TRAGIC WAY OUT
Slay-suicide a last-ditch ‘pact’ by starving hikers
The two hikers found dead in California’s Joshua Tree National Park may have agreed to a “sympathetic murder-suicide” pact — killing themselves rather than starve to death, investigators say.
The bodies of Joseph Orbeso, 22, and former girlfriend Rachel Nguyen, 20, were found 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 uncovered evidence that the couple, badly dehydrated, had been rationing what little food they had left. They said they now believe that Orbeso shot Nguyen and then turned the gun on himself to end their starvation.
“The bodies of Rachel Nguyen and Joseph Orbeso were found under a tree,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff ’s Department said.
“They had positioned their clothing to cover their lower extremities and protect them from the sun. It appears they had been rationing their food and had no water.”
The pair’s dire condition suggests that the shooting may not have been criminal, 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,” she said.
Nguyen’s family said they harbor 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 family said in a written 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 . . . they will remain in our prayers. 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 a pal, Austin Young, 23, who told the Register that Orbeso and Nguyen had once dated but were only friends when they embarked on the hike.
“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, was with the search team when it uncovered the remains, but the gruesome discovery provided a measure of closure for the family, he said.
“We know we found them. That was our main goal, to find them,” the dad said. “We hope that they can rest in peace now. I believed that I was going to find them. I didn’t know when. But I had my answer today.”