In August 2021, a family of three and their dog were found dead on a hiking trail in California.
Investigators believe that John Gerish and his wife, Ellen Chung, were trying to save their one-year-old daughter when they succumbed to the extreme heat.
2John Gerish and his family were found dead on a hiking trail in CaliforniaCredit: Instagram
What happened to John Gerish and his wife Ellen Chung?
Around 7:45 am local time on August 15, 2021, a dog-walking woman picks up John Gerish and his wife’s gray Ford F-150 Raptor parked at the trailhead of the Sierra National Forest. discovered. Man..
Two days later, on August 17, 2021, Gerish and Elenchon were found dead with their 1-year-old daughter MUJI and their 8-year-old dog Osuki.
The day the family went hiking was hot, starting early in the day at about 76 degrees Celsius and peaking at 109 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to People, the family was reported missing on August 16, 2021 after a babysitter came home and was found to be empty.
San Francisco Chronicle The babysitter said he was the last person to see his family alive on the afternoon of August 13th after cleaning the house.
After arriving at home, the babysitter reportedly found a family purse, cell phone, and diaper bag.
The babysitter then called the building’s construction manager, and the two searched the local area before calling the police to ask for an investigation.
What was the cause of their death?
A press conference in October 2021 by the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office said the family had died of hyperthermia and possible dehydration.
Their dog, Oski, also suffered from heat-related death, police said.
According to police, the bodies of Gerish, Miju, and Oski were located about 1.6 miles below the trailhead “on a series of sudden switchbacks on the Savage Randy Trail” on the morning of August 17.
Ellen Chung was discovered about an hour later, around 10:30 am local time. The adjutant reportedly noticed that “something or someone seemed to be trying to climb the hill, disturbing the dirt on the uphill side of the trail.”
Chung was found about 13 feet higher than the rest of the family.
In a 77-page report obtained by The Chronicle, investigators believe the couple were desperately seeking medical help for their children before they succumbed to the cruel temperatures.
The couple reportedly brought about 85 ounces of water, even though volunteers from the U.S. Forestry Department recommended that adults bring 160 ounces of water each and babies and dogs bring 16 ounces of water. ..
Water quality tests from the nearby Merced River show that it is contaminated with anatoxin-A, a deadly toxin produced by blue-green algae, and the Land Administration has campgrounds and recreation along a 28-mile tributary of the river. The area has been closed.
Authorities reportedly found no signs that the family drank contaminated water.
What else did the survey report say?
According to the report, investigators ruled out several other factors, including murder, lightning strikes, addiction, illegal drugs, and suicide.
An unnamed survival trainer wrote to the detective an email stating that the baby was most likely to begin suffering first, and parents’ efforts to save her resulted in their own death.
According to the Chronicle, “Sadly, when they were surprised and they noticed their situation, they died trying to save each other with their children,” the trainer said.
According to reports, there was no evidence of fraud.
“Our heart never forgets the beautiful life of John, Ellen, Miju and, of course, Oski,” said the couple’s family statement.
“They will be with us no matter where we are or whatever we do.”