What happened to this California family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I didn’t know the family but know someone who does, and she said they were a sweet family. I don’t know anything about the family or their timeline. But for cultural context, Burning Man, integral psychology, getting married after pregnancy/baby… none of these are a big deal at all in the Bay Area and are barely even fringe they’re so common. So the people spinning off theories about murder/suicide are really reaching.

I agree. But as far as what people say, idk. Because people do not meet new friends and discuss their personal feelings and state of mind.
I once spent an entire day with a guy friend. His wife took their little boys to a carnival & he didn’t want to attend because she was going with another boy mom. That evening we were hosting a large field party and the couple had a sitter lined up for after the carnival. I last saw my friend at 4:30. At 6:30 i drive back to help prepare for our bash. Traffic was stopped for miles and miles. I eventually was directed to turn around, so I headed back home. This was a very rural setting so one way in/out to the field. As I drove home my phone was exploding. My friend had shot himself in the head at 5pm. His wife and kids found him upon returning from the school carnival. I never understood what was wrong. I knew them for years, they were a good looking couple with a brand new house, twin boys, great careers and appeared to be the perfect all American family.
When I got to their house that morning, the wife was still getting ready and her husband was sitting under a huge tree reading Bible verses to the twins. He went trail riding with a huge group of us regular trail riders. No one noticed a thing. He talked, laughed, seemed eager for the party that evening, had ordered a new truck and seemed excited for its arrival, talked about building a barn and getting horses for his family, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My theory is they took recreational drugs before the hike. They were bad and the hike and the heat didn’t help. They died and the baby and dog died from heat exposure.

I'm not saying that what's referenced below is what occurred with this family; however I remember a scenario very similar to the one you described happening some years back.

A young couple doing meth, was driving their car during a really bad snow storm in Nebraska, eventually, they'd found themselves lost, so they called 911 several times for help.

When the 911 dispatcher asked where they were, all they could tell them about their location was that there were cars hanging in trees and there were hundreds of Mexicans and African Americans in cult clothing walking around, and they spoke no English and wouldn't help them (even though they begged for help).

Obviously they were disoriented & hallucinating, as a result of the drugs.

This was the time before phone locator apps, and their 911 calls (5 in all, I believe) had bounced off of different cell site towers, making it impossible to accurately trace their whereabouts -- and with the couple not being able to give them a reliable landmark of where they were, they had nothing to go on and didn't know where to accurately look for them.
So dozens of police just drove everywhere they thought they might be.

Authorities didn't find their car until a few days later, and their bodies were located outside, in the elements, in different locations from one another, and they found them 5 days apart from one another... obviously frozen to death.

Investigators concluded later, that the reason the "people" they encountered (who didn't speak English) wouldn't help them, even though they begged, was because those people weren't people at all, they were actually cows. 😕

911 operators from 3 different counties were assisting in the search -- they said they felt sick with grief when they heard where they were found (the couple inexplicably left the relative safety of their vehicle, leaving behind critical/crucial items, that could've help keep them alive).

* Read ALL the way to the end of the article, as there are some similar parallels your above theory.

** The 911 calls from this couple can be found on YouTube.

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Primetime/story?id=549455&page=1

I think it's the most plausible situation. If Mariposa has a fentanyl problem they may of innocently bought marijuana and didn't know it was laced with it. Clearly there was some interest in Burning Man and DJing/clubs I wouldn't be surprised if they were into marijuana especially given this is CA. The smoked or ingested it and went on a hike for a "day trip" and collapsed dead leaving the baby and dog to die in the heat. I don't think anything nefarious or murderous happened other than a terrible tragedy befalling this family. Here is a post about the local sheriff warning the public about fentanyl being found in marijuana: https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/1907501/mariposa-sheriff-warning-public-of-fentanyl-found-in-drugs.html

Bingo! From another earlier post..

"There will be at least two tox’ analysis by two different labs, most likely in different states. Say carfentanil is found in all 4, by both labs. The next step is to basically start over and determine the amount found in each person.

Also, synthetic drugs can be difficult to pinpoint as the labs need a “comparison” drug.

Think back to celebrity overdoses resulting in death. In some cases it took a very long time to get confirmation even though cause of death was pretty obvious to the ME.

Clearly drugs or some type of substance killed them, hence the FBI and other LEs involvement. They’re trying to determine where the deadly agent was obtained and by whom.

When one dies from HS, there really is no point in interviewing contacts..."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was Gerrish rich/high income? Sure seems that way with the multiple properties, non-working spouse, nanny, etc.

Why does it matter?

Trying to figure out why they married since they seem pretty incompatible.

He worked in the tech industry and evidently was a very savvy investor as he purchased several moderately priced homes, most recently in Mariposa.

I know nothing of their compatibility. Looks like they had some fun times, for sure.

[Anonymous]

For those saying drugs, how on earth do you think these drugs would end up in the baby and dog?

Does anyone know if either the mom or dad tried tried calling or texting for help on their cell phones before they died? Even if there’s no signal, I’d imagine their phones would have a Call History showing what calls or texts they tried to make before they died.

If they were in a healthy frame of mind when they first got into distress, I would hope they at least attempted to call for help. And I certainly hope they didn’t leave their cell phones in the hot car or at home. Of going on a long hot hike with a baby, they should have both taken their cell in case of emergency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I didn’t know the family but know someone who does, and she said they were a sweet family. I don’t know anything about the family or their timeline. But for cultural context, Burning Man, integral psychology, getting married after pregnancy/baby… none of these are a big deal at all in the Bay Area and are barely even fringe they’re so common. So the people spinning off theories about murder/suicide are really reaching.

I agree. But as far as what people say, idk. Because people do not meet new friends and discuss their personal feelings and state of mind.
I once spent an entire day with a guy friend. His wife took their little boys to a carnival & he didn’t want to attend because she was going with another boy mom. That evening we were hosting a large field party and the couple had a sitter lined up for after the carnival. I last saw my friend at 4:30. At 6:30 i drive back to help prepare for our bash. Traffic was stopped for miles and miles. I eventually was directed to turn around, so I headed back home. This was a very rural setting so one way in/out to the field. As I drove home my phone was exploding. My friend had shot himself in the head at 5pm. His wife and kids found him upon returning from the school carnival. I never understood what was wrong. I knew them for years, they were a good looking couple with a brand new house, twin boys, great careers and appeared to be the perfect all American family.
When I got to their house that morning, the wife was still getting ready and her husband was sitting under a huge tree reading Bible verses to the twins. He went trail riding with a huge group of us regular trail riders. No one noticed a thing. He talked, laughed, seemed eager for the party that evening, had ordered a new truck and seemed excited for its arrival, talked about building a barn and getting horses for his family, etc.

Omg this is terrible do people
Know what happened did he leave a note at all
Or anything?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those saying drugs, how on earth do you think these drugs would end up in the baby and dog?

Does anyone know if either the mom or dad tried tried calling or texting for help on their cell phones before they died? Even if there’s no signal, I’d imagine their phones would have a Call History showing what calls or texts they tried to make before they died.

If they were in a healthy frame of mind when they first got into distress, I would hope they at least attempted to call for help. And I certainly hope they didn’t leave their cell phones in the hot car or at home. Of going on a long hot hike with a baby, they should have both taken their cell in case of emergency.

Drinking water is the obvious answer to your first question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I didn’t know the family but know someone who does, and she said they were a sweet family. I don’t know anything about the family or their timeline. But for cultural context, Burning Man, integral psychology, getting married after pregnancy/baby… none of these are a big deal at all in the Bay Area and are barely even fringe they’re so common. So the people spinning off theories about murder/suicide are really reaching.

We only know what someone shows us. I have friends of 30 years that would be shocked by some of my secrets.
There really is nothing to say about a person that has been kind to us other than the usual things we hear in every case.
Even Chris Watts had family praising him. Go figure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I didn’t know the family but know someone who does, and she said they were a sweet family. I don’t know anything about the family or their timeline. But for cultural context, Burning Man, integral psychology, getting married after pregnancy/baby… none of these are a big deal at all in the Bay Area and are barely even fringe they’re so common. So the people spinning off theories about murder/suicide are really reaching.

I agree. But as far as what people say, idk. Because people do not meet new friends and discuss their personal feelings and state of mind.
I once spent an entire day with a guy friend. His wife took their little boys to a carnival & he didn’t want to attend because she was going with another boy mom. That evening we were hosting a large field party and the couple had a sitter lined up for after the carnival. I last saw my friend at 4:30. At 6:30 i drive back to help prepare for our bash. Traffic was stopped for miles and miles. I eventually was directed to turn around, so I headed back home. This was a very rural setting so one way in/out to the field. As I drove home my phone was exploding. My friend had shot himself in the head at 5pm. His wife and kids found him upon returning from the school carnival. I never understood what was wrong. I knew them for years, they were a good looking couple with a brand new house, twin boys, great careers and appeared to be the perfect all American family.
When I got to their house that morning, the wife was still getting ready and her husband was sitting under a huge tree reading Bible verses to the twins. He went trail riding with a huge group of us regular trail riders. No one noticed a thing. He talked, laughed, seemed eager for the party that evening, had ordered a new truck and seemed excited for its arrival, talked about building a barn and getting horses for his family, etc.

Omg this is terrible do people
Know what happened did he leave a note at all
Or anything?

No. Nothing.
I only shared this because it really brings home the fact we can never know what’s going on in someone’s head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I didn’t know the family but know someone who does, and she said they were a sweet family. I don’t know anything about the family or their timeline. But for cultural context, Burning Man, integral psychology, getting married after pregnancy/baby… none of these are a big deal at all in the Bay Area and are barely even fringe they’re so common. So the people spinning off theories about murder/suicide are really reaching.

I agree. But as far as what people say, idk. Because people do not meet new friends and discuss their personal feelings and state of mind.
I once spent an entire day with a guy friend. His wife took their little boys to a carnival & he didn’t want to attend because she was going with another boy mom. That evening we were hosting a large field party and the couple had a sitter lined up for after the carnival. I last saw my friend at 4:30. At 6:30 i drive back to help prepare for our bash. Traffic was stopped for miles and miles. I eventually was directed to turn around, so I headed back home. This was a very rural setting so one way in/out to the field. As I drove home my phone was exploding. My friend had shot himself in the head at 5pm. His wife and kids found him upon returning from the school carnival. I never understood what was wrong. I knew them for years, they were a good looking couple with a brand new house, twin boys, great careers and appeared to be the perfect all American family.
When I got to their house that morning, the wife was still getting ready and her husband was sitting under a huge tree reading Bible verses to the twins. He went trail riding with a huge group of us regular trail riders. No one noticed a thing. He talked, laughed, seemed eager for the party that evening, had ordered a new truck and seemed excited for its arrival, talked about building a barn and getting horses for his family, etc.

Omg this is terrible do people
Know what happened did he leave a note at all
Or anything?

No. Nothing.
I only shared this because it really brings home the fact we can never know what’s going on in someone’s head.

Yes and your friend’s husband who killed him self (very sorry btw) is that no one was saying, well he was straight/white/a father/etc as a sign of being nefarious and of ill repute like they are with the couple being Burners/yoga/untraditional etc. If it was a case of murder/suicide, it’s not because of those things because all those things are pretty standard for the Bay Area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those saying drugs, how on earth do you think these drugs would end up in the baby and dog?

Does anyone know if either the mom or dad tried tried calling or texting for help on their cell phones before they died? Even if there’s no signal, I’d imagine their phones would have a Call History showing what calls or texts they tried to make before they died.

If they were in a healthy frame of mind when they first got into distress, I would hope they at least attempted to call for help. And I certainly hope they didn’t leave their cell phones in the hot car or at home. Of going on a long hot hike with a baby, they should have both taken their cell in case of emergency.

Cellphones tend to not work in parks like this. The idea is the parents died within minutes of each other due to a bad drug exposure and the baby and dog died of the heat that hit up to 109 degrees that day.

[Anonymous]

Aren’t there pretty obvious physical signs of heat death? Not to be graphic…

[Anonymous]

Dumb question but how did everyone find Ellen’s Instagram before it was shut down? I’ve been following the story since the beginning and had tried to find it and couldn’t. Just curious- I know it’s private/locked now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aren’t there pretty obvious physical signs of heat death? Not to be graphic…

Only if the body is found very soon. The bodies were presumably outdoors from Sunday until Wednesday in hot dry weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I didn’t know the family but know someone who does, and she said they were a sweet family. I don’t know anything about the family or their timeline. But for cultural context, Burning Man, integral psychology, getting married after pregnancy/baby… none of these are a big deal at all in the Bay Area and are barely even fringe they’re so common. So the people spinning off theories about murder/suicide are really reaching.

I agree. But as far as what people say, idk. Because people do not meet new friends and discuss their personal feelings and state of mind.
I once spent an entire day with a guy friend. His wife took their little boys to a carnival & he didn’t want to attend because she was going with another boy mom. That evening we were hosting a large field party and the couple had a sitter lined up for after the carnival. I last saw my friend at 4:30. At 6:30 i drive back to help prepare for our bash. Traffic was stopped for miles and miles. I eventually was directed to turn around, so I headed back home. This was a very rural setting so one way in/out to the field. As I drove home my phone was exploding. My friend had shot himself in the head at 5pm. His wife and kids found him upon returning from the school carnival. I never understood what was wrong. I knew them for years, they were a good looking couple with a brand new house, twin boys, great careers and appeared to be the perfect all American family.
When I got to their house that morning, the wife was still getting ready and her husband was sitting under a huge tree reading Bible verses to the twins. He went trail riding with a huge group of us regular trail riders. No one noticed a thing. He talked, laughed, seemed eager for the party that evening, had ordered a new truck and seemed excited for its arrival, talked about building a barn and getting horses for his family, etc.

Omg this is terrible do people
Know what happened did he leave a note at all
Or anything?

No. Nothing.
I only shared this because it really brings home the fact we can never know what’s going on in someone’s head.

Yes and your friend’s husband who killed him self (very sorry btw) is that no one was saying, well he was straight/white/a father/etc as a sign of being nefarious and of ill repute like they are with the couple being Burners/yoga/untraditional etc. If it was a case of murder/suicide, it’s not because of those things because all those things are pretty standard for the Bay Area.

His case didn’t make national news, so a big dif’. And, he wasn’t missing. But, everyone, including myself, said “omg, can’t believe it…”. You know, “of all people, never thought…”. What’s weird is that they ended up moving right across from a farm I kept my horses on, they loved to ride, they quickly made a lot of new friends. We let them ride our horses and would see them daily. Absolutely NO signs of trouble. But, in retrospect I don’t think anyone would ride up and say “btw, life sucks, I’m thinking of putting a bullet in my head.” I suppose some people “hurt” deep inside and don’t want to tell anyone. I’d probably be the same.
Once, my husband and I had to relocate for one year for his job (he was plant mgr of a very large manufacturing plant) to oversee the closing of a plant. I hated every second of our temporary move. I felt out of place, had no friends, people were busy with life. When we did socialize it was corporate functions, mainly. I NEVER expressed how much I disliked the town. I didn’t know our dinner companions well enough to be my true self. Luckily we were not in pandemic mode so I could shop and get out. It still sucked though. Moving wasn’t the problem, we’ve moved many times. It was where we got sent that sucked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aren’t there pretty obvious physical signs of heat death? Not to be graphic…

Only if the body is found very soon. The bodies were presumably outdoors from Sunday until Wednesday in hot dry weather.

I’ve read that it would be very unlikely for seasoned pathologists to NO.to find signs in one of 3. Some things don’t need test results to be diagnosed. Experts know but until they have test results, they won’t make an official announcement.

Kind of like going to the dentist with an abscess. He knows by looking but still performs an X-ray.