Survival Wasn’t an Option Anymore | A Desert Tragedy in Joshua Tree

[@outdoordisasters]

Don't forget about the live stream event and contest next week! Click here for more details: kzbin.info/door/srtvSjgVg8QgRJzysB55xAcommunity?lb=Ugkx1n9bRxoqgO6NiuxlmsIh-cdSh5oEB6_X Just a very sad tale. Seeing Joseph's dad search for his son was so heartbreaking. I hope these two families have found peace. RIP Joseph and Rachel I'm really shocked by the amount of people who believe it was other than a sympathetic murder suicide. There's nobody on earth that would go through all of that just to make a murder suicide look legit. Evidence clearly shows they survived for days. Being disoriented in a desert landscape is common. Gun was buried after being exposed to the elements for months. The injury on Rachel's head was from a fall. Coroners are really good. They can tell how someone died and from what. The Autopsy proved they only way she received the injury was from falling, not a blunt object. I get why people may believe its more than the official narrative. But the evidence was pretty clear they suffered together for days. And taking the easy way out rather than suffering more in a survival situation is something that does happen a lot. Plus, the investigation explained to the Nguyen family, the were led to believe this was a sympathetic murder-suicide. There was nothing in Joseph's past that would've would leave anyone to believe it was something other than a sympathetic killing after all hope was gone when lost and suffering in the desert. He dated Rachel at one time, so he wasn't "friend zoned".

[@timberdaniels7317]

So excited for the live stream and contest this coming Saturday!

[@Tj-wz1sx]

Subscribe, like boton, and share 🎉

[@Tj-wz1sx]

Why to bring a handgun to a hike? 🧐

[@tonysoaresnativeclays1434]

I was the one who found them, there were 6 of us there that day. I was first on the seen. It weighed very heavy on my heart for I wasn’t able to go searching due to work. Every time I hear a helicopter fly over the house I think someone has gone missing again. It was two and a half months before I got out to look. There are some good questions here in the comments , how can you get lost on a 4 mile trip, super easily in that area they were in was pretty rugged, lots of switchbacks and rock piles for city folks that don’t know the desert, especially in the summer, 105 to 110, most people can’t walk several hundred yards in those temps. Searchers were falling out all over in the heat. Same with search dogs. Summer rains had covered them with sand a bit, they were laying in a narrow ravine in the soft sand. We found other bullet casings at a different location, a belt, water bottles, some with urine in them. Up wash,Found a vape case, then a shoe, radio can, bullet holder, an open bag of beef jerky, and then I saw them when I looked up about 15 feet away. Embraced kinda. I’ve tried to forget that part. I just called out to my buddy Mike who was logging item locations. He came up as I went to stop the dad from coming on the seen. Very heavy day . Y’all be careful out here especially in summer.

[@joziequervoyo]

I'll be praying for the loved ones, searchers, and you. Especially you. I can't imagine how you felt then or how much you're reminded of it til this very day. God bless y'all. This is such a sad story.

[@Menstral]

Finally the itch is scratched. Excellent explanation. I'm still confused at how so many people could have searched so many hours and not covered that area. If you feel like expanding your comment further, that would be fantastic

[@tonysoaresnativeclays1434]

@@Menstral the original searchers missed them by 100 yards. I’m not sure if they weren’t a skilled tracker or trackers. These kids were in a very strange area, it was void of animals for the most part. Just owls which is kinda creepy

[@tonysoaresnativeclays1434]

@@Menstral the original searchers missed them by 100 yards. I’m not sure if they weren’t a skilled tracker or trackers. These kids were in a very strange area, it was void of animals for the most part. Just owls which is kinda creepy

[@Menstral]

@@tonysoaresnativeclays1434 I have been to the JTNP, mostly a drive-by day trip, but I was invited and did hike Mount Whitney, and I did hike the Grand Canyon (hike down, stay the night, hike back up). I did both of these hikes in good quality sandals, and made sure my footing was secure and carried shoes. I have been to Death Valley several times (with a new rental truck, 2 cell phones from 2 different providers, and 3 gallons of water even though I was not 1000 yards from the vehicle) I want to make your make sure that my voluntary choices do not cost the taxpayers money. I had a persistent feeling that many search and rescue missions that fail (when it seems like they should not fail) just contain the wrong caliber of people. I don't think they should send out search and rescue missions to be honest. The people saved don't really seem that worthy. They seem more worthy of a Darwin award.

[@reneejones7807]

Crazy to think all of those people searched, and they were two miles from the trailhead. Shows how unyielding the terrain is. Sad, sad story.

[@jamesarnold6059]

Really hard to believe. I wonder how competent the search was.

[@aceykrew]

​@@jamesarnold6059rude af to assume of search & rescue!

[@jamesarnold6059]

@aceykrew5207 I don't think so. You seem young, & perhaps lacking in experience, so I'll humor you: Some departments are better than others, and are all made up of flawed human beings. No one's perfect. But for as long as they searched & as many searchers as they had, you'd think they'd have covered every foot within miles. I wonder about the decision-making by whomever headed it up--& their competence. Thats our right to do in this country, and it's a sacred right they dont have elsewhere. They may have had the best intentions. It's the competence of the leadership I'm questioning (and rationally so. And I'm not the only 'rude' one for asking a logical question... So ... we'll have to disagree on that. Wish you the best young sir

[@pakde8002]

Similar to the story of the two young men who got lost very close to their car. Even more tragic he put his friend out of his misery just hours before he was rescued. Actually that case was a little suspicious imo.

[@jeremys6631]

That's a problem with that. They are bound to a certain rule and action. Which have greatly missed a lot of people when searching for missing people.

[@AdrienneMint]

MY COMMENT IS FOR THE NARRATOR OF OUTDOOR DISASTERS: I almost wish I never found you two days ago! I can’t stop. My two cats are lucky I got up to feed them. These videos are mesmerizing. You can’t do just one, you have to do them all! Thank you for such grand explorations of the many hazards of leaving your home, while I sit snugly in mine❤️

[@outdoordisasters]

I'm happy you found this channel as well! Welcome aboard! More great content is on it's way! Thank you for the kind words.

[@AdrienneMint]

@@outdoordisasters I don’t know how I lived without you!

[@outdoordisasters]

@@AdrienneMint 🤭

[@crypto_j1657]

Sounds like AI morgan freeman 😂

[@_Fluorescent_]

Girl, tell me about it! 😂 I am trying to work from home but this is all I want to consume!

[@timberdaniels7317]

Thank you for telling Rachel and Joseph's story! It's incredibly sad and horrible about what ended up happening to them both in the end. I hope that their families will be able to find peace and comfort, and may Rachel and Joseph rest in peace 🕊️🙏 I look forward to seeing your next video!

[@jphwife]

The one place never to be under the influence is the desert, especially in the summertime. Very sad story.

[@shachar777]

Or in the snow.

[@Jaime-u5m]

Under the influence and stupidity are good friends, they got what they had coming; so, will me and you if we tempt faith.

[@SoCalCubanGrrl]

this one really got to me. i love going out to joshua tree and our other local parks/deserts. i always try to plan for the worst case scenario, but you just never know. may they both rest in peace. next time i'm in joshua tree i'll leave some flowers for them.

[@outdoordisasters]

That's awesome 🙏

[@maximumeffort78]

It is heartbreaking. I learned to climb in Joshua Tree. Growing up coastal SoCal, it wasn’t far. I went in cool seasons, but then you can face brutal cold. California deserts are unforgiving, punishing terrain, and oftentimes everything looks the same, sense of direction so easily lost. I was a child when I went, 11-13, so it was always a group with mentors, though at 13 there was some foolish shenanigans that could’ve ended with poor outcomes! The desert isn’t for me, I’ve survived it for many years and now live in the beautiful PNW, but Joshua Tree holds a special place in my heart, especially the endangered trees themselves. Leave 2 flowers for me?

[@SoCalCubanGrrl]

@@maximumeffort78 i will do!

[@sheilax89]

I go there a lot too and do the same, always prepare for the worst. Btw I’m a also a Cuban girl who loves to hike❤

[@SoCalCubanGrrl]

​@@sheilax89 oye hermana!

[@MarceloVolcato]

Two kids went unprepared into some of the most dangerous wilderness in America. Tragic.

[@peggedyourdad9560]

They were also possibly high as well. Either way, it’s a sad way to go and I hope they’re families are able to find some piece now.

[@krystlships]

With 4 types of hallucinogens. No wonder they were walking in circles.

[@NickyBlue99]

​@@krystlshipsJebus... what were they taking?

[@1800s]

They were probably taking mushrooms

[@saythankyou111]

@@1800ssounds like a terrible idea…..hiking in the desert high…..nope stop it kids👀🇺🇸

[@Ralph-c2q]

Great channel BTW, very sad stories some of them. I like to think that we are remembering these people by watching them. They will not be forgotten ❤

[@outdoordisasters]

Well said

[@TriRabbi]

I'm always touched by how much we as a society value human life, that hundreds of people will go looking for two lost people.

[@Nocturnalux]

That’s because human beings’ social nature, as a species, is one of our evolutionary advantages.

[@uptamistik]

Not in india, people dont value human life here, just coz there's too many of us.

[@AzovAzza]

Absolutely heartbreaking story. I can’t even imagine what those two went through. Or, what he had to have been thinking as he realized that his options were dwindling. So sad.

[@outdoordisasters]

Ah man, when I was writing up the scenario, I started getting emotional. I couldn't imagine what was going through that young man's mind. But you have to get to a point of suffering where you'll do anything to escape the pain. So heartbreaking.

[@gregmarino5248]

Why would anyone go hiking in a desert in July? Nuts

[@flt528]

It's okay as long as you bring a gun.

[@scottpartlow8912]

It's about impossible, I tried and got about 100 yards with no shade and knew I would die.

[@PsychoFisho]

I start trailrunning there with a headlamp at 4am and drive away by 9 or 10am (80 or 85 F) Its okay if you know what you are doing.

[@luciemarinov129]

U are so correct!!👍 😢

[@PInk77W1]

@@flt528bring a gun to shot the sun and cool off ?

[@MaryMoser63]

I lived in Joshua Tree when this tragedy took place. I went out hiking the very next morning after they did not return to their AirBnB. I saw their brown Lexus parked in the dirt pull off for The Maze. It was 6:00 am when I started and about an hour later, I returned to my car to find their Lexus was still there. I recall thinking that it was odd that the car was there so early and that it was still there when I finished my short hike. By 7 am it was already brutally hot. I also recall thinking that I hoped the owner of the car had not strayed very far, as that area can be tricky to navigate and the forecast called for temperatures to reach 100 degrees. However, I did not know they were two missing hikers at that point (I found out the next day). I also recall seeing 2 sets of tracks going down the wash when I started my hike and often wondered if those tracks belonged to them. This sad tragedy still haunts me to this day.

[@RaptureHermit]

John 3;16

[@grandma460]

❤

[@mikekennedy4572]

I have never believed that the guy shot her to prevent suffering in a hopeless situation. To begin with, who in their right mind invites someone to celebrate their birthday with a hike in July in Joshua Tree, where temps climb well above 100 degrees that time of year? That is not a fun event, it would be grueling and extremely uncomfortable. Also, it is strange for the guy to take his ex out in such a desolate area and oh, he just happened to have his pistol with him. I have hiked many times in Joshua Tree and never felt the need to carry one of my pistols with me. I do believe the guy may have tried to reconcile during the hike, was rejected and decided to end things out there. Of course, we will never know for sure but the whole situation does not sound logical.

[@JudithRandall-vz1zk]

I agree. I think it was whitewashed to spare the families.

[@tamisullivan8548]

👏👍 Now this story what you just said is much more like the truth I say ‼️👍I sooo agree with you.

[@gabe_2544]

Yeah, this is what I think happened and he staged it to where it could be interpreted otherwise so he didn’t look like the outright premeditating murderer that he was.

[@roofusJohnson]

Dude got friend-zoned and wasn't happy. The end.

[@beatpirate8]

Ex? I thought they just met new friend

[@paytimeforREDRUM]

RIP to both and peace for the families and friends.

[@dragonslayer8337]

Thank You for sharing this sad story..!! It’s crucial to know what to bring with you when going hiking and important to be well prepared for any hiking in any national parks..!! You have a very soothing warm voice like Morgan Freeman, perfect to tell stories..!! 👍🏻 Thank You..!!

[@TheStreetsurfer06]

She was my cousin’s ex-girlfriend. I’ve only met her once, but despite such a distant connection, we were still so shocked about the tragedy. I hope everyone involved finds peace, and is healing from such a terrible fate.

[@xisigma]

@@lostcamper Are you a kid? You're disrespecting the dead.

[@jragon9215]

What was she like?

[@christinecampbell7301]

I would never go hiking without am emergency locator beacon. I've seen enough stories like this, or stories of people falling down a canyon and breaking legs/hips and not being able to get back to a trail.

[@behindthespotlight7983]

Amen. PLB’s have gone down in cost in recent years and they’re no longer the bone cracking price tag that they were 10 years ago. If you’re interested in hiking preparations I penned a signal kit inventory up-thread a bit. There’s some excellent low tech tools listed that most don’t typically think to carry.

[@DesireLL-l3z]

Yep Ive looked up satellite phones and will spend the money for one if i were to ever go on a hike out in these places. Especially if camping out or for more than a couple miles and isolated.

[@maximumeffort78]

I heard there is a Garmin device (not the Garmin 2/mini 2) entirely waterproof that makes an amazing beacon and you can text as well. A lot of divers wear them. Not sure of battery life. I would definitely choose a beacon with communication at the very least. Not sure about mapping due to accuracy issues.

[@OliverJanotta]

@@DesireLL-l3z Every iPhone since iPhone 14 is able to send Emergency SMS via Satellite for free.

[@OliverJanotta]

@@maximumeffort78 Every iPhone since iPhone 14 is able to send Emergency SMS via Satellite for free.

[@Socks461]

I love how he narrates everything. It's sagacious like an adage and sounds like a poem. I don't think they'd have made it out even if she didn't have an injury.

[@mayahawj3852]

Thanks for covering this story. I remember reading about it. How sad & tragic.

[@BucketHeadJunior]

Wow what a video, hit me pretty hard. Excellent job narrating the hypothetical final moments. Harrowing

[@KellJell]

Until a year and a half ago we lived about an hour from Joshua Tree. We camped, hiked, bouldered, climbed and picniced all over it. However, living so close, in the unbearable heat much of the year, I was so very aware of the deadly potential and eerie ambiance of the park and was always hyper aware of having much more water than you think you need and not stepping off trail or road or route. I remember this case. So tragic.

[@deathlarsen7502]

I don't think the temperature at anything to do with a bullet going in your head

[@gnc2014]

I came across your channel just 2 days ago, and I can't stop either. There are other channels who cover disasters such as these but yours is more inviting, different, detailed, good tone narrating not boring and annoying like others, yours has everything that a channel, a story should have and more! please keep it same and just add more stories to cover. Thank you and all the best of luck in your channel.🎉

[@nadagabri5783]

The dude murdered his girlfriend - whoever is stating the dude killed her to protect is (SUSPECT) Don’t buy thus backstory for a second - let’s entertain for a moment the girl fell and hit her head severely so he killed her “to put her out of he misery” WHY SHOOT HIMSELF ? NOPE BS BACK STORY

[@kendallevans4079]

Agree! He was the typical immature young guy who could not deal with her moving on and friend zoning him. The old "if I can't you, then no one will"

[@BananaRama628]

Dude bro 100% killed her when she ain’t wanna get back with him… total wackjob

[@Canada_Dominium]

@@BananaRama628 Why would a girl go out hiking with a guy she dumped?

[@VonHeisenbergOG]

It's scary how the narrator and many of the commenters are defending this (mir door er). Just proves that there are a lot of gullable morons out there.

[@1mataleo1]

Well the parents of both sides, the police, and the guys best friend seem to think it was done out of desperation as well, so there’s that… are they all gullible too? I don’t have access to the investigation files, so I can’t say for certain what happened, but I don’t think that it is out if the realm of possibility that he did it to avoid them having to endure a long, drawn out death given the circumstances. What specifically makes you so sure that he murdered her out of jealousy?

[@KathleenMcNe]

"Four types of hallucinogenic drugs": that explains a lot.

[@povang]

I knew right away it was a murder suicide at 2:27, the longer the video ran from that point the more red alarms that went off in my head. Reminds me EXACTLY of the "Loren Daniel Bunner" murder case. Going on a secluded hike with your friendzoned xboyfriend thats still deeply in love with you is such a bad idea. Once you leave an Xlover, just ghost them. I seen too much drama around me with xlovers, a friend of mine thats been seperated from his X for 2 years beat his X girlfriends new boyfriend into unconciousness when he seen them out together at a store; some people just cant let go.

[@RRaucina]

And his mind, bent from a bad trip, had him take her with him forever.

[@futuremelina]

And she was supposed to go with a new love interest, so he was already feeling replaced

[@milko92]

Your videos are so professionally done for free watching . Amazing work and quality! Thank you 🙏 I start following you from few days and I learned a lot from your videos . Appreciate you the time and effort you putting into ‘

[@outdoordisasters]

Awesome, thank you!

[@adambane1719]

For free? Nothing is free. You've already paid for it

[@salsanacho]

JTree in the summer is no joke, you have very little margin for error when the temps get to 100+.

[@mikaross4671]

The gun sound would have gained some attention. They were only 2 miles from the trail. This honestly feels more like a murder suicide by an man killing his ex. It's too suspicious. RIP Rachel.

[@jnl3564]

Did he have more bullets on him? Because not firing the gun to signal to rescuers is kind of weird. But based on the evidence, it does appear like they got lost by accident and just wanted to end their misery.

[@turkey2003]

The area is super remote. The "trail" isn't traveled by weekend warriors but is a rarely used spot by hard-core mountain climbers. Probably why they chose it in the first place. So they could do their drugs in peace. There is nothing suspicious as it's the obvious conclusion that 2 inexperienced people with no hiking experience that are high on drugs will get lost in such a unforgiving place. Even the experts couldn't find them 2 miles away from the trail so that should tell you how easy it is to get lost it is.

[@danreich4320]

It does seem suspicious to me too. Glad I'm not the only one.

[@LoriVFenske]

Exactly! The last time we were at Joshua Tree a group of people having a good time about 1/2 a mile away sounded like they were right next to us.

[@jam5158]

They were not high on drugs she only showed marijuana use in her system and his was clean. He was experienced and so was she. He was a quasi survivalist according to his family and friends and an avid hiker. @@turkey2003

[@debbie-annsmith6115]

The warning to have reverence and be prepared are so timely. I've been to Valley of Fire in Oct and March and the heat got to me after a while. I can't imagine all these two suffered in the summer. Unbearable. May they rest in peace. What a tragedy. Well narrated as always!

[@rolo8950]

Wait wait wait....so these two had dated in the past but when they went on the hike she was seeing another man. I guarantee you this was a jealous ex boyfriend situation. I've been a police officer and rescue officer for 10 years. I've talked to my colleagues and based on my own personal experience, we have never seen a suicide out of desperation because you got lost.....I'm not buying it at all. Like the idea that they did this out of desperation is absurd. Absolutely absurd. This was a straight up murder suicide.

[@DrVincentHVTran]

Murder suicide situation maybe.

[@KO-sx9uy]

I talk to my ex almost daily (she has a new fiancé) and even have a key to her house still that she gave me - not everyone is a psycho bro.

[@GenMcGrievous]

So they rationed food and water and hid under shade? People haven't committed suicide over pain from critical injuries?

[@SoggyJelly]

@@KO-sx9uyhonestly i don’t see any scenario where you should still be in contact and have a key to your exes house.

[@KO-sx9uy]

@ I do maintenance for money sometimes

[@ldn1929]

The guy was a simp . She moved on and after probably begging her to come back to him , he only managed to persuade her to go hike together as ‘friends. She didn’t know how to say’ no thus agreed. Then he killed her and himself “ if I can’t have her so nobody else “. Let’s stop this romantic BS

[@j.l.salayao8055]

Wow, you're so smart you know it all. Wait, this happened to you? Me sorry.

[@gp123lIlI]

Probably

[@janicesmith2475]

Nice romantic story about what MIGHT have happened, but I’m cynical. I thought right away it sounded fishy. Ex-boyfriend, but still friends? 🤨 He always carries guns? And she had her sights set on another guy. I think he killed her and himself because of that - if he couldn’t have her, no one could. ☠️

[@idavidgraficks123]

Everything adds up to that. They could have contacted civilization within twenty minutes EASY.

[@kendallevans4079]

My thoughts exactly! Many young, emotionally immature guys don't handle being friend zoned very well.

[@lauriechristmas5494]

Remember this … Devastating sadness … Lived there then .. Sad situation … May they Rest In Peace 🙏🙏❤️❤️🌹🌹

[@40below1000]

I don't think you can even test living people for psyclobin, let alone identify it after death. Giving my conclusions as an old head and not a coroner, they went into the desert for a trip and that contributed mightly to their predicament. I know after a good mushroom trip, I could swig a gallon of water to replace all I've sweated out and I know not to wander in unfamiliar places because I could get lost in a phone booth on a good trip. Everybody has a bad trip now and then. Given their ages, these two were rookie tripsters, safety precautions may not have been known or followed.

[@barbarapaine8054]

They wouldn’t be the first people to get high at Joshua Tree, and they won’t be the last. What a tragic story, and sensitively told. They could be anyone’s kids.

[@superstringsbro]

This happened to a guy my brother knew about 2 years ago. It was in Northern California tho. They got high, went camping for the night but he was so high, they had to leave him at a ranger station with a ranger. The next day, the ranger was walking him down and he started yelling things and took off running. The ranger couldn’t stop him and he disappeared. They searched for him forever and couldn’t find him. It was a big story. Some of his friends from here in So Cal flew up to help. Some weeks later he was found dead.

[@saythankyou111]

Oh that’s terrible…..the biggest point I learned from Timothy Leary was ..set and setting…plan your mind trips accordingly….awful way to leave earth 🌍👀🕊

[@godizself1]

​@@superstringsbroThis would be an interesting story for Outdoor Disasters. I'm intrigued.

[@lindasd7591]

Excellent presentation! Ty!

[@MrThree1zero]

I love Joshua Tree, and I camp there frequently. My family and I have done the maze loop trial a couple of times. It is not a very difficult trail, but I would never attempt that trail during the hot summer days bc the heat can be life-threatening. May they RIP 🙏

[@MaryDoyle-xl2ri]

Another great one thank you👏👏❤️

[@leannjones6282]

Your narriating is amazing, the words that you choose brings this story to my heart. Prayers to this couple and peace to their loved ones. I hope their story will teach others to neveunderestimate Mother Nature!

[@outdoordisasters]

Thank you so much for the kind words

[@sharonhoyt2133]

Excellent narration of a very sad story. Glad they were together in the end.

[@readdeeply9278]

That's a pretty fancy story, but we don't know any of it to be true. They were only two miles from the car? Why bring the gun in the first place? Did he convince her all was lost? He could easily have shot her and posed her body. I watch too much true crime.

[@Mita7538]

Yeah, how did she fall so severely on flat terrain? Why three shots? And why was he huddled up to her? He put her arm on him before killing himself? Strange

[@lindy2]

​@@Mita7538was the terrain flat? Much of Joshua Tree NP is boulder outcroppings.

[@VonHeisenbergOG]

Simple answer. Most people are morons

[@beatpirate8]

God bless the searchers. God bless them for guiding the dad day after day

[@kellykovacs182]

Such a good channel and your narration is always the best!!

[@outdoordisasters]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@ec8787]

Thank you 🙏 ❤

[@henryklevemann]

Tripping while hiking sounds like the summary NEVER HIKE TRIPPING !!!! Trust me !!!! you will get lost on the simplest of hikes.

[@MaryWahlen]

Thank you for another intriguing video!! You're channel's the best!!!!❤

[@outdoordisasters]

You are so welcome!

[@Leyzime]

Thank you so much for giving good survival advices in the end of the video. I just learn some new things because of your survival tips and advices. Thank you so much 👍

[@outdoordisasters]

Glad to help

[@Randy.E.R]

I remember this story well and was not surprised at the outcome. I have lived in the High Desert for 59 years and am all too familiar with stories of people from the city coming to visit the desert and have it become their final resting place. Some fall in mine shafts, others die of dehydration, still others succumb to hypothermia. That’s right, people can freeze to death here; there is no marine layer in the desert to keep it warm in the winter. I always hate to hear stories of tourists dying in the desert because its so unnecessary. This young couple had a whole life ahead of them and died in one of the most tragic ways possible. My next goal is to share my six decades of living on the desert in a book of how to survive a visit to the desert.

[@godizself1]

Waiting for that book

[@Randy.E.R]

@@MOAB-UT Don't you know that we are suffering through a record drought? I am trying to save water by not shaving. 🤣

[@j.l.salayao8055]

@@MOAB-UT Ask the Arabians why the outfit and beards in such a hot place.

[@j.l.salayao8055]

Just have one page of your book saying; The desert is not for the city folks, use your public parks for hiking instead.

[@jocelyne4325]

I remember visiting the park at this time and seeing their car on the side of the road taped off by police. What a tragic story!

[@JamesSimmons1964]

Just sad. I live an hour west of Joshua Tree and 3 hours south of Death Valley (equal distance from the Mt Whitney and the Eastern Sierra Nevadas). These places are huge desert and mountainous expanses with little water, shade or forgiving weather. Everyone, please take a Garmin Inreach Mini Satellite communicator with you. $300 to purchase or just rent one if you do not hike often. As proficient a hiker as I am . . . I carry one even on the simplest of hikes. Also, take a whistle, mini flashlight or headlight; a few glow sticks (not to mention water with electrolyte pack supplements). Other than the water, these items weight nothing (maybe a pound). A simple first aide kit wouldn't hurt either. I remember this story. The local media tried to make it seem like a planned murder/suicide but the evidence just didn't support that narrative . . . so sad 😞.

[@iyot1020]

I agree i always tell my friends who hikes to take satellite communication device because youll never know and if something bad does happen at least you help the s and r find your body easily thus not prolonging the agony of your loved ones

[@Jay-vr9ir]

Also carry mint candies , it makes water so much cooler to drink and a strong laser flashlight.

[@wjatube]

I never understand why people want to trip on hard drugs in the desert. Interesting the narrator mentioned the woman found a new man in her life. One could retell this story in a completely different way.

[@Pierre-wm3xs]

Don't do drugs in the desert or anywhere in the wilderness. Especially if you're not use to the area

[@ChristyCarrillo-cj7xd]

Yes good advice

[@Faroutamazingadventures]

Subscribed and followed! Thank you for this post!

[@outdoordisasters]

Thanks for subbing!

[@musqwatrax708]

If my child is lost in a desert, you're damn right I'm spending my days searching that desert. Sad for the dad but satisfied the couple was found and there was closure for both families.

[@skyelee9398]

I honest don’t believe it was a murder suicide being only two miles away from their parked car. Something doesn’t add up. RIP

[@corrinebayraktaroglu5695]

Only 2 miles . I was on a trail in Arizona and I had stepped on the trail thinking it was easy to get back because it was only a few yards. I was shocked by how impossible it was to see and it’s only because my husband was on the trail I could see which way to go. I’ve also got caught out with dehydration and you lose your equilibrium and get fog brained very quickly. There is no way though I’d go hiking in July though.

[@KennethChristian-f1k]

Holy shit dude you sound like James Earl Jones or some shit 😂 instant sub

[@outdoordisasters]

Awesome! Welcome my friend!

[@justiceforall007]

I hope they investigate this further. I'm curious as to how Rachel got that head injury.😢

[@kendallevans4079]

I am too, but the case is closed. There just wasn't enough interest on LE and the public which is sad.

[@Mita7538]

Yeah, how did she fall so severely on flat terrain? Why three shots? And why was he huddled up to her? He put her arm on him before killing himself? Strange.

[@diturner7247]

Weapon was buried at his feet?​@@Mita7538

[@PsychoFisho]

@@Mita7538 You ever hiked in The Maze? There is NO flat terrain. It is very rugged off trail, hand scrambling among small and large rocks/boulders. Slippery and easy to fall jumping from one rock to the next or jumping off a rock. There is no foot path whatsoever if you lose the trail.

[@phoebehill953]

That trip. Nature is pretty awesome without doing drugs.

[@laprock]

Let’s do the math: Multiple hallucinogenic drugs, plus a gun = tragedy. RIP Rachel.

[@foxxybaby3770]

It reminds me of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundry.

[@michaeloswald3776]

This is a strange one... The approximate area where they were found in is right on top of the Boy Scout Trial. A popular trail that is not easy to miss if you come across it. In fact, any direction they walked would have put them on a trail within a few miles. Its also a relativity flat area with a few mounds of rock here and there. A simple hike to the top of one would reveal cars on the main park road to the south only a mile or so away. Especially at night. A suicide pact seems out of the question but durgs must have been a factor.

[@christyl5481]

I don’t think anyone can rule out a murder suicide. He could have hit her on the head, immobilizing her. Then finished her and him. They could have found a trail or fired of the remaining bullets, leaving two left.

[@void________]

I was thinking it looks flat and they could just go to a high point. Yeah, something isn't right.

[@gnatanderson5536]

How likely is it y’all that someone hears a gunshot and goes looking where it came from? I’m from the south and we have gun shots all the time but we normally don’t go looking why or where they come from.

[@christyl5481]

@@gnatanderson5536 agreed, it’s crazy how the family built this narrative to help process and deny what happened

[@MaryMoser63]

Actually they were found a good distance from the Boy Scout Trail and just about 2 miles as the crow flies from Route 62 (in The Maze Loop area). A friend and I hiked out from the neighborhood along Route 62 up the canyon systems and to the point where they were found. It is very rugged in that area with lots of rocks and boulders. I think unless you actually see the area where they were found, you wouldn't get the feel for the gravity of their situation, especially since they were likely wandering around for days and dealing with heat stroke.

[@abetterlifestyle_24]

Very sad ending for a beautiful couple.

[@jam5158]

For being experienced hikers and him a quasi survivalist this never should have happened. So many apps to track your trail and look at a map of the area even when off line. Also the area they were found in was not far from the main road and had some small hills around it. A short hike to the top of any one of them would have given a decent view of the area and at night you could probably have seen cars on the road. Something just isn't right with this. The picture they have of where the bodies were found shows some high rocks that could have been climbed and gotten a good view of the area and maybe even cell phone service. The planes and helicopters would have covered that area in their search and seeing them he could have shot his gun 3 times which is the signal of distress. Gunshots can travel several miles in that flat terrain. He killed her then shot himself out of jealousy not to put her out of her misery. Being in law enforcement for 30 years and an avid hiker for the past 15 this raises so many red flags 🚩for me. Either way it's a sad story for the families.

[@MasterEggroll]

He murdered her then killed himself. No dude is going to blast his gf in the head with a gun. That is some demented stuff right there.

[@stee8345]

4 TYPES of psychedelic drugs, a firearm, and the wilderness?! Sounds like a recipe for disaster...

[@wakranich3488]

She was found w/A small amount of pot in her system he did not.. Stop criticizing people you don't know.

[@leannjones6282]

​@@wakranich3488 The Mushroom high could have lasted long enough to have gotten lost. It's too late by the time they got back to their senses.

[@leannjones6282]

​@@wakranich3488 The self life of the Mushroom metabolized out of their system, so it wouldn't have shown in the toxicology scrwwn

[@stee8345]

@@leannjones6282 yup I was literally just gonna comment this...mushrooms were most likely out of their system upon death

[@TheNotSoFakeGilbert]

*spoiler alert* it was, in fact, disastrous

[@markmarkyyy5632]

Almost unbelievable to be ultimately found within 2 mi. of the trail head or their car. Although stories such as this are not uncommon. Perhaps investing in a fleet of drones would be more effective than search parties given the enormous amount of terrain they could see from an aerial vantage point as opposed to manual search parties that basically have to come almost right upon these individuals especially if they are weak or incapacitated in some way.

[@Marc-King777]

A lot of search and rescue teams do use drones as they cover vast areas faster, thereby saving critical time. They also can reach areas hard to get to or spots that are too danagerous to send humans into without a lot preparation and/or equipment. However, human search teams are still an integral part of search efforts for various reasons. For one thing, while some drones can broadcast messages and can have a mic attached, they aren't effective for two-way communication. Therefore, one reason human search teams are still needed is so they can call out to stranded hikers--listen for a response--and act accordingly should they hear anything.

[@esterherschkovich6499]

RIP...so sorry for the couple and their families 😢

[@Alypnwcutie]

I cried.. thanks for sharing their story in such a heartfelt way. The poor family and honestly those poor kids. Rest easy Rachel and Joseph

[@bryanbrowning9294]

Cry-Baby

[@staceyloeffler6795]

Wow. I live near Joshua Tree, in Palm Springs, and summer temps get as high as 124°, for weeks at a time. You just cant drink enough fluids to keep up, especially if you are outside in this super dry heat. Mid afternoon, most people wouldnt get more than a mile. And many times I have gotten turned around in Joshua Tree national park. There is just one main road, and as soon as you lose sight of it, everything looks the same. Just more sand, boulders and endless joshua trees. Sun is directly overhead, and you cant tell which way is west. Even the sand gets hotter than the air temp. Think Death Valley. A beautiful place, especially to watch meteor showers at night. But never go unprepared. This area is deceptivelly dangerous. Many single hikers go missing and are never found again in this area!!

[@PInk77W1]

Check the weather often Never be ashamed to quit I’ve quit so many adventures

I lived a mile from Black Rock campground for five years. Never underestimate the need to stay well hydrated, even on a cool day. My voice croaked the first day of my arrival there due to the dry desert and mountain air. The beauty is captivating, and the stars are incredible at night. An occasional blanket of early spring snow adds to the charm and hides the sharp and dangerous things beneath it. Winter low temperatures average around 30F can dip into 15F with 45 mile per hour winds, as I discovered one night while capping freeze-burst sprinkler risers.

[@efolson]

A lot of strangeness in this story. The Maze Loop is only a 4.9 mile trail and they entered the park at 6:45am. They could have easily finished this hike within 2 hours and before the main heat of the day, although we don't know if they did another hike before starting the Maze Loop. Why bring a handgun on a hike in the desert? There are no large predators out there. Was it a factor that she was interested in another guy and he might have been jealous and wanted her back? Maybe he thought, if I can't have you, then nobody can? It's possible that they could have taken too many psychedelics and became disoriented and made a series of bad decisions, coupled with not having enough water. You don't hike in the desert when it's 100 degrees, unless you stay very close to your car or shelter. Also the statement that the gun was 'buried in the sand' sounds suspicious and maybe misleading. You can't bury a gun in the sand after you've shot yourself in the head. I'm thinking it's most probable that they just made a series of really bad decisions and got lost. It doesn't sound 'compassionate' to me. If Rachel was injured, Joseph could have tried to hike out and get help rather than shooting both of them dead.

[@clearsailing7993]

Maybe the gun was for rattle snakes.

[@kendallevans4079]

I agree with you on everything but the handgun. In 2023 I would not go camping or hiking anywhere without weapon. Not for animals but deranged, dangerous wacked out humans.

[@efolson]

@@kendallevans4079 Maybe the guy with the gun was the deranged whacked out one in this case?

[@kendallevans4079]

Swing and miss. Re-read with comprehension this time

[@amybradley5821]

I always hike with a gun. I’ve run across weird people that scared me more than animals but I don’t hike in a desert just a forest

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

So you don't walk around in circles, you can tell where you are by the position of the Sun (telling you exactly if you're walking North, South, East or West), but then since when do humans have any sense?

[@B11video]

I don't care how bad things get. Youi never even think about shooting your girl in the head. This story has so many holes in it. His actions tell a different story.

[@kendallevans4079]

Agree. I still hold to the murder/suicide theory. He just couldn't stand being "friend zoned".

[@jeffreyjohnson7987]

@@kendallevans4079 also - they said the gun was buried next to the boy, but how could it be buried if one commits suicide?

[@iyot1020]

@@kendallevans4079 im sure parents dont want him for her daughter kind of thing. so there's two hypothesis they romeo and juliet. or he did the if I'm not gonna have you no one will thing

[@kendallevans4079]

@@iyot1020 I'd go with the latter. He was out of his league and knew it.

[@Mita7538]

Yeah, how did she fall so severely on flat terrain? Why three shots? And why was he huddled up to her? He put her arm on him before killing himself? Strange

[@peggedyourdad9560]

Your videos seem to be making it to the fyp a lot more lately. Although, that may be because I’m subscribed.

[@outdoordisasters]

🙏

[@crayzmarc]

Great voice

[@Maijn2345]

This is such a heartbreaking story, may they rest in peace

[@estheralvarez67]

So Sad! I live in the high desert and am familiar with this area. Just so sad😔 Feel so bad to the families. Too young and beautiful gone too soon😢

[@huejaynus3134]

I remember following this story. I live like 45 Min west of joshua tree, rip to both

[@superstringsbro]

You live near Coachella? I was at Morongo last week and it is F’n CRAZY out there at night. I can’t even believe I was in California. It was 3 in the morning and I couldn’t find ANYTHING to eat ANYWHERE. I was driving around aimlessly on the freeway and could never find a place to eat so had to drive back to the casino where everything was also closed so I had to go to sleep hungry.

[@cathleenbond3983]

What a tragic story. That could be any hiker. I hope the families have found peace

[@RRaucina]

How did you make up and tell that story of a mercy killing and keep a straight face? Absolutely absurd. Trying to help out the families? Or filling a time slot?

[@markgebert2541]

The fact that they were "exes" and Orbeso brought a handgun into a safe area with no large predators makes this situation very suspicious . Was an investigation done by police to rule out murder? Sounds somewhat similar to the Gabby Petito story where her boyfriend claimed to put her "out of her misery" after she got injured in the wilderness. '

[@Zuckerpuppekopf]

Sounded totally fishy. They could easily see the road if they just took to higher ground to look around.

[@teremertz]

Joshua Tree is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Avoid the summer or winter months unless you are accustomed to extreme temps.

[@ShredderTainment]

Beautiful narration. Sad story.

[@rebeccaperson8581]

If someone shoots themself how do they bury the gun?

[@LLC808]

What was her injury.? Autopsy can’t say?

[@BarbieBabeEve]

2:20 story actually starts

[@QuiCali]

I watch so many of these stories, and this is the first time ive cried. Omg i cant even imagine

[@mayahawj3852]

I’ll be in Joshua again nxt month . Looking at the map / photos think we’ll skip the maze hike. Not enough time since we’re only planning to spend 1 day there before moving on .

[@superstringsbro]

Hopefully it cools down by then. I was in Coachella last week which is very near and it was hot AF. 90+ at least. I walked around an hour and when I got to the car, my temperature was up, was dehydrated and I was pounding water.

[@chrisx5127]

Something must have gone horribly wrong. Vietnamese don't simply get lost. We navigate jungles, this is just a desert.

[@SlikMc]

I remember this. I was living in Beaumont at the time. What makes this even sadder is they weren’t that far from where they needed to be to get out of there. They must have been disoriented.

[@ZsaZsaRodeo]

THEY DID SOME DRUGS

[@pinkishpoo]

Looks like they took drugs in hope of having psychodelic trip in the desert and something went wrong.

[@adavison335]

This is just heartbreaking!!😢

[@iolin12]

I like your videos and your voice its nice and has some hook, i feel that if you improve the microphone it would be amazing :)

[@outdoordisasters]

I'm going for the rustic feel, old school feel. Appreciate your feedback!

[@karlaaus4842]

Omg 😢so bloody sad

[@Cruise_Control_On]

I had passed their vehicle parked at the Maze Loop area while going in and exiting the park that day after my sunrise photo outing. It was eerie to see the tv news reports that evening on the initial reports of them missing. Seeing their car was an immediate deja-vu for me. A very sad ending overall.

[@danalejandro9019]

The story teller sure does try to make it sound like some noble venture....to go hiking in Joshua Tree in July whacked out on drugs....then getting lost...only two miles from your car...I think he tried something she rejected him and he hit her in the head with a rock then murder suicide...while whacked on shooms

[@jamieism]

How do you know what they were thinking, if they didn’t survive to tell you?

[@bobbowie9350]

Ikr. I hate that aspect.

[@nancyjones6780]

He said it was hypothetical

[@johnuhelski8613]

Question ; HOW did the gun bury itself in the sand ?? Very strange don't you think ? Please advise . Thank you.

[@j.l.salayao8055]

the wind gust or big foot.

[@rebeccahoneysett3993]

RIP TO THEM BOTH ❤❤

[@winterstorm366]

The murder suicide was him killing her they were young and he could have easily hiked 2 miles out!! If he can’t have her no o e can! Simple as that. Taking a gun on day hike on shrooms. A lot of speculation in this video by all! I call BS

[@kendallevans4079]

A cute Asian girl, lots of promise and potential! A blue collar Chollo, maybe working at an auto parts store? Hoping, one day to make manager?

[@behindthespotlight7983]

18:55 The reason 3 gunshots is standard and has been for 100 years is because the human ear requires 3 shots to triangulate the source of the report. Typically lost hunters are triangulated on the SECOND 3-shot volley. Security guards in Southern CA often carry revolvers so as to not appear quite as “tactical” as a Glock or Sig semi auto might appear. This is usually the private companies protocol rather than state or local statutes. It’s possible that had Joseph had a semi auto with 15 rounds they’d have been located. My message would be incomplete if I failed to mention signaling. A comprehensive signal kit fits in a box the size of 12 Pop Tarts box (I recommend a water tight Otter Box) and should contain: DAYTIME: -signal mirror -whistle -smoke flare (boating)* -Orion flare pistol (boating)* -mini air horn (boating)* NIGHTTIME: -USB rechargeable laser pen (Amazon) -130 lumen or higher Cree light -Chem sticks on a 3’ lanyard (USAF “buzzsaw”) -Orion flare pistol (boating)* -Orion hand flare (boating)* -mini air horn (boating)* -bicycle red strobe light -headlamp with strobe effect -minimum 6 AAA lithium batteries *denotes more advanced tools & increases the costs of the kit. But the other 6-7 tools should be carried without fail. There are also “personal alarms” that look like an automobile key fob with a shackle (Amazon). They emit a piercing 130dB klaxon when the shackle is pulled. They incidentally make great trip wire perimeter alarms for camp security. I could go on about other survival supplies that could’ve made a difference. Particularly a 2-sided survival blanket. Blaze orange on one side with mottled mylar on the other. I build and sell kits as a hobby and side hustle. With each kit that I pack, I pray & supplicate on these stories and pray that should my gear be needed God blesses said efforts with SAR joy. God bless the surviving friends and family members. This was a tragic case and I remember it well. PS: deserts are very Jurassic and therefore a tempting place to take psychedelic drugs. I did it in my 20’s. It’s an incredibly dangerous thing to do. Akin to white water rafting on them. Memorable? Absolutely. Death defying? Certainly. May the peace that passes understanding be with all who miss these young adults.

[@iyot1020]

Nah they said hes an avid outdoorsman i think this is more of a if i cant have you no one can kind of deal and killed her when hes trying to patch things up but the ex has moved on

[@behindthespotlight7983]

@@iyot1020You think? I remember when this occurred and my initial reaction to the story was similar to your reply. But hey I’m from San Francisco by way of Oakland, Dallas and LA. I figured I was just being cynical. Either way I hope a few adventurers read my signal kit suggestion and head out better prepared. As a darker additional note, I pray that women everywhere will really think about who they’re headed off into desolate regions accompanying. I was recently cat fished BADLY. There are some sick, sick people out there. Regrettably ours is a dangerous world. It’s one of the reasons I like this channel.

[@iyot1020]

@@behindthespotlight7983 another hypothesis i have is they planned this because the family forbade the relationship its not uncommon for asian parents to disown their kids if the marry someone outside of race aside from white dudes. it happened to my friend when she married a hispanic guy. thus it could be a romeo and juliet kind of deal which would explain why the daughters parents seems too cool about the guys family side on murdering their daughter.

[@kendallevans4079]

@@iyot1020 I'm Asian and I partially agree with you. I agree the parents might not have approved but not so much of race but he didn't show as much potential as her. I also don't think THEY planned this, I think HE did. My opinion is he was a very immature, underachieving kid and knew he was out of his league. She wanted to move on and he couldn't handle that.

[@behindthespotlight7983]

I rarely return to youtube comments/ threads but this story was so bizarre and you both obviously have considered it a number of times too. So let me throw this out there because it’s a definite impression from that time. I should mention that I grew up and went to high school in 1980’s Silicon Valley, lived in mid-90’s San Francisco and 7 years later lived one block from the East border of K-Town in Los Angeles (2003-05.) Some Asian parents have a tendency to soft pedal things their kids do (things that are anything less than Dean’s List or Junior Achiever’s) I don’t say this to be insensitive but kinda got the feeling that the parents “went with” the easiest possibility to digest /deal with. Even the narrator of this channel (who I like) completely skipped over the psychedelic drugs in his flowery summary and capitulated entirely into a Romeo & Juliet/coup de grace thing. But I think our discussion is accurate. Sounds to me like the guy was a little too “loner/gamer” and cooked up a fantasy. We’d also, ourselves, be skipping over an important data point if this wasn’t mentioned: WHO goes on overnighters with a recent breakup (now “just friends”) to an Air Bn B out in the damn desert? As explained in my original post I’ve spent time out in Joshua Tree. It’s ramshackle. Seedy. Lots of meth. There are entire chapters of this story that don’t pass the smell test. PS: people should still take proper gear and survival tools on excursions. And semi autos are still generally a better option than revolvers 😉