CA - Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, daughter, 1 & dog, suspicious death hiking area, Aug 2021 #2

[LifeIsAMystery]

Since no one has mentioned this yet, my sleuthing has revealed, IMO, JG was a talented musician in the sphere of wave music - producing synthesized music and appearing to play at Burning Man and elsewhere in the world, perhaps. But JG appears to have not posted new music on SoundCloud for 2-3 years and I wonder why.
jongerrish

There are several sets that he dj'd on Soundcloud, something Ellen did as well.

 

[Deleted member 292879]

I just finally read the Outside article “What it feels like to die from heatstroke” that’s been posted here (thank you to those who did, it’s a must-read) and I’m more convinced than I was. But I am still struggling with the idea that they could both die of heatstroke (going with the theory that child and dog perished after them).

ETA: then again…I’d forgotten about this case until the Outside piece jogged my memory: French couple who died in desert gave son extra water, sheriff said | CNN

 

[Fretgyrl]

I just finally read the Outside article “What it feels like to die from heatstroke” that’s been posted here (thank you to those who did, it’s a must-read) and I’m more convinced than I was. But I am still struggling with the idea that they could both die of heatstroke (going with the theory that child and dog perished after them).

a child’s body can heat up 3 to 5 times faster than adult. Think of the forgotten baby syndrome, children left in cars. Once their body heat rises to 107, their organs shut down. A dog would be the same. IMO that this was an unfortunate horrible accident.

 

[minazoe]

For me this hike sounds like hell..I mean you couldn't pay me to hike anywhere on a day like that..I recently saw a woman in Phoenix I think, died from heat stroke on a hiking date..with a police officer! so it does happen..so tragic...I hope we have toxie soon..I mean deadly heat=heat that kills...and the first thing to note about this case is that they were out in the elements in deadly heat...and you have 3 deceased people and a dog and they are dead in deadly heat..so...

 

[ElementalLaura]

MODNOTE

Websleuths is victim-friendly. As such, we're suspending discussion on the intentional ingestion of recreational drugs as a contributing factor in this tragic incident unless and until there is any evidence revealed in toxicology reports, LE statements and/or approved mainstream media reports that would indicate otherwise.

Thank you for your understanding and for upholding Websleuths standards.

 

[janewall]

RSBM:

"... temps were 109 that day on the trail and there was no shade. ... Another factor may have been the poor air quality due to fires, another stress on the body in high heat and with steep trails."

There has been a great deal of discussion about the exceptional vulnerability of the baby and the dog, and some discussion of EC's health history of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and another, unspecified condition that seems to have led her to withdraw from the corporate job market. These are all important factors, as is, obviously, the gruelling heat and lack of shelter from it on the trail network.

What I have not seen mentioned is any reference to JG's fitness and health. Perhaps there is nothing remarkable to note in his known/available health history. However, the fact that he was a 45-year-old man – essentially middle-aged, and a full 15 years older than his spouse and hiking companion – may also be a factor worth considering. At this age men frequently, yet unexpectedly (to themselves), find themselves at much higher risk for cardiac events and other abruptly occurring, potentially critical physical incidents.

JG's body already would have been under considerable strain from that sort of hike in those weather/air quality conditions, regardless of the weight of carrying a baby in a backpack/carrier, or possibly carrying an injured or ill dog, or even the emotional/mental stress of encountering an unexpected condition on the trail that made the interesting "day hike" he'd planned for his family far riskier than he ever imagined. If he had any sort of major health-impairing event on that trail, again in those hiking conditions, I find it doubtful that the sole remaining functioning adult, with or without her own health conditions possibly factoring into her own physical capabilities on that day, stood much chance of saving herself plus a baby and a large-ish dog. Especially if she'd also expended considerable energy on trying to save, or at least stabilize, him.

I don't know if a major health event such as a heart attack would show up in an autopsy after (possibly) up to 48 hours of decomp in high heat and arid conditions. This entire train of thought is speculative, but it's been running through my mind ever since I learned JG's age – especially as I know several "outdoorsy" men who have endured unanticipated cardiac incidents in their late 20s-early 30s.

Regardless of what happened to destroy this family, and whether it could have been avoided or not, there's a heartbreaking scenario involved. It makes me look back on my own family's summer vacations and "day hikes" in the high desert of UT/AZ, and also our impromptu driving tours of sections of CA and NV desert, and feel grateful that we came out with good times and lifelong memories as we anticipated, not regrets (or worse) due to tragic failures of supplies, equipment, or our own fragile (whether we admit it or not) bodies.

 

[Deleted member 292879]

a child’s body can heat up 3 to 5 times faster than adult. Think of the forgotten baby syndrome, children left in cars. Once their body heat rises to 107, their organs shut down. A dog would be the same. IMO that this was an unfortunate horrible accident.

I only said ‘after’ because of the detail of the baby still being in the carrier next to Jonathan. If before him, I suspect he or Ellen would be holding the baby. The other alternative being all the deaths happened within minutes of each other. My focus on the above post was heatstroke in general, not the order of the deaths.

 

[minazoe]

I would say the fact that all died on the trail makes it really a freak accident in a way. So horrible..and remember when we were all kids in high school we would take iodine tabs on hot days out on the field...

 

[NSamuelle]

RSBM:

There has been a great deal of discussion about the exceptional vulnerability of the baby and the dog, and some discussion of EC's health history of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and another, unspecified condition that seems to have led her to withdraw from the corporate job market. These are all important factors, as is, obviously, the gruelling heat and lack of shelter from it on the trail network.

What I have not seen mentioned is any reference to JG's fitness and health. Perhaps there is nothing remarkable to note in his known/available health history. However, the fact that he was a 45-year-old man – essentially middle-aged, and a full 15 years older than his spouse and hiking companion – may also be a factor worth considering. At this age men frequently, yet unexpectedly (to themselves), find themselves at much higher risk for cardiac events and other abruptly occurring, potentially critical physical incidents.

JG's body already would have been under considerable strain from that sort of hike in those weather/air quality conditions, regardless of the weight of carrying a baby in a backpack/carrier, or possibly carrying an injured or ill dog, or even the emotional/mental stress of encountering an unexpected condition on the trail that made the interesting "day hike" he'd planned for his family far riskier than he ever imagined. If he had any sort of major health-impairing event on that trail, again in those hiking conditions, I find it doubtful that the sole remaining functioning adult, with or without her own health conditions possibly factoring into her own physical capabilities on that day, stood much chance of saving herself plus a baby and a large-ish dog. Especially if she'd also expended considerable energy on trying to save, or at least stabilize, him.

I don't know if a major health event such as a heart attack would show up in an autopsy after (possibly) up to 48 hours of decomp in high heat and arid conditions. This entire train of thought is speculative, but it's been running through my mind ever since I learned JG's age – especially as I know several "outdoorsy" men who have endured unanticipated cardiac incidents in their late 20s-early 30s.

Regardless of what happened to destroy this family, and whether it could have been avoided or not, there's a heartbreaking scenario involved. It makes me look back on my own family's summer vacations and "day hikes" in the high desert of UT/AZ, and also our impromptu driving tours of sections of CA and NV desert, and feel grateful that we came out with good times and lifelong memories as we anticipated, not regrets (or worse) due to tragic failures of supplies, equipment, or our own fragile (whether we admit it or not) bodies.

A heart attack should show up in a troponin test and there may also be some physical findings on autopsy. They likely already have those results; it’s a quick test. We have someone on this thread who has attended autopsies; maybe they can weigh in. [Cardiac troponin I and the post-mortem diagnosis of myocardial damage] - PubMed

 

[Ruthbullock]

I’m sure the dogs results are back by now, our dog died and one was seriously ill form some weird thing in the woods- 48hrs and we had a full autopsy and bloods from our dog. It’s a much quicker process as less demand - eagerly awaiting the results as I do think it will be important in this investigation.

 

[RickshawFan]

I just finally read the Outside article “What it feels like to die from heatstroke” that’s been posted here (thank you to those who did, it’s a must-read) and I’m more convinced than I was. But I am still struggling with the idea that they could both die of heatstroke (going with the theory that child and dog perished after them).

ETA: then again…I’d forgotten about this case until the Outside piece jogged my memory: French couple who died in desert gave son extra water, sheriff said | CNN

This story with the French couple is such a good comparator IMO.

 

[mickey2942]

Louisiana man dies while on hiking trip at the Grand Canyon

This goes to exactly what @janewall mentioned. There is still no update on this guy. Very sad.

 

[rahod1]

Sheriff's Dept states they attempted ENTIRE LOOP starting at Hites Cove RD?? If that's correct (start point), then one would have to deduce they were taking the entire loop because of where they were found. I don't think they would go on the record unless they had evidence of this (tracks?). One thing I find baffling is that they indicate it's a FIVE MILE steep ascent up the Savage Lundy?? I thought it was 3 miles...UNLESS....they're adding the river route. Puzzling.

" The sheriff’s office said the entire Savage-Lundy Trail loop, where the family was found dead, is approximately 8.5 miles, with 5 miles of that being a “steep southern exposure path with little-to-no trees or shade” in the 2018 Ferguson Fire burn scar. Sheriff officials said temperatures there appeared to range from 103 and 109 in certain parts of that trail between 11:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Aug. 15, the day the family is believed to have been hiking it.

The family started their hike from a trailhead down Hites Cove Road north of Jerseydale in Mariposa County."
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article253770788.html

 

[SophieRose]

Sheriff's Dept states they attempted ENTIRE LOOP starting at Hites Cove RD?? If that's correct (start point), then one would have to deduce they were taking the entire loop because of where they were found. I don't think they would go on the record unless they had evidence of this (tracks?). One thing I find baffling is that they indicate it's a FIVE MILE steep ascent up the Savage Lundy?? I thought it was 3 miles...UNLESS....they're adding the river route. Puzzling.

" The sheriff’s office said the entire Savage-Lundy Trail loop, where the family was found dead, is approximately 8.5 miles, with 5 miles of that being a “steep southern exposure path with little-to-no trees or shade” in the 2018 Ferguson Fire burn scar. Sheriff officials said temperatures there appeared to range from 103 and 109 in certain parts of that trail between 11:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Aug. 15, the day the family is believed to have been hiking it.

The family started their hike from a trailhead down Hites Cove Road north of Jerseydale in Mariposa County."
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article253770788.html

Unless they are also including the two miles going down.

I've thought they may have intended going down and back the Hite Cove OHV trail but something was wrong with it, Jon knew about SL so they thought it might be easier. HCOHV round trip would have made it a much shorter trip.

 

[NSamuelle]

Sheriff's Dept states they attempted ENTIRE LOOP starting at Hites Cove RD?? If that's correct (start point), then one would have to deduce they were taking the entire loop because of where they were found. I don't think they would go on the record unless they had evidence of this (tracks?). One thing I find baffling is that they indicate it's a FIVE MILE steep ascent up the Savage Lundy?? I thought it was 3 miles...UNLESS....they're adding the river route. Puzzling.

" The sheriff’s office said the entire Savage-Lundy Trail loop, where the family was found dead, is approximately 8.5 miles, with 5 miles of that being a “steep southern exposure path with little-to-no trees or shade” in the 2018 Ferguson Fire burn scar. Sheriff officials said temperatures there appeared to range from 103 and 109 in certain parts of that trail between 11:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Aug. 15, the day the family is believed to have been hiking it.

The family started their hike from a trailhead down Hites Cove Road north of Jerseydale in Mariposa County."
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article253770788.html

I know there’s been speculation about what route the family took, but given that LE has released very limited information very carefully, I don’t see any reason to doubt their conclusion here (that they were at the end of an 8.5M loop). The trail was not well-traveled and they noted that footprints consistent with two adults and the dog were found.

It’s baffling that anyone would attempt that with a dog and baby, but it wouldn’t be the first baffling detail about this case. I’m particularly stuck on Ellen not bringing a phone.

If toxic algae was involved, they should release that info ASAP as it’s a matter of public health. I don’t think that’s the COD.

 

[deadfoot13]

Sometimes it is, sometimes not.
Some names of places go a very long way back.
Like Yosemite came from a word meaning "those who kill".
IDK how or where the devil's gulch got the name from but I wouldn't be surprised if it came from one of native American or Indian folklores.

I can't argue with that.

I don't mean to be so prickly about the supernatural theories and am in the wrong for pooh-poohing anything that isn't in line with my beliefs and thoughts. There would never be progress or change in anything if everyone believed the same thing.

 

[woods]

“The pathologist currently is issuing an autopsy finding of ‘pending toxicology,’” said Kristie Mitchell, spokesperson for the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office.

Toxicology tests are not yet complete. The sheriff’s office has not shared what toxins are being tested for in the toxicology tests. Samples from the dog were sent to multiple labs for testing.

Multiple water samples were taken in the area for testing. There is a known toxic harmful algal bloom on the south fork of the Merced River, a couple miles from where the family was found dead, which is among hazards still being considered in their deaths. Mitchell said some water samples were sent to labs for testing Aug. 19, and additional water samples were collected Monday, August 23, from “along the trail area” where they were found. Water the family was carrying also is being tested. Results from those tests also are pending.
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article253770788.html

 

[EndoraXplorer]

I'm surprised that we haven't really talked about the Sierra National Forest closures that just went into effect. Someone else posted about it. It seems significant.

Sierra National Forest issues Forest Order No. 05-15-51-21-18,
Merced River Recreation Site, Road and Trail Closure
CLOVIS, CA., August 28, 2021 - Sierra National Forest (SNF) issues Forest Order No. 05-15-51-21-18 Merced River Recreation Site, Road and Trail Closure. The purpose of Forest Order No. 05-15-51-21-18 is to provide for public safety due to unknown hazards found in and near the Savage Lundy Trail, within the Bass Lake Ranger District. Designated recreation sites, roads, and trails in proximity and/or leading to this location will be off limits to public. This Order will be effective from August 29, 2021, through September 26, 2021.

Links: Sierra National Forest - Alerts & Notices
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd948383.pdf
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd948384.pdf
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd948385.pdf

 

[JJ Ray]

I just finally read the Outside article “What it feels like to die from heatstroke” that’s been posted here (thank you to those who did, it’s a must-read) and I’m more convinced than I was. But I am still struggling with the idea that they could both die of heatstroke (going with the theory that child and dog perished after them).

ETA: then again…I’d forgotten about this case until the Outside piece jogged my memory: French couple who died in desert gave son extra water, sheriff said | CNN

Sorry, I misspoke that the couple as Japanese in an earlier comment...

 

[JJ Ray]

I'm surprised that we haven't really talked about the Sierra National Forest closures that just went into effect. Someone else posted about it. It seems significant.

Sierra National Forest issues Forest Order No. 05-15-51-21-18,
Merced River Recreation Site, Road and Trail Closure
CLOVIS, CA., August 28, 2021 - Sierra National Forest (SNF) issues Forest Order No. 05-15-51-21-18 Merced River Recreation Site, Road and Trail Closure. The purpose of Forest Order No. 05-15-51-21-18 is to provide for public safety due to unknown hazards found in and near the Savage Lundy Trail, within the Bass Lake Ranger District. Designated recreation sites, roads, and trails in proximity and/or leading to this location will be off limits to public. This Order will be effective from August 29, 2021, through September 26, 2021.

Links: Sierra National Forest - Alerts & Notices
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd948383.pdf
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd948384.pdf
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd948385.pdf

Very good find! Abundance of caution or an early reveal of tox report/dog necropsy?