On Sunday, the bodies of the two Young Lovers that disappeared last summer were found in a steep canyon north of the Maze Loop trail in Joshua Tree National Park in California, Fox News reported. The couple, of Orange County, died from the gunshot wounds. According to experts, Joseph Orbeso, 22, of Lakewood, shot dead his girlfriend Rachel Nguyen, 20, of Westminster. Then the young man committed suicide.

How did it happen?

The Search And Rescue operation began at the end of July when the owner of a bed-and-breakfast reported that the couple did not check out of Airbnb accommodation in the Morongo Basin area.

Nguyen and Orbeso did not come back after going hiking in the park on July 27, where the temperature reached up to 100 degrees. On July 28, they were reported missing. Orbeso's father also took part in the operation, BBC reported.

According to officials, the couple ran out of the water and had less food left. The bodies were found under the tree, embracing each other. The young lovers tried to cover their legs with clothing to protect their skin from the sun. The gun, which was found at the scene, was registered to Joseph Orbeso, NBC San Diego reported. There is no evidence that the man wanted to harm his girlfriend.

The couple's car was found near a trailhead by National Park Service rangers.

The rescue operation lasted for around 2,100 hours in the park area. 250 search and rescue resources were involved, such as aircraft, dog teams, horse teams, and a ground team, Los Angeles Times reported.

The big-scale search had been lasting for a week, but then smaller teams continued scouring the park on weekends as around 10 search personnel suffered from the strong heat.

What the couple's relatives and friends said

According to the Sheriff's Department Morongo Basin station, homicide detectives are investigating the details of the tragedy, as there are certain "suspicious circumstances and visible injuries" to the bodies.

Orbeso's father, Gilbert Orbeso stated that his son was kind and caring, ad the couple seemed to be "seeking shade under the brush." Orbeso's friend Austin Young said that the couple had a choice of a quick death or a slow and painful one, and "they made the choice of a quick death.”

Rachel Nguyen' s relatives claimed that they “believe this was a sympathetic murder-suicide." They noted that they were thankful for the opportunity to give their girl a proper burial.
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