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Three family members found dead in a remote area in Sierra National forest

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After the search efforts that lasted for 12 hours, a Northern California family was discovered lifeless by local sheriffs.

According to the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, the family members Josh Garrish, Ellen Chung, and their daughter Miju, 1, were found dead at the Devil’s Gulch area in the Sierra National Forest’s Merced River. Also with them are their family dog.

The “current scene information does not indicate a clear picture” of what has transpired thus, the cause of death of the three was not yet determined.

The incident is now being investigated by the California Department of Justice as well as the sheriff’s office workers.

On late Monday night, a family friend reported the couple missing. The KMPH in Fresno said their last communication was a baby backpack photo sent on Sunday.

The sheriff’s office reported that a Ford truck, the family’s vehicle, was seen close to the gate of Sierra National Forest heading to Hites Cove.

In a statement to the Fresno Bee, Mariposa County Deputy Kristie Mitchell said that their bodies were discovered in a far location. Its location is not easily accessible as officials had to “hike out to establish satellite phone connection.”

The family was originally from San Francisco, according to KMPH in Fresno. They moved to Mariposa, a little town near the Yosemite National Park, SFGate reported.

“This is never the outcome we want or the news we want to deliver, my heart breaks for their family,” Jeremy Briese, Mariposa County Sheriff, said in a statement. “Our Sheriff’s Chaplains and staff are working with their family and will continue to support them during this heartbreaking time.”