A hiker whose body was found after a three month search killed his girlfriend and then himself in Joshua Tree National Park, authorities said they believe on Friday.
Joseph Orbeso fatally shot 20-year-old Rachel Nguyen then shot himself during a hike in the national park in July, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department detectives.
The Sheriff’s Department on Friday said Orbeso was 22, but previous reporting indicates he was 21.
Orbeso and Nguyen were reported missing on July 28 when they did not check out of their Airbnb as scheduled. Their vehicle, a burgundy Lexus, was found later that day in the vicinity of the Maze Loop near the park’s west entrance, officials said.
The Orange County couple planned a trip to the park to celebrate Nguyen’s birthday, according to Nguyen’s uncle.
Searchers look for Rachel Nguyen and Joseph Orbeso on July 31, 2017. (Credit: KTLA)
A large-scale, nine-day search for the couple was launched with over 250 search and rescue members, aircraft teams and canine units looking for the pair, the Department added.
A spokesman for the park told KTLA at the time of the incident that there was no reason to suspect foul play and officials believed the couple had gotten lost in the park.
Hikers found the bodies in a remote area of the park on the morning of October 15 and authorities recovered them the next day due to a loss of sunlight, the Department said.
Authorities identified the bodies as Orbeso and Nguyen shortly afterwards.
Orbeso’s father previously told local TV station KESQ that he was relieved the bodies were found.
“After going a long time on these hikes, I feel that we have closure, and we know we found them,” he said. “That was our main goal, was to find them.”
It is unknown what lead to the shooting and Orbeso’s actions are under investigation, the Department said.
from KTLA http://ift.tt/2yDu7G9
No comments:
Post a Comment