JUST IN:
A young family and their dog found dead on a remote hiking trail in August died as a result of heat and dehydration, Mariposa County authorities reveal.
sfchronicle.com/bayarea/articl…
Investigators believe the family traveled most of the Hites Cove Trail loop before succumbing on a steep switchback about 1 1/2 miles from where they parked their vehicle.
Read more: bit.ly/3ne4a89
Ellen Chung, 31, Jonathan Gerrish, 45, their 1-year-old daughter Miju and dog Oski went on an Aug. 15 afternoon hike on the Hites Cove Trail loop.
The temperatures that afternoon ranged between 107 and 109 degrees.
Read more: bit.ly/3ne4a89
The deaths mystified investigators, residents and curious people following the case from around the world who wondered:
How could the entire family die together with no obvious signs of foul play or injury?
Read more: bit.ly/3ne4a89
Law enforcement initially treated the scene as a hazardous materials site out of fears the family inhaled toxic fumes, possibly from an abandoned mine in the area.
sfchronicle.com/bayarea/articl…
The family lived in San Francisco before moving to Mariposa County during the pandemic.
They bought one property near the trailhead on Hites Cove Road.
Read more: bit.ly/3ne4a89
During the probe, investigators eliminated illegal drugs, lightning strikes, mine fumes, weapons, suicide and other causes of death, as they waited for test results to come back. sfchronicle.com/bayarea/articl…
Mariposa Sheriff spokesperson Kristie Mitchell reads a statement from the Gerrish-Chung family.
🎥: @mgafni
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