Unsatisfying Explanation

Ellen Chung and Jonathan Gerrish (Chron photo)

Two months ago we noted how the death of a young family on a hiking trail had captured "international attention" because the cause of death could not be ascertained. The bodies of the parents, 1-year-old daughter, and dog were all found two days after they went missing. They had no visible marks, and toxicology reports were negative.

The investigators have rendered their conclusion: [bold added]

Investigators said Thursday that a young family and their dog found on a remote hiking trail in August in a mysterious mass death perished as a result of hyperthermia and probable dehydration.

Mariposa Sheriff Jeremy Briese detailed the final hours of the former San Francisco clan that started a hike with a temperature of 74 degrees in the morning only to see the thermostat rocket up to 109 by the afternoon. They succumbed to the heat and lack of water on a steep stretch of switchbacks with no shade, he said.

Why does this explanation feel unsatisfying? Probably because it's a conclusion arrived at through a process of elimination.

There were few clues at the scene and no indications of foul play. Investigators sent samples of water from the river, creek and the couple’s bladder-lined backpack to a lab. During the probe, investigators eliminated illegal drugs, lightning strikes, mine fumes, weapons, suicide and other causes of death, as they waited for test results to come back.

The head doesn't always give what the heart wants.

“When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” ~ Arthur Conan Doyle