Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Chiang Mai
    Posts
    48,094

    Lost in Desert, Hikers May Have Died in ‘Sympathetic Murder-suicide’

    -6a8d87f5-7353-40d9-8f70-fc7ba23dbb44_cx0_cy13_cw0_w1023_r1_s-jpg

    SAN FRANCISCO —
    Friends and relatives of a couple whose bodies were found in Joshua Tree National Park say they believe the two got lost while hiking in the sprawling desert park and struggled in the searing heat with little food or water before they died in a “sympathetic murder-suicide.”


    Rachel Nguyen, 20, and Joseph Orbeso, 22, had been missing for nearly three months after going for a hike in late July and failing to return to their bed-and-breakfast. Their disappearance launched an exhaustive search. Crews spent more than 2,100 hours scouring the rugged terrain before finding their bodies in a steep canyon Oct. 15.


    Autopsies found both had gunshot wounds and evidence at the scene led detectives to believe Orbeso shot Nguyen and then himself, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement Friday. The stunning announcement came days after Orbeso’s father, who was with searchers who made the discovery, said the bodies were locked in an embrace.





    ​Brutal elements


    The Orange County Register reports there was evidence the pair had been battling the elements. The bodies were under a tree, with clothing covering their legs to protect them from the blazing sun. They appeared to have been rationing food and had no water.


    Nguyen’s family said investigators told them that based on the circumstances and positioning of the bodies, they believed the two died in a “sympathetic murder-suicide.”


    “We hold no grudges against Joseph or the Orbeso family,” they said in a statement and offered their condolences.


    “We thank God that we’ll be able to give Rachel a proper burial and lay her to rest.”




    Investigation continues


    As for authorities, Orbeso’s actions remained under investigation, though his motive may never be known.


    “Since we don’t have any evidence (note, message) to tell us why the shooting occurred, we are left to speculate,” sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said. “Knowing that they rationed food, had no water and were seeking shade certainly sheds a different light on the apparent dire circumstances.”


    Orbeso and Nguyen had once dated, and he took her to Joshua Tree to celebrate her birthday, his best friend Austin Young told the newspaper.


    A gun found near the bodies was registered to Orbeso. Young said Orbeso worked as a security guard and may have carried the gun to protect Nguyen.


    “I think they got lost and were suffering in 100-degree heat,” Young said.


    “They had a choice of a slow and painful death or a quick death,” he said. “And they made the choice of a quick death.”




    Vast national park


    The Joshua Tree Search and Rescue team said on its Facebook page that it’s easy to get lost in the vast park covering more than 1,200 square miles of the Mojave and Colorado deserts, 130 miles (209 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.


    “You can take a short hike and lose sight of the road, and, if you didn’t pay attention to what the landmarks look like, in the opposite direction, you could start wandering,” the team said.


    https://www.voanews.com/a/lost-calif...e/4081057.html
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails -6a8d87f5-7353-40d9-8f70-fc7ba23dbb44_cx0_cy13_cw0_w1023_r1_s-jpg  

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    wasabi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Last Online
    28-10-2019 @ 03:54 AM
    Location
    England
    Posts
    10,940
    There are a lot of lucky escape video documentaries on people who have survived being lost in hostile environments, and they get rescued.

  3. #3
    R.I.P.
    hick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Last Online
    23-01-2019 @ 04:19 PM
    Posts
    5,269
    RIP to them.


    Unfortunately, that stupid f'king movie "wild" and assorted survivor-type tv series' seem to have increased the number of unprepared outdoorsmen/women who show up for an actual game of survival with a wet match and an empty stomach.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat Slick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    6,137
    ban gunz

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    15,541
    It sounds to me that the woman's family is rolling a turd in glitter.
    Just as likely, if not more so, is that the guy was acting "I'm ok with just platonic friends", took her out to the desert and with "If I can't have you, nobody will" in mind, committed the murder suicide.
    Yes, Slick, ban gunz.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    17,216
    Quote Originally Posted by Slick View Post
    ban gunz
    agree...a ka-bar knife would have been just as effective...

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat Slick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    6,137
    ^ No it wouldn't have.

    They should ban murder-suicide too.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    15,541
    ^ They already have.
    Gunz next if they're smart.

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    17,216
    Quote Originally Posted by Slick View Post
    No it wouldn't have.
    if death is the goal, I don't see why not...guns are so Las Vegas...

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •