It’s been one year since the Hart family plunged off a California cliff to their deaths.

Jennifer and Sarah, each 38, and their adopted children Markis, 19, Hannah, 16, Jeremiah and Abigail, 14 and 12-year-old Ciera died in the crash in the area of Juan Creek and North Highway 1 in Mendocino County, California on March 26, 2018. The remains of their 6th child, 15-year-old Devonte, have not yet been found.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said their investigation into the case is complete. They will hold a coroner’s inquest on April 3 to determine the manner of death for each person.

The case

Jennifer and Sarah Hart and their 6 adopted children disappeared from their Woodland home in late March 2018 – shortly after a Washington Child Protective Services caseworker tried to contact the women at home. Neighbors had called CPS, concerned that the children were being abused and neglected.  

Within weeks, authorities said Jennifer Hart — who was driving — was legally drunk at the time of the crash. Toxicology tests also found that her wife Sarah Hart and two of their adopted children had “a significant amount” of an ingredient commonly found in the allergy drug Benadryl, which can make people sleepy.

The story gathered national attention and outcry. Some friends of the Harts spoke out in support of the couple, while others said they had their suspicions about abuse. 

As the investigation continued, details of previous family abuse allegations surfaced. Documents released in April 2018 showed Oregon Child Protective Services knew that the Hart family had been investigated for child abuse in Minnesota. 

Despite this knowledge, DHS’s investigation was closed with investigators concluding that they were “unable to determine” whether there was abuse in the home, despite some indications of abuse or neglect. 

By August, Clark County investigators said the entire case and investigation was “very frustrating.” Clark County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Brent Waddell said that investigators in his agency weren’t able to locate a suicide note, a message, or even any journal entries that spell out a clear intention.

In November, Clark County investigators released more documents, including emails between Jennifer and Sarah, indicating marital trouble.

This coroner’s inquest in April will provide another piece to the ongoing puzzle of the Hart family crash.

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