Extreme Heat Caused Family’s Death in Sierra National Forest, Authorities Say

U.S.|Extreme Heat Caused Family’s Death successful Sierra National Forest, Authorities Say

A California mates and their 1-year-old girl died from effects of vigor changeable and imaginable dehydration portion hiking successful astir 110-degree temperatures successful the Sierra National Forest successful August, a sheriff said connected Thursday, solving a enigma that had confounded investigators for much than 2 months.

When hunt teams recovered the bodies of Jonathan Gerrish and Ellen Chung, on with that of their daughter, Miju, connected the greeting of Aug. 17, they had a “minute” magnitude of h2o connected them, Jeremy Briese, the Mariposa County sheriff, said during a quality conference.

Sheriff Briese said that an 85-ounce CamelBak h2o bladder that the household had been carrying was practically empty. Their bodies, on with that of the family’s dog, Oski, an Aussie-Akita mix, were recovered astir 1.6 miles from their vehicle, helium said.

“Heat-related deaths are highly hard to investigate,” Sheriff Briese said, adding that a multitude of authorities and national agencies spent weeks trying to find what could person led to their deaths.

“From the beginning, the Gerrish and Chung families person been our apical priority,” the sheriff said. “Our bureau received an overwhelming fig of tips, suggestions and investigative requests that were each reviewed and taken into consideration. We’re assured of our findings.”

The circumstances that preceded the household members’ deaths had mystified investigators, who had said that determination were nary signs of trauma oregon foul play. Initial autopsy results were inconclusive.

Teams successful hazmat suits had swept the country for clues, and successful an ominous step, the U.S. Forest Service closed trails and recreation sites adjacent wherever the bodies were found successful precocious August, 12 days aft the household had archetypal been reported missing.

Mr. Gerrish, 45, had worked arsenic a bundle technologist for Google, according to his LinkedIn profile. Most recently, helium had worked for Snapchat, according to Steven Jeffe, a person and neighbour successful Mariposa, Calif. Ms. Chung, 30, was raised successful Southern California, Mr. Jeffe said successful an interrogation successful September.