CA - Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, daughter, 1 & dog, suspicious death hiking area, Aug 2021 #3

[RedHaus]

There was almost no shade on this trail due to 2018 fire damage. I haven’t been able to find accurate aerial images and Google’s images are dated 2017-2021, but I would say shade was minimal and the trail was exposed to the south.

I also have to quibble with the 4-5-hour timeframe, only as a mom of an infant myself. I can’t see most parents of a one-year-old being on a trail with a baby for that long, unless conditions forced them to stay down there. They have to nap, snack and drink breastmilk or formula. Each of those things would have to happen at least once in five hours. That’s a lot of work on a hot day. I don’t see them being that ambitious, timeframe-wise. I put their return at around 11am. MOO.

And as I think @RickshawFan asked way up thread, maybe #T2?, what about the babe's diapers? Certainly if the family was out for long period, say the 4-5 hours, there would be diaper changes. And I'd presume they would carry in and out. So I'd think, as I think Rickshaw first said, part of the forensics for the case would focus on diapers. How many clean and dirty diapers in their pack might inform LE about how long they had intended to hike and/or how long they were hiking before the parents died, non? And dirty diapers discarded on the trail could tell LE the family may have been concerned about pack weight, meaning a sense of urgency about the situation (given their eco consciousness). And even how dirty (or not) the babe's diaper was when she was found might indicate something to the ME or LE.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

If they wanted to play in the river on that extra-hot day, why pick the stretch of river associated with the hardest hiking trail in the vicinity?

Why not go to wherever is the local swimming hole river hangout? Every mountain community has them.

Or at least someplace easier accessed than the trail rated the absolute hardest on one of the hottest days of the summer?

No, I don't think they were aiming for hanging out in the water. I think they were hiking just like they often did, and maybe ended up trying to cool off in the river in response to their overheated situation.

I'm also of the impression that the whole length of river in the vicinity has the algae issue, not just a specific area with one or a few mats. Is that incorrect, do we know? I asked earlier upthread whether the side drainages and tributaries would likely have the same algae issue -- I don't know the answer. Anyone have links referencing the geospatial extent of the algae concern?

MOO and TIA

 

[EndoraXplorer]

Hi all, this just in from SF Chronicle: River closes after California family dies nearby

ETA: Summary. This is new since the trail closure. Officials yesterday closed 0ff 28 miles of Merced river after getting new toxicology results.

 

[wary]

Fair enough, @Parsnip. But my challenge was asking someone to explain how in a sequential death, heatstroke scenario, whatever water they had on-hand would not have been used in a frantic effort to cool the victim down.

I don’t think the logic of “what’s more common” works here. Death scene investigation is based on the evidence at the scene, not frequency of occurrence. For example, in the US in 2019:
Deaths from homicide: 19,141
Deaths from cancer: 599,601

Using your logic, an investigator arriving at a scene where the deceased had a knife sticking out of his chest should conclude the death was caused by cancer.

So, there’s no evidence at the scene of death by lightning, and that proves that it was death by lightning?

 

[Arise]

One article reported a quote from LE that she was in a “kangaroo” bag, so that’s why I’m assuming that she was pressed up against dad’s back or chest (essentially a 98-100 degree warming pad). The sheriff made a reference to the baby not being “tied” to her father when found dead, so it must have been a tie-on carrier rather than a more structured one that tends to provide better ventilation. Family is found dead on a trail without signs of violence

Quote from article: “The sheriff said Miju was “in a kangaroo bag close to her father, but not tied to her father,” and Hellen [sic] was located about 30 meters away. Their dog, Oksi, was lying next to the baby.”

Sadly, there was a case of infant heat exhaustion and death in the winter when a mother put her child on a heating pad, no doubt trying to keep her comfortable. Even though the apt. was cold, the close proximity to a heat source was fatal. Miju was exposed to high ambient temps plus high “localized” temps against her body.

That is so sad about the poor baby and her poor mom. As new parents its hard to know if you're doing the right thing. There were a couple of cases of newborns who died from positional asphyxiation in a mass market sling style baby carriers that was eventually recalled. Again, it was a carrier that departed from more traditional designs to make it so a parent could put their baby in the carrier and then put the carrier on. Just parents trying to do whats best for their babies by carrying them close.

I've never heard kangaroo bag as a specific term before. I dont know if that's a term LE came up with or maybe it's a specific hiking related carrier so I'm just not familiar with it. I'll have to look into it.

I think the description of the baby being in the carrier but not tied to Jon could be consistent with these backpack style carriers where the baby is kind of suspended in a seat within a frame that the parent can set down independently. At least that was my interpretation.

 

[SpideySense]

So, there’s no evidence at the scene of death by lightning, and that proves that it was death by lightning?

I guess I don’t agree that there’s no evidence of death by lightning at the scene. I’ve done my best to lay out the evidence that this might have been a ground current incident, and to document that evidence, but no one is required to believe me.

 

[Rocky Mountain Hi]

I am speculating that her “debilitating” (in her words; source: IG) condition was psychological, as she certainly did not appear physically debilitated. She stated that, because of it, she was leaving her job and may never work for a company again.

I (shamefully) get winded walking a few miles and couldn’t do a trek in the Himalayas, but I can work a 16 hour day.

. According to her IG posts, she had a traumatic brain injury. That is not a psychological condition; it's a physical injury, and tends to be disabling and long-term. We don't know anything about hers specifically, and we do know that she was in school to be some kind of couneslor or therapist, so hers hasn't prevented her from doing college work. But there could be symptoms that crop up uneder stress, or in triggering environments or situations.

 

[rahod1]

So, there’s no evidence at the scene of death by lightning, and that proves that it was death by lightning?

For me (MOO) the entire discussion on lightening is a stretch considering the circumstances. There is absolutely no evidence. Having said this, there's no evidence of heat stroke either. HOWEVER, the conditions and circumstances point to heat stroke as the more likely of the two. I focus on TWO elements that likely tripped off a cascade of events leaving the ENTIRE family exposed to heat stroke. The infant and dog were almost certainly vulnerable early on with ambient temps approaching mid 90s within an HOUR of the earliest onset of the hike (8AM). This then poses an existential threat to the parents as well. Trying to cope with two helpless companions succumbing to very adverse conditions would be overwhelming for the parents....forcing them to expend additional psychological and physical energy in the process. No doubt they would be required to *pick up the pace* climbing the hill back up...and perhaps having to carry the dog at times. There are several other scenarios as to cause of death, but those explanations, however *possible* they may be, simply aren't compelling. Again...MOO

 

[SophieRose]

Lightning strike that hit both the adults and killed them during a bone dry, hot California summer? I have always associated lightning with rain or at least high humidity.

Last year multiple fires were set off by dry lightning strikes, including the largest fire on record in California, the August Complex (the Dixie Fire is the single largest.)

California Continues to Burn
August 2020 brought a “lightning siege” in California that sparked a rash of wildfires across the state. By early September, nearly 14,000 lightning strikes had ignited 900 fires that have burned more than 1.5 million acres.
Snip

“The lightning-caused wildfire events seen in Northern California were the result of the perfect storm,” Ambrosia said, including a large dry-lightning event across the entire area, windy conditions, and lingering drought. The situation was made worse by historic heat that gripped the U.S. West, which caused further drying of drought-stressed vegetation.

 

[Lexiintoronto]

I guess I don’t agree that there’s no evidence of death by lightning at the scene. I’ve done my best to lay out the evidence that this might have been a ground current incident, and to document that evidence, but no one is required to believe me.

Evidence is what was found at the scene, and officially LE has not told us very much. We’re speculating based on what true factors we know of the day: a witness sighting, temperatures throughout the day and night until they were found..

 

[Arise]

Regarding acclimatizing to heat, wasn't it also established that they lived at a location about 1000 ft higher than the hites cove area and with old ponderosa growth?

My grandparents lived not too far from Mariposa and we spent summers at their house. I remember how hot it would be in the valley and then as soon as we got up into the heavy ponderosa forest and it cooled down, I knew we were almost to their house. It was certainly hot enough to swim in the little lake near their house but it was not so hot that we weren't outdoors all day without being uncomfortable from heat. I went down memory lane and located their old place on Google maps and it was a bit above 3500 ft and similar in elevation and description to where it's reported Jon and Ellen lived.

 

[rahod1]

Evidence is what was found at the scene, and officially LE has not told us very much. We’re speculating based on what true factors we know of the day: a witness sighting, temperatures throughout the day and night until they were found..

Well said. I would add there are some other factors released. Location of parked truck, positions of bodies, amount of water left in the back pack, cell phone found on Gerrish, but no mention of cell phone on the wife.

 

[everybodhi]

This infection is slow and simply could not kill both adults in the timeframe in which they were found. I have never heard of two people being infected in a short timeframe because it is so rare for the amoeba to wriggle up your nose. I also believe, even with decomposition, signs of amoeba infiltration would be found in the brain.
Brain-Eating Amoeba (Naegleria Fowleri): FAQ, Symptoms, Treatment

Yes, I just put it out there with all the other theories that are unlikely.

 

[everybodhi]

Do we have any medical professionals on the thread who could speak to the interplay between heat exhaustion and emotional shock? I’ve been going down that rabbit hole today, but much of my reading is beyond my ken. I am especially thinking about EC and what might have been happening to her physiologically (especially her heart) if she feared for the safety of one or more family member, had to leave them behind, race (sprint?) off for help, which could be miles away, and was herself experiencing some effects from the heat. I am assuming some degree of heat acclimatization, given the family likely hiked often in the area, and she was fairly young and seemingly healthy, so I do not think she experienced the disorienting effects of heat stroke. Thoughts?

Health and athleticism does not prevent heat stroke.

Heat Stroke in Sports: Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Summer football brings grueling workouts in brutal heat. For football players in the dog days, mild heat illness is common and grave heat stroke always a threat (Knochel, 1975). Since 1995, on average three players a year have died of heat stroke.

 

[RickshawFan]

Do we have any previous cases where *lightening out of the blue* (no storm) has killed hikers with no evidence on the bodies? Just curious. If lightening struck , why was the mother's body found 30 yds ahead? You would think they would all be together?

Here's a case that was 10 miles from the rest of the lightning: a random biker.

Lightning doesn't need a thunderstorm. The West has dry lightning. That means no thunder, no rain.

The Hites Cove area has metal seams; this would presumably be conductive for electricity.

Lightning facts: Lightning FAQ

 

[RickshawFan]

It’s weird. Because wouldn’t heat stroke initially be strongly suspected? And yet they are acting like it could be some dangerous thing that’s causing them to close down trails.

SAR typically doesn't want people in an SAR area looking for "clues", contaminating the trail, etc. This is normal for SAR operations, and this case was particularly well-publicized.

 

[EndoraXplorer]

. According to her IG posts, she had a traumatic brain injury. That is not a psychological condition; it's a physical injury, and tends to be disabling and long-term. We don't know anything about hers specifically, and we do know that she was in school to be some kind of couneslor or therapist, so hers hasn't prevented her from doing college work. But there could be symptoms that crop up uneder stress, or in triggering environments or situations.

The TBI was from an accident in 2010 (Satori Yoga Studio). EC's LinkedIn profile has now been taken down, but she graduated from UC Berkeley in 2012 (probably why the dog was named Oski - Oski the bear, the Cal mascot) and had 7 jobs on her profile. She was studying at CIIS to get her Master's in Counseling Psychology.

I found a full writeup aggregated here: The bizarre deaths of the Gerrish family in Devil’s Gulch — StrangeOutdoors.com

 

[RickshawFan]

Hmm. So looking at this, it appears the first part of trail is more heavily travelled but quickly dips down to the Merced River, after about 1.5 miles. And it’s a total of 4.5 miles to Hites Cove?
Yosemite Hikes: Hite Cove

The first part of the trail is a moderate incline but then it appears to go along the Merced quite a bit and plays and other trees line the canyon floor near the river.

If they’re talking about possible algae blooms, wouldn’t that mean they were by the river or other water source? To me that would make heat stroke less likely as the water could be used to cool their bodies down.

I don’t know.

I think we can't assume they went that way. They could have gone on the switchbacks and turned right back.

 

[RickshawFan]

Hi all, this just in from SF Chronicle: River closes after California family dies nearby

ETA: Summary. This is new since the trail closure. Officials yesterday closed 0ff 28 miles of Merced river after getting new toxicology results.

AFAIK All National Forests in CA are closed.

 

[everybodhi]

Okay, as a newbie I’m going to make a bold move and go out on a limb here. Feel free to throw tomatoes my way

It was not the heat, folks. Heatstroke didn’t kill them, full stop. Which means there was no long, horrible suffering, no babies or dogs in agony, no dramatic trailside decisions. You can continue to imagine all kinds of awful things about this poor family’s last hours if you wish, but there’s absolutely no reason or evidence to support those imaginings.

Let’s quickly set aside LE’s apparent lack of focus on heatstroke. Some of you have rightly pointed out how much of a nonissue it seems to be to them, and how irresponsible it is that they are not being more vocal. That should tell you something. LE is in the business of protecting people. When two people died recently a few days apart in Death Valley, LE was calling “suspected heatstroke” shortly after the bodies were recovered and long before autopsy. They’re not doing that here. For good reasons.

Here’s why. You cannot conclude that because it was, say, 105 degrees, the heat killed these people, or even made them uncomfortable. That’s a basic misunderstanding of how our bodies physically change and acclimate to our temperature surroundings. Hot weather is relative, and what feels insufferable to you may feel mild to someone else. Ever wonder how a tourist from Chicago can succumb to heatstroke in less than an hour hiking in Death Valley in 115 degree heat, while the rangers who live there can perform SAR for hours on end in long pants? It’s because the rangers’ bodies are acclimated.

Here’s a good description of the heat acclimating process: Heat Index - Acclimatizing Workers | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

From the above OSHA article:
“ Workers become gradually acclimatized when exposed to hot conditions for several weeks. Physical changes in blood vessels and in sweating occur to dissipate heat more effectively.”

and

“Humans are, to a large extent, capable of adjusting to the heat. Much of this adjustment to heat, under normal circumstances, usually takes about 5 to 7 days, during which time the body will undergo a series of changes that will make continued exposure to heat more endurable.”

This family lived there, and by all accounts spent a lot of time outdoors hiking in the weather. All of them, even the baby, were acclimated. Acclimating doesn’t mean you get used to feeling hot and uncomfortable- it means your body has made physical changes so that you DON’T feel hot and uncomfortable, you can stay cool more efficiently, and you are at not at high risk for heat injury or heatstroke.

Now, if they were like some residents of the California Foothills who spend most of the summer months inside in air-conditioning, that might alter my opinion. But that doesn’t sound like them.

Someone here a few threads back used the temperature readings at El Portal, CA as a good comparison of the conditions in the trail area, and that’s fair. So, here are the daily highs recorded at that station for the entire month before August 15:

7/15 - 99.1
7/16 - 99.3
7/17 - 103.5
7/18 - 103.6
7/19 - 99
7/20 - 102.6
7/21 - 103.3
7/22 - 104.5
7/23 - 102.9
7/24 - 104.9
7/25 - 104.5
7/26 - 99.7
7/27 - 102.7
7/28 - 104.2
7/29 - 105.1
7/30 - 105.1
7/31 - 100.4
8/1 - 103.1
8/2 - 104.0
8/3 - 108.1
8/4 - 107.4
8/5 - 100.0
8/6 - 100.0
8/7 - 100.6
8/8 - 100.8
8/9 - 101.7
8/10 - 102.9
8/11 - 106.0
8/12 - 106.0
8/13 - 105.1
8/14 - 106.3
8/15 - 107.1

Source: Personal Weather Station Dashboard | Weather Underground

The corresponding temperatures at the Jerseydale Station were a few degrees lower, but still high 90s to low 100s.

So, Jon, Ellen, and Miju were like the Death Valley rangers, while most of us would be like the Chicago tourist. Physically, the three of them were different than us. They would feel cooler and be able to keep a normal core temperature for much longer than we would.

Now… throw in the facts that 1) at least 1/3 of their hiking route had them walking consistently alongside a river that had access points along the way, 2) that section of the river was upstream from the algal mats found at Hites Cove, 3) they had at least some water that we know of, and perhaps things like food and empty water bladders we haven’t heard about, and 4) they were all found together on trail.

Can ANYONE find a case of multiple outdoor heatstroke deaths (couples, hikers, etc) where the bodies were found within 200 yards of each other? I can’t.

Okay, commence the tomato throwing, lol.

I live 500 miles from the equator and am somewhat acclimated but still use AC on the hottest days when there is no wind.
I hike with guides in Southeast Asia, and while I will sweat on the late morning return, the locals always look dry and cool, totally acclimated to the climate they were born in and have never left, hikes generally start before sunrise and end early morning. No hikes extend into afternoon.
It never gets as hot as summer CA here but it's high humidity. It is a high of around 85 all year round but heat index can bring it into upper 90's on some days.
As in all equatorial countries, it gets very still and quiet in the heat of the day and gets active again as the sun moves toward the horizon.
They are acclimated but they still respect that heat is deadly and live their lives accordingly.