CA - Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, daughter, 1 & dog, suspicious death hiking area, Aug 2021 #6

[Yvettea]

Sheriff has called it an 8.5 mile hike. The family was found 1.5 miles from their destination so they may have hiked as much 7 miles.

 

[toevlugsoord]

Well, a very sad ending but not a surprising cause of death. I've been so baffled by this and checking daily for any new news. I'm so glad it's no longer a mystery and the family can have closure, and hopefully a nice memorial (if they haven't already). RIP Gerrish Chung family!

 

[lotus777]

Have they said exactly where they were found on the trail? Tia

The sheriff mentioned they hiked 2 miles up Savage-Lundy (should have included that in my earlier comment).

 

[MissMYB]

Tragic.

 

[wary]

Now claiming the bladder was empty...

Sheriff: Family died from hyperthermia, possible dehydration while hiking Mariposa Co. trail

LIVE: Sheriff: Family died from hyperthermia, possible dehydration while hiking Mariposa Co. trail

ETA: Hyperthermia = heat stroke (not to be confused with hypothermia).

It’s what I thought. I think that the bladder was empty for all practical purposes, but still had a trace of water that could be tested? Or was it bone dry?—I think that’d be difficult to do, with a bladder setup?

Just questions, not even opinions.

 

[IceIce9]

Hoping everyone will accept the results of this extremely thorough investigation and the debate can finally be put to rest.

 

[everybodhi]

snipped
ETA so I don't clog the page: Sheriff Briese said that all they had with them as far as liquids, was an 85 oz water bladder (empty), no filtration or anything like that. That's about 2.5 Liters.

Wow

 

[happyday]

It has always made the most sense, but it’s just so sad. They were just wanting to hike. I think the extreme heat just caught up to them quickly along with the steep hike out of the canyon. It probably didn’t feel too bad when setting out—downhill—and just became unbearable and not survivable.

Rest in peace sweet family.

 

[Recidivist]

The Sheriff is answering questions now.

 

[EndoraXplorer]

• They had a small amount of baby formula in a bottle and some snacks.
• FBI still has JG's cell phone and is looking at it and making progress. There is no cell reception in that area.
• Sheriff Briese and team went through the findings with the G/C family.
• He does not know about exact time of death
• They were dressed in shorts / tanktops and had the baby carrier.
• All tox reports negative for any prescription drugs or other drugs

 

[rahod1]

3L of water total (they said 86 0z which is 2.5L) and no water bowl for dog. Some baby formula and snacks.

 

[starviego]

They walked 2.2 miles on Hites Cove Rd Trail, then 1.9 miles on the USFS trail, so about 4 miles before they began up Savage-Lundy.

How would they know that? Did the family leave footprints?

 

[lotus777]

The Fresno Bee is reporting "hypothermia" (should be "hyperthermia")...wow. Of course the ABC30 anchor misspoke too. Reporters, get the facts straight!

 

[Seattle1]

Mariposa County Sheriff to announce what killed family on hike - 10/21/21

 

[lotus777]

How would they know that? Did the family leave footprints?

There were footprints mentioned early in the investigation. Possibly also based on GPS data from JG's phone.

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

Wow

A filter would not have taken out the algae toxins but many hikers carry a filtration kit. It had come out in an earlier update in Aug or Sept that they did not have one with them. It is really surprising that they carried so little water, to me, anyway. Very sad. Hopefully others will learn from this story and be more cautious about water and about the dangers of heat.

 

[IceIce9]

3L of water total (they said 86 0z which is 2.5L) and no water bowl for dog. Some baby formula and snacks.

Wonder if a dog bowl could have been dropped or left along the trail somewhere? So odd that they didn’t have a dog bowl.

 

[Lex Parsimoniae]

Now claiming the bladder was empty...

Sheriff: Family died from hyperthermia, possible dehydration while hiking Mariposa Co. trail

LIVE: Sheriff: Family died from hyperthermia, possible dehydration while hiking Mariposa Co. trail

ETA: Hyperthermia = heat stroke (not to be confused with hypothermia).

The "small amount of water" was probably a "really small amount of water". One reason I didn't like those bladders is they are hard to dry after use.

 

[EndoraXplorer]

They just read a statement from the Gerrish / Chung families and I'm bawling. Probably the full text will be available online, I'll link to it.

 

[Bekind89]

The sheriff mentioned they hiked 2 miles up Savage-Lundy (should have included that in my earlier comment).

Thank you so much. I was unable to watch.