Sad part of the story is this is common in this part of the world. A few make the news. We have great SAR teams in the NW. But many people like this have no clue and are found the next year by hikers, hunters or fisherman or some part of them is found as they are just food for several things that live in the woods.. Finding a car or motorcycle thats been missing for a year or so is not uncommon. 2-300 foot drops off the roads are common as is finding them in rivers after the water level drops. As far as the GPS around here really works. Most will put you with in a couple miles. But there are often FS, or logging roads near and no road signs.
There is no queston there is nothing you can do to help dumb. Things like taking the family for a hike on a warm day with no water or jackets as it often freezes a while after sunset here. Going to look for a Christmas tree no water or blankets. Taking you puppy along which is really just a snack for some critters that live here. Or taking short cuts in country you do not know.
Just to go shopping we have to cross the Siskiyou Pass in winter. We haul full winter gear, food and water. Our longest set up there was 19 hrs next longest 6 hrs. Always fuel before you leave.
Its just not city living.
