CA - Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, daughter, 1 & dog, suspicious death hiking area, Aug 2021 #4

[Pumphouse363]

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I have to say I’m not sure about the type of phone but I think the family will definitely attempt to access the contents if the FBI fail to do so. MOO

I just keep looking at the SL trail on Google earth in 3D and I can’t understand how anyone could stand at the top of that trail and consider it a good place to spend a Sunday morning with my family. It’s totally desolate since the fires and reminiscent of the ‘valley of the shadow of death’ in Bunyan’s A Pilgrim’s Progress.

 

[Pumphouse363]

Duplicated in error

 

[Lubilu]

@Pumphouse do you know if Jon's phone was iPhone or Android?

According to Google, even the FBI can't get into a locked iphone and Apple says they can't ( or won't) help. Android phones are easier to get into, I read, but not if they have security apps to encrypt them. I haven't followed this debate. Maybe another WSer can weigh in.

The FBI has asked Apple to help unlock the Florida gunman’s iPhones

I know I'm not who you were asking, but since JG worked for Google I'd strongly suspect that he had an Android phone - just my opinion, though, and I don't think the info is out there anywhere publicly that I know of.

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

I agree an Android phone is likely, MOO.

Imagine standing at the foot of SL and looking UP as the sun bakes down, must have seemed formidable.

So sad.

 

[rahod1]

I just keep looking at the SL trail on Google earth in 3D and I can’t understand how anyone could stand at the top of that trail and consider it a good place to spend a Sunday morning with my family. It’s totally desolate since the fires and reminiscent of the ‘valley of the shadow of death’ in Bunyan’s A Pilgrim’s Progress.

So, as I understand your thesis>>> They didn't intend to take the entire loop back up SL, but were *compelled* to do so as a result of some threat... a mountain lion (for example) or possibly something nefarious. That's certainly within the realm of possibilities, but in my humble opinion not likely. It's also a scenario that will be very difficult to confirm. In all probability, LE will arrive at a conclusion by EXCLUSION so that the only probable cause remaining will be heat stroke, leaving us all to ponder the *WHY* (the entire loop). Just MOO.

 

[NSamuelle]

I’m not familiar with Android phones - can you unlock them with a fingerprint like iPhones? The warrant should cover that. Fingerprints may not work at this point, though. Yes, a dead person can unlock an iPhone - if detectives act fast | wtsp.com

“A study done in 2016 at Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that both iris and fingerprint biometric data could be obtained from bodies up to four days after death in warmer seasons and for as many as 50 days in winter.”

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

So, as I understand your thesis>>> They didn't intend to take the entire loop back up SL, but were *compelled* to do so as a result of some threat... a mountain lion (for example) or possibly something nefarious. That's certainly within the realm of possibilities, but in my humble opinion not likely. It's also a scenario that will be very difficult to confirm. In all probability, LE will arrive at a conclusion by EXCLUSION so that the only probable cause remaining will be heat stroke, leaving us all to ponder the *WHY* (the entire loop). Just MOO.

Agree. MOO also. Unless there is a clear finding from the tox screen. Those results might be impacted by how many days the bodies sat out before retrieval.

My personal guess is that it will have been a scenario like Kreycik, was cooler near their home nearby, different elevation and microclimate, and they were moving quickly. By the time they realized they were in trouble they were far from help with no cell service. The depth of Devil's Canyon is a formidable challenge in high heat on either trail out. MOO.

 

[rahod1]

My personal guess is that it will have been a scenario like Kreycik, was cooler near their home nearby, different elevation and microclimate, and they were moving quickly. By the time they realized they were in trouble they were far from help with no cell service. The depth of Devil's Canyon is a formidable challenge in high heat on either trail out. MOO.

This has been my take all along. So tragic. We all want to think that something EXTERNAL (out of the blue...toxic algae ...lightening..nefarious elements..etc ) brought this family down because it satisfies our need for a rational explanation. Will LE provide us with a satisfying explanation? Highly doubtful in my opinion.

 

[investikater]

Are there signs on these trails warning walkers? how long and difficult they are? how dangerous they are in particular weather conditions? recommended equipment like water and radios or sat phones or emergency beacons?

in australia as a minimum our trails are often assigned a number as a difficulty level indicating how experienced a hiker you should be to tackle it, and a sign put up nearby as well as on the internet

 

[woods]

how long now until the toxicology results will be in and the full autopsy report can be done?

Probably another more week or two.

 

[everybodhi]

MOO - what if Jon and Ellen had decided to take a short hike in the early morning of Sunday to try the new backpack they’d bought for Miju. They knew the weather was going to be hot so and would make sure they were back before temperatures became unbearable. Somewhere along the way up to the HC trail they encountered something/someone that caused them to be too afraid to go back the way they came so they were forced to continue along a road they never intended to take. Consequently they succumbed to exhaustion and heatstroke because they were unprepared for the long hike they had never intended to take. This would go some way to explain why they would behave in such an unexpected manner.
Perhaps the trails in the area have been closed to determine if that was the case?
I have read on the Mariposa Sheriff’s FB page there is a lot of illegal activity relating to drugs around Mariposa and throughout many states in the US.

Why would people hike down that trail to conduct some kind of drug deal? I've just never heard of such a thing, it adds so much risk and work to a transaction that only takes a few minutes.
If the theory is they walked up on an illegal pot farm, where is the farm? That's not something that can be broken down quickly and carted out that trail. The plants would be quite big, 5 feet to as much as 10 feet and bushy, but not yet ready to harvest in August, they would be useless until they form buds in the fall. There would have to be a water system built to divert water from the river which is at the bottom of the canyon so they would need a pump and fuel. From the looks of the environment, they would need to carry in soil, 100 gallon bags, or more, for each plant to grow in.
Also, tents, food, water, and supplies for the workers who live there to protect it.
Wouldn't the cops have found it by now?
I don't doubt there are illegal grows in that county but that location would sure be a difficult one, and risky to set up on a hiking trail open to the public.

 

[ItalyReader]

Probably another more week or two.

I wonder if they are also waiting to publicly release information until the family (especially from abroad) has time to arrive in California and potentially visit the site privately without media frenzy. MOO

 

[Pumphouse363]

Why would people hike down that trail to conduct some kind of drug deal? I've just never heard of such a thing, it adds so much risk and work to a transaction that only takes a few minutes.
If the theory is they walked up on an illegal pot farm, where is the farm? That's not something that can be broken down quickly and carted out that trail. The plants would be quite big, 5 feet to as much as 10 feet and bushy, but not yet ready to harvest in August, they would be useless until they form buds in the fall. There would have to be a water system built to divert water from the river which is at the bottom of the canyon so they would need a pump and fuel. From the looks of the environment, they would need to carry in soil, 100 gallon bags, or more, for each plant to grow in.
Also, tents, food, water, and supplies for the workers who live there to protect it.
Wouldn't the cops have found it by now?
I don't doubt there are illegal grows in that county but that location would sure be a difficult one, and risky to set up on a hiking trail open to the public.

I don’t think I suggested anything like that!

 

[Pumphouse363]

Are there signs on these trails warning walkers? how long and difficult they are? how dangerous they are in particular weather conditions? recommended equipment like water and radios or sat phones or emergency beacons?

in australia as a minimum our trails are often assigned a number as a difficulty level indicating how experienced a hiker you should be to tackle it, and a sign put up nearby as well as on the internet

The trail they allegedly took is not one that is recommended nor well used. It would appear they did part of the HC trail then followed the river to the more difficult SL trail - that’s why it’s hard to believe they would attempt such an undertaking.

 

[Pumphouse363]

Why would people hike down that trail to conduct some kind of drug deal? I've just never heard of such a thing, it adds so much risk and work to a transaction that only takes a few minutes.
If the theory is they walked up on an illegal pot farm, where is the farm? That's not something that can be broken down quickly and carted out that trail. The plants would be quite big, 5 feet to as much as 10 feet and bushy, but not yet ready to harvest in August, they would be useless until they form buds in the fall. There would have to be a water system built to divert water from the river which is at the bottom of the canyon so they would need a pump and fuel. From the looks of the environment, they would need to carry in soil, 100 gallon bags, or more, for each plant to grow in.
Also, tents, food, water, and supplies for the workers who live there to protect it.
Wouldn't the cops have found it by now?
I don't doubt there are illegal grows in that county but that location would sure be a difficult one, and risky to set up on a hiking trail open to the public.

I understand what you’re saying but illegal grows are not the only drugs. There are others far less risky and easier to conceal. The trails are remote at this time of year so pretty safe from LE - who knows what weirdos are lurking there?

 

[Coppertop15]

I’m not familiar with Android phones - can you unlock them with a fingerprint like iPhones? The warrant should cover that. Fingerprints may not work at this point, though. Yes, a dead person can unlock an iPhone - if detectives act fast | wtsp.com

“A study done in 2016 at Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that both iris and fingerprint biometric data could be obtained from bodies up to four days after death in warmer seasons and for as many as 50 days in winter.”

I have a Google Pixel, and it has fingerprint unlocking.

 

[Pumphouse363]

So, as I understand your thesis>>> They didn't intend to take the entire loop back up SL, but were *compelled* to do so as a result of some threat... a mountain lion (for example) or possibly something nefarious. That's certainly within the realm of possibilities, but in my humble opinion not likely. It's also a scenario that will be very difficult to confirm. In all probability, LE will arrive at a conclusion by EXCLUSION so that the only probable cause remaining will be heat stroke, leaving us all to ponder the *WHY* (the entire loop). Just MOO.

I find it much easier to accept that they had ‘no choice’ in taking that route than I have of accepting they planned to do it. In all probability they died from heat stroke but I will never believe it was an error of judgement on their part. I can’t! MOO

 

[Parsnip]

I find it much easier to accept that they had ‘no choice’ in taking that route than I have of accepting they planned to do it. In all probability they died from heat stroke but I will never believe it was an error of judgement on their part. I can’t! MOO

This is a poignant post, @Pumphouse363. Again, so very sorry for your great loss.

 

[moonriverfarm]

@Pumphouse363, what do you make of Jonathan being found sitting up?

 

[MrsEmmaPeel]

In the 2007 local adventure story I posted a while back and will repost again, the writer mentions that the trail down to the river accommodates 4-wheel drive vehicles. He encounters two men camping at the river, who drive up the trail in their Jeep. I would assume LE would see tracks if a vehicle had travelled the path recently. But that's one scenario I haven't heard discussed, and it would be interesting to ask LE that question. Imagine if nefarious individuals encountered the family on the way down, and like @Pumphouse363 has written, they feared going up the same way, or individuals drove the family down to the river against their will and dropped them off. I realize this is grasping at straws but had to toss it out. Perhaps someone here knows if vehicles are still allowed on the HC and SC trails. IMO the family died from heat-exhaustion, but it's hard to imagine why they set forth on a trail for a Sunday outing that locals will not set foot on in July and August.