Officials Still Unclear What Killed A Family Hiking In CA

MARIPOSA COUNTY, CA — Investigators are still looking for answers to what killed a family of three and their dog while they were hiking in Northern California last month.

The dog, experienced hikers Jonathan Gerrish and Ellen Chung, along with their one-year-old Daughter Miju were all found dead on a remote trail near Hite's Cove on Aug. 17.

Initially, officials suspected that their deaths could have been linked to toxic gases from old mines nearby. Then, after that possibility was ruled out, trails were closed as wildlife officials warned visitors of a high concentration of toxic algae in the area.

The U.S. Forest Service also posted warning signs about the toxic algae bloom. The agency told the New York Times that it had taken that step to "protect the public from unknown hazards."

Now, officials are investigating whether lightning strikes occurred along the trail, the Times reported.

Even more puzzling, initial autopsy results have not provided any clarity.

Read more from the New York Times: Family’s Death in Sierra National Forest Is Shrouded in Mystery

A cause of death has still not been publicly announced, according to multiple reports.

"...I've never seen a death like this," Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese told KSEE.

READ MORE: CA Family Found Dead, Toxic Algae May Be To Blame: Report