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Body Found in Death Valley May be Linked to Missing German Tourists Missing Since 1996

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A sandstorm in Death Valley National Park | Photo by erikogan via Flickr

Back in 1996, four German tourists vanished in Death Valley National Park on a blistering 120-degree day. After months of searching, their minivan was found in a ravine, but there was no sign of the group, which included two boys aged 4 and 10. Since there have been no breaks in the case, which has been a long-standing mystery for the park.

That is until yesterday when two Riverside County residents discovered remains of a body. “Located close in proximity to the area where the skeletal remains were discovered was personal identification for one of the missing German tourists,” said Inyo County Undersheriff Jim Jones in a statement.

The remains were found in a remote area of Death Valley, South-East of Goler Wash. Every year, search parties have gone out to look for the bodies, but have always come up empty handed.

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