Ellen Chung and John Gerrish.Photo: Ellen chung/ instagram
Officials still don’t know what caused the mysterious deaths of a family of three who werefound deadlast week near a remote hiking trail in California.
It’s been almost a week now since the bodies of Mariposa residents John Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter Miju, and their dog were discovered in the Sierra National Forest on Aug. 17, a day after they were reported missing.
At the time, the sheriff’s office said the scene did “not indicate a clear picture of what occurred” — and aninitial autopsy yielded no answers.
“Coming across a scene where everyone involved, including the family dog that is deceased, that is not a typical thing that we have seen or other agencies have seen,” Mariposa County Sheriff’s deputy Kristie Mitchell previously told theFresno Bee.
Although officials initially announced that they weretreating the scene as a possible hazmat situation, the declaration was lifted on Wednesday.
John Gerrish, Ellen Chung and daughter Muji.Rosanna Heaslett
As the investigation continues, officials will be looking into a variety of possibilities.
“Investigators have considered whether toxic gasses,toxic algaeand carbon monoxide from abandoned mines near [the] area may have contributed to the deaths,” Mariposa County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Kristie Mitchell previously toldFoxNews, noting that there were no physical wounds, signs of trauma or suicide notes to indicate their deaths were intentional.
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“We’re not focusing on one specific cause at this point. There’s just still so many that we can’t rule out,” Mitchell added. “I think it’s going to be a very long and in depth, thorough investigation because it isn’t as clear cut as what some cases are.”
The Mariposa County Coroner is also awaiting toxicology results from the bodies, which could take a few weeks. Additionally, a necropsy on the family dog is being conducted, Mitchell confirmed toCNN.
source: people.com
