A Northern California family who were found dead in August died from heat and dehydration during their hike in the Sierra National Forest, officials say.
died from heat and dehydration during their hike in Sierra National Forest, officials said Thursday.
John Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter, Miju, and their dog were all found dead Aug. 17 more than a mile from their car off Savage Lundy Trail with"no apparent causes of death," Briese said. Investigators combed the area, searched abandoned mines for signs of entrance by the family and investigated possible exposure to toxic gases but found none.
Authorities investigated whether they may have ingested river water contaminated with anatoxin-A, an element of algae that can be toxic to humans and animals, but found no evidence that they drank any.in August after a friend reported them as missing. Briese said at the time that there was no obvious cause of death and that the area had unreliable cell reception.