A former San Francisco family died of hyperthermia and probable dehydration while hiking in the Sierra National Forest this summer, officials revealed in a press conference on Thursday.
Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese told reporters they identified what killed 45-year-old John Gerrish, 31-year-old Ellen Chung and their 1-year-old daughter, Miju, all of whom were found dead on a remote hiking trail on Aug. 17. Briese said their dog, Oski, also likely died of heat-related causes, although the cause of death was undetermined.
Two days before they were found, the family was exposed to "constant sunlight" and "very little shade" while hiking "a steep incline" on the section of the trail where they were ultimately discovered, with temperatures ranging between 107 and 109 degrees during their hike.
"Once we were able to establish the timeline, once we were able to establish the confirmed weather (as well as) the terrain, and the lack of shade and the lack of water, once we got all of that together – as well as the autopsy reports – it all pretty much fit together," Briese said.
The Gerrish-Chung family's surviving relatives said in a statement the pain of losing Gerrish, Chung, their baby daughter and dog was "indescribable."
"Some questions have been answered, and we will use this information as a way of helping us come to terms with the situation," the family said. "However, the question of 'Why?' can never be answered and will remain with us. Our hearts will never forget the beautiful lives of Jonathan, Ellen, Miju and, of course, Oski. They will remain with us wherever we go and with whatever we do."
Last month, detectives ruled out a number of causes of death, leaving open the possibility the family died of exposure to extreme heat or toxic algae. Almost 30 miles of the Merced River were closed in September after officials found high levels of toxic algae downstream from where the family's bodies were discovered.
Briese said on Thursday there was no evidence the family had drank the contaminated water, nor have there been any recorded deaths of humans who did. When the family was found, investigators discovered an empty 85-ounce water bladder.
"There was no additional water located, or water filtration systems," he said. "And there was no evidence of any portable dog bowls."
The family also tested negative for prescription and illegal drugs, Briese said.
The Gerrish-Chung family moved to Mariposa from San Francisco during the COVID-19 pandemic to enjoy the outdoors. Their deaths eluded investigators for months, requiring the sheriff's office to work alongside toxicologists, environmental scientists and even the FBI to determine what killed the family.
A cell phone discovered with their bodies is currently being examined by the FBI at its headquarters in Washington, according to Briese. Although there was no cell reception in the area, Briese said the agency is "making good progress" examining the phone's contents.
"(Our) hope is that cell phone will continue to give us more answers throughout that day," he said.
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