Family found dead on hiking trail: Toxic algae bloom is considered dead on death of Ellen Chung, John Gerrish, baby Miju, dog

COUNTY BUTTERFLY, California. – Investigators are considering whether the flowering of toxic algae or other hazards may have contributed to the deaths of a Northern California couple, their baby and the family’s dog on a remote hiking trail, authorities said .

The area of ​​Sierra’s national forest where the bodies were found on Tuesday had been treated as a dangerous place after worries that the deaths were related to potentially toxic gases from nearby nearby mines.

But the Hazmat statement was withdrawn Wednesday and Butterfly County Sheriff Jeremy Briese said he did not believe the mines were a factor, Fresno Bee reported Thursday.

“This is a unique and unusual situation,” said Kristie Mitchell, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office. “There were no signs of trauma or any obvious cause of death. There was no note of suicide.”

John Gerrish, his wife, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter, Miju, and their dog were found dead on a hiking trail near Hite’s Cove in the Sierra National Forest. A family friend had reported their disappearance to them on Monday evening.

The area around Hite’s Cove was the site of a hard rock gold mining in the mid-19th century.

The bodies were taken to the coroner’s office in Mariposa for autopsies and toxicology tests, Mitchell said.

The State Board of Water Resources Control said Thursday it was testing waterways in the area to detect if there are toxic algae.

The couple was known to be an avid hiker. His friend, Mariposa real estate agent Sidney Radanovich, said Gerrish was a San Francisco-based software designer who, with his wife, “fell in love with the Mariposa area” and bought several houses, a residence for them and rental investments.

“They were such a loving couple. They loved each other quite a bit,” Radanovich told the San Francisco Chronicle. “She loved showing the baby all sorts of things and explaining them to him.”

The sheriff’s office was investigating the deaths along with the California Department of Justice.

Sheriff Jeremy Briese said chaplains and staff were advising family members.

“My heart breaks for his family,” he said.

The remote area where the bodies were found had no cell phone service, Mitchell said. The hiking trail ran through a wooded area known especially in the spring with spectacular displays of wildflowers.