The Mystery of the Death Valley Germans

In July of 1996, the mysterious disappearance of a German family in Death Valley captured headlines and sparked an international search.

The Missing Family's Background and Trip Itinerary

Family of Four Plans California and Nevada Tour

A German family, often referred to as the "Death Valley Germans," embarked on a three-week tour of California and Nevada. The family arrived in Los Angeles on July 8th and was scheduled to return to Dresden, Germany, on July 27th.

Family to Return Minivan On July 26th Before Germany Flight

For their adventure, the family rented a 1996 Plymouth Voyager minivan, likely because it was the American subsidiary of Deutschmark Rent-A-Car. The vehicle was due back to the rental agency on July 26th, the day before their flight.

The Initial Search and Investigation

Family Missed Flight to Germany, Prompting Interpol Search

However, the family never returned the minivan nor did they make their flight back to Germany. This turn of events led Dollar Rent-A-Car to raise the alarm. Consequently, Interpol issued an international search for the missing tourists last seen in Southern California.

Ranger Found Family's Abandoned Minivan in Death Valley, October 1996

On October 21st, a stark discovery was made when a ranger located their abandoned Plymouth Voyager minivan in a remote area of Death Valley National Park. There were no immediate signs of the family's fate, a detail that initiated the ensuing mystery.

The following day, a ranger and a sheriff investigated the minivan and found it had three flat tires and was stuck in the sand, having been driven on the flats for a substantial distance. I ...

An investigation unfolds as clues lead to intricate search efforts for the family lost during their travels in the United States.

Retracing the Family's Steps

Investigators delve into the mystery of the missing family, carefully piecing together their last known movements.

Clues: German Guidebook and American Flag From Cabin

The family’s itinerary set them traveling from the LA area to Las Vegas, then through Death Valley National Park, planning to visit Yosemite National Park before flying home from LA. A German guidebook purchased at Furnace Creek Visitor Center in Death Valley became a critical clue. Records showed that two German guidebooks were sold on July 22nd, with none sold on the 23rd. The discovery of an American flag labeled for the Butte Valley Stone Cabin, also known as the geologist cabin, indicated that the family may have visited this location.

Rangers conducted a thorough search and found no record of the family staying at Furnace Creek Ranch or the campground. Upon checking log books, including at unstaffed locations, they struck gold with the Warm Springs Mine log book. The visitor’s log indicated, "we are going over the pass," suggesting the family may have attempted to take the Mengel Pass shortcut to Yosemite. The discovery of items in the van, including the pilfered American flag, provided more insight into tracking the family’s whereabouts.

The family, pressed for time and money with just four days left to reach LA, still had plans to visit Yosemite. A photo from July 22nd positioned them at Hanepah Canyon on the west side of Death Valley. Since they could not afford to camp at Furnace Creek or get a room, they likely resorted to free backcountry camping at Hanepah Canyon. From Hanepah Canyon, a route past Warm Springs Mine toward Mengel Pass would be logical.

The Determined Investigation by Tom Mahood

Tom Mahood, a retired engineer, became absorbed with uncovering what happened to the family.

Retired Engineer Mahood Obsessed With Solving Mystery

Finding himself with time to spare in retirement, Tom Mahood turned his attention to desert exploration and became intensely focused on the case of the missing family, often referred to as the Dea ...

The remains of a lost family were discovered years after their disappearance, with the circumstances surrounding their tragic demise coming to light through the dedicated efforts of searchers.

The Discovery of the Family's Remains

Tom Mahood and his friend Les Walker found sun-bleached bones at the base of a cliff, about nine miles from where the family's abandoned minivan was discovered. Mahood's discovery of an empty wine bottle and pages from a German daily planner on the trail led him to the site. Alongside the bones, Cornelia’s wallet with her credit cards was found, identifying the remains as belonging to the family. Although the DNA testing of the bones positively matched only with Egbert, it was apparent that the remains were also those of his wife, Connie. The remains of the children, however, were not conclusively identified.

The Tragic Circumstances of the Family's Demise

Family Seeking Naval Help Dies From Heat and Dehydration

The family had been attempting to reach a Naval base for rescue, coming within four miles from its border. However, the relentless heat of the desert and a dire lack of water led to their heartbreaking end due to heat exhaustion, dehydration, and potentially malnutrition.

Fencing Absence and Misleading Map Led To Death Valley Tragedy

Josh Clark describes the agony the family likely experienced as they succumbed to sunstroke, dehydration, and malnutrition. Egbert’s realization about the non-existence of a perimeter fence signified the severity of their predicament. Contributing to the tragedy was a misleading map, which ...