Bodies found in San Gabriel Complex Fire identified nearly 2 months after discovery

AZUSA, Calif. (KABC) -- Two bodies found in the burn area of the San Gabriel Complex Fire back in early July were positively identified by officials on Thursday.

The Los Angeles County Coroner identified the bodies as 31-year-old Carlos Perez and 16-year-old Jonathan Pardo.

The family of Perez and Jonathan Pardo, who were cousins, found the bodies in the Angeles National Forest north of Azusa on July 7.

MORE: 2 bodies found in San Gabriel Complex Fire burn area north of Azusa

Ricardo Pardo said the two were dropped off to go hiking at 9 a.m. on June 20, the day the blaze broke out.

The San Gabriel Complex Fire went on to scorch more than 5,400 acres after being sparked by a car crash.

Family members of the missing hikers criticized efforts from law enforcement to help locate Perez and Jonathan Pardo.

The family searched every day after reporting the two hikers missing until they stumbled upon the charred remains.

"We saw two bodies lying on the floor. Completely, it was just bones, they were completely burnt," Ricardo Pardo described on the day that the bodies were found. "It's sad because it's been more than a week that they've been up there and my parents have been suffering because they just wanted to find my little brother."

MORE: Charred remains from Angeles forest to be tested for match to hikers

Ricardo Pardo said he knew the bodies belonged to his family because he found part of a backpack they were carrying the day they went missing.

Family members created a makeshift memorial and said there were several other people honoring the two cousins.

"His friends, family members. From his school, his counselor the principal, they show up here to show some respect to my little brother," Ricardo Pardo added.

An official cause of death was not released by officials.