Missing OC Hikers Still Sought; Reward Announced

WESTMINSTER, CA — Two missing hikers are still missing on Friday after an exhaustive search for the young couple.

The families of a young man and woman from Westminster missing since last month after embarking on a hike in Joshua Tree National Park will announce a reward for their safe return during a news conference Saturday.

Rachel Nguyen, 20, and Joseph Orbeso, 21, were last heard from at around 6:45 a.m. July 27. Orbeso's phone last pinged at around 4 p.m. July 27 inside the park and their car was found at the Maze Loop trailhead, near the northern end of the park.

Search efforts have been continuous since July 28, with rescue teams from several agencies scouring the park, utilizing helicopters and canines during their search.

However, park representatives said the search efforts have been scaled back since the early days of the pair's disappearance, with the park's search and rescue teams moving from "an active, intensive search to what is known as a limited continuous search mode," according to a release from the park.

Orbeso's father, Gilbert, will provide updates on the search efforts, along with members of the National Park Service.

The dollar amount of the reward will also be announced during Saturday's news conference.

Anyone with information as to the pair's whereabouts was asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department dispatch center at (909) 383-5652 and ask for the detective division.

Photo, courtesy Joshua Tree National Forest