What happened to a family of three found dead in a national forest remains a mystery.
Crews battling the Dixie Fire in Northern California are putting numerous resources into the Susanville area, a city of about 18,000. The blaze is the largest of nearly 100 major wildfires burning across a dozen Western states. A Northern California family reported missing on Monday was found dead in a remote area of the Sierra National Forest, according to the local sheriff's office.
Around 11 p.m. Monday, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office began a search and rescue mission after John Gerrish, Ellen Chung and their 1-year-old daughter, Muji, were reported missing. Sheriff's spokesperson Kristie Mitchell told USA TODAY investigators are considering various possible causes including toxic algae reported in the nearby Merced River and poisonous gases from nearby abandoned mines. The autopsy did rule out blunt force trauma and gunshot wounds, Mitchell said. Although rattlesnake bites are still being considered as a cause, Mitchell said it's unlikely because no physical evidence was found.
Search teams located the family's vehicle near the Sierra National Forest gate leading into an area known as Hites Cove. Shortly after, the search teams found the family, along with their dog, dead near the Merced River drainage in an area known as Devil's Gulch. “This is never the outcome we want or the news we want to deliver; my heart breaks for their family. Our Sheriff’s Chaplains and staff are working with their family and will continue to support them during this heartbreaking time,”A family reported missing in Mariposa County late Monday was found dead, according to the Sheriff's Office.
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