Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Princess's dance partner Wayne Sleep reveals she would do his washing-up Do not sell or share my personal information. Its been a tough road.. Investigators would discover evidence that showed someone had taken control of Josephs checking account right before and right after he disappeared, writing a total of nine checks to either Merritt or those who he owed money to totaling nearly $15,000. WebInvestigators from the San Bernardino Sheriffs Department soon uncovered the bodies of all four McStay family membersincluding Joseph, Summer, 4-year-old Gianni and 3-year [2][11], During their investigation, the police learned that around 11:00 pm on February 8, the family's Trooper had been towed from a strip mall parking lot in San Ysidro, San Diego, near the Mexican border. Stars Christopher Crutchfield Walker (voice) Joseph McStay (archive footage) Summer McStay (archive footage) See production, box office & company info Watch on With no leads, the case went cold until nearly four years later, when the familys remains were found 100 miles away in the Mojave Desert after an off-road motorcyclist discovered human bones. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! On February 15, eleven days after the family was last heard from, the police searched the McStay family home. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! It was unclear. Though simply changing her name is not an indication of anything sinister, it did stir up a number of theories that Summer was responsible for the disappearance. The father's parents, Patrick McStay and Susan Blake, have opened up about the murders on the second season of the Oxygen true-crime series Killer Motive, which premieres on January 23., Mystery:Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, vanished from their home in Fallbrook, California, on February 4, 2010, Tragedy: Joseph'sparents, Patrick McStay and Susan Blake, have opened up about the murders on the second season of the Oxygen true-crime series Killer Motive, In a preview clip from the episode about the McStay family, Patrick recalled speaking to his son in the morning on the day they disappeared.. At their home in Fallbrook, California, investigators found no signs of forced entrance or violence. His last known call was with Charles Chase Merritt, a business associate. A hearing on McGees motion is scheduled Friday in San Bernardino Superior Court. [4], On June 10, 2019, a San Bernardino County jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. January 25, 2018. mcstay family autopsy photosdave coulier son. On February 13, when the family hadnt been heard from in nine days, Josephs brother went to the house. Merritt was transferred to San Quentin State Prison until an execution date is scheduled.. Please be respectful of the memorial and do not leave any trash when you visit. [24] When asked if he thought Merritt was a suspect, Joseph's father Patrick said, "I have to have faith in Chase because I have to have faith in my son. In an interview with detectives just two weeks after the family was last seen, Merritt talked about his friend in the past tense. Back in February of 2010 the McStay family disappeared, in Fallbrook California. [5], In 2010, Joseph McStay (age 40) and his wife Summer (age 43) lived in Fallbrook, California, with their sons Gianni (age 4) and Joseph Jr. (age 3). Who would brutally murder the entire McStay family? We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The familys disappearance was a shock to the investigators because there was shown no evidence of struggle at their Fallbrook home. Chase went on TVand talked about his relationship with Joseph and one of the key statements that he made was something to the effect of he was definitely the last person who saw Joseph alive, San Bernardino County Sheriffs Sgt. WebInvestigators found four people who resembled the McStays walking across the border at approximately 7:00 p.m. on February 8, less than two hours after parking the car in the The following year, authorities filed murder charges against Merritt, Josephs onetime business partner. No mention was made by investigators or attorneys during Merritts preliminary hearing that investigators believe Summer McStay had been raped, nor has any evidence been presented publicly to indicate that, other than what McGee included in his motion. On November 5, 2014, Chase Merritt, a business associate of McStay was arrested and charged with four counts of murder, after his DNA was discovered inside the McStay vehicle. Michael did not find any family at home, and their two dogs were in the backyard. Video recorded the evening of February 8, released on March 5, showed a family of four resembling the McStays crossing the border. by all accounts aloving family with no enemies,baffled investigators. On February 13, Joseph's brother Michael traveled to the McStay residence and climbed in and gained entry to the home upon finding an open window in the back. What looked normal to Josephs brother but was alarming to investigators. Susanmade an equally emotional statement ahead of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives. How did four people end up here in the middle of nowhere, over 100 miles from where they live? he asked. Forensic have discovered that Charles Merritt had his DNA recovered from the McStays car. Although both instances raised investigators' suspicions, another glaring clue would ultimately put Merritt at the center of the investigation. On February 19, California police notified Interpol to be on the lookout for the family. When Charles Merritt had an interview with the Daily Mail, he stated how Joseph McStay was my best friend. Joseph's family confirmed that he had an unexplained illness and that Summer was possessive of her husband, but they called Merritt's suggestion that she was responsible for his illness unfounded. Look out for wildlife like rattlesnakes. It was believed to have been parked there between 5:30 and 7:00 that evening. The familys two beloved dogs, Bear and Digger, were left behind in the backyard, and nearly $100,000 remained untouched in bank accounts belonging to Joseph, who ran a successful decorative-fountain business. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. It gives us courage to know that theyre together and theyre in a better place, said Mike McStay, who attended the conference. Watchara Phomicinda/Digital First Media/The Press-Enterprise via Getty, Pa. Police Arrest 'Supposed' Friend, Business Partner in Death of Mom Found in Shallow Grave, After 30 Years, Police ID Calif. Woman Who Was Stabbed to Death, but Her Daughters Remain Missing, Ohio Mom and Her 2 Teen Sons Found Dead in Home After Murder-Suicide, N.J. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After the family of four was reported missing, the authorities discovered surveillance footage from the US-Mexico border in San Ysidro, California. ', Susan said they would stop in little towns that had just a gas station and a grocery store to post flyers., Patrick also searched for their son in Mexico and thought he had a lead when a family claimed to have seen the McStays at Walmart, but security footage confirmed it wasn't them., Inconclusive:After three years of searching, the San Diego Sheriff's Department investigators concluded in April 2013 that the McStay family had gone to Mexico voluntarily, Frustrating: The McStays friends and family insisted they would never go to Mexico with their children, but there was no other explanation, Heartbreaking: On November 11, 2013, an off-road motorcyclist came across the family's human remains in San Bernardino County's Mojave Desert, After three years of searching, the San Diego Sheriff's Department investigators concluded in April 2013 that the McStay family had gone to Mexico voluntarily., Seven months later, on November 11, 2013, an off-road motorcyclist came across human remains in San Bernardino County's Mojave Desert. Dental records confirm that the remains are those of Joseph and Summer McStay and other remains are believed to be those of their children, the San Bernardino Sheriffs Department announcedat a news conference. The driver for all Investors is the continuous search for investment opportunities. Documentary Crime Mystery Disappeared examines the case of the McStay family who vanished from their Southern California home and may have headed into Mexico. The District Attorneys Office, according to McGee, has opposed the motion about the familys photos and videos, which will be argued Friday before Judge Michael A. Smith. However, three years later, in November 2013, the remains of the McStay family were discovered in two shallow graves in the Mojave Desert, near Victorville. February 8, 2010 The familys white 1996 Isuzu Trooper was found near San Ysidro, adjacent to the Mexico border. Morbid Tourism does not recommend visiting the area after dark, as it can be dangerous at times. They were dressed similarly to the McStays, and the children were wearing hats similar to ones they had been photographed in. Additionally, a family friend was helping paint the house, and left with the intention of returning on Saturday, February 6, to finish the job. KGTV/ABC News. But several family members did not believe that the man in the video was Joseph. Unconfirmed family sightings were reported in Mexico and elsewhere, perpetuating hopes that they were safe and had left voluntarily. The McStay Family Memorial is located in a very rural desert area directly north of the I-15 Stoddart Wells/Quary Rd exit. But hed also tell Kay during his television interview that he had definitely been the last person to see Joseph. Beyond Charts+ offers sophisticated Investors with advanced tools. They recognized that the children and Summer were the people in the video, but Josephs mother believed that if the man in the video were Joseph, his hair would have been much bushier. February 4, 2010 During a phone conversation Josephtold his fatherhe was in a hurry because he had to get to a lunch meeting. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Theyre not there, but their dogs are in the backyard and theres food rotting in the kitchen. The sledge hammer is the likely murder weapon. The family was from Fallbrook, a quiet bedroom community in San Diego County. How do you do that?. It was impounded at the time as an abandoned vehicle. [2] In April 2013, the San Diego Sheriff's Department announced that they believed that the McStays traveled to Mexico voluntarily.[18]. Two days later, two sets of remains were officially identified as those of Joseph and Summer McStay. Sheriffs investigators believe Merritt, a business associate of Joseph McStay who built custom decorative water fountains for McStays online business, killed the McStays for financial gain. Patrick McStay, Joseph's father, was informed of the discovery and phoned missing person advocate Jerrie Dean to tell her what he knew. Later that night, he received a phone call from animal control, which was planning to take the dogs because they had been left outside without food for over a week. He was charged with four counts of murder and the district attorney requested the death penalty. November 8, 2014, 3:05 PM 2:09 The McStay family is seen in this undated family photo provided to KGTV. "[21][22], In 2013, Merritt acknowledged he had spent more than an hour with Joseph the day the McStay family went missing. In addition, investigators also discovered that Summer had changed her name multiple times throughout her life. In April 2013, the San Diego Sheriffs Department turned the case over to the FBI, which was more equipped to investigate cases that involve other countries. [28], In January 2018, a trial-setting conference was scheduled for February 23. 'Some rough places, but you have had somebody stab me, it doesn't matter,' she noted. When family members were called in to help identify the people on the video, they had mixed reactions. He is in San Quentin Prison on death row. In an email Thursday, sheriffs Lt. Sarkis Ohannessian declined to comment, citing the ongoing criminal case. McStay Family Car Found Near Mexican Border, The house was as if somebody just beamed them up to the Starship Enterprise, reporter Tony Shin, who covered the case for KNSD-TV, recalls in the latestepisode of, For years the familys mysterious disappearance would continue to baffle investigators until a motorcyclistriding the trails in the Mojave Desert on Nov. 13, 2013 made a, Investigators from the San Bernardino Sheriffs Department soon. At one point, investigators wondered if the family had decided to start a new life in Mexico. Lastly, neither party to this case is arguing or disputing that it was in fact the McStays whom were the victims in this case, according to McGees motion. I would never have hurt him in any way. KGTV/ABC News -- A business associate of a California family that mysteriously disappeared more than four years has been charged in the four murders - including two young boys, police said today. Investigators believed that the family pictured is likely the McStays, based on analysis of family photos and home videos. Josephs father Patrick McStay, however, continues to be haunted by Merritts dark deeds. Inside The Gruesome McStay Family Murder Case. Summer McStay may have been raped before she, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Summer McStay may have been raped before she was killed, buried in desert, court document says, Riverside County DA implores state lawmakers in war on fentanyl: We need your help!, Rep. Aguilar announces $500k for sickle cell mental health support, Stunning new park in South Fontana offers something for all outdoor enthusiasts, Is there a problem with paying cash for a car? Copyright 2022 Crime Museum, LLC - All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy |. [16], After their disappearance, it was speculated that the McStays left voluntarily since investigators found searches on the family's computers for "What documents do children need for traveling to Mexico?" My fear is that Im looking for two adult shallow graves and my two nephews crosses, Josephs kid brother, Michael, told the Orange County Register a few weeks after the Feb. 4, 2010, disappearance. He found no signs of a break-in, except for a partially open window, which he used to get into the house. Patrick McStay says the murder of a family of four was "all about money" By Elaine Aradillas. Its been a tough road.. [19] Relatives of the McStays doubted that they would travel to Mexico, saying that Joseph and Summer avoided the country because of the safety threat posed by recent drug wars. Prosecutors said he bludgeoned the family to death with a sledgehammer. Published: 23:50 GMT, 22 January 2021 | Updated: 23:58 GMT, 22 January 2021, The parents of a man who disappeared with his wife and two young children have detailed how they searched for the family for years before it was discovered that their son's business partner brutally murdered them with a sledgehammer..
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