|
Post by onelasttime on Sept 5, 2021 0:31:35 GMT
A couple, their infant daughter and the family dog were found dead on a hiking trail in the Sierra National Forest and officials don’t know why. Whatever it was it must of happen fairly quickly because they found them group together lying on the trail. From what I understand. “ California hiking trail where family and dog found dead is ordered closed because of "unknown hazards"SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 / 9:48 AM / CBS NEWS. link“Federal park officials have ordered the closure of a trail in California's Mariposa County where three family members and their dog were found dead from unknown causes earlier this month. Officials cited "unknown hazards" in the area as the reason for the closure.Since Sunday, several recreational sites and trailheads around the Savage Lundy Trail in the Sierra National Forest were closed for a month "to provide for public safety," according to the park service order. Per the order, anyone using or being anywhere near the listed trailheads could be subject to fines up to $5,000 or $10,000 if they are a group. The announcement came as investigators continue looking into what killed John Gerrish, his wife Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter Miju and their dog back in mid-August. Their bodies were found on a hiking trail near Hite's Cove on August 17.CBS San Francisco reports investigators said this week they were still unsure of what killed the family. Last week they ruled out that possible gases from a nearby mine could've been the culprit. Investigators were also considering whether toxic algae blooms may have contributed to their deaths."This is a very unusual, unique situation," Kristie Mitchell, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, said last week. " There were no signs of trauma, no obvious cause of death. There was no suicide note."
Gerrish was a British expat-turned-San Francisco software designer who, with his wife, "fell in love with the Mariposa area" and bought several homes there, a residence for themselves and rental investments over the last few years. The trails will stay closed until September 26, though that is subject to change.”
|
|
|
Post by librarylady on Sept 5, 2021 0:38:05 GMT
Read about this yesterday. The tragic discovery sparked a mystery for which officials, so far, have few answers. While it’s still not clear what killed the family, some have speculated their deaths may have been a result of toxic algae. Signs warning of the water plants have been in the area since July. I find the toxic algae to be a stretch. For the dog, perhaps, but not for the adults and baby. www.aol.com/trails-campsite-where-family-dog-174035698.html
|
|
|
Post by epeanymous on Sept 5, 2021 0:40:52 GMT
I read that story and am truly puzzled.
|
|
|
Post by ntsf on Sept 5, 2021 0:44:20 GMT
the story in the paper today is that they are still searching for the cause and they have closed off that whole area of forest (all national forests are closed anyway...)
|
|
|
Post by Lexica on Sept 5, 2021 0:45:55 GMT
I read about these deaths last month right after they were found. It is so strange that the whole group just dropped where they were. I had been thinking that it must have been the gas from the mines since they all went at the same time, but your copy said they ruled that out. The toxic algae seems like they would have all had to consume it, right? I can see the dog getting in the water and drinking it, but not the family members. Unless just breathing near it is enough. This was so sad. I hope they discover the reason soon. Day hiking outside with your family seems like a relatively safe thing to do. Whatever killed them, I hope they didn't suffer and that it was fast. It must have been since there were no signs of struggle or any of them trying to run for help. Just baffling isn't it?
|
|
|
Post by onelasttime on Sept 5, 2021 0:46:18 GMT
I heard about the deaths when they first happened but expected they would find the cause by now.
|
|
|
Post by revirdsuba99 on Sept 5, 2021 0:58:17 GMT
Just sad.
|
|
|
Post by myshelly on Sept 5, 2021 1:01:38 GMT
the story in the paper today is that they are still searching for the cause and they have closed off that whole area of forest (all national forests are closed anyway...) Do you mean all national forests *in California* or have I missed something?
|
|
|
Post by ~summer~ on Sept 5, 2021 1:06:41 GMT
Yes right now the National Forests in the state are closed - and they have closed like 30 miles of the Merced River due to toxic algae.
I agree that seems unlikely - however I think toxic algae at this point is the most likely explanation. It was over 100 degrees that day.
|
|
|
Post by librarylady on Sept 5, 2021 1:22:19 GMT
I just read articles that said the toxic algae causes rash, irritation, nausea but no article mentions death other than the speculation that the family died because of toxic algae.
|
|
|
Post by nine on Sept 5, 2021 1:25:25 GMT
I heard that they could find no sources of toxic anything in the area. And with no obvious cause of death, it’s a real head-scratcher.
|
|
|
Post by onelasttime on Sept 5, 2021 1:30:03 GMT
Yes National Parks in CA are currently closed because of potential fires. This clears it up the confusion, I think. link“Tuck the sleeping bag in the closet and put the tent back in the garage. If you were expecting to camp in one of California's National Forests this Labor Day weekend, you'll need to make other plans. With sizable swaths of California on fire — from the Caldor Fire near Tahoe to the Dixie Fire in Northern California to the French Fire in Kern County — the United States Forest Service today announced it is closing California's national forests to the public, starting Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m. The closure lasts until Sept. 17 but could be extended.“We do not take this decision lightly but this is the best choice for public safety,” said Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien in a news release. “It is especially hard with the approaching Labor Day weekend, when so many people enjoy our national forests.” The authorities have extended the closure of this particular part of the park from Sept 17 to Sept 26. Subject to change.
|
|
|
Post by ~summer~ on Sept 5, 2021 1:35:40 GMT
Yes National Parks in CA are currently closed because of potential fires. This clears it up the confusion, I think. link“Tuck the sleeping bag in the closet and put the tent back in the garage. If you were expecting to camp in one of California's National Forests this Labor Day weekend, you'll need to make other plans. With sizable swaths of California on fire — from the Caldor Fire near Tahoe to the Dixie Fire in Northern California to the French Fire in Kern County — the United States Forest Service today announced it is closing California's national forests to the public, starting Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m. The closure lasts until Sept. 17 but could be extended.“We do not take this decision lightly but this is the best choice for public safety,” said Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien in a news release. “It is especially hard with the approaching Labor Day weekend, when so many people enjoy our national forests.” The authorities have extended the closure of this particular part of the park from Sept 17 to Sept 26. Subject to change. no the National Parks are open (Yosemite, Death Valley etc) it is the national forests that are closed due to wildfire danger. Eta - and I’m not sure if it is technically all of them or most of them.
|
|
|
Post by ntsf on Sept 5, 2021 4:12:31 GMT
it is all national forests in CA.. I should have made that clearer.. national parks are open somewhat..lassen is 1/2 burned, so I suspect that is closed.
|
|
wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,759
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
|
Post by wellway on Sept 5, 2021 10:11:33 GMT
I remember reading about an unusual event in Cameroon many many years ago where villagers where found dead with no obvious cause of death. The death toll eventually came to 1746 people and it was caused by toxic gasses escaping from a volcanic lake. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Nyos_disaster
|
|
|
Post by candygurl on Sept 5, 2021 13:11:01 GMT
I have been Invested in this case from the beginning and it’s so weird! To have them all pass away, including the dog one would think it’s something in the water. Either they drank or swam in. But the baby also dying is weird too since babies that age don’t swim under the water. And it said they would’ve gave to ingested quite a bit of water. I keep checking for updates and will be interested to find what really happened. The poor families not knowing must be so hard.
|
|
|
Post by myshelly on Sept 5, 2021 13:56:25 GMT
I have been Invested in this case from the beginning and it’s so weird! To have them all pass away, including the dog one would think it’s something in the water. Either they drank or swam in. But the baby also dying is weird too since babies that age don’t swim under the water. And it said they would’ve gave to ingested quite a bit of water. I keep checking for updates and will be interested to find what really happened. The poor families not knowing must be so hard. My kids could all absolutely swim underwater by 1. They started taking swim lessons at 6 months. Babies instinctually hold their breath underwater and can absolutely be taught to swim underwater that early.
|
|
|
Post by worrywart on Sept 5, 2021 14:20:56 GMT
Were they able to test them for poisons (like cyanide etc.). It seems weird that it happened so fast that neither adult had the chance to leave the scene.
|
|
|
Post by auntkelly on Sept 5, 2021 14:23:53 GMT
It’s a very strange case.
I thought it was strange that they all died at virtually the same place along the trail. It seems like if it was algae or some other toxin, the dog or the baby would have gotten sick before the parents. It seems like one of the parents would have set out ahead of the group to try and get help.
Of course, I don’t know much about toxins, so maybe they were all overcome quickly if it was a toxin that killed them.
|
|
|
Post by lucyg on Sept 5, 2021 18:28:02 GMT
The story I read (last month) said the mom was found a little ways away from the dad, baby, and dog. So possibly she may have been trying to find help but was overcome by whatever was in the air/water? I hadn’t thought about toxic volcanic gasses but I like that idea. There are unknown volcanos hiding all over the place. Weird, sad, scary story.
|
|
|
Post by Lexica on Sept 5, 2021 21:28:22 GMT
I have been Invested in this case from the beginning and it’s so weird! To have them all pass away, including the dog one would think it’s something in the water. Either they drank or swam in. But the baby also dying is weird too since babies that age don’t swim under the water. And it said they would’ve gave to ingested quite a bit of water. I keep checking for updates and will be interested to find what really happened. The poor families not knowing must be so hard. My kids could all absolutely swim underwater by 1. They started taking swim lessons at 6 months. Babies instinctually hold their breath underwater and can absolutely be taught to swim underwater that early. My son was what is considered "water safe" when he was an infant. He was taught to roll over and float in the water, not really swim at that tiny size. I have a pool and it seemed like the responsible thing to do, although my baby was never in the backyard without me right there. And I also had a fence between the pool and the house. My neighbor was a certified swimming instructor and taught all the neighborhood kids to swim. I asked her about infants and she agreed it would be another layer of safety so she taught him in her pool. To be honest, I couldn't watch it all. My instinct to jump in and get him was quite strong so I had to trust her and look away. I highly doubt this couple let their baby into the river though. Or fed her any water from it. I would imagine they brought all the water they needed with them. A hiker doesn't just drink from an unknown water source anyway.
|
|
|
Post by ntsf on Sept 5, 2021 23:04:18 GMT
news article in sfgate.. new idea is that they might have been killed in lightning strike..
|
|
|
Post by bc2ca on Sept 5, 2021 23:23:05 GMT
I have been Invested in this case from the beginning and it’s so weird! To have them all pass away, including the dog one would think it’s something in the water. Either they drank or swam in. But the baby also dying is weird too since babies that age don’t swim under the water. And it said they would’ve gave to ingested quite a bit of water. I keep checking for updates and will be interested to find what really happened. The poor families not knowing must be so hard. I would believe ingesting tainted water over swimming in it, but still think there would be more evidence of a staggered response based on the different sizes of the victims. Toxic gas would have hit them all at the same time and seems more of a possibility to me. news article in sfgate.. new idea is that they might have been killed in lightning strike.. Interesting theory.
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Sept 5, 2021 23:56:28 GMT
news article in sfgate.. new idea is that they might have been killed in lightning strike.. Wouldn't there have been burn marks?
|
|
seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,400
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
|
Post by seaexplore on Sept 6, 2021 1:23:28 GMT
news article in sfgate.. new idea is that they might have been killed in lightning strike.. Wouldn't there have been burn marks? I was thinking the same thing.
|
|
|
Post by ntsf on Sept 6, 2021 1:45:48 GMT
not necessarily. lightning is a weird thing.. you may have no mark or you may have extensive burns. it does mess up your inside electrical functioning.. so it can stop your heart. and it can affect a group--and not just a single person.. and it can be out of no where.. on a bright sunny day.
|
|
|
Post by needmysanity on Sept 6, 2021 13:40:33 GMT
They were hiking outside of Yosemite in an area called Hites Cove. I used to hike up there a lot during the spring because of the poppy fields that grow everywhere and its very pretty. It's right next to the Merced River and Hites Cove has a lot of abandoned mines so that's there the algae and carbon monoxide concerns are stemming from.
Its very sad and I hope they figure out how they died. That's a very popular hiking place and others could be in danger there too.
|
|
|
Post by onelasttime on Sept 30, 2021 20:38:26 GMT
They still don’t know.
From ABC News..
“Officials say the 45-year-old Jonathan Gerrish, 30-year-old Ellen Chung, one-year-old Aurelia Miju Chung-Gerrish and their dog did not die by a gun or other weapon, lightning strike, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, cyanide exposure, illegal drugs or alcohol or suicide.
Detectives are working with a toxicologist, an environmental specialist and the FBI to narrow down an official cause of death.
Last month, investigators said they collected water samples in the area where the family's bodies were found. The results haven't been revealed yet, but officials have not ruled out the possibility of poisonous toxins in the water, including toxic algae bloom.”
|
|
|
Post by tenacious on Oct 1, 2021 1:57:49 GMT
So crazy, and so sad. Thank you for the update.
|
|
FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 6,955
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
|
Post by FurryP on Oct 1, 2021 2:19:30 GMT
So sad. A whole young family wiped out doing a very innocent activity.
|
|