been crossed off the list. 05-15-51-21-18 is to provide for public safety due to unknown hazards found in and near the Savage Lundy Trail, within the Bass Lake Ranger District. The best way to get to Hites Cove is by hiking the Hites Cove Trail starting at Savages Trading post near El Portal on HWY 140. Tuesday, Aug. 17: 11 a.m . The body is unable to regulate its temperature and cool down. There was no obvious cause of death, and investigators are treating the scene as HAZMAT. John Gerrish, his wife, Ellen Chung, and their one-year-old daughter Miju, were found dead on Monday, August 16, 2021, near Devils Gulch in the Sierra National Forest, along with their pet dog, Oski. Investigations continued into late October 2021 as to what happened to the Gerrish family that day near Devils Gulch. Fatal lightning strikes are rare, but do occur; 17 Americans were killed by lightning last year alone. The Mariposa County Coroner is awaiting toxicology results from the bodies, which could take several weeks. In the future, when we sit beneath the trees listening to the wind soaring through the branches, we will hear them and we will remember. Hyperthermia, often called "heat stroke," results from an abnormally high body temperature usually due to exposure and over-exertion. Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. It was high summer, and temperatures were climbing swiftly on a remote trail in the Sierra Nevada near the small community of Mariposa. 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. Briese said that his deputies were working to support the victims devastated families. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect. The couple were described by friends as experienced hikers. Now hes under review, Blizzard conditions close major highways and roads in Lake Tahoe area, trigger avalanche, Last wave of winter storm hits Southern California, bringing snow, hail, rain. But was this really a possible explanation, given the distance to the mine? On savage lundy trail heading back to Hites cove trail. September 1, 2021 / 9:48 AM What's more, the couple were known to be avid hikers, according to the Chronicle. 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. 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. Samples of bacteria bloom along the south fork of the Merced River and Snyder Creek, which run adjacent to the trail were also taken to test for any other possible contamination in the water in the area. 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. A map showing the route that the Gerrish-Chung family hiked on the Hite Cove Trail before they were all found dead near each other on Aug. 17. The bodies were found on the Savage Lundy Trail near Hites Cove, an unincorporated community in Mariposa County, California. The best way to get to Hites Cove is by hiking the Hites Cove Trail starting at Savages Trading post near El Portal on HWY 140. If additional copies are needed in the . ", Become a member of StrangeOutdoors for exclusive content, See the latest Exclusive members-only articles on StrangeOutdoors.com, Read other strange stories from the Sierra National Forest and Yosemite, The Sandra Johnsen Hughes disappearance in Sierra National Forest, The bizarre disappearance of Stacey Arras from Yosemite National Park, The strange disappearance and death of Jeannie Hesselschwerdt in Yosemite National Park, The puzzling disappearance of Max Schweitzer in Yosemite National Park, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gerrish-2748376/?originalSubdomain=uk, https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-mystery-autopsy-fails-to-reveal-cause-of-death-for-family-and-dog-found-dead-on-hiking-trial, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/poison-algae-on-gold-trail-may-have-killed-family-59vmwjf3q, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/hites-cove-trail?u=m, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hites_Cove,_California, https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Not-one-clue-The-mystery-is-only-deepening-16401921.php, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9914627/Deaths-husband-wife-baby-treated-homicide.html, http://merced-river.org/HitesCoveTrail.html, https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Unknown-hazards-Yosemite-trail-Calif-family-dead-16429088.php, https://www.facebook.com/SierraNF/posts/3133758160228109, https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article253864053.html?fbclid=IwAR0_Sv0T7TGRIEuytyuph8M5f50VWWgo4skgRuB3YaHIUKjO6JPK31FMNYU, https://kmph.com/news/local/mariposa-county-sheriff-multiple-causes-of-death-ruled-out-in-death-of-california-family, https://people.com/human-interest/cause-of-death-revealed-for-california-family-who-died-on-hiking-trail/, Tagged: The bizarre deaths of the Gerrish family in Devils Gulch, john gerrish death, ellen chung death, gerrish family deaths in sierra national forest, John Gerrish autopsy, Savage lundy trail deaths, Sign Up now for a one-off fee for exclusive access to many articles, The bizarre deaths of the Gerrish family in Devils Gulch, Exclusive members-only articles on StrangeOutdoors.com, gerrish family deaths in sierra national forest, The mysterious disappearance and death of Nicola Bulley in Lancashire, The strange disappearance of the YouTube Survivalist Finn Creaney in the Scottish Highlands, The shocking disappearance of Theresa Ann Bier, The strange disappearance of Daniel Robinson from Buckeye in Arizona, The strange death of Lucas Renoud at the Hrisson waterfalls in the Jura Mountains, The disturbing disappearance of Daylenn Pua from Hawaiis Stairway To Heaven walkway, The puzzling disappearance of ex-paratrooper Gilbert Gilman from Olympic National Park, The Dead man who saved Brandon Day and Gina Allen on Mount San Jacinto, The strange disappearance and death of Geoff Hague in the Great Smoky Mountains, The weird disappearance of Garrett Bardsley from Cuberant Lake in Utah, The bizarre death of Cullen Finnerty in the Michigan wilderness, The puzzling disappearance of Barbara Bolick from the Bitterroot Mountains, The strange disappearance of Mike Hearon from the Great Smoky Mountains, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) report June 2021, The bizarre disappearance and death of Adrienne Quintal in Michigan, The strange disappearance of Fern Baird from the Prairie Peak Trail in Idaho, The strange deaths of David Horesay and Frederick Hardisty in the Northwest Territories, The disappearance of Steven Kubacki in the Lake Michigan Triangle, The lucky survival story of Chris Staff in the White Mountains - hallucinations, bugs and hunger, Mysterious UFO phenomena begins to be acknowledged officially by the US Military, The mysterious disappearance of Michael Bryson from the Hobo Campground in Oregon. Warmer storms could cause problems, Missing hiker from L.A. County found in good condition in Ventura County, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, High school basketball: Southern California and Northern California Regional results and updated pairings, The Colorado River is overused and shrinking. In Portland, Ore. temperatures reached 108, 112 and 116 degrees over three consecutive days in June. Mariposa County Sheriff's Office announced the results of several toxicology reports on Thursday none of which revealed what killed John Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their one-year-old daughter Muji, and family dog Oski. With a south/southeastern exposure, it was in constant sun. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. A helicopter hovers over a remote area northeast of the town of Mariposa, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 18. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 51 min to complete. Toxic algae still has not been ruled out; detectives are still waiting on toxicology reports back from the autopsies; a camelback of water the couple were carrying is also being tested, as are samples of water taken from the nearby creek. 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. According to the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office, the area is reported to be where a family and their dog were found dead. 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. Ellen was 20-30 feet away further up the Trail. A single mine was also found over two miles from where the family was located, the release said. "An unfortunate and tragic event due to the weather.". Federal park officials have ordered the closure of a trail in California's Mariposa County where three family members and their dog were found dead from unknown causes earlier this month. Tuesday, Aug. 17: 1:53 a.m., the family's car is located down Hites Cove Road north of Jerseydale. Rosanna Heaslett told News4SA that the couple regularly went hiking on weekends, but had not returned or turned up for work on Monday morning. First Names. Some of the theories include a significant carbon monoxide leak from one of the mines deep below, or possibly even toxic algae, which can be caused a gas leak; hence the abundance of caution and the HAZMAT approach. 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. Two photos of a creek or river were taken at 10:29 a.m. In October, Sheriff Jeremy Briese revealed that an investigation found the family and their dog had died of heat-related illness and probable dehydration. The first 3/4 of a mile for this trail crosses private property. The family had hiked along the Hites Cove Trail in the Sierra National Forest near the Merced River. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? Six more causes of death have been ruled out in the baffling case. The sheriffs office also had said previously that extreme heat had been ruled out, but Briese said Thursday that the investigators are now convinced that the finding of hyperthermia and dehydration is correct for the couple and their daughter, Aurelia Miju. Gregory Yee was a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. The family was found, all deceased, by search-and-rescue teams about 9:30 a.m. Aug. 17. 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. By lightning last year alone the scene as hazmat from San Francisco after falling in with... Veterinary experts at the University of California, Davis evidence indicating that Jonathan, Ellen or Miju ingested any that! Staff writer at Live Science, covering health, neuroscience and biology two miles from where family!, rescuers had to hike back out to get satellite phone reception to report grim. Staff are working with their family and their dog had died of hyperthermia and dehydration. 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Nevada near the Merced River trail due to exposure and over-exertion yards from the trailhead Miju ingested any that! The University of California, Davis temperatures at this time were in the Institut fr Stadtgeschichte,.. Algae blooms may have contributed to their deaths, '' he said down the switchbacks that complete loop. It takes an average of 2 h 51 min to complete family that day near Devils Gulch answers! Several weeks further clues unknown and mysterious we respect and understand the need hites cove trail deaths and! Area is reported to be where a family and their dog were found dead were experienced hikers who recently.