Do I think Chase is involved? Hannah Betts' Better not younger: Secret to longer, thicker locks? The sledge hammer is the likely murder weapon. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! It showed a family that appeared to look like the McStays, crossing into Mexico. 'As a mother, you're going to do absolutely anything and everything you can to find them,' she explained. On February 19, California police notified Interpol to be on the lookout for the family. [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. [2][12], On November 11, 2013, a dirt biker found four sets of human remains buried in two shallow graves in the desert near Victorville, California. The video shows a male adult and a child walking in front of a female adult with another child. 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. There were no signs of foul play or any forced entry. ', Getting worried:Susan had her son Mike stop by the family's San Diego County home on February 13, 2010, nine days after her son was last heard from, Confusing: Upon Mike's arrival, he noticed that Joseph's 1996 Isuzu Trooper was missing, but their dogs were in the backyard, Abandoned: When Mike crawled through a window of the San Diego County home, he discovered food rotting in the kitchen, Mike crawled through a window and discovered food rotting in the kitchen, and Summer's prescription sunglasses were also left on the table., 'It's like they went poof,' Susan recalled., There were no signs of forced entry or any foul play, which baffled investigators and suggested the family left on their own accord., The family's computer had recent internet searches for: 'What documents do children need for traveling to Mexico?' 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. Prosecutors contend greed is the motive for the murders. The tragic case will be featured in the Season 2 premiere of Killer Motive, hosted by Troy Roberts and airing Saturday at 6/5c on Oxygen. 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. According to state records, Merritt had felony convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property. Webmcstay family autopsy photos. Prosecutors said he bludgeoned the family to death with a sledgehammer. He has covered San Bernardino County since 2009. On Thursday, February 4, the last day that the McStay family was heard from, Joseph attended regular work meetings. The family and friends of the McStays did not expect them to be at the Mexican border. Summer, meanwhile,spoke with her sister, whod recently had a baby. He was a big part of my life and my familys life. 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. Were they victims of a crime? February 8, 2010 The familys white 1996 Isuzu Trooper was found near San Ysidro, adjacent to the Mexico border. Skincare for your hair How to trick yourself slim: Top nutritionist reveals her tips including shrinking your cutlery, sniffing Meghan breaks cover! Radio host Rick Baker published a book, No Goodbyes: The Mysterious Disappearance of the McStay Family. 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. Patrick said, "I truly believe she loved my son. So we created Beyond Charts to put you on the right path. Joseph McStay, his wife Summer, and the couple's two young sons mysteriously disappeared in Feb. 2010. 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. ', Gruesome: The McStays' skeletal remains were unearthed along with a three-pound rusted sledgehammer believed to be the murder weapon, Crime: Charles 'Chase' Merritt, who was a partner in Joseph's water-fountain business, was arrested for the murders in 2014 and found guilty in 2019 (pictured), Criminal: In January 2020, Merritt was sentenced to death for bludgeoning the couple and their children to death inside their home because he owed them $30,000. Timeline of Gabby Petito Tragedy 1 Year After Killer Brian Laundrie's Body Was Found, Calif. Man Gets Death Penalty for Killing Business Partner, Victim's Wife, Kids Before Burying Bodies, Murder, Greed and the Mojave Desert: The Mystery Behind the McStay Family Murder. . The pair had met through Josephs successful decorative waterfall business, Earth Inspired Products. Investigators immediately seized the car and searched it for evidence. Around the same date, fliers were distributed to aid in the search. 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. 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? Its been a tough road.. He stands charged with first-degree murder in connection with the February 2010 bludgeoning deaths of Summer McStay, 43, her husband Joseph McStay,40, and their two children, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3. Summers prescription sunglasses are in the house as well, according to Killer Motive. Relatives are certain the family wouldnt go away without telling anyone. [3] The trial began on January 7, 2019, in San Bernardino. she said. It gives us courage to know that theyre together and theyre in a better place, said Mike McStay, who attended the conference. 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. However, Michael was sure it wasnt his relatives, adding, Summer would never take the boys to Mexico. November 15, 2013 The cause of death for all of them is deemed to be blunt force trauma. On February 9, when family and business partners hadnt heard from Joseph in five days, they sent a co-worker to the house to see if the familys beloved dogs were there. Chase Merritt /edit Officers arrived at the home and requested a search warrant, executed on February 19, 2010. What looked normal to Josephs brother but was alarming to investigators. Susan explained that her son and daughter-in-law would often go on 'little mini-trips' with their kids in California, so they weren't alarmed at first., 'And then as the days went by, you start thinking, "Okay, something's not right here." by all accounts aloving family with no enemies,baffled investigators. WebThe McStay Family Memorial is located in a very rural desert area directly north of the I-15 Stoddart Wells/Quary Rd exit. The former welder was sentenced to death for the murders of Summer, Gianni and Joseph Jr. and life without parole for the murder of Joseph. Investigators rush to the scene and locatetwo graves containing multiple human remains in each. The bodies were identified asJoseph, Summer, Joseph Mateo, and Gianani McStay.. Merritts trial has been delayed multiple times due to Merritt attempting to represent himself and repeatedly firing his attorneys, he has gone through five between November 2013 to February 2016. Get up to speed on the investigation with the timeline below. 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. Your email address will not be published. His most recent felony conviction, in 2001, was for the theft of $32,000 worth of welding and drilling equipment from San Gabriel Valley Ornamental Iron Works in Monrovia, California. Who would brutally murder the entire McStay family? Merritt, who faces the death penalty if convicted, has pleaded not guilty to the crimes. Michaels worst fears were realized. He could face the death penalty as a result. On February 13, when the family hadnt been heard from in nine days, Josephs brother went to the house. Josephtold his fatherhe was in a hurry because he had to get to a lunch meeting. There was no evidence of forced entry or a struggle. Charles Chase Merritt, 62, was convicted in June of killing his former business associate Joseph McStay, 40, McStays wife, Summer, 43, and their two children, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3. Merritt not only had motive to carry out the grisly slayings, it seemed that he also had the opportunity. Nov. 5, 2014Business associate Merritt is arrested for the murders of Joseph, Summer, Gianni, and Joseph Jr. McStay. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Mom Claimed Daughter, 5, Vanished Overnight. [1][2] Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. 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. Credit: Find the McStay Family Facebook Page. The familys remains were later unearthed by sheriffs crime scene investigators and forensic anthropologists. minneapolis crime statistics by race / blackpink members height in feet and weight / blackpink members height in feet and weight Cell phone records as well as forged checks also linked him to the crime. Investigators 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 nearby parking lot. Prosecutors claim that the McStays were murdered by Merritt for financial gain. Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Snowed in during the SoCal storm, this Lake Arrowhead resident traded in a car for cross-country skis, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, As many as 700,000 Illinois residents could lose Medicaid health coverage this year, Balloon ban made official in Laguna Beach, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. When questioned about his choice of language by investigators, Merritt said he had no idea why he'd done that. ", 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. "[22], In January 2014, Merritt said that he might write a book about the family, alleging that Summer had anger issues and that Joseph had been ill for some time with a mysterious ailment. The comments below have not been moderated. The original memorial consisting of 4 white crosses. Merritt later told police that he ignored the voicemail because he was watching a movie. WebJoseph 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. Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, vanished from their home inFallbrook, California, on February 4, 2010. There was no evidence to determine where the family went or why they had left. There was no apparent suspicious activity on the couples credit card accounts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The deaths have been ruled a homicide. They were dressed similarly to the McStays, and the children were wearing hats similar to ones they had been photographed in. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. 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. March 5, 2010 A lead in the case emerges when video released by deputies shows images of a group of people who might be the McStays walking together into Mexico through a border gate. On November 11, 2013, the remains of two adults and two children were recovered in the California desert. There was a couple bowls of I believe popcorn that it looked like the boys were eating, possibly watching TV. At their home in Fallbrook, California, investigators found no signs of forced entrance or violence. According to detectives, Josephs body was found with a white extension cord wrapped around his neck. 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 Charles Merrit was found guilty of the murders in 2019. In addition, security cameras for the parking lot from which the car was towed confirmed that the car had not arrived there until the afternoon of February 8, so there was four days of which the family was unaccounted for. It would take years for investigators to discover the family's grisly fate. February 15, 2010 Family members report the McStays missing to the San Diego County sheriff's department. Investigators tell Interpol to be on the lookout for the McStay family, who could be in Mexico, they theorize. Video recorded the evening of February 8, released on March 5, showed a family of four resembling the McStays crossing the border. Inside, they found a relatively normal scene: there were a number of new toys, the childrens car seats were in their positions, and the front seats were adjusted to Summer and Josephs relative sizes. Photos Of McStay Family Murder Suspect. There was no evidence of forced entry or a struggle. Chase, you are a low-life baby killer.. Oscar Cainer tells all. Duchess is seen visiting woke coffee brand she invested in - her first public Lovely in lilac! [34], On May 22, 2022, the case was looked at again on the Investigation Discovery docuseries Two Shallow Graves. Upon his arrival, he noticed that Joseph's 1996 Isuzu Trooper was missing, but their dogs were in the backyard., Patrick noted that it was 'highly unusual for [the dogs] to be left out alone like that. 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.. The video, NBCSandiego reportedin 2010, is dated around 7 p.m. Feb. 8. Its been a tough road.. At one point, investigators wondered if the family had decided to start a new life in Mexico. 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. He seemed caught off guard, like Oh, I didnt realize I was doing that, San Bernardino County District AttorneyBritt Imes tellsAmerican Greed.. In an email Thursday, sheriffs Lt. Sarkis Ohannessian declined to comment, citing the ongoing criminal case. Beyond Charts+ offers sophisticated Investors with advanced tools. Although Merritt adamantly denied being at the location of the makeshift graves, To learn more about the case, tune into Monday's episode of. 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. 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. McGee stated in his motion that the identity of the victims was not in dispute, and that DNA and dental records positively identified the McStay family as homicide victims after their skeletal remains were discovered in two shallow graves in November 2013, west of the 15 Freeway and north of Stoddard Wells Road. To learn more about the case, tune into Monday's episode of "American Greed" at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CNBC. [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. Investigators believed that the family was tortured before they were killed. Investigators also discovered that the same car had been towed on February 8 for a parking violation near the Mexican border. The video, The FBI will lend their resources in Mexico, where San Diego Sheriff's investigators are focusing their search,. A 3-pound Stanley-brand sledgehammer, the suspected murder weapon, was found in one of the graves, and the skeletal remains indicated the McStay family had suffered multiple bone fractures to the head, extremities and torso, likely from repeated blows to the bodies with the sledgehammer. He is in San Quentin Prison on death row. Cell phone records indicate that he drove home after the meeting, and he continued to make calls into the evening. November 8, 2014, 3:05 PM 2:09 The McStay family is seen in this undated family photo provided to KGTV. 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. Although both instances raised investigators' suspicions, another glaring clue would ultimately put Merritt at the center of the investigation. Investigators testified they believed the victims were tortured before they were killed. Unconfirmed family sightings were reported in Mexico and elsewhere, perpetuating hopes that they were safe and had left voluntarily. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. 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 There was a huge sigh of relief. ideo released by deputies shows images of a group of people who might be the McStays walking together into Mexico through a border gate. I know this reply is archive but since the other replies were ridiculously over the top I just needed to add mine. Investigators believed that the family pictured is likely the McStays, based on analysis of family photos and home videos. WebSAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- Prosecutors say a sledgehammer was used to kill all four members of the McStay family, and the 4-year-old boy was struck seven times. The McStay family of four was living a happy life, and had recently moved to a new house, which they were renovating and turning into their dream home. January 21, 2020Merritt, 62, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering Joseph McStay, 40. The memorial is located about 200 feet west of Quary road Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. 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. WebInvestigators said they traced Merritt's cellphone to the area where the bodies were buried in the days after the family disappeared and to a call seeking to close McStay's online 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. shame on you. [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. What Happened to the McStays, Who Vanished 3 Years Before They Were Found Buried in the Desert? February 23, 2010 Had the family gone off the grid? And they should be. They said that he wrote checks totaling more than $21,000 on Joseph's business account in the days after the family was killed and then went on a gambling spree at nearby casinos, where he lost thousands of dollars. Crying for Mommy and Daddy? [30] On May 4, the case was scheduled to go to trial in July 2018. The memorial is located about 200 feet west of Quary road and requires visitors to leave their car at Quary Road and walk east to the actual location. [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. [3] Merritt was charged with four counts of murder, and the district attorney sought the death penalty. Nelson is a graduate of California State University Fullerton. Merrit wasarrested a year after the McStay familysskeletal remainswere discovered in two shallow graves, west of the 15 Freeway and north of Stoddard Wells Road, near Victorville. Their disappearance was extensively reported on national news stations across the country. Detectives testified during Merrittspreliminary hearingin June 2015 that Merritt was a gambling man who had written multiple checks totaling more than $21,000 on Joseph McStays QuickBooks account in the weeks after the McStay family was last seen on Feb. 4, 2010. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Heavy. omeone close to the family was convicted of bludgeoning the McStays to death before burying them in the desert. https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/01/21/charles-chase-merritt-san-quentin-death-row-murder/, Hello! WebMcStay Family Murder Investigation: Search Warrants Unsealed, Reveal Details Of Fallbrook House. [20] Although it is possible for a U.S. citizen to enter Mexico without a passport, one is required to reenter the United States. Publicly Merrittwho had several prior convictions on his recordclaimed to be Josephs best friend,once telling CNNs Randi Kay that although they began as work acquaintances, they quickly grew to be friends, playing paintball together andsharingdinnera few nights a week. On Nov. 20, at a vigil where volunteers erected white crosses and released doves, Michael pondered aloud the same questions. [8], On February 4, 2010, at 7:47pm, a neighbor's surveillance system captured the bottom eighteen inches of a vehicle, thought at the time to be the McStay family's 1996 Isuzu Trooper. 'We went all the way down to Cabo because at first they said there were sightings, and then we just took the car and went north. Michael did not find any family at home, and their two dogs were in the backyard. When the bodies were found, he offered a refund to those who purchased his book before November 2013. in prison for murdering Joseph McStay, 40. Because of the lack of furniture and the state of the home amidst renovations, it was difficult to determine whether or not there had been a struggle. There were also incisions in her bra that lead investigators to believe it was cut off, the motion states. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Stars Christopher Crutchfield Walker (voice) Joseph McStay (archive footage) Summer McStay (archive footage) See production, box office & company info Watch on Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. [23] Merritt, who reportedly was the last person Joseph called from his cell phone, also said that he had passed a polygraph test and did not know anything that could help solve the mystery of the family's disappearance. Investigators found one of the birth certificates left behind in the home. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, PrettyLittleThing - Offers on women's clothing, Get inspired by the newest styles and offers, Click through for ASOS promo codes this Autumn, Spend less with Missguided's exclusive codes, Treat yourself to offers on make-up and accessories, Check out the latest Wayfair sale to save on furniture. 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. 'This despicable, evil monster. A hearing on McGees motion is scheduled Friday in San Bernardino Superior Court. A motion filed in San Bernardino Superior Court on Nov. 20 on behalf of McStay family murder suspect Charles Chase Merritt by his attorney, James McGee, argued against the use of family photos and/or videos of the McStay family at trial, stating it could engender sympathy from the jury for the victims and prejudice the jury against Merritt. 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. How a Serial Killer Was Caught While 'Literally Trying to Clean His Van of Evidence', Phoenix Mother Wanted to End Marriage Before Husband Killed Her and Their 3 Children, Friends Say, a white extension cord wrapped around his neck. The missing persons flier for the McStay family. [9] In the surveillance recording, the vehicle's occupants could not be seen. How they stalked the stalker: A gripping new true crime 'It did get weird': Couple who are in the middle of divorce Woman finds out her husband was cheating on her after he was made an equally emotional statement ahead of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives. [31] The trial finally began on January 7, 2019, in a San Bernardino court, with both sides making opening statements. After 5:47 p.m.Joseph and Summer ended all communications. He was charged with four counts of murder and the district attorney requested the death penalty. He was given the death penalty for killing Summer, Gianni, and Joseph Jr. Now, Merritt is on San Quentin Death Row. 'I'm gonna get out the information and try to find them. On November 7, 2014, the police have arrested a man names Charles Merritt, Joseph McStays business partner, and charged for the murders of the family members. Patrick had the chance to directly address Merritt in court, calling him a 'ruthless mass murderer' and telling him, 'I hope you burn in hell. Required fields are marked *. An acquaintance of Merritt's told a San Diego reporter, "I think police should look at him and anyone associated with him. How could you beat two precious little babies? 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. 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. Investigators are questioning everybody, Michael McStay tells PEOPLE. Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on executions while he's in office. Mom Found Guilty of Killing Toddler Son, Burning Body and Burying Him in Yard, Woman Pleads Guilty to Helping Bury, Conceal Body of Murdered Ft. The McStay Family Memorial is located in a very rural desert area directly north of the I-15 Stoddart Wells/Quary Rd exit. In July 2015, Merritt's defense attorney filed a request to have the case dismissed because of the wording used by the prosecution when the charges were filed. January 25, 2018. mcstay family autopsy photosdave coulier son. Home U.K. McGees law partner, Rajan Maline, is also representing Merritt in the case. I did not do this thing.. 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.

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