Missing hikers an apparent murder suicide
It's difficult to imagine the tragedy of two young hikers missing in Joshua Tree National Park for months, with their bodies just found, becoming more sad, horrifying, and mystifying, but it has. The story of Rachel Nguyen, 20, and Joseph Orbeso, 22 (originally reported as 21), who were reported missing in the national park on July 28, has taken yet another painful twist, as the investigation into their deaths, and the subsequent autopsies performed by the coroner's office after their bodies were found on Sunday, October 15, has led investigators to believe Orbeso shot Nguyen and then, himself.
The conclusion to a summer filled with search and rescue efforts by teams from at least two states, began this past Sunday when Sheriff's dispatch received a call from a park ranger regarding the two deceased persons located inside the park by a group that included Joshua Tree Search and Rescue volunteers, and Orbeso's father. According to Joshua Tree National Park, it was members of JOSAR that discovered the bodies at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. The site where the bodies were located was not accessible by vehicle, in a steep canyon to the far north of the Maze Loop Trailhead, so deputies from the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station were helicoptered to the area.
According to the Sheriff's department, due to suspicious circumstances and visible injuries to the decedents, detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division - Homicide Detail, were requested to respond to the location. With the loss of daylight, additional investigation and recovery of the bodies was postponed until Monday.
On Monday morning, Sheriff's Aviation transported investigators to the location to conduct their investigation and to recover the bodies. The two bodies were transported to the Coroner's Division in San Bernardino.
The dead were positively identified subsequently as Nguyen and Orbeso, both of Orange County. During their autopsies, injuries consistent with a gunshot wound were located on both bodies. Based on evidence located at the scene, detectives believe Orbeso shot Nguyen, then shot himself. The investigation into Orbeso's actions remain under investigation.
Reports that the two hikers had brought hallucinogenic drugs with them on their trip to Joshua Tree National Park have not been confirmed by law enforcement at this time. The father of Orbeso reportedly noted that the bodies of the two young people had been found in an embrace.
Additional information from the Sheriff's department noted the bodies of the two were found under a tree. They had, according to the Sheriff's department, positioned their clothing to cover their lower extremities and to protect themselves from the sun. It appeared they had been rationing their food and had no water. The gun found near the bodies was registered to Orbeso.
The couple had been reported missing on July 28 when deputies from the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station were contacted by the owner of a bed and breakfast in the area. The owner told deputies his guests Rachel Nguyen and Joseph Orbeso possibly went hiking in the Joshua Tree National Park that morning and had not returned to check out.
Later the same day, Joshua Tree National Park Service rangers located the couple’s vehicle near a trail head in the park. The vehicle was unoccupied, Nguyen and Orbeso were nowhere to be found.
A search was immediately initiated by the National Park Service along with their search and rescue team. On July 29, NPS requested assistance from the Sheriff’s department. This began a large scale search for the couple where over 250 search and rescue members comprised of both full time professionals and volunteers were used over the course of nine days to search for the couple. All assets including aircraft, dog teams, horse teams, and ground teams were utilized.
Search and rescue volunteers donated more than 2,100 hours during their attempts to locate the missing couple. During that time, more than 10 search personnel suffered injuries while conducting search operations.
On August 6, 2017, after evaluating the continuing risk to personnel and the chance of finding the couple alive, the search was scaled back to smaller teams on the weekends. Joshua Tree Search and Rescue along with park rangers, continued searching.
Detectives from the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station have continued to investigate any and all leads regarding the missing hikers. Leads were reported that the couple had been seen outside the park in multiple locations. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail, Detective Scott Stafford or Sergeant Robert Warrick (909) 387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the parents, family, and friends of Nguyen and Orbeso.
