California hiker deaths mystery

Didn’t see a thread on this yet but this is very puzzling. I’m not sure why they’re ruling out lightning. Theoretically, can’t you be electrocuted and not show any obvious injuries? (SIAP)


Electrocuted maybe. Struck and killed by lightning with zero bodily or environmental evidence doesn't seem possible.

I have seen cattle literally blown apart by lightning strikes, I can't imagine there is a way for a human body (and in this case bodies) to take a fatal strike with no markings.
 
Didn’t see a thread on this yet but this is very puzzling. I’m not sure why they’re ruling out lightning. Theoretically, can’t you be electrocuted and not show any obvious injuries? (SIAP)

That is very odd. Maybe a combination of the heat and some fumes released from the mine?
 
The algae angle seemed odd but I wasn't sure if it was consumed or just inhaled.
The Madison chain of lakes loves it some blue algae but it's usually dogs that swam in it and ingested it that have issues.
 
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what am I missing here that they aren't considering heat stroke/dehydration?

Were they all found together? I'd think since everyone's body responds differently or has different tolerance to heat they would at least be spread out.

Unless they were trying to conserve energy and faded in one spot.
 
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It would be odd to have avid hikers be so unprepared that they die of dehydration.

I'm guessing their baby was having issues with the heat (seriously, why would you take a baby out in that?), they stopped to take a break and try to cool the child down, and some toxin or fumes overcame them.

As @Turn2 said, they said they are still awaiting toxicology results. The simplest explanation is probably the correct one.
 
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Triple digit temps, no shade for 8 miles and a baby out in it sounds like poor planning to me. Sorry for the family though.
Also I think avid and words like that can mean different things to different people.
 
Triple digit temps, no shade for 8 miles and a baby out in it sounds like poor planning to me. Sorry for the family though.
Also I think avid and words like that can mean different things to different people.

There's lots of things that we don't know. How long were they out there? Did they have water with them (I assume yes since it wasn't mentioned that they didn't)
 
It would be odd to have avid hikers be so unprepared that they die of dehydration.

I'm guessing their baby was having issues with the heat (seriously, why would you take a baby out in that?), they stopped to take a break and try to cool the child down, and some toxin or fumes overcame them.

As @Turn2 said, they said they are still awaiting toxicology results. The simplest explanation is probably the correct one.

Toxin is the only thing that really makes sense. I wouldn’t rule out a murder/suicide.
 
Triple digit temps, no shade for 8 miles and a baby out in it sounds like poor planning to me. Sorry for the family though.
Also I think avid and words like that can mean different things to different people.

Great point there. They could certainly have loved the hell out of hiking, but not been properly knowledgeable about preparation and safety.
 
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You don’t die of dehydration in a matter of hours. There was still water in their Camelback if that wasn’t mentioned in the article I linked. So far lightning, toxic algae bloom, CO, and CO2 have been ruled out. I probably should’ve linked more articles.
 
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It looks like we'll hear what the cause of death was later today.

 

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