What happened to this California family?

[Anonymous]

I think it was the toxic algae that killed them since it is a known hazard in that area. I think they all went in the water to cool off, continued hike, dad sat down because he felt off, put baby down next to him so he wouldn’t drop her (or maybe he did) then they all died. Mom lasted a bit longer and maybe went off to get help but was disoriented then collapsed. Given they went for a hike in such a remote area and no cell service on such a hot day with a baby tells me they are not as experienced in the outdoors as we friends say they are. I think they disregarded the algae signs or didn’t see them. A dog would definitely jump in the water and hey, the water LOOKS fine so lets all get in for a bit.Hazmat warning was lifted so I don’t think it was CO. Don’t think it was murder personally but the remote location gave me pause.

[Anonymous]

Not “we” friends. Typo. I don't know them!

[Anonymous]

I agree with above but really it was a tree branch and the aliens took it with them.

[Anonymous]

Dog jumped into toxic water snd they all died trying to dry him off. People catch rabies because they think their dog is choking and get saliva on themselves. And get rabies.

[Anonymous]

Ie trying to save the dog led to their death unfortunately. My theory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know what kind of dog it was? Probably makes a difference to the heat exhaustion theories. A well fed and hydrated lab is not going to die of heat exhaustion on one mornings hike and would be able to feed itself from a dead man. A Yorkie, maybe not.

There is a picture of the dog in this article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/08/23/mariposa-family-death-mystery/

Looks like a golden to me. There is just absolutely no way a dog lays down and dies like this and poisons work differently on animals than humans so the fact that they all died peacefully make that seem implausible to. Mass asphyxiation would kill them all exactly the same though.

The tongue looks black in the pics. I think it's a lab or shepherd chow mix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it was the toxic algae that killed them since it is a known hazard in that area. I think they all went in the water to cool off, continued hike, dad sat down because he felt off, put baby down next to him so he wouldn’t drop her (or maybe he did) then they all died. Mom lasted a bit longer and maybe went off to get help but was disoriented then collapsed. Given they went for a hike in such a remote area and no cell service on such a hot day with a baby tells me they are not as experienced in the outdoors as we friends say they are. I think they disregarded the algae signs or didn’t see them. A dog would definitely jump in the water and hey, the water LOOKS fine so lets all get in for a bit.Hazmat warning was lifted so I don’t think it was CO. Don’t think it was murder personally but the remote location gave me pause.

Yes, this seems at least somewhat plausible, though I also think it could be a variation where the dog drinks the toxic water and starts struggling. One of the parents tries to carry it up the steep path back to the truck while the other has the baby. They stop to rest, the dog collapses, and the exhausted humans succumb to heat stroke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dog jumped into toxic water snd they all died trying to dry him off. People catch rabies because they think their dog is choking and get saliva on themselves. And get rabies.

I don't think you understand rabies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it was the toxic algae that killed them since it is a known hazard in that area. I think they all went in the water to cool off, continued hike, dad sat down because he felt off, put baby down next to him so he wouldn’t drop her (or maybe he did) then they all died. Mom lasted a bit longer and maybe went off to get help but was disoriented then collapsed. Given they went for a hike in such a remote area and no cell service on such a hot day with a baby tells me they are not as experienced in the outdoors as we friends say they are. I think they disregarded the algae signs or didn’t see them. A dog would definitely jump in the water and hey, the water LOOKS fine so lets all get in for a bit.Hazmat warning was lifted so I don’t think it was CO. Don’t think it was murder personally but the remote location gave me pause.

Yes, this seems at least somewhat plausible, though I also think it could be a variation where the dog drinks the toxic water and starts struggling. One of the parents tries to carry it up the steep path back to the truck while the other has the baby. They stop to rest, the dog collapses, and the exhausted humans succumb to heat stroke.

It is pretty unclear from my professional googling how toxic algae kills. The few things I've read indicate a slower death (within 24 hours, yes, but do they get incapacitated quickly?) And more likely to kill if ingested, humans are not usually severely affected. Dogs are because they lick their wet contaminated fur. But there is some reports of it aerosolizing, and perhaps if it was extremely toxic, it could work faster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dog jumped into toxic water snd they all died trying to dry him off. People catch rabies because they think their dog is choking and get saliva on themselves. And get rabies.

I don't think you understand rabies.

Since I am a vet yes I understand rabies. The virus makes it through small abrasions on the hands. But thanks for your input.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dog jumped into toxic water snd they all died trying to dry him off. People catch rabies because they think their dog is choking and get saliva on themselves. And get rabies.

Not saying these folks died of rabies. Just perhaps died while trying to save the dog who had toxic algae.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dog jumped into toxic water snd they all died trying to dry him off. People catch rabies because they think their dog is choking and get saliva on themselves. And get rabies.

I don't think you understand rabies.

Since I am a vet yes I understand rabies. The virus makes it through small abrasions on the hands. But thanks for your input.

Okay sure. Rabies equals instant death. Gotcha

[Anonymous]

Still going with crime in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Still going with crime in my opinion.

Didn’t the family make a statement that they don’t think it’s a crime because of unreleased evidence?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know what kind of dog it was? Probably makes a difference to the heat exhaustion theories. A well fed and hydrated lab is not going to die of heat exhaustion on one mornings hike and would be able to feed itself from a dead man. A Yorkie, maybe not.

There is a picture of the dog in this article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/08/23/mariposa-family-death-mystery/

Looks like a golden to me. There is just absolutely no way a dog lays down and dies like this and poisons work differently on animals than humans so the fact that they all died peacefully make that seem implausible to. Mass asphyxiation would kill them all exactly the same though.

The tongue looks black in the pics. I think it's a lab or shepherd chow mix.

Here's a pic from 2014, doesn't look like a golden to me: