Thread by @corinhoggard

I’m sensing a lot of anxiety in Mariposa about the deaths of Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter, and their dog on a hiking trail in August.
Not knowing the cause of death has people speculating about nearby dangers.
Answers coming at 2 p.m.

📸 Steven Jeffe

We’ll carry the press conference LIVE on @abc30 at 2 p.m. and I’ll file stories for 4, 5, and 6 p.m.

Here’s the back story: abc30.com/mariposa-count…

They were in a very hot Devil’s Gulch valley on a 110-degree day.
Made it most of the way around Hite Cove Trail.
They were found about 1.5 miles from their vehicle.

Nearby water sources likely contained toxic algae bloom.
The trail would’ve been a lot steeper, harder, and hotter than hikers would expect unless they were familiar with this trail and the valley.
Some of the local speculation has hit on dehydration as a possible cause of death.

Family members will not be at this press conference, but the sheriff’s office has a statement from them that they’ll read.

Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese says Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their child died of hypothermia and probable dehydration.
“A very unique case to investigate.”

The dog’s cause of death is still undetermined, but also likely heat-related.

Jonathan mapped out the Hite Cove Trail on an app, but wouldn’t have know the elevation.
A witness saw the truck going towards the trail Aug. 15 ~ 8am.
Temperature was around 75 at elevation of about 3800 ft.
They walked 2.2 miles down trail down to 1900 ft. And 92-99 degrees.

They went down a little further and experienced temps over 100.
Then they started the ascent in almost pure sun because Ferguson Fire burned the previous tree cover. 107-109 degrees. They made it about 2 miles.

*hyperthermia

Babysitter found they were missing Aug. 16.
Searchers found them Aug. 17.
They had one 85-ounce water container, emptied, and no other water.

Here’s how the terrain and conditions looked the day they were found.

They sampled water in the area and testing showed toxins in the water, but no evidence they ingested any of the water.
They don’t know of any human deaths from Anatoxin-a, which is what was in there, but it has killed animals.

Sheriff Briese says not a lot of people use this trail during the hottest months.
Partly attributes this tragedy to the family’s unfamiliarity.
The app they saw might’ve led them to believe it would be easier than it is in reality.

This trail is about 8 miles. They made it about 6.5 miles.
But temperatures went from 75 to over 100 quickly and they didn’t get back to cooler, higher ground.

There was a minute amount of water left in their 85-ounce container.
It did not test positive for Anatoxin-a, so it seems like they didn’t collect water from the Merced River.

The family’s statement praises @MariposaSheriff for their empathy and commitment to the investigation.