Death Valley Germans Incident. Their Path and Death Site Visit.

[@raydunakin]

I'm an old desert rat who has spent many years exploring the desert regions of California and Nevada, including Death Valley. I'm very familiar with the areas shown in the video. It's heartbreaking to imagine what these parents must have gone through and the horror of knowing both they and their children were doomed.

[@swankles3877]

I remember when this originally happened but I didn't know it took so long to find their remains. Thank you for honoring this family with your professionalism.

[@jimsteinway695]

Like I said earlier we lived near the entrance to Death Valley for 40 years. We’d lose Germans almost every year in Death Valley

[@chasemartin5373]

The amount of work that goes into these videos is wild. So awesome, thanks for the time and effort you put into these!

[@dertythegrower]

For real, much appreciated Forrest.

[@TxcGren]

you can watch him go there in person in his newest video!

[@timeWaster76]

I would say a lot more work was needed ..

[@jimmykray9583]

@@timeWaster76how? you clicked on the video because you wanted to know what happened, he showed you what happened EXACTLY. what more do you want 😂

[@timeWaster76]

@@jimmykray9583 what does the have to do with anything what so ever

[@azcappra]

Being an old Arizona desert rat, people don't realize how unforgiving the deserts can be. Even now we have hikers in the Arizona desert that don't bring enough water and are ill prepared. Especially Euro's and out of state visitors. It usually never ends well. Great video Forrest and hopefully a warning.

[@XcRunner1031]

AZ has some of the most incredible, stunning desert scenery! I need to go back, haven't been in over a decade. I think modern amenities have folks so accustomed to having consistent water access, sometimes people simply don't realize just how little there is in the desert, AND how much the human body actually needs in the hot, arid climate. Not to say that modern amenities aren't a net positive for human civilization, bringing better hygiene, medicine, life expectancy, etc., but I do think humans now need to make a distinct effort to recognize the potential harsh realities of exploring wild areas.

[@camronbay1]

I do a lot of camping in this area it is no joke be prepared at all times.

[@cjpow4867]

What's up with Euros visiting the American southwest and their deserts? When death valley was being washed out this last summer I was watching a video where someone was helping recover stuck vehicles and almost all of them were European.

[@lok777]

​@@cjpow4867 A lot of Europeans are into the wild west.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

They do it in Australia, too. Germany is so cool and wet they just can't imagine the complete opposite.

[@RalphGuest]

Finally! After watching tons of other videos about the ‘Death Valley Germans’ FINALLY somebody shows us EXACTLY where they finally wound up. I’ve been watching tons of KZbin videos about the subject, racking my brain and scouring maps to find the final location of their bodies and the Forrest Haggerty Channel comes through and finally puts the mystery to rest. Thank you so much for your outstanding work. I discovered your channel last week and have been watching a bunch of your videos. I found Wonderhussy’s channel last April and one of the first videos I watched was about the Death Valley Germans. And she turned me onto the blog where that guy finally found them. And every video I watched after that never showed you on a map where it was, until you, Forrest. I really LOVE the way you show us on the map what you’re talking about. I’m a big fan of the map apps already so I can appreciate where you’re coming from. So I just wanted to give you a shout out, show you my love, and let you know I’ve subscribed to your channel, Like every video I see and let the world know what a great channel you got!

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Thank you for your support and feedback. I truly appreciate it. I plan on making one more trip out there to follow the path Tom Mahood thinks they took. However, I have to wait until the roads are repaired after all that flood damage.

[@RalphGuest]

@@forresthaggertychannel4301 After seeing where they wound up and where they started from the car and looking at it from a bird’s eye view on Google maps, you can see the route they pretty much took. I’m sure there was some deviation but they probably followed the same route you went. And after thinking about it for a bit and considering they had kids, one of the two must of been carrying the little one. And the other might of been too big to carry if the man was already carrying the little one. She must of had him by the hand. And that must of cause even more of a problem. You walked, what was it, about 6 or 8 miles to their final spot from their car? That’s really not that far but after watching the terrain you had to walk through, I can see what a struggle it was even for you. So it’s no wonder they didn’t get really too far. Especially with the kids. If they’d only turned around after getting their car stuck and walked back to the geologist cabin, somebody would of surely of turned up at the cabin eventually to save time. So what if you’re late and miss your flight, at least you’re alive! So I think they were totally led astray by that outdated obsolete map that they had. To hell with a map when you know how far you’ve gone from your starting point. You turn around and go back or stop and stay exactly where you are till somebody finds you. You don’t go wondering around willy nilly thinking you can find your way out. The whole thing was a crying shame. And a reminder that open rugged desert mountains are no joke.

[@jimburg621]

years ago I was on the west side road in the early evening, came across a family with a flat tire, they where clueless as to how to change their tire. I changed it for them, showing the husband how it was done. (Big city people from London) they'd have been stuck out there all night. Got them going and really nice family.

[@TheSeeker1960]

Glad you weren't in Death Valley to help them out.

[@docbrightside784]

They bring 2 little kids out in 124 degree heat and a vehicle not designed for off roading ? It is very tragic but could’ve been avoided

[@TR_TenSeven]

To say the LEAST! I'm stunned at how completely unprepared they were for that environment. I guess they thought the name "Death Vally" was just whimsical. La-de-da, no big deal. Yeah...

[@MegaLivingIt]

Exactly. 😐

[@jrodowens]

@@MegaLivingIt Have you ever been to a national park in this land of ours (the U.S.?) I have seen teenage girls skipping down into the Grand Canyon past the halfway point on icy, mid-January Bright Angel Trail. I've seen tourists try and separate bison calves from their mothers in Lamar Valley (Yellowstone) so they could get a 'cute' selfie with the baby. A sizeable and obnoxiously conspicuous portion of the ever-growing hordes descending on the parks every year are apparently under the impression that the N.P. system is just a bigger, prettier, federal version of their local municipal parks with a free range (petting!) zoo. I'd like to think a large chunk of the population just hasn't been exposed to nature/wilderness yet and over time the hordes will 'mature' to respecting these places for what they REALLY are.. awesome, sometimes frightful and sometimes delicate, yet always humbling to us as individuals and as species. Yet I see only more and more fools. Every year worse than before.

[@cgschow1971]

Many people, especially Euopeans, and even Americans from the east coast can't comprehend how vast, desolate, and remote areas of the American West are. I believe the #1 contributor to this tragedy is they had a map, perhaps outdated, that still showed a road down Anvil canyon, even though it's been decommissioned with the Desert Protection Act.

[@davidswanson5669]

How grateful we should all be that gps is so pervasive in our lives now. I’m no stranger to getting lost, or to navigating the vast deserts the of American west, so I appreciate the inherent dangers of the elements. This family had great respect for nature too, otherwise they wouldn’t have chosen such a non-typical tourist excursion. Most Europeaners would drive from Vegas to LA, and never leave I-15. Some of them may venture to a notable landmark or two along the way (like the visitor’s center at furnace creek), but to choose to continue into the park and stop by a ranger station, jot down an entry, and continue further into the desert…I think the family appreciated the intrinsic value of nature. The bumbling tourists of Yellowstone and Grand Canyon would never leave I-15 just to visit “nothing” in the desert. I wouldn’t lump this German family in with the masses, I think this family is my kind of people.

[@jfkastner]

A garage door opener melted on my Dash while visiting in summer 1995 ... do NOT go off the main roads w/o preparation ... there IS a reason why it has its name! Fantastic investigation, thank you!

[@dkm016]

I read about this guy who was obsessed with their story, and his article was both riveting and super sad at the same time. You did well in honoring their route and showing their last stop. I've viewed this via Google Earth many, many times, putting myself in their shoes, given both the time period and where they came from originally. They thought they could just "drive West" and finally make it to LA, but sadly, they underestimated the ruthlessness of the terrain and desert. I think about them every time I look in that area, and I'm super glad you did a deep dive into the route. Absolutely no disrespect for this at all, and thank you for chasing and for taking the time to drive the route. Now I don't have to.

[@rpkett]

One of the most underrated channels on KZbin. You continue to share the stories of these people with honor and respect. Thank you for your hard work!

[@HarryBalzak]

I was speaking to a German about this incident years ago and they mentioned that in Germany, all roads on maps are passable by standard vehicles unless marked otherwise. Probably had something to do with the seemingly bizarre routes taken.

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Makes sense!

[@OPGALAXY9999]

Stupid ass dad had plenty of opportunities to realize that wasn't the case, but kept picking worse and worse quality roads. Major fail as a father

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Good post. Also, Germany is much more developed and concentrated as a nation than this area. Even the most remote place in Germany isn't more than a few kilometers from an active farm road, or someone's house or barn. It simply may have never occurred to them that a road on a map in the US would lead to absolutely nothing, and just peter out with endless wilderness for miles and miles in every direction.

[@allewis4008]

​@@PhilAndersonOutsideDresden, where the family was from, is very mild. It's like they were dropped on the surface of Mars or the Libyan desert.

[@SepherStar]

A lot of Europeans don't understand the the vastness and inhospitable environment of the American deserts.

[@thehunt5315]

the dedication and effort is insane, i love how there is no over exaggeration you just lay out the facts in incredible detail. truly one of best creators on this platform

[@JJ-cf7nb]

Absolutely brilliant work Forrest. I always enjoy your videos and have commented in the past as well. As a former state aviation accident investigator I am very impressed with your detailed, yet sensitive treatment of these tragedies. I’ve always believed that a great investigator must be a great teacher, and that description fits you perfectly. After all, what point researching these accidents if we cannot share what has been learned?

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Thank you for your kind words and I agree. We need to share this information in hopes of preventing someone else from doing the same thing.

[@TheCoreyHodges]

Forrest never disappoints. Amazing work as always. Very intriguing.

[@Jeffsafe]

I never heard their story before and can only imagine the despair they must have felt in their final hours.

[@RRaucina]

When the kids died, she likely lost all control. They may even have been fighting together.

[@littlestar5737]

Wow! You did amazing job finding the precise location. I don't think anyone else has done this level of investigation. Thanks for sharing.

[@Rama41]

In our 10 years stationed in Germany, we frequently heard German friends note how surprised they were by the size of the US. Some who'd been stationed at Perrin AFB near Denison, Texas once thought it would be a good idea to drive to Winnipeg for a long weekend. As they approached Kansas City, they began to understand that it wasn't the same as driving from Frankfurt to Hamburg. This is such a sad story, but I suspect many Europeans share that impression.

[@gregoryretzlaff7884]

Yeah, too stupid to read a scale on a map.

[@Sashazur]

I wonder if navigation apps are helping to avoid this now - if you punch in the route and it tells you 20 hours of nonstop driving, you might get a clue!

[@poindextertunes]

fkn right the US is bigger 😂 You can take the train almost anywhere in Europe no problem tho, so I can see why they thought the way they did

[@SwissMarksman]

@@Sashazur All those gadgets don't help if you don't think rationally.

[@SwissMarksman]

Yeah it's rediculous. Switzerland is 1/16th size of Texas.

[@antoniobranch]

The moment you said they made a right turn off badwater road to an access road, I would have already considered myself lost. Those tourists were truly seasoned in adventure, wrapped in fortitude, deep-fried in courage, and served in the afterlife... I tip my hat off to you. You are a great investigator... My comment is merely a metaphor.

[@gregoryretzlaff7884]

They were not this, just terminally stupid. No fortitude or courage.

[@37rainman24]

actually they were just substance abusers on a fatal trip look at the signs: they are calling acquaintances back home begging for money. What does this look like? The child needed to have been taken from them long ago

[@andytoskovic]

When you explained the entire procedure of how you found the exact coordinates of where the car was left abandoned based on two images, I was astonished. Thanks for all the effort, I never heard of this incident before so it was really intriguing to learn more about it!

[@andresd6193]

Sad story, unfortunately lots of people don't really understand how fragile a human being actually is once we are out of our comfort zone. Going out into the desert like that not realizing what danger they would face if that van broke down, and unfortunately that's exactly what happened. RIP.🙏

[@TiffMcGiff]

In July no less 😢

[@jimsteinway695]

We aren’t that fragile. Especially if you use your mind a tad. Let people know where you’re going. Take water(enough water) Take a satellite emergency contact device and if possible a firearm. That’s it. And you’ll be fine

[@somedumbozzie1539]

I knew it was not going to end well when they stole your flag I know how you feel about your flag America has been and always will be a force for good. The US government military media machine is another matter its like watching Humboldt squid eating everything good that you created in the first place.

[@goldfieldgary]

They don't call it Death Valley for nothing!

[@senthilnathanviswanathan4924]

your video is so stunning...in terms of coverage....in terms of investigation...in terms of spot finding based on identifier clues.....you have taken forensic to a different level, where in you could placemark events on google map itself....hats off to you...

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Thank you for your kind comment and words!🙏

[@humunguswarrior]

I'm just amazed you hiked in, because Mahood's description makes it look frikkin' brutal. I hiked around the entrance of Anvil Canyon a short bit, and that was enough for me. I certainly didn't put any effort into finding the 'exact' location of the van like you did. Simply tragic, but grateful that Mahood perservered and solved the mystery of their dissapearance. Sadly though, the desert is full of similarly tragic deaths that we'll never know the details of.

[@gordyokeeffe361]

Great video and shows how easy it is to get lost in an unforgiving environment such as Death Valley in the summer. We have the same unfortunates in Australia when they visit the outback.

[@mikestammberger1233]

Great Video, I am a german guy too, was living 14 years in Cali and was many times visiting Death Valley NP but never had the crazy idea to venture that far off a paved road with my Toyota 4WD Truck. And they had a Van which is absolutely crazy, I wonder why they came up with those crazy routes unless they were trying to find the former Manson hideout Barker Ranch.

[@colourscrash]

in tom manhood's blog, he speculates that they were trying to find the shortest route to yosemite, so they could make their flight home.

[@cerberus2654]

​@colourscrash Yosemite?!

[@eddominates]

@@cerberus2654 Yosemite!

[@RRaucina]

Politely, this German likely never hiked further from his car than to the post office. And was not a boy scout. Little low on the common sense distribution.

[@pizzafrenzyman]

The rental van had a GPS, and in those early GPS days mapping roads were made from satellite scans, so anomalies would show up, including trails and double track. I could be wrong, but I vaguely recall shortly after this incident that GPS providers took extra care to limit future errors for drivers, like eliminating missing bridges, impassable desert trails, etc.

[@heng15852]

I know you hear it a lot, but i really do appreciate how in depth you go into these videos! Great channel

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Thank you for your compliment!

[@anthonywarthold]

Excellent work Forrest. I remember reading Tom Mahood’s Blog years ago when he found the Germans. Your identification skills are amazing buddy. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻

[@Rhubba]

I remember reading his blog as well a few years back. A tragic but fascinating story about how they perished and how ill prepared they were.

[@JustMyTwoScents]

They didn't all die at once. Imagine the panic and the immense sense of doom after the first passed away. As a parent as bad as it may sound I would hope that my kids went first because the thought of me dying and them being in that desolate area for who knows how many days and especially nights alone I just can't even imagine. Terrible tragedy which you did a fantastic job of researching and covering in this video.

[@jackosharkpie3892]

The amount of times is said “where are they going!” During this video is insane. It’s insane how far from society they went! Amazing video bro!

[@joekundtz1363]

Yosemite or Sequoia's

[@chrimony]

"Where were they going without ever knowing the way?"

[@cmcmcmcm2354]

Wow, a long one! Can't wait! Thanks for your hard work Forrest.

[@eddominates]

great work here. It was cool to see the exact sites where everything was found and retrace their paths.

[@jwwj30]

Thank you Forrest for an enlightening video honoring the family of 4 who perished 26 years ago, all alone in the unforgiving desert. Probably just wanted to experience & see the Death Valley desert first hand, but unfortunately were not prepared for the roads they traveled. We’ve missed you & your excellent videos, 4 months is a long time, but hopefully you have a few more in the pipeline coming soon. RIP Egbert, Cornelia, Max & Georg.

[@Ghoulstille]

It always amazes me how unprepared people can be especially going into a place called Death Valley. I never heard of this story before, Great job as always Forrest!

[@zedz1938]

SO heartbreaking. To think they were only 4 miles or so away from Geologist's cabin when the car got stuck in the sand. I wish they had taken all the water they could (it looks like they still had water on them) and walked the 4 miles back to the cabin - where they would have found food and supplies, and then waited out for help.

[@bluedistortions]

I wonder if even that would have worked. It was what, 3 months before anyone went looking for them? And even that was only due to a total fluke, when a DEA agent looking for drugs spotted the van.

[@redshirt5126]

​​@@bluedistortionsIt probably could have worked.Geologist's cabin has a small natural spring just a few dozen feet away from it (That's why you can see a small cluster of green near the building on the Google maps image.) The place was also stocked up with canned food. With a steady water source, all they would have had to do is wait until someone drove by the cabin or until rescue workers came looking for them after the van was discovered.

[@RRaucina]

@@bluedistortions That cabin is visited often. It would have been like free resort stay.

[@bluedistortions]

@@redshirt5126 I wish he had understood all this a bit better. Walking 9 miles to the military base on his map, and back to his stranded family, in 124 degree weather with no water was the end of him. It would have taken a super human effort to do even that. He must have thought something marked on his map "military base" would be better than a little abandoned cabin. But sadly.. it wasn't. RIP German tourists.

[@Chevra2448]

I was really confused on why they didn't walk back towards the Geologists cabin. Going back to a known location makes more sense to me. But who knows how they were interpreting the map. Very sad regardless.

[@peterbarlow7781]

Amazing, thank you for taking us on this tragic journey. So thoroughly mapped and documented.

[@JanJule]

It is a mix of different facts when it comes to the tragedy behind the case. In germany you just can't imagine how hot and endless this part of the states can get. Also there was no internet back in 1996. They had to rely on maps and didn't know that the part of the road vanished. They also had zero or no knowledge about the circumstances in the valley. And they were scared to not catch their flight back. They came from dresden in eastern germany. 7 years after the wall fell. They simply underestimated all of this.

[@marky0071]

As a fellow investigator (Financial Crime) I’m really impressed with your sleuthing, man. Excellent work!!

[@TWBB87]

Every few months I’ll have a thought pop into my head thinking “I wonder if that guy is retired yet and we’ll get more videos”. Loved this one!

[@Cre8tvMG]

Thanks for the research. And respect for those searchers for finding the remains.

[@motorTranz]

May God comfort the families of these people who perished. My sincerest condolences. Thank you for this incredible and tragic story Forrest! Amazing work!

[@gregoryretzlaff7884]

god let it happen. Are you telling god he made a mistake? Good way not to get to heaven.

[@boblatkey7160]

Yes and I hope the tooth fairy was comforting also.

[@plataoplomo1817]

That's my favorite episode so far. Not to mention the hike you did to visit the site by yourself. Thanks for it.

[@Jeff_The_Weatherman]

That took a lot of travel and time to make, Forrest. Great job. So tragic for this family. I can't, nor would I want to, imagine the horror of seeing ones children slowly suffer dehydration and die, while the parents are suffering the same as well. RIP to that family.

[@mogvlogs2753]

Forrest. Forrest. Forrest. I have been waiting MONTHS for your next video. Thank you for posting this one. I have NO idea about this particular case but now I do.

[@3dfoamies]

It would be interesting to see a behind the scenes of this video. The shear remoteness and the ability to get to these locations is mind boggling. I’d love to see your journey driving or hiking to these locations. Also very picturesque in some of the shots. Great work as always and love the detail and thoroughness of your videos. 👍 Thanks, Jacob

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

That’s my next video coming up soon.

[@amandabr9562]

@@forresthaggertychannel4301 Have you already created the video?🙂

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Yes. You can find it in my video list.

[@amandabr9562]

@@forresthaggertychannel4301 ok awesome! Thank you for replying!

[@TheLawapa99]

The search and rescue guy who found the remains wrote a detailed account. While sad, it was a riveting account of one man's obsession. Worth the read.

[@zoneonemusic]

I've been fascinated by this story for years. Thanks for the Google Earth tour. I thought they were in even more remote areas but they were actually very close to being able to be rescued.

[@allewis4008]

If they went to the cabin instead, there was a months worth of food and unlimited water from an aquifer pipe. Sad stuff.

[@TangoAFC]

Simply incredible work put in for this video 👏 Cannot imagine how the last few days and moments for each of them was 💔

[@gdjets]

Another amazing video! Thank you putting this together! Dehydration plus alcohol must have played a huge factor in their deaths and decision making. Must have been terrifying for the kids… 😞

[@ShannonLH1108]

When I saw it was a video by Forrest I hit like and commented and the video isn't even thirty seconds in. This guy deserves more exposure. Best content hands down.

[@jdl9623]

This is so amazing! I have watched endless KZbin videos about the missing Germans and you're the only one who mapped it out in detail and showed us via Goggle maps exactly what happen to them and where it happened at. There is a sense of emptiness and sadness about this case that really got to me and have left me hooked and may I say obsessed. I really wanted to know every single route they took and the sequence of events that led to their death. Your video has made it very clear to me now. Since you did this so well, I was wondering if you had any interest in doing the story about the Kim's family tragedy and trace their path in detail like you did on this one. I've always wondered about the Kim's case as well.

[@XcRunner1031]

Rural desert roads are completely unforgiving. Lots of folks don't fully recognize the reality of how little food and water is out there if something goes wrong, along with the temperature extremes between night and day. It is just so rugged and remote. Beautiful and awe-inspiring, but you've gotta be prepared. Such a tragic story. I can't imagine the feelings of hopelessness knowing you and your family are going to die of thirst and exposure in foreign land, surrounded by harsh conditions. Just devastating. Kudo to the search teams for working to find them initially, despite their lack of success. And special kudos to the SAR professional who couldn't let it go and persevered.

[@stateofdisorder1]

You out did yourself on this one. So detailed. And so sad too. A couple small mistakes cost them their lives and it could have happened to anyone.

[@humanbeing2420]

The main mistake was driving deep into Death Valley with two kids in a rented Plymouth Voyager. That is asking for trouble.

[@somedumbozzie1539]

Its always the small mistakes that get past you and the desert as the Arabs say an ocean and just as unforgiving trust me we have 2 million square miles of it to get lost in, before EPIRBs it used to happen all the time.

[@gregoryretzlaff7884]

No, the whole side-trip was one huge mistake that eventually killed them. Most people are smart enough not to do what they did.

[@stateofdisorder1]

@@gregoryretzlaff7884 they were foreigners visiting the country they weren’t familiar with, they had no idea what the desert would do to them

[@gregoryretzlaff7884]

@@stateofdisorder1 The guy was an architect, smart enough to read an effing thermometer. And to feel it was dangerously hot. Sheesh.

[@tomr9661]

I remember being at work and reading in the paper that they were missing, the car was found, and a search was under way, turned to the weather page and the temp there was 124 degrees. I could not even remotely imagine bringing a small child and a toddler into such an environment.

[@stevethomas2094]

Fantastic job. Your research is meticulous and the physical effort you expended getting out and around there just sets an incredibly high standard. Many thanks....

[@sonofhawaii4227]

Wow what an awesome way to tell a story! I can’t imagine the time and effort that you’re putting into your videos. Great job and thank you for such a unique perspective. Aloha 🤙🏼

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

I will make another video about making this video.

[@sonofhawaii4227]

@@forresthaggertychannel4301 I can’t wait to see what you put out in the future! Great channel!

[@stanleypatrick6498]

This was so helpful. Thank you. I read this morning the account of the searcher who found the remains. It was great, but it was so ground-level that I longed for just this kind of overview. Both combined painted a very thorough picture of what happened. Kudos to you!

[@tristantristancraped]

Been a fan for awhile. As always Forest, thank you for your hard work.

[@wretchedslippage3255]

I LOVE this kind of sleuthing! Your videos arent only educational but also fascinating to see how you figure out locations!

[@danhiggins5393]

I worked in land surveying for 30+ years in Alberta Canada. I spent a lot of time in remote northern bush locations and remote southern prairie/badlands. I’ve been caught out without water a couple of times in 100° heat. If I had a choice I’d rather be lost in the woods than in the desert. I’ve driven into some scary locations but nothing quite so remote as these poor fools went down. If I were working on a project this remote, I’d take 2 vehicles and some serious survival gear!

[@zegfeldmobata4160]

Forrest good to have you back. I have been expecting and waiting for you to upload. Infact, I was looking at the Chappaquicdick incident just the other day.

[@davebergmann5177]

Having been to Death Valley several times (and not in July) I find it incredible that someone unfamiliar with the Valley would take such a long off road drive. Too many variables are awaiting! And the Valley is very unforgiving!

[@SuperCatacata]

It's called the Valley of Death for a reason. One shouldn't go off the main roads without proper preparation.

[@TOOMUCHSAUCE91]

These are the type of videos I instantly become obsessed with. The amount of work and detail... I admire you. Subscribed and I will look into your channel

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Thank you for subscribing 🙏

[@Frenchylikeshikes]

Their last moments must have been terrible. I feel really sad fot them and their families, but finding the remains probably provided some closure at least. Very sad story. Going on a dirt road in the middle of the desert with a city van was careless.

[@mag30th]

Outstanding video! I lived in Mojave desert, people have no idea how merciless and unforgiving the desert is. Well done, 👍🏼👍🏼

[@dolldoll2914]

👩🏻‍💻What a terrible way to go! I was 12 or 13 and was down in San Pedro CA with my family watching my 2 brothers' naval destroyer being commissioned during the Vietnam War, and went out on sea trials with all the company's compliment and their families; and my dad served on an aircraft carrier during WWII and was in his element. We came back through Death Valley on our way back to SLC UT. It wasn't my favorite thing to do just over 55 years ago, and I have never been back. Oh those poor people, may God rest their souls.🙋‍♀️🥰🇺🇲🇬🇧

[@Bardmusic66]

Really puts it in perspective to have your boots on the ground and first-hand footage. Great work, thanks for your effort!

[@brycecrousore1985]

A long new video from the best channel on KZbin to kick off the weekend?! Yep, gonna be a great one. Thanks for sharing, Forrest ... cheers from Minnesota.

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@brycecrousore1985]

@@forresthaggertychannel4301 Wow, Forrest -- taking us on a journey to the middle of nowhere for an in-depth investigation piece about an incredible story. Thank you so much for sharing all the time and effort put into this video.

[@victorsandoval1060]

Great detective work and documentation. RIP for the lives lost.

[@FamIlia-i2p]

2 small children in a mini van and driving to the desert. This is a really crazy idea. I'm from germany too. I would have never done that with 2 children. California has so much more to offer than death valley.

[@paultynan8705]

Really irresponsible and stupid!

[@smaze1782]

Your videos are amazing. Going from the satellite view to in person is so satisfying. Thanks for making these vids.

[@random_account2160]

I was actually wondering earlier today when you’d upload again. What a coincidence. Glad to see you back.

[@SlammedZero]

I've never heard of this incident, but it was interesting video. I love that somebody else loves the geography behind these stories. I always find locations fascinating. Anyway, fantastic job with this one. Appreciate that you drove all the way out there to provide us video of the area. 🙂

[@jayleighlewis1108]

It's amazing that this family had no idea how "famous" they would become, and that decades later people would still be scrutinizing the details of their final days. (Really enjoyed the video, by the way.)

[@pax6833]

You have to wonder what the parents were thinking when they got to that bluff. Did they only realize when they got there that they had made a mistake? Or did they get to the top of the southern pass and see there wasn't a base to the south and turn back? Did they sit in the shade and give up? Why were the father and mother separated? Morbid mysteries.

[@allewis4008]

​@@pax6833You have to guess that the wife and husband would have been fighting by that point because of the looming danger

[@johnallen470]

Compelling piece of work! Thankyou Forrest, this is an outstanding video. Congratulations.

[@pax6833]

Wow, I'm surprised you got all the way out to that unnamed valley. Putting yourself in a bit of danger there, but I have to admit I am fascinated to see the place those folks were looking at in their final hours. One can only imagine what they were thinking, when they got to the point of no return. Out of curiosity I checked USGS online archive for that region, which includes many different topographic maps. None of them, even going back to maps produced in the 50s, indicate that a road existed there, with Anvil Canyon being correctly identified as a wash. Which makes me wonder where the map they had gotten could've come from.

[@wdmm94]

Good question!

[@BVonBuescher]

Juden

[@nothof60]

The map they were using was likely gotten from the visitor's center in Furnace Creek. Those NP pamphlet maps don't tend to be highly detailed and can show some sketchy 4-wheel drive roads as possibly passable to regular vehicles.

[@clintstinytrailerconversio5560]

Thanks to tenacity of Tom Mahood and Les Walker these remains were found, that in itself is utterly amazing. Easy to wonder why in the world anyone would be so naïve or over confident to be out there in a minivan; in that heat with small children and a girlfriend. But, sad at the same time, of course. This was very interesting Forrest... I was following along, although clumsily, on GE. The desert is a cruel teacher, but I hope someone sees this and thinks better than to venture out ill prepared.

[@jokeroneninesevenzero]

Very interesting. I've never heard of this story. That is 4 wheel drive area, not minivan area. Excellent video as always Forrest.

[@15Med3]

never ceases to amaze me how awesome your videos are. The details you have and the fact you actually go out and physically visit the spots is amazing....sure google earth is awesome, but actually going to the locations just takes it to a whole new level of awesome

[@johnnylightning203]

Great to see you again, Forrest!! I always had trouble with this. If they were simply tourists, why wouldn't they have chosen a local guide for such a dangerous, desolate place? Especially with young kids in tow. Or if they were campers/adventurers, why keep going in deeper when the roads and surroundings became even more treacherous? Not to mention the fact that they had inadequate provisions. Already worn a bald patch on my head over this one. Always look forward to your next one!

[@Brown1286]

People who live in urban centers, including many Europeans tend to underestimate the vastness of the wilderness destinations in the US. They probably figured that soon they'd come out somewhere, anywhere.

[@jmaxs77]

Or why do this in July ? Worst time of year to tour desert if your inexperienced with it.

[@Snake_0_]

Yeah the July timeframe is baffling. Forrest did his trips in October and April and it was still very hot. Can’t imagine what they experienced in July.

[@bluedistortions]

They were Germans. German society is very different to American. 1. In Germany, summer time is pleasant, the best time for outdoor activities. In America, summer can be lethal to visitors. Those who have not experienced such heat, can not understand how dangerous it is and what effect it has on the unprepared body. 2. In Germany, a road marked on a map is suitable for regular passenger vehicles. In America, it may or may not. 3. In Germany, a military base has perimeter guards patrolling. In America, they may or may not. He must have felt so defeated by that map. It was not giving him the information he was expecting. I think the real guilty part in this was the visitor center, which sold him the maps and did not ask him his plans, nor warn him a minivan is not appropriate for crossing death valley with, nor advise him about carrying more water, nor advise him to arrange an emergency contact (if you don't hear from us by tomorrow, organize a search party, etc). If I was working at that visitor center, advising guests about safety would be my top priority. Especially for European city folk who obviously know nothing about the desert. At the very least they could have advised a route for him to keep him on better quality roads, that one thing alone probably would have saved the entire family.

[@walker5401]

I hadn’t heard of this, those poor people. Thanks Forrest for another intriguing and well researched video.

[@agolftwittler1223]

You are quite the off road detective. Great job. The best coverage of this this horrible incident I've see.

[@Cz007_]

Wow they traveled very very far so remote and isolated from main roads. The fact that you drove to the locations speaks volumes of your knowledge the dedication to your channel

[@Vashti0825]

I would NEVER have taken my child into that wilderness. EVER. The fact that they kept going is bizarre. Death wish, pure stupidity.

[@plataoplomo1817]

You are absolutely right.

[@Mike_Martian]

Your videos are nothing short of amazing. I discovered you when learning about the first atomic bombs dropped in wartime, and I've been hooked ever since. You bring so much humanity to the events in mankind's history.

[@harrymike2187]

after the Van was trapped, why didn't they hike back to geological cabin which is not far? that is a shelter, and they may meet other tourists there.

[@timbennet3326]

Man we need you back making these vids again!! Love these

[@jonathanrickards8750]

THE MAN THE MYTH THE LEGEND RETURNS !!!!!!!

[@graciemurphy1]

An amazingly sad story about this family. Once again, you make us feel like we were there

[@eerievibes6854]

You are a Google earth genius.

[@JakeSchweiss]

Quite simply the definition of a gem this channel is!

[@Billo1281]

Beautiful area, terrible way to die. It almost seems like they were trying to make a U-turn off of that road back onto the main road, to head back from where they came, where the van was last found. But we will never know. Thank you for this great content!

[@toddpratt6454]

Forrest, incredible. You're a beast. Excellent sleuthing!

[@creolelady182]

I must admit Mr. Haggerty, this video is one of your best I have ever seen. I heard about this case thru other You Tube videos, but none were as detailed as yours. This case reminds me of the Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung case where foreign nationals decide to tackle an area especially in the Western Part of the United States and they don't do their research of the area nor do they check weather reports and nor do they study the terrain. Also I had a problem of bringing young children to such dangerous area. They relied on outdated map books to get around the area yet they did not ask for advice from rangers . One has to ask why did they decide to visit Death Valley. Just from the name alone- they should have done more research before they embarked on this trip. Sometimes I think people watch too many movies romanticizing such a dangerous place. I was completely flabbergasted that they would go alone on such a trip, You would think they would consult someone who is familiar with the area but oh no- they just wanted to wing it. Fatal mistake and a family is wiped out. Another shocker- alcohol to drink instead of water. especially in the desert. Thank you for this most interesting and informative video.

[@Next2TheMoon]

It's just one of those stories that sticks with you. It's hard to imagine what the final days? weeks? or more?? ... were like for them. I bet it was agonizing for the parents to not be able to save their children, and it must have been such a scary, desperate situation for everyone. At what point to you simply give up? Did they give up? Or did they fight to survive till the end? Tragic. Thanks for making the video, they deserve to have their story told - as a warning for others, as a tribute to their lives, as a memorial to ensure they won't ever be forgotten. If they were my family I would appreciate your efforts very much.

[@DanielDenoted]

Forrest could find a picture's location by a noticing a grain of rice that was in the background of a photo 100yards away taken in 1987. You sir are a once in a lifetime kinda person

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Hahahahaha…. My wife agrees. She says that too!:)))))

[@DanielDenoted]

@@forresthaggertychannel4301 you’re god sent man, you are amazing at what u do

[@Snake_0_]

I think this video (and your making of video) are your best content on this channel. It’s the perfect combination of an eerie mystery but which has not been that well covered to date, and your in depth research and analysis. Really excellent stuff and hope to see more from you soon.

[@spidurfiji]

Had to be a terrible demise for this family. As always, great work!

[@GreenhornPhototaker]

So glad i stumbled on this, very well done, thank you for taking the time to document for us all

[@stevesutherland6232]

Very interesting video, I’m a true crime junkie and never heard of this case. Thank you sir.

[@stormsiren7207]

Thank you for taking the time and doing the research to go on location for this story. Nice work.

[@DexterHaven]

"Let's go to where the Manson family used to live. What could go wrong?"

[@GodWearsGucci]

Sometimes I’m worried about my Sahara overheating just driving over an hour away with Rubicon tires at 102F . I can’t imagine driving a mini van on that terrain in that heat and cold at nights. I am not that brave. Always an amazingly engaging learning story Mr. Haggerty. Thank you! I can’t believe how close you are to 100k.