The families of two hikers who went missing nearly a month ago in Joshua Tree National Park held a press conference Saturday to announce they will offer a reward for the safe return of Rachel Nguyen and Joseph Orbeso. With details, here’s managing editor Tami Roleff…
“There’s a small, small chance that they are somewhere outside of the park, and the families and many of us are pinning our hopes on that.”
Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent David Smith admitted that while the families of the missing hikers are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to their safe return, the search for Rachel Nguyen and Joseph Orbeso has changed its focus.
“We will continue to do a limited search. We have scaled back the active search. We definitely have moved from the search effort to the recovery effort, which means we believe they have perished somewhere inside the park.”
Orbeso’s father, Gilbert Orbeso, is still hopeful, however.
“We are very hopeful, we are very hopeful that Joseph and Rachel have left the park on their own accord and are still alive outside the park…. If Joseph and Rachel can hear this message, we want them to know we love them very much. If Joseph and Rachel are being held against their will and are captive in any way, please, we ask you to release them. They are young adults whose families love them very much and want a safe return. We want Joseph and Rachel to know we will never stop searching.”
If you have information on their whereabouts, call 909-383-5652 and ask for the detective division.
FAMILIES OF MISSING HIKERS WILL NEVER STOP LOOKING, OFFER REWARD
