Family and Friend of 2 Hikers Found in S. California Park Say Death Was ‘Sympathetic Murder-Suicide’

Joseph Orbeso, 22, and Rachel Nguyen,20, who went missing in Joshua Tree National Park, Calif., on July 27, 2017. State of California Department of Justice

The family of two hikers who were found dead earlier this month after hiking in Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California said the pair likely died in a “sympathetic murder-suicide.”

Joseph Orbeso, 22, and Joseph’s friend, Rachel Nguyen, 20 were found embracing each other, searchers report.