News Release

Families Schedule Press Conference to Announce Award for Missing Hikers

Date: August 23, 2017
Contact: Jennifer Albrinck, 760-367-5520

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, Twentynine Palms, California – The families of missing hikers Rachel Nguyen and Joseph Orbeso have scheduled a press conference at Joshua Tree National Park on Saturday, August 26, to announce a reward for their safe return. Orbeso’s father as well as National Park Service (NPS) representatives will be on hand to provide updates on the current status of the search as well as to give further details regarding the reward.
 
Nearly a month has passed since Nguyen and Orbeso failed to return to their vehicle or to their lodging while visiting Joshua Tree National Park. Since then, the NPS and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) have conducted an extensive investigation and search within the park and surrounding communities. These searches involved hundreds of rescuers as well as family members and friends of the missing hikers along trails and in the backcountry of the park. Joshua Tree Search and Rescue has transitioned from an active, intensive search to what is known as a limited continuous search mode.
 
Members of the press and the public are invited to meet with family members and park officials at the Maze Loop Trailhead at 10:00 am this Saturday. At that time, the family will announce the reward amount and will again request that anyone with knowledge of the couple’s whereabouts step forward.
 
Anyone having any knowledge related to their whereabouts should contact the SBCSD dispatch center at 909-383-5652 and ask for the detective division. Any questions from the media should be directed to the park at 760-367-5520.