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, Miyo, 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.
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. Investigators previously said the family hiked on a day where the high temperature was 109 degrees, and 28 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. When the family was found, investigators discovered an empty 85-ounce water bladder.
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.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Related
