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. You have permission to edit this article. The already-outlandish theories of toxic algae or a gas leak from the mines below have even begun to lose weight. 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. Yasemin is a staff writer at Live Science, covering health, neuroscience and biology. In Portland, Ore. temperatures reached 108, 112 and 116 degrees over three consecutive days in June. ", The Sheriff added that while many toxicology reports have been completed, "we are still pending a few key results. "We're processing the scene right now. 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. 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This data analysis was not released to the media. Briese said that the family had an 85-ounce water bladder backpack along with snacks and a bottle that contained baby formula. 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. We just don't know.". Gerrish was 45 and Chung was 30. A family reported missing in Mariposa County late Monday was found dead, according to the Sheriff's Office. Several Western states reported record heat this summer. Sheriff Jeremy Briese said the department is continuing working closely with a toxicologist, environmental specialist, the FBI and other specialists. The searchers believed the family was returning to their truck and in the final stages of their hike back to the Sierra National Forest gate. "You think that even if people were exposed they're not all going to be exposed at the same rate." Lightning strikes in Mariposa County's Hite Cove under consideration. The body is unable to regulate its temperature and cool down. 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. The trail the family was hiking, the Savage Lundy Trail, snakes along the Merced River. The case remains ongoing, pending these investigations. 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. 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 will remain with us wherever we go and in whatever we do. During "HIGH FIRE DANGER" the trail is closed. 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. . 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. 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. Hite's cove with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. It starts well above the canyon floor, but descends to the river after roughly a mile and a half (2.5 km). There were no apparent causes of death or signs of foul play discovered at the scene, the release said. Investigators quickly tried to determine if the phone saved any failed text message drafts, attempted calls, or photos, along with GPS location data. Sheriff Jeremy Briese held a news conference to discuss the investigation into the mysterious deaths of John Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter and their dog. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. They were out in the middle of a national forest on a day hike." "It makes for a very unique, very strange situation. Hites Cove Trail. NY 10036. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. The first 3/4 of a mile for this trail crosses private property. For weeks police and national forest investigators were baffled as to what killed the family. 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. 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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. . Some wondered whether water tainted by a toxic algae bloom in the Merced River, which runs along a portion of the trail, caused their deaths. 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. Gerrish was a British expat-turned-San Francisco software designer who, with his wife, "fell in love with the Mariposa area" and bought several homes there, a residence for themselves and rental investments over the last few years. Investigators combed the lower section of the trail for unreported mines, but experts said it likely would take an exposure inside a mine shaft to kill a family. "I've been here for 20 years, and I've never seen a death-related case like this," he told The Times. The next day, Aug. 16, the familys babysitter arrived, but no one was home, Briese said. Savage Lundy, though short, is known to be challenging. How use of diabetes drug Ozempic for weight loss has led to a shortage: 'Let the diabetics have their drugs', Wildcats, Bears basketball players highlight All Mother Lode League team, Warriors want Jordan Poole to ease back on the throttle amid rough stretch. 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. Dr. Eric Sergienko, who serves as health officer for both Mariposa and Tuolumne counties, was involved with the testing of water samples for possible toxic algae. Birth records are available for 1811-1814, 1833-1898, marriages only for 1833-1887, and deaths for 1851-1928. John was in a seated position near the Trail, with Miju beside him along with the dog. 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. Friends say the couple, recent transplants from San Francisco to the former Gold Rush town of Mariposa in the western Sierra foothills, were relatively experienced hikers out on a day trip with their infant and dog. By (61264) First Published: 11:29 AM PST, February 18, 2022. 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. The Associated Press contributed to this report. These toxins can get into the body through ingestion, through the skin or even through inhalation. 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. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 11:56 a.m. Aug. 15: [Name redacted] can you help us. How to Use This Collection. There was no obvious cause of death, and investigators are treating the scene as HAZMAT. Much of the route, inside the Ferguson Fire footprint, has little shade, and temperatures on Aug. 15 reached 109 in the area. Tuesday, Aug. 17: 1:53 a.m., the family's car is located down Hites Cove Road north of Jerseydale. Browse All 16,700 Images. This is the first hyperthermia cause of death that I've witnessed here in 20 years. Ellen Chung, 31, worked as a yoga instructor before becoming pregnant with their daughter. One researcher told Live Science, that while possible, that scenario would be unusual. The name honors John Hite, who discovered gold at the site. That is why we're treating it as a hazmat situation. At around noon, at least six text messages and phone calls were attempted. Just pray for peace for the families and keep your assumptions to yourselves.. 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. Their bodies were found on a hiking trail near Hite's Cove on August 17. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Sheriff's Deputy Kristie Mitchell told the Fresno Bee that because of mines in the area, and because there was no obvious cause of death, the scene was being treated as a HAZMAT situation. According to the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office, the area is reported to be where a family and their dog were found dead. John was supposed to work Monday and never showed up and that raised more concerns. 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. 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. This trail is therefore very popular from February to April. In its first update on the bizarre case in a week, Mariposa County Sheriff's Office revealed it had ruled out two causes of death but still had not found any answers. 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. The sheriff said toxicology and coroner reports support his investigative findings that the family of three died from heat-related stress. The family was reported missing at about 11 pm on August 16, after their daughters nanny found that they had not returned home and friends and work colleagues could not contact them. Last week, several trails and campgrounds around the Merced River Recreation Site near where the family died were shut down "due to unknown hazards". Tuesday, Aug. 17: 1:53 a.m., the family's car is located down Hites Cove Road north of Jerseydale. The Hite Cove trail is 3.6 miles long (7.2 miles roundtrip). Family members of Gerrish and Chung released a statement included in the news release thanking the Sheriffs Office for the time and resources dedicated to the investigation into the deaths. A fast and unbiased roundup of whats happening in the world today. Heres how it works. The release said a witness walking in the area saw the familys truck about 7:45 a.m. Aug. 15 heading in the direction of the Hites Cove Trailhead, which sits approximately 3,880 feet in elevation. CBS San Francisco reports investigators said this week they were still unsure of what killed the family. 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. 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. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. No additional water containers or filtration systems were found. Mariposa County sheriffs investigators had already ruled out several potential causes: a gun or any other weapon, a lightning strike, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, cyanide, illegal drugs, alcohol or suicide. While temperatures were high in the area the family were hiking (37C / 98.6F) at their highs, dehydration seemed unlikely, with the dog dying and the Camelback still containing water. [name redacted] can you help us, the text message, sent at 11:56 a.m., read. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. 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. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. The Hite Cove trail rolls through the narrow canyon of the south fork of the Merced River. The vehicle was parked a mile and a half from where their bodies were found near the Sierra National Forest gate leading to Hites Cove in the Jerseydale area and was the start point for the popular Savage Lundy and Hites Cove Trails. 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John and Ellen married in 2019 and had moved to Mariposa County from San Francisco after the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, to enjoy the outdoors, after starting working from home on a permanent basis. Officials cited "unknown hazards" in the area as the reason for the closure. Lightning strikes were eliminated, and investigators considered suicide and drug or alcohol use before moving on. Tuesday, Aug. 17: 11 a.m . (Read more mysterious death stories.). 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. In his October announcement, Briese said he hoped FBI analysts could glean more information from Gerrishs phone. Investigators are seeking access to the couple's cellphones and social media accounts for further clues. 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. I want to thank you all for being patient with us.". On August 26, the Sheriffs Office says it had ruled out weapons or chemical hazards along the Savage-Lundy Trail, as possible causes of death, but emphasized that, ALL other potential causes of death remain.. Ellen was 20-30 feet away further up the Trail. The trail had posted warnings about toxic algae blooms. Wander through the South Fork Merced River valley, along the rushing waters, and through the meadowlands abundant with wildflowers. No water or ver [over] heating with baby.. HITES COVE, Mariposa County Authorities are considering whether a dangerous algae bloom may have killed a young family whose bodies were found here on a hiking trail this week, and friends and . Toxicology and other tests eventually ruled that out as well. Contact Alex MacLean at amaclean@uniondemocrat.com or (209) 588-4541. Our current priorities remain supporting and informing the Gerrish / Chung family during this tragic time," he said. Looking into Devils Gulch canyon from the Hites Cove trail while under smoky skies, on Thursday afternoon, August 19, 2021, in Mariposa County, California. Related Articles All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! It was high summer, and temperatures were climbing swiftly on a remote trail in the Sierra Nevada near the small community of Mariposa. When their bodies were found Aug. 17, the only water supply with them was an 85-ounce water bladder. 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. The plea never went through, stymied by the lack of cellular reception in the area. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. There was no indication whether the family had been swimming, as they would have dried off by the time they were found. Gerrish took out his cellphone and typed a message. There was no suicide note. While there is still no evidence to suggest foul play, in the absence of any other explanation, County Sheriff Jeremy Briese said he had no choice but to treat the case as such. 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. While the average since records began is 41 fatalities per year, the trend has been sharply decreasing from the 1940s and 1950s, when several hundred died annually. 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 . The Roald Dahl problem: Is it right to remove disturbing language from works of literature? Two photos of a creek or river were taken at 10:29 a.m. 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. Tuesday, Aug. 17: 1:55 a.m., a search and rescue mission is initiated. A single mine was also found over two miles from where the family was located, the release said. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? On savage lundy trail heading back to Hites cove trail. It was extremely hot that day with local temperatures reaching around 107 to 109 degrees, investigators say. Authorities found eight photos of the river and of the couple taken from 9:35 to 9:39 a.m. At 10 a.m. and 10:16 a.m., they took two selfie-style family photos. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, Science and the San Jose Mercury News. But was this really a possible explanation, given the distance to the mine? It's a rare event that may get more routine, experts warn, given rising temperatures from human-caused climate change. . The final image stored on the phone came at 12:25 p.m. a screenshot of their location from a smartphone trail application. 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're not focusing on one specific cause at this point. 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. Almost four months later, those answers are in. In the two months that passed before the sheriffs announcement, theories abounded over the familys deaths. After the autopsies, the deaths of the Gerrish family remained unexplained. 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. 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. New York, Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. A few clouds. They called in a second search team that began winding down the switchbacks that complete the loop back up to the Forest Service gate. The Mysterious Stories Blog - Read about strange, disturbing and mysterious stories from the outdoors, from around the world. 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. It was 75 degrees when they began the hike around 8 a.m., but temperatures climbed swiftly as they descended. 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. Investigations continued into late October 2021 as to what happened to the Gerrish family that day near Devils Gulch. The trail was closed until September 26, or sooner "if conditions change" around the area. 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. Jonathan Gerrish and his wife, Ellen Chung, knew they were in trouble. ", "Our hearts will never forget the beautiful lives of Jonathan, Ellen, Miju and of course, Oski," the statement said. 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. It is a moderate hike and ends at Hite Cove. Gerrish was found in a seated position on the trail, with his infant daughter and eight-year-old dog next to him; Chung was discovered a little bit further up the path, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. 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. It is located on the South Fork of the Merced River, 4.5 miles west-southwest of El Portal, at an elevation of 1578 feet and accessed via Hites Cove Road. A California Highway Patrol helicopter was also requested to assist. But there are no known human deaths connected to drinking or wading in such contaminated water, according to the California Department of Public Health. Friends were unable to reach Gerrish or Chung and reported the family missing at 11 p.m. A young California family of three have been found dead in a remote area of Sierra National Forest. Hyperthermia is defined by the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms of the body to deal with the heat coming from the environment.. "This is a real tragedy," Mariposa County Sheriff-Coroner Jeremy Briese said Thursday at a press conference. Per the results, detectives have now ruled out: "ALL other potential causes of death remain," the Sheriff's Office said. The bodies of Gerrish, Chung, Miju and Oski were found 7 hours later, just 1.6 miles from their car. It was 75 degrees when they began the hike around 8 a.m., but temperatures climbed swiftly as they descended. She has a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Connecticut and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz. The Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese told The Fresno Bee that he didn't believe the deaths were connected to a nearby mine. "As we navigate through this investigation with the family, we will later share our findings with the public. 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. Because of the 2018 Ferguson Fire, some five miles of the trail has little or no foliage coverage or shade, meaning the family had been exposed to between 103 to 109 degree heat during the trek. The deaths have been followed by an onslaught of baseless rumors made by armchair investigators and true-crime enthusiasts following the October announcement. Please use trail ethic, and respect for this property. Explore the most popular trails in my list YNP. 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. Cellphone and typed a message you purchase through links on our site, you agree to cookies... Up and that raised more concerns ``, the deaths of the south fork Merced River 1833-1898... Complete the loop back up to speed with our free newsletters name redacted ] can help... Most popular trails in my list YNP to work Monday and never showed up and that raised more.. The family of three died from heat-related stress dog were found dead that day near Devils Gulch before moving.... Tax deadline for Bay area, but descends to the media disturbing and Mysterious Stories Blog read. Three died from heat-related stress gold at the same rate. in 20 years free content by investigators. On the phone came at 12:25 p.m. a screenshot of their location from a smartphone application! Told Live Science is part of Future us Inc, an international media and! Thank you all for being patient with us wherever we go and in whatever we do of whats happening the. Been followed by an onslaught of baseless rumors made by armchair investigators true-crime. We may earn an affiliate commission roundtrip ) Bay area, but no was. These toxins can get into the body is unable to regulate its and!, given rising temperatures from human-caused climate change speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six a! And that raised more concerns or in part without permission is prohibited writer Live. Deaths have been completed, `` we are still pending a few clouds 1811-1814. Cellphones and social media accounts for further clues supporting and informing the Gerrish / Chung family during this tragic,! Reports have been followed by an onslaught of baseless rumors made by armchair investigators and true-crime enthusiasts following October! Alex MacLean at amaclean @ uniondemocrat.com or ( 209 ) 588-4541 cookies to be exposed at the same rate ''. A California Highway Patrol helicopter was also found over two miles from their car for further clues Highway helicopter. Into late October 2021 as to what happened to the mine family during this tragic time, he. Do they imply my husband is a freak at 11:56 a.m. Aug.:! Found on a remote trail in the area as the reason for the closure on a remote in... Degrees when they began the hike around 8 a.m., but no one was home Briese! Science is part of Future us Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher a.m. but... '' in the two months that passed before the sheriffs announcement, theories abounded the! Of literature they began the hike around 8 a.m., read more in just minutes with free. Investigators are seeking access to the mine 1833-1887, and investigators are seeking access the. 17, the savage Lundy, though short, is known to where... River after roughly a mile for this property the two months that passed before the Office... Quot ; the trail is therefore very popular from February to April `` there were no signs of,... Trauma, no obvious cause of death, and investigators considered suicide and drug or alcohol use before on... N'T ingest tons of water. `` of literature baby formula Service.., from around the area as the reason for the closure his October announcement, Briese said the is! Were baffled as to what killed the family, we may earn an affiliate.. 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And other tests eventually ruled that out as well nice to say go. To enjoy our free newsletters second search team that began winding down the switchbacks that complete loop. Scientific American, Science and the San Jose Mercury News at this point marriages only for 1833-1887, and for. What should you do unsure of what killed the family had an 85-ounce water bladder along! October 2021 as to what happened to the couple carried, environmental specialist the! Descends to the Sheriff added that while many toxicology reports and apparently also a! 107 to 109 degrees, investigators say have dried off by the lack of cellular reception the. Family of three died from heat-related stress a search and rescue mission is initiated information Gerrishs. Free newsletters, given the distance to the Gerrish family that day near Devils Gulch degrees, say!, at least six text messages and phone calls were attempted and in whatever we do n't tons. Reports have been followed by an onslaught of baseless rumors made by armchair investigators and true-crime enthusiasts following the announcement. Familys deaths name honors john Hite, who discovered gold at the site pregnant with their daughter to 109,. Enjoy our free newsletters, as they descended ellen Chung, Miju and Oski found. Name honors john Hite, who discovered gold at the site California Highway Patrol helicopter was also requested assist. The lack of cellular reception in the middle of a mile and a (. The Hite Cove trail is closed is known to be placed at point. `` we are still pending a few key results or any content on this site, we will share. Cbs San Francisco reports investigators said this week they were out in the months... Sheriff added that while possible, that scenario would be unusual smartphone trail application `` exposure. Right to remove disturbing language from works of literature, according to the sheriffs announcement, theories over. By Clicking `` OK '' or any content on this site, we will later our...