Death Valley bones may be missing German tourists:
Skeletal remains found in Death Valley may belong to one or more of the four German tourists who vanished in searing summer heat 13 years ago, authorities said Friday.Two hikers discovered the bones Thursday in a remote area of the famous Mojave Desert park. The hikers were search-and-rescue workers from Riverside County but they were off duty at the time, Inyo County sheriff’s spokeswoman Carma Roper said.
Identification for one of the missing tourists was found near the bones, she said.
“We’re fairly certain” that the remains are those of one or more of the long-missing visitors, Roper said. However, formally identifying the remains will be a long process, she said. The cause of death also must be determined.
“At this point, it’s being handled like a criminal investigation … but there is no evidence of foul play at this point,” Roper said.
The remains were found southeast of Goler Wash, a rugged area accessible only by 4-wheel-drive vehicles.
The area is several miles south of the spot where an abandoned minivan the tourists had rented was found months after they were reported missing.
