In a press conference on Thursday, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed thatJohn Gerrish, Ellen Chung and their 1-year-old daughter Mijudied of hyperthermia and probable dehydration. Their 8-year-old dog Oski also suffered a heat-related death, police said.
“For Mariposa County, this is rare,” Sheriff Jeremy Briese told reporters. “This is the first hyperthermia cause of death that I’ve witnessed here in 20 years.”
John Gerrish, Ellen Chung and daughter Muji.Rosanna Heaslett
As authorities worked to determine their cause of death, a portion of a river located near where the family was found wasclosed in September due to toxic algae.
Toxic or harmful algae, also known as blue-green algae, grows in warm, slow-moving and nutrient-filled waters, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When ingested or swam in, toxic algae can cause sickness or death in humans and animals.
During the press conference on Thursday, police said they do not believe the family ingested the water in the area. They also noted how there were no filtration systems with them, but one 85-ounce Camelbak water bottle and a bottle with formula were found near the site.
The water inside those bottles was tested but came back with no toxins and appeared to be clean or tap water, according to police.
The family went on to explain that “the lack of knowledge and certainty as reasons for the death” led them to frequently question the circumstances of the death for “all of the days and all of the nights.”
“Our hearts will never forget the beautiful lives of John, Ellen, Miju and of course, Oski,” the statement finished. “They will remain with us wherever we are and whatever we do.”
Ellen Chung and John Gerrish.Ellen chung/ instagram
When the family was found dead over the summer, officials said Gerrish was discovered in a seated position with Miju and Oski near him, according toThe Washington Post. Meanwhile, Chung was found a ways away from them up a hill, the outlet reported.
The family and their dog reportedly did not have any physical wounds or signs of trauma on their bodies, leading the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office to initiallyrule out exposure to chemicals and use of a gun or another deadly weaponas potential causes of death.
Later that month, authoritiesruled out six more potential causes, including suicide, lightning strike, exposure to carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or cyanide and illegal drugs and alcohol.
John Gerrish, Ellen Chung.Courtesy Steven Jeffe
Prior to their deaths, Gerrish and Chung had moved about 160 miles from their home in San Francisco to Central California during their pandemic, family friend Steve Jeffe toldTheFresno Bee.
The couple made the move after Gerrish, a Silicon Valley software engineer, began working from home, Jeffe said. They wished to raise Miju away from a major city and hoped to trade in the bustle of the San Francisco Bay Area for the calm of nature, he explained.
Gerrish was originally from England, while Chung worked as a yoga instructor before becoming pregnant with their daughter, per theMerced Sun-Star.
source: people.com
