Washington - Parched bones found in California's Death Valley may be the remains of a family of four German tourists who vanished without trace 13 years ago in the searingly hot region. Hikers found the remains in a remote part of Death Valley National Park, a regional newspaper, the Conta Costra Times, reported Friday.
After the family failed to return home to Dresden, Germany in 1996, relations initiated a search.
Three months later, a minivan rented by the family was found abandoned in the valley's Anvil Spring Canyon with three flat tyres, but there was no sign of the occupants. Tracks suggested the van had been driven four kilometres on the flat tyres before they left it.
The lonely desert valley, where daytime temperatures can hit 50 degrees Celsius, is a big draw with visitors on self-drive holidays from densely populated Germany, which has no real wildernesses left.
Signs in the valley warn visitors to carry water, food and survival equipment. It almost never rains there.
Authorities said it would take some time to investigate the bones and a German passport found near them, but police spokeswoman Carma Roper called the find "a milestone" in the 13-year inquiry.
US reports said the last sign of life from an architect, 34, his girlfriend, 28, and their sons aged 10 and 4 was a note dated July 23, 1996 in a guestbook at an abandoned mining village.
