The two hikers found dead in Joshua Tree National Park may have engaged in a “sympathetic murder-suicide” pact — agreeing to kill themselves rather than starve to death, investigators say.
The bodies of Joseph Orbeso, 22, and gal pal Rachel Nguyen, 20, were found dead with gunshot wounds — locked in an embrace — in the wilderness last week. The pair was reported missing nearly three months ago, on July 28, when they failed to check out of an Airbnb they had rented for Nguyen’s birthday.
Detectives, who uncovered evidence that the dehydrated pair had been battling the elements and rationing what little food they had, believe Orbeso shot Nguyen and then turned the gun on himself to end their starvation.
“Since we don’t have any evidence to tell us why the shooting occurred, we are left to speculate,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Cindy Bachman told Time Magazine. “Knowing that they rationed food, had no water and were seeking shade certainly sheds a different light on the apparent dire circumstances.”
The young woman’s family said it harbors no resentment against Orbeso.
“It was explained to us by the investigators on scene, with the circumstances and positioning of the bodies, that they believe this was a sympathetic murder-suicide,” the Nguyen family said in a statement given to the Orange County Register. “We hold no grudges against Joseph or the Orbeso Family.”
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Orbeso Family, and that they will remain in our prayers,” the statement continued. “We thank God that we’ll be able to give Rachel a proper burial and lay her to rest.”
Orbeso may have had the gun because he worked as a security guard, according to friend Austin Young, 23, who told the Register that Orbeso and Nguyen had dated but were only friends when they embarked on the hiking trip.
“He saw her socially and wasn’t going to push the relationship,” he said. “He just wanted to do thoughtful things for her. He was never aggressive. I think he brought a gun out there to protect Rachel. I think they got lost and were suffering in 100-degree heat.”
Orbeso’s father Gilbert found the bodies during a search effort last week, and said the gruesome discovery provided some measure of “closure.”