Macabre Mysteries: Family's Death Hiking Near Yosemite Is Shrouded In Mystery

Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter, Miju, and the family dog, Oski, were all found dead on Aug. 17. The authorities had no explanation for their deaths but closed off trails near where their bodies were found.

Jonathan Gerrish, his wife Ellen Chung, their new 1 year old daughter Miju, and the family dog, Oski went on a casual day hike on August 15th…their bodies were found on August 17th, together, with no apparent evidence of foul play.

What could have happened?

The couple was no stranger to exciting places or activities, they hiked the Himalayas, traversed the Gobi Desert and even did Burning Man, so a simple hike in the mountains above Mariposa, California should have been a literal “walk in the park.”

More than two weeks later, investigators are still confounded by what caused their deaths. Teams in hazmat suits had already combed the area for clues. On Saturday, the U.S. Forest Service closed trails and recreation sites near where the bodies were found.

The Forest Service had previously posted warning signs about potentially toxic algae blooms in the area. The agency said it had taken the step to “protect the public from unknown hazards.”

Initial autopsy results have provided no answers to the authorities. Investigators said that there were no signs of trauma and that they were investigating possible lightning strikes in the area.

A spokeswoman for the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office said in an email on Wednesday that there were no new updates in the investigation.

Even the local law enforcement are completely confounded.

Sheriff Jeremy Briese said that he had never encountered such a mysterious case.

“It’s frustrating, and we’re not going to rest,” Sheriff Briese said. “Our biggest mission is safety, but also the family and bringing closure, and being able to support them through this tragic time.”

On Aug. 19, the California State Water Resources Control Board, using a water quality reporting map on its website, warned the public to “stay away from algae and scum in the water” near the south fork of the Merced River in the Sierra National Forest.

An incident description said that the agency had received a report of a “suspected illness” in the area. The warning previously made reference to a fatality, but was changed to say illness, The Bee reported.

“Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore,” the warning said. “Keep children away from algae. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody.”

To all the world the family seemed happy and content, could some algae be the culprit behind a tragedy?