Update 10.22.21: A cause of death for the Gerrish family has been determined.
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Updated 1 year ago,January 16, 2024
Updates posted to the bottom of this article.
Theres something so tragic about people passing away while adventuring.
John Gerrish and Ellen Chung
This is true because in some cases, predators look for the most vulnerable people to prey on.
Tourists and travelers can be an easy target.
There are also a lot more dangers inherent to life on the road than life safe at home.
They simply are in the places where predators also tend to hang out.
The family were reported missing the previous day.
When the bodies were discovered, no wounds were found and no cause of death could be identified.
The deaths didnt look intentional and there was no suicide note.
Because of this, investigators wore hazmat suits while looking for clues at the scene.
Some of the theories being investigated aretoxic gasses, toxic algae and carbon monoxide from abandoned mines.
Were not focusing on one spec< ific cause at this point.
There’s just still so many that we can’t rule out.
We’ve looked at lighting strikes in the area.
We’ve looked at storms, the weather, animals.
We’re looking at the entire area as a whole."
John Gerrish was from England and was working as a software engineer at Snapchat in Silicon Valley.
Ellen Chung was a graduate student studying to get her masters in marriage and family therapy.
There is no cell service in this area.
The investigation is ongoing.
Autopsies were performed on the family and their dog.
A friend of the familytoldSF Gate:Were all just devastated…
They were really beloved by the people.
A super generous, sweet and loving couple that was devoted to their daughter.
Update 10.22.21:A cause of death for the Gerrish family has been determined.
Police believe that the whole family succumbed to the extreme and unplanned heat of the day.
The familys water bottles were empty.
