They went out for a walk and were found dead two days later

“This is a very unusual, unique situationthe county sheriff’s office said Mariposa, in California. They evoke the mysterious case of a family and their dog: they went for a walk in nature and two days later, the they found everyone dead in the zone, without clear indications about what happened. Researchers determine the Possible causes.

English John gerrish -lived in the countryside-, his wife Ellen chung, her daughter Miju of 1 year and her pet were found dead on Tuesday August 17 on a hiking trail near Hite Cove in the Sierra National Forest..

“No proof trauma, nor an obvious cause of death. Not a suicide notesaid the Indigenous police spokesperson, Kristie Mitchell. On the site, known for its spectacular views of wildflowers, there was no mobile phone service.

At first it was assumed that the deaths were related to potentially toxic gases of old mines close. For this reason, the authorities have decided to declare this area a “hazardous materials area”.

However, on August 18, this statement was dump. For his part, the police chief Jeremy Briese he told the newspaper Fresno Bee What did not believe that mines were a factor who caused the deaths.

Toxic algae, a possibility

Researchers are examining whether the toxic algae blooms or other dangers could have resulted in the death of everyone. However, Briese argued in this regard: “We are not sure“.

On July 13, the U.S. Forest Service warned on its Facebook account against the presence of these algae in the Merced River, at the height of the path where the bodies were.

“The Sierra Nacional Forest (SNF) would like to inform visitors who like to enjoy this area of ​​the Merced River and the SNF, that they should not enter, swim, or allow their pets to enjoy the water. This is due to the toxic algae that have formed and are present, “they said at the time. It is not known if the family entered the river.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on their website that exposure to these algae can cause “general symptoms of stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea, such as a headache, irritation of the skin, eyes, nose or throat, neurological symptoms (eg, muscle weakness, dizziness) “.

The bodies were taken to the coroner’s office in Mariposa for do autopsies and exams toxicological, Mitchell advised.

“They loved each other a lot”

According to local media, the family went for a walk on Sunday August 15 and planned to return home the same day. A friend of theirs reported missing on Monday afternoon.

Gerrish was a software designer. He and his wife Chung “fell in love with the Mariposa region,” his friend said. Sidney radanovich, and they bought several houses there: a residence for themselves and other properties for rent.

Radanovich proclaimed that the marriage was fascinated Trek.”They were so loving. They loved each other very muchthe woman commented to the newspaper Chronicle of San Francisco “He liked to show his baby all kinds of things and explain them to her.”

“I have been here for 20 years and I’ve never seen a death case like this“said Police Chief Briese in conversation with Fresno Bee. On the other hand, he indicated that they provided psychological assistance to relatives.

With access point information