- A family of 3 was found dead on a day hike in California in August with no apparent cause of death.
- Two months later, officials said the family had died of extreme heat and dehydration.
- Newly released phone records show the family realized they were in danger and tried calling for help.
Police released new details Thursday about a family of three who died of extreme heat and dehydration while hiking in Northern California last summer in an unusual case that initially mystified officials.
The bodies of John Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter, Miju, and their dog, Oski, were found in Sierra National Forest on August 17. The Mariposa County Sheriff's Department said at the time there was no clear cause of death. Two months later, officials said the family had died of "hyperthermia," or an overheated body, and "probable dehydration."
In a statement provided to Insider on Thursday, the sheriff's department released phone records from the hike, including attempted calls and photo timestamps, that show the family realized they were in danger and tried calling for help.
On the morning of the hike, estimated temperatures were around 76 degrees Fahrenheit at the parking area where they left their car and set off on foot. After hiking about 4 miles, the family reached an area where temperatures exceeded 100 degrees, before continuing on to a steep section of trail that had no shade.
The first photo noted by police was taken near the trailhead at 7:44 a.m. The couple continued to periodically take photos, including family selfies at around 10 a.m. and a photo of a creek around 10:30 a.m., according to police.
The first signal of distress in their phone records came at 11:56 a.m., when they tried sending a text for help. Because of a lack of cell service, the text never sent.
"Can you help us," the text said, according to police. "On savage lundy trail heading back to Hites cove trail. No water or ver (over) heating with baby."
They also tried making a call at 12:09 p.m., and four more calls back-to-back starting at 12:35 a.m., but none of the calls went through. Police said the couple did not try calling 911.
All cell phones can call 911, even without service or if the phone is not enrolled in a wireless plan. However in such cases the caller's location will not be delivered to the 911 call center and if the call is disconnected the call center will not be able to call back.
The call attempts were made near where the bodies were found, around 1.6 miles away from where their car was parked. The family had hiked around 6 miles of the loop trail.
"The cell phone data results were the last thing both the family and detectives were waiting on. The extracted information confirms our initial findings," Sheriff Jeremy Briese of the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office said in the statement.
A survival expert previously told Insider that deaths and injuries related to extreme heat and dehydration are more common than many people realize.
"Their deaths are truly a tragedy," Cat Bigney, who has consulted for Bear Grylls and National Geographic, said. "Unfortunately, it happens every year to unprepared adventurers."
