Found Deceased CA - Joseph John Alvarez Espinosa, 20, Joshua Tree Nat'l Park 16 May 2021

[j_in_c]

This troubling story has been picked up on several media sites. An Oceanside, CA man who may be struggling with mental illness told his grandmother he needed to go to 29 Palms. She dropped him off along highway 62 without proper supplies for hiking in the desert and he has not made contact since.

IMO this is already too long to be out in the high desert without any supplies or skills. Hoping he stayed by the road and did not head off into the desert.

Deputies search for man missing since Sunday, last seen near the Twentynine Palms area - KESQ

Search underway for Joey Espinosa missing at Joshua Tree National park

Joshua Tree National Park searched for missing hiker

 

[whitelilac]

Espinosa told his grandmother he needed to go to 29 Palms?
But - "Espinosa was last seen walking into the desert on Highway 62, about 30 miles east of Twentynine Palms, park officials said. He was wearing all black and carrying a canteen."
Unlikely he walked 30 miles from 29 Palms, to walk into the desert, and at the same time strange that his grandma would drop him off where he went into the desert.

from coastal Oceanside...did either of them have any idea of the danger? ..heat, disorientation in that expanse, & just a canteen?
The Bible verse...was this a religious venture of some kind?

Sadly, this won't end well for the young man.

Missing hiker at Joshua Tree National Park hasn’t been seen in 9 days, officials say

 

[GraceG]

If his only water source is that canteen he was in trouble on day one. A typical canteen (including most military ones available as surplus) hold 1 quart (4 cups). A male in normal activities in warmer temperatures needs 15 and a half cups A DAY. At 300 pounds he would need significantly more than that. A canteen won't get you through one day in the desert. He's been gone 9. Prayers for his family.

 

[Tealgrove]

Every time I see Joshua Tree National Park as a thread heading I cringe. We just never seem to have good outcomes.

Well, yes, he was in trouble from the start.

Sigh ….

 

[moonriverfarm]

Wonder why grandma thought this was a good idea.

 

[j_in_c]

Wonder why grandma thought this was a good idea.

I wonder when they say "undiagnosed" mental illness if the family was in denial about his behavior and maybe she just thought he was feeling very religious or maybe he badgered her to the point where she just gave in and took him where he wanted to go.

It does say the family returned to look for him, so I don't think it was anything nefarious. My guess is she was just naive as to how dangerous the desert environment is.

I really hope he ended up getting taken in by someone as it could mean he is alive still.

 

[10ofRods]

Wonder why grandma thought this was a good idea.

Dealing with a mentally ill relative can bring almost anyone into a strange decision-making space. The person often insists that this one activity or thing will fix things. It's very difficult to understand until you're in that situation.

 

[GraceG]

A body has been found in the open desert in the area he went missing. A formal identification normally may take a few days, but it is believed to be the missing man. My thoughts go out to his family. Body found in Joshua Tree National Park during search for missing man

 

[GuyfromCanada]

Confirmed, it's Joseph.

Body found in Joshua Tree identified as missing Oceanside hiker

 

[whitelilac]

Ohh...how very sad....he was so young.
Condolences to Joey's loved ones.

 

[YaYa_521]

Rest in peace, Joey.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

 

[Limecat]

Confirmed, it's Joseph.

Body found in Joshua Tree identified as missing Oceanside hiker

So sad. God bless and may he rest in peace.