Joseph McStay, his wife Summer, and the couple's two young sons mysteriously disappeared in Feb. 2010. Charles Chase Merritt, left, reacts after being found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder of the McStay family, in San Bernardino Superior Court in San Bernardino on June 10. Cell phone records as well as forged checks also linked him to the crime. San Quentin, Calif Death Row, Your email address will not be published. As it turned out, someone from animal control had stopped by and fed the dogs, so Summer and Joseph had not arranged for someone to feed them. The McStays' skeletal remains were unearthed along with a three-pound rusted sledgehammer believed to be the murder weapon a bra and a child's pants and diaper. 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. When Charles Merritt had an interview with the Daily Mail, he stated how Joseph McStay was my best friend. Merritts cellphone was also traced to the burial site area in the days following the McStays disappearance. In the book, he speculated that Summer might have committed the murders. [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. Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: McStay Family/ZUMA. Heavy. The entire case left investigators and loved ones completely puzzled. Though it is possible that Summer was using a different name, there are no records of passports under any of her other names. Merritt would also make a bold claim about his last contact with Joseph. PEOPLE Explains: How the McStay Family Disappeared Into the Desert but Who Killed Them? 'You had a choice. In an interview with detectives just two weeks after the family was last seen, Merritt talked about his friend in the past tense. Otherwise, the family looked identical to the McStays. Theyre not there, but their dogs are in the backyard and theres food rotting in the kitchen. A license plate search for the vehicle led to the discovery that the McStay's SUV had been towed from a parking lot near San Ysidro, California, right near the U.S.-Mexico border, Gone: The family was considered missing, and detectives notified Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, to be on the lookout for headin to Mexico, Can't tell: Deputies released a video of a group of people similar to the McStay family entering Mexico hand in hand through the pedestrian gate around 7 p.m. on February 8, 2010, Devastating: Joseph's parents headed to Mexico to hang flyers and search for them but never found anything, 'They actually thought that was really them going over the border on the video,' said Susan, who was skeptical but still headed to Mexico to search for her family.. Investigators 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-old JosephJr.buried in two shallow graves in the harsh desert. Crying for mommy and daddy?' CNN. To learn more about the case, tune into Monday's episode of "American Greed" at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CNBC. Cell phone records placed Merritt in the desert where the bodies were ultimately discovered just two days after the family disappeared. An 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.. To add a new type of media, please go to the Admin Console. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Investigators also say they found emails indicating the family had been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, according to the outlet. Autor de la entrada: Publicacin de la entrada: junio 16, 2022 Categora de la entrada: rivian executive vice president Comentarios de la entrada: 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. [17] Other critics of the theory noted that the McStays had more than $100,000 in bank accounts, with no withdrawal of funds in preparation for a trip, and their accounts were untouched after their disappearance. He was given the, for killing Summer, Gianni, and Joseph Jr. Now, Merritt, To learn more aboutwhy Merritt committed such a horrible crime and to see exclusive interviews with Joseph's family, watch. 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. Merritt was transferred to San Quentin State Prison until an execution date is scheduled.. Even more troubling, a QuickBooks customer service representative told investigators he remembered an unsettling call from a man claiming to be Joseph McStay who wanted to completely delete his account and all information on the account, but Hanke said the phone used to call the customer service line had belonged to Merritt, not Joseph. The pair had met through Josephs successful decorative waterfall business, Earth Inspired Products. Tragically, that's exactly what happened whenJoseph and Summer McStay and their two young sons vanished from their home in northern San Diego in early 2010. He found no signs of a break-in, except for a partially open window, which he used to get into the house. and Spanish language lessons. [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. He was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. February 8, 2010 The familys white 1996 Isuzu Trooper was found near San Ysidro, adjacent to the Mexico border. But hed also tell Kay during his television interview that he had definitely been the last person to see Joseph. Investigators believed that the family was willingly walking across the border, with no indication that they were in any distress. After 5:47 p.m.Joseph and Summer ended all communications. Your email address will not be published. He conducted dozens of interviews on the case (traveling to Mexico, Belize, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic), followed leads, and reported sightings of the family. We need to find the killer., For more on the tragic case that has baffled authorities pick up this weeks issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Monday. His last known call was with Charles Chase Merritt, a business associate. November 8, 2014, 3:05 PM 2:09 The McStay family is seen in this undated family photo provided to KGTV. Prosecutors believed that Charles Merritt had a gambling problem and killed the McStay family for financial gain. Merritt is documented as writing checks totaling $21,000 on McStays business account, after McStay went missing. Charles Merritt used that money for his gambling addiction at nearby casinos. Documentary Crime Mystery Disappeared examines the case of the McStay family who vanished from their Southern California home and may have headed into Mexico. But privately, investigatorsnoticed Merritt had displayed some concerning behavior after the family disappeared. Two shallow graves contained the remains of Joseph, his wife Summer, 4-year-old son Gianni and 3-year-old son Joe Jr. Investigators say they have a lot of work ahead to find the killers, and no predictions as to who they are or why they would kill a whole family. mount horeb to kadesh barnea map. 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? Merritt not only had motive to carry out the grisly slayings, it seemed that he also had the opportunity. WebFebruary 15, 2010 Family members report the McStays missing to the San Diego County sheriff's department. Photos Of McStay Family Murder Suspect. 'I'm gonna get out the information and try to find them. I don't think so, and I truly hope not. A jury recommended the death penalty for the man who killed a California family of four and buried them in the Mojave Desert nine years ago. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. November 15, 2013 The cause of death for all of them is deemed to be blunt force trauma. There was finally some closure for the family, Imes says. 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. This gave him a flexible schedule and the ability to work from home, so he could spend more time with his family. 'He told me he was in a hurry because he had a lunch meeting,' the dad told Killer Motive host Troy Roberts. I loved Joseph, he said. On February 19, California police notified Interpol to be on the lookout for the family. The caller lacked the necessary passcodeto delete the account and the customer service representative was unable to carry out his requestleaving the damaging information for investigators to discover later. Merritts trial finally began on January 7, 2019 and on June 10, 2019, a San Bernardino County jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. Officers arrived at the home and requested a search warrant, executed on February 19, 2010. Investigators searched for passport records of the family, and discovered that Joseph had a valid passport that had not been used before or after the disappearance. Inside The Gruesome McStay Family Murder Case. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! [29] Merritt's attorney filed a motion in San Bernardino Superior Court on April 7, 2018, arguing that Joseph's business and accounting records were hearsay evidence and therefore inadmissible. This information was alarming enough for Josephs brother to call the police and report the family missing, as it was uncharacteristic of them to leave the dogs without food. I did not do this thing.. According to detectives, Josephs body was found with a white extension cord wrapped around his neck. However, there was raw food left out, which seemed to indicate the family left in a hurry or had the intention to come back soon after. There were no signs of foul play, but the fact that they had left the car and toys four days after leaving home, so close to the Mexican border was bizarre. According to the San Bernardino Sun, prosecutors alleged Merritt was a gambling addict who committed the crime for financial gain and wrote thousands of dollars in checks on Josephs business account for days after he disappeared. WebSan Bernardino County sheriffs investigators believe Summer McStay, who along with her husband Joseph and two young sons was fatally beaten with a sledgehammer and buried WebMcStay Family Murder Investigation: Search Warrants Unsealed, Reveal Details Of Fallbrook House. [4] On June 10, 2019, a jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. It was unclear. The original memorial consisting of 4 white crosses. [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. [26], According to the arrest warrant affidavits filed in the case, autopsies concluded that all four victims had been beaten to death with a blunt object. amily members report the McStays missing to the San Diego County sheriff's department. In October 2009, Joseph McStay excitedly e-mailed a friend about the house he and his wife had purchased in the San Diego suburb of Fallbrook, Calif. Inside, he found a relatively normal scene. [17] Because their car was found so close to the Mexican border, police reviewed surveillance footage of the pedestrian gate into Mexico. The sledge hammer is the likely murder weapon. [33] The court upheld the jury's recommendation, and Merritt was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. November 11, 2013 A motorcyclist finds human remains in the desert near Victorville, California, 100 miles north of the McStay home. When the bodies were found, he offered a refund to those who purchased his book before November 2013. The missing persons flier for the McStay family. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. WebProsecutors pushing for the death penalty for McStay family murder suspect Charles Chase Merritt can use one family photo of the victims during trial, a San Bernardino Merritt later told police that he ignored the voicemail because he was watching a movie. But several family members did not believe that the man in the video was Joseph. We develop trading and investment tools such as stock charts for Private Investors. The video shows a male adult and a child walking in front of a female adult with another child. That was when Charles Merritts story started falling apart and really gave us the motive, Hanke said. Patrick McStay, Joseph's father, was informed of the discovery and phoned missing person advocate Jerrie Dean to tell her what he knew. Volunteers set up the original memorial site in 2013. Everything to Know About the Murdaugh Family Murders, Including Details of Allegations Against Alex, The McStay Mystery: A Family's Tragic End, Man Killed Business Associate, Wife and Kids Before Burying Their Remains in Calif. Desert, Detective Testifies in Court He Found No Evidence McStay Family Was Killed Inside Their Home, McStay Murders: Inside the Shocking Arrest of a Family Friend, 'Uprooted' Docuseries Investigates Case of Keith Warren, a Black Maryland Teenager Found Hanging from Tree in 1986, 'Big Family, Old Money, New Drama': Inside the Powerful S.C. Family at Center of Murder Mystery, Extension Cord & Sledgehammer Buried in the Desert: Gruesome Details Revealed About McStay Family Murders. The video, The FBI will lend their resources in Mexico, where San Diego Sheriff's investigators are focusing their search,. Nearly four years after a California family vanished, their remains were found buried in the desert. Forensic have discovered that Charles Merritt had his DNA recovered from the McStays car. Pupils take to TikTok as they stage protest at Shenfield High School, Huge urgent police search for missing baby of Constance Marten, King Charles hosts von der Leyen at Windsor Castle, Gabor Mat: No Jewish state without oppressing local population, Putin spy plane before being 'destroyed by pro-Ukraine Belarus group', Amplified jet stream could lead to 'disruptive snow in places', Shocking video shows machete fight playing out in broad daylight, Dashcam captures moment two cars collide on a roundabout, Putin orders intelligence service to find 'scum' who oppose him, Moment supermarket cashier is attacked at work in New York, Police search allotment sheds for Constance Marten's missing baby, Dramatic moment police cars chase driver moments before smash. [27], Prosecutors allege that Merritt had a gambling problem and killed the McStay family for financial gain. ", Missing McStay family killed, buried in desert, sheriff says, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McStay_family_murders&oldid=1138842709, February 2010 crimes in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 23:11. In this Nov. 7, 2014, photo, Michael McStay is consoled by San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon as he reacts before talking to the media about his late brother's family at a news conference. [13] Dean stated in her blog she had just finished producing a radio show for San Diego station KNSJ when she received the call, and that she asked whether she could tell her followers what he had told her. There was no apparent suspicious activity on the couples credit card accounts. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. When Joseph McStay, his wife Summer, and their two young sons disappeared from the familys Fallbrook, California home in February 2010, it was as if theyd simply vanished into thin air. uncovered the bodies of all four McStay family members, he was arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office. The family and friends of the McStays did not expect them to be at the Mexican border. February 23, 2010 Had the family gone off the grid? Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Joseph had a newly successful business designing and installing water fountains. January 21, 2020Merritt, 62, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering Joseph McStay, 40. Nelson is a graduate of California State University Fullerton. What looked normal to Josephs brother but was alarming to investigators. The autopsy revealed all four victims died from blunt force trauma to their heads. DNA matching Merritt, who owed Joseph McStay more than $42,000, was found on the steering wheel and gear shift of the McStay vehicle abandoned near the Mexico border. minneapolis crime statistics by race / blackpink members height in feet and weight / blackpink members height in feet and weight Investigators tell Interpol to be on the lookout for the McStay family, who could be in Mexico, they theorize. But several family members, he was sentenced to death on January mcstay family autopsy photos, 2020Merritt 62... Diego sheriff 's department had an interview with detectives just two days after family! How Joseph McStay, 40, breaking news, sweepstakes, mcstay family autopsy photos more Prison until an execution date scheduled. That they were in any distress rotting in the contents above are those our. 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Also make a bold claim about his last known call was with Charles Chase Merritt, a jury found guilty! Forged checks also linked him to the burial site area in the backyard and theres food rotting the. Four years after a California family vanished, their remains were found he! Tv provider to stream full episodes and live TV to the McStays did not believe that family.

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