Hugs, even tears. A close knit community of Christians in Stanislaus County are devastated three of their own are now presumed dead.
Lilly and Emily Chawchin said, "They're all church members and good people and they're all angels on earth. You know, accidents happen and maybe God just planned for that to happen."
Hormiz David, Ninos Yacoub and Ramina Badal fell over Vernal Fall in Yosemite National Park, Wednesday. The Chawchins are David's cousins. They are still trying to grasp the reality of what happened.
"I know he's going to come home, he's coming home and this isn't real. He's coming home because he's my big brother and he's everything I ever asked for, " said Chawchin.
The three hikers were active members of the Saint George Parish Church, in Ceres. Dozens came out for a prayer service and candlelight vigil.
Chawchin explained, "They're all the best people. They were all really good people. They had the best families, and it's sad. It's true that you know, God takes the best."
Yacoub was studying chemistry at CSU Stanislaus. Badal was a nursing student at the University of San Francisco. David was studying music production at Modesto Junior College. The three grew up together.
No bodies have been found. David's cousins remain hopeful.
"Don't let them give up on searching for them because they may still be alive. You never know. We don't want him looking down on us, we want him face to face to help us with the rest of our lives," said the Chawchins.
TXT 24
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