Hikers found in Joshua Tree: Man shot woman, then himself: Officials

(CNS/FOX 11) - Officials believe one of the missing hikers who were found dead in Joshua Tree National Park may have shot and killed the other before shooting himself according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Rachel Nguyen, 21, of Westminster, and 21-year-old Joseph Orbeso, of Lakewood, were last seen July 27. They were reported missing the next day after they did not check out of their Airbnb rental.

The remains of the two were found Sunday by a search team that included Gilbert Orbeso, the father of one of the missing hikers.

"Based on evidence located at the scene, detectives believe Orbeso shot Nguyen, then shot himself. The investigation into Orbeso's actions remain under investigation," the news release states.

Gilbert Orbeso, who has kept up the search effort since the pair disappeared, told a local news station he and the search team were scaling boulders about two miles from Maze Loop when they spotted the couple's clothing, some water bottles and food wrappers. The crew followed the trail and saw the remains of two people -- the bodies embracing each other.