CA - Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, daughter, 1 & dog, suspicious death hiking area, Aug 2021 #5

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Imo, the missing link is analysis of the water in their container, and explains Sheriff B’s hesitancy to address awaited tests. It would also explain “continued interviews” as LE attempts to learn how “it” got into the container.
All MOO
 
There is no shortage of fatal toxins that could somehow land in water or food. I’m totally guessing but feel it will be 2-4 weeks before tests results come back. IF a foreign toxic substance has been discovered in the water bottle, it proves nothing, tests still need to prove if anyone ingested it as well as how much. MOO

I bet a lot of us had no idea this plant can be deadly.

yellow oleander poisoning: Topics by Science.gov
 
If someone is tased through their clothing, will there be any evidence on their skin?
 
... IMO LE did the diplomatic thing and said everything the cause couldn't be rather than what no one else wants to say because it seems just too crazy, namely, the family went out hiking that trail, in that heat, for a good length of time. No one wants to believe they made that choice. But from the long list of non-causes, it would seem that's where we are.

I agree, @RickshawFan, about the diplomacy. If LE has an unpopular or difficult COD to relate, they will definitely present their case to family first, imho. Particularly because this is such a global news story.

No matter what scenario anyone here comes up with-- we always come back to the fact that this family was on one of these trails in brutal summer heat. Nothing changes that, except, maybe kidnapping and dropping them there. I would hope this LE team is astute enough to look for signs of such.

Nothing anyone has said changes the fact of a hike in the wrong weather on the wrong trail at the wrong time.
 
This is my speculation only. I'm not convinced that their deaths were accidental. It just strikes me as odd that 1) all of them were affected, and 2) no one else was.

Further, whatever happened was either so fast-acting or so severe that they didn't return to the car (granted, I have no idea how far they were from where they parked -- maybe they were on their way back).

My (very unprofessional) opinion is that they were purposefully poisoned, including the dog food/treats. Maybe before they even left their vehicle to start hiking. This just my total speculation on how they all died so suddenly and together.
 
I agree, @RickshawFan, about the diplomacy. If LE has an unpopular or difficult COD to relate, they will definitely present their case to family first, imho. Particularly because this is such a global news story.

No matter what scenario anyone here comes up with-- we always come back to the fact that this family was on one of these trails in brutal summer heat. Nothing changes that, except, maybe kidnapping and dropping them there. I would hope this LE team is astute enough to look for signs of such.

Nothing anyone has said changes the fact of a hike in the wrong weather on the wrong trail at the wrong time.
I agree, the circumstances and the recent LE update all seem to be pointing to a heat related event. Still, the fact that their bodies were discovered Tuesday by 11am, but not recovered for more than 24 hours, suggests LE found evidence there that caused them to treat the scene with great caution. I can't explain why they would both consider it a possible hazmat site, yet also spend Tuesday night there to protect the site. So, well before this became a global story they were already treating the scene with great caution, far more than most typical rural sheriff investigations. So, I wouldn't be surprised if there's an unexpected twist in the story.
 
That’s mainly because I still suspect foul play and that has been ruled out.
RS&BBM

Well, @Pumphouse363, I still think we don't know with certainty where 'homicide' stands. And maybe LE is purposely vague because they don't know either. Like @Han said, it seems odd to rule out ANY manner of death before cause of death.

Here is where, IMO, we are with regard to "homicide" for this case:
(presuming Day 1 is Tuesday, 8/17/2021.)

> Day 2, 8/18/2021
: LE says it is a homicide investigation (see imbedded video as well as text)
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article253577919.htm
“Briese said his office is treating the investigation like a homicide “until we establish the cause,” adding, “we’re not going to rest” until that’s discovered.””

> Day 5, 8/21/2021: LE says no longer considering homicide.
California authorities relying on dog's autopsy, other forensics for answers in family's mysterious deaths
“Mariposa County Sheriff's spokeswoman Kristie Mitchell told Fox News on Saturday. "Now that we're five days in, no, we're no longer considering homicide as a cause of death."”

> Day 45, 9/30/2021: LE says manner of death does not include suicide but is silent on natural, homicide and accident. Yet they repeat other information they previously released on excluded causes of death like no CO, no CO2, no weapon.
Update Mariposa Sheriff’s Office – Gerrish / Chung Investigation | Sierra News Online
“Causes of Death Ruled Out: The following have been ruled out based on evidence recovered or through investigation. ALL other potential causes of death remain.
  • Gun or any other type of weapon
  • Lightning Strike
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Cyanide Exposure
  • Illegal Drugs / Alcohol
  • Suicide”
I tend to weigh LE's Day 45 reporting MUCH heavier than Day 2 or 5. But that is just my opinion!

And to respect the WS TOS, I have asked Admin to guide us here as to whether or when we can openly discuss third party, foul play or other homicide scenarios.
 
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Imo Sheriff B. actually spoke volumes despite saying little. My interpretation is the incomplete tox’ tests will determine what occurred.
He did say he’s working with toxicologists as well as the FBI.
Continued interviews help none as far as determining HS, imo. LE stated the family enjoyed hiking on weekends & as previously stated, prepared well.
I think we will have two CoD. MOO
 
Seems poisoning would result in vomiting/diarrhea/some kind of evidence at the scene.

Agreed, although I don't think this is the case with all poisons or amounts. I believe there have been cases of cyanide poisoning that led to victims just collapsing within minutes, like with the Tylenol Murders (though of course cyanide has been ruled out).
 
Can I just ask you all to try using your imagination?

Hot, tired, nervous, a searcher stumbles on a strange scene. Father, baby, dog. Mother some distance away. Father is sitting, maybe slumped, but he looks as if he couldn't go any further. He's in the heat of the trail, which may have been in shadow when he sat down. Mother is sprawled in the middle of the trail as if she had to keep going. Baby is in carrier. Dog at the man's feet. The scene is shocking and unprecedented. Something from a horror film. Or from a Cormac McCarthy novel.

Had the searcher been sent to find one lone hiker and found a hiker sitting or sprawled, nothing would have happened. It would be ruled heat after a few tests and story finished.

A family and dog dying of heat exposure may be a global first. Anyone who came upon that scene would have assumed foul play or bizarre misadventure. A simple explanation couldn't match the enormity of the scene. No wonder LE had to cover every base they could think of

As many have said here, unless we change our thinking as a society, these deaths may become more commonplace-- given climate change, more people seeking the outdoors, more families including their children on adventures.

To undertand this event, you must use your imagination, imho. Without seeing in your mind what the searchers saw-- and their wild incomprehension-- imho, we can only grab onto conspiracy theories. Our minds will do anything to make sense of the senseless.

Human fallibility rarely makes the news, except when it is deeply significant to society as a whole. This may be a time when one family will be the canary in the coal mine of our new world order.

Totally MOO.
 
Agreed, although I don't think this is the case with all poisons, especially if it's a crazy amount. I believe there have been cases of cyanide poisoning that led to victims just collapsing (though this of course was ruled out in this case).
7 Things That Happen When You Die That'll Make You Glad You're Dead For Them

Imo, the scene was far from sanitary and we have never been informed as to what was found, nor do we need to know, MOO. Some things are predictable.
All MOO
 
Another thing, we don’t know if 1/3 possibly died from exposure or 3/4 possibly died from exposure. IF so, perhaps one family has been given CoD and until testing is complete and all data are in the public will be left hanging. IF the family’s water contained “toxins” it doesn’t mean all 4 consumed it. Again, what did Sheriff B tell us? Tox’ tests pending.
All MOO
 
Mariposa County Sheriff's Office
21 hrs ·
Gerrish / Chung Death Investigation Update

The Mariposa County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the death of the Gerrish / Chung family. Detectives are working closely with toxicologist, environmental specialist, the FBI and other specialists.

“We respect and understand the need for information and details regarding this case. Our current priorities remain supporting and informing the Gerrish / Chung family during this tragic time. As we navigate through this investigation with the family, we will later share our findings with the public. “- Sheriff Jeremy Briese

Details we can update at this time:

General Information-
As of the date of this update the cause of death remains undetermined. Detectives continue conducting interviews and investigating all potential possible explanations for the death of the Gerrish / Chung family. Many toxicology reports have been completed; however, we are still pending a few key results. We have no timeline for those pending results.

Causes of Death Ruled Out: The following have been ruled out based on evidence recovered or through investigation. ALL other potential causes of death remain.

Gun or any other type of weapon
Lightning Strike
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Dioxide
Cyanide Exposure
Illegal Drugs / Alcohol
Suicide

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