CA - Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, daughter, 1 & dog, suspicious death hiking area, Aug 2021 #5

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Wouldn't the GC car have been parked in such a way it led LE to HCT OHV? The parking area appears to be dirt. Surely footprints led to one trail or the other, from unloading activity outside the car. Lots of scuffling then prints leading off clearly?

As far as foul play, nothing would surprise me about Mariposa. I, for one, would not feel safe in those woods. I tried to live in Mendocino and lasted a month. But I'm a scaredy cat and some things about civilization I like

 

[Lex Parsimoniae]

I am *not* saying this involved suicide, but it’s confusing to me that they ruled out suicide and not homicide. The only difference between homicide and suicide is intent, and I imagine that’s very hard to evaluate. With a gun shot, they can look at trajectory, etc., and conclude homicide not suicide, but any viable homicide theory in this case would likely involve poison - and how can you determine how that was administered so as to rule out suicide but not homicide?

IMO, MOO, the fact that they haven’t released tox on the water they were carrying (even to say “it’s clear - it’s ruled out”) makes me suspect that is involved in the COD.

Water testing typically takes 4-6 weeks, and it has been nearly 8 weeks. If the results are unremarkable, why not release them? How long does testing take?

The sheriff knows a lot more than he has revealed to us. He has flat out said that he is putting the families first. When he publicly says that he has ruled out suicide, that is surely a comfort to the family, who have had to endure many unfounded and improbable theories about the demise of their loved ones. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he told them he had ruled out suicide, and they asked him to make that public, as it is so hurtful to have people suggesting that this tragedy was purposeful. MOO

 

[rahod1]

@Pumphouse363: I agree - it doesn't make sense to me still either. Despite all my research efforts, I still can't fathom why the family was anywhere near those trails on that day. And this is why I believe there remains a possibility of this being a homicide case, whereby members of the family were sadly victims to foul play.

All IMO!

MOO>> The odds of this are essentially ZERO for me. There there would be evidence of trauma of some sort. I doubt the perpetrators would resort to exotic poisoning . Also, in most cases, there is some attempt to dispose/hide the bodies. MOTIVE is another thing that requires a high degree of speculation. It's tempting to try and find some extraneous explanation when you can't accept what seems patently obvious. I'll be honest, when I first heard of this tragedy >>>WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT HAPPENED<<< I was stunned and thought it must have been a suicide! It simply couldn't happen to a family all at once on a typical hike. I soon learned THIS HIKE WAS NOT TYPICAL. MOO

 

[Yvettea]

It’s my opinion too >>THIS HIKE WAS NOT TYPICAL

Thankfully Sheriff Briese handled things rigorously from the start investigating the many possibilities for the tragic conclusion.

The friends and family will need more than condolences to recover from the loss an entire family.

It’s heartbreaking.

 

[Pumphouse363]

The original missing person report said that the family had been missing since Saturday. If, as stated in the report, Ellen uploaded a photo of the backpack on Sunday at 6.45am why didn’t she take her cellphone on the alleged hike?
Entire family reported missing, later found dead in Mariposa County

 

[minazoe]

The original missing person report said that the family had been missing since Saturday. If, as stated in the report, Ellen uploaded a photo of the backpack on Sunday at 6.45am why didn’t she take her cellphone on the alleged hike?
Entire family reported missing, later found dead in Mariposa County

perhaps because he had a phone? it just doesn't seem right though does it? I mean even if no service..for the car ride etc..in case someone needs to reach you? in case one gets lost? maybe she forgot it...

everything about this refutes all we know about them.

mOO

 

[Lexiintoronto]

The original missing person report said that the family had been missing since Saturday. If, as stated in the report, Ellen uploaded a photo of the backpack on Sunday at 6.45am why didn’t she take her cellphone on the alleged hike?
Entire family reported missing, later found dead in Mariposa County

Some of the early articles have outdated information, in my view.

LE has officially said, since that article was published, that the last known sighting was on Sunday—so that report is either inaccurate or it’s based on when the person who filed the missing report last had contact with them, possibly unaware of anything that occurred with the family on Sunday.

I haven’t read how EC’s photo was uploaded or where/if her phone was found/what her habits were with her phone when she went hiking (maybe she carried a camera, for example.)

 

[Pumphouse363]

perhaps because he had a phone? it just doesn't seem right though does it? I mean even if no service..for the car ride etc..in case someone needs to reach you? in case one gets lost? maybe she forgot it...

everything about this refutes all we know about them.

mOO

I just think it odd to have your phone, take a pic of a backpack with it, and then not take the phone with me. Everyone takes their phone everywhere! I don’t think I’ve seen anyone (under 40) in recent years without a mobile device in their hand or in their ears.

 

[Pumphouse363]

Some of the early articles have outdated information, in my view.

LE has officially said, since that article was published, that the last known sighting was on Sunday—so that report is either inaccurate or it’s based on when the person who filed the missing report last had contact with them, possibly unaware of anything that occurred with the family on Sunday.

I haven’t read how EC’s photo was uploaded or where/if her phone was found/what her habits were with her phone when she went hiking (maybe she carried a camera, for example.)

Yes I think you’re right - but the last known ‘sighting’ was of the vehicle not the people inside afaik
There is no information about friends, relatives, colleagues, neighbours or workforce speaking or talking to them except for the comment in the missing person appeal saying they had been missing since Saturday. Surely that would have been been reported if they had? I don’t believe that’s confidential information?
Photos to social media are usually posted using a mobile device so I think it’s fair to assume that’s what she would have done. She may have carried a camera but that hasn’t been stated anywhere. MOO

 

[Yvettea]

I just think it odd to have your phone, take a pic of a backpack with it, and then not take the phone with me. Everyone takes their phone everywhere! I don’t think I’ve seen anyone (under 40) in recent years without a mobile device in their hand or in their ears.

Yes, it must seem odd. It all feels so difficult to believe. It becomes more difficult IMO when OP have an explanation for everything instead of validating what you think.

 

[Yvettea]

The original missing person report said that the family had been missing since Saturday. If, as stated in the report, Ellen uploaded a photo of the backpack on Sunday at 6.45am why didn’t she take her cellphone on the alleged hike?
Entire family reported missing, later found dead in Mariposa County

Thank you. I don’t believe I saw this early article. It puts things in a slightly different light.

 

[Pumphouse363]

Yes, it must seem odd. It all feels so difficult to believe. It becomes more difficult IMO when OP have an explanation for everything instead of validating what you think.

I think it’s great if the explanation is viable. It’s when the explanation (and speculation) is based on so little actual evidence that makes it difficult. IMO

 

[Yvettea]

There seems to be so little to go on.

 

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Either Jon and Ellen chose to venture into this area against all reason. Or they were kidnapped and transported to the trail on a hot day in a diabolical murder plot to simulate death by heatstroke that is way smarter than the best Hollywood script writers.

Sadly, life is unfair and mysteries abound. Nothing changes the fact that they chose to go to this area with dog and baby in dangerous heat. An entire thread later, and this is still the same issue.

 

[Pumphouse363]

Either Jon and Ellen chose to venture into this area against all reason. Or they were kidnapped and transported to the trail on a hot day in a diabolical murder plot to simulate death by heatstroke that is way smarter than the best Hollywood script writers.

Sadly, life is unfair and mysteries abound. Nothing changes the fact that they chose to go to this area with dog and baby in dangerous heat. An entire thread later, and this is still the same issue.

Sad to say I think you’re right - except, I believe, the truth is often stranger than fiction.

 

[Lexiintoronto]

Yes I think you’re right - but the last known ‘sighting’ was of the vehicle not the people inside afaik
There is no information about friends, relatives, colleagues, neighbours or workforce speaking or talking to them except for the comment in the missing person appeal saying they had been missing since Saturday. Surely that would have been been reported if they had? I don’t believe that’s confidential information?
Photos to social media are usually posted using a mobile device so I think it’s fair to assume that’s what she would have done. She may have carried a camera but that hasn’t been stated anywhere. MOO

BBM If they went for an early-morning Sunday hike in an area out of cell-service range, I wouldn’t expect much contact to people they knew. I think only very basic details have been released by LE and they may not release much more, imo. My guess is that they have volumes of information by now.

6:45 am is the last known contact, but other than it being uploaded, we don’t know the context. (Per MSM/LE)

 

[IceIce9]

I just think it odd to have your phone, take a pic of a backpack with it, and then not take the phone with me. Everyone takes their phone everywhere! I don’t think I’ve seen anyone (under 40) in recent years without a mobile device in their hand or in their ears.

Often people do not take their phones on hikes, especially when they know they won’t have cell service.

Also, it is not wise to leave phones or valuables in your car if you are parked at a trailhead or parking lot near a trail. These sites are notorious for car break ins, as criminals know people who park will likely be gone for hours.

The hike I took over the weekend had signs posted in the parking lot and also just before entering the trail warning not to leave valuables in vehicles.

We don’t even lock our vehicle because we don’t leave anything in it and we don’t want anyone to damage it breaking in.

 

[IceIce9]

I just think it odd to have your phone, take a pic of a backpack with it, and then not take the phone with me. Everyone takes their phone everywhere! I don’t think I’ve seen anyone (under 40) in recent years without a mobile device in their hand or in their ears.

Often people do not take their phones an hikes, especially when they know they won’t have cell service.

Also, it is not wise to leave phones or valuables in your car if you are parked at a trailhead or parking lot near a trail. These sites are notorious for car break ins, as criminals know people park and will likely be gone for hours.

The hike I took over the weekend had signs posted in the parking lot and also just before entering the trail warning not to leave valuables in vehicles.

We don’t even lock our vehicle because we don’t leave anything in it and we don’t want anyone to damage it breaking in.

 

[minazoe]

I can't see them being forced onto the trail without there being footprints indicating this unless footprints aren't that good out there? dusty hard earth? I don't know.. it's draught maybe everything just blows off...mOO

 

[Pumphouse363]

BBM If they went for an early-morning Sunday hike in an area out of cell-service range, I wouldn’t expect much contact to people they knew. I think only very basic details have been released by LE and they may not release much more, imo. My guess is that they have volumes of information by now.

6:45 am is the last known contact, but other than it being uploaded, we don’t know the context. (Per MSM/LE)

Hi there - I meant that, usually, in missing person situations, there are quotes or details of the last people they spoke to. For example, if the last time they were seen was Saturday, who actually spoke to them or saw them? I hope they have got volumes of information but, if they have, they’re giving very little of it to the general public. A picture of a backpack and a sighting of the vehicle doesn’t really seem to be much evidence. IMO