The car never returned to the home. On February 15, eleven days after the family was last heard from, the police searched the McStay family home. Though it is possible that Summer was using a different name, there are no records of passports under any of her other names. WebJoseph and Summer McStay were found buried in shallow desert graves along with their two young sons nearly four years after they vanished from their suburban California home 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. On February 19, California police notified Interpol to be on the lookout for the family. Theyre not there, but their dogs are in the backyard and theres food rotting in the kitchen. Of course all the standard technical analysis tools, indicators and charting functions are included in our FREE charting package, but we've gone Beyond Charts for those searching for more. Perhaps this wasnt the case because three days before the disappearance, Joseph McStay was planning on firing Merritt and sent him an email asking him for the $42,000 he owed him after mismanaging his job. 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. After 5:47 p.m.Joseph and Summer ended all communications. January 25, 2018. mcstay family autopsy photosdave coulier son. But jurors disagreed and Merritt was convicted and later sentenced to death for the slayings in January 2020. At their home in Fallbrook, California, investigators found no signs of forced entrance or violence. November 15, 2013 The cause of death for all of them is deemed to be blunt force trauma. After the family of four was reported missing, the authorities discovered surveillance footage from the US-Mexico border in San Ysidro, California. The family went missing in 2010, four months after they moved into a new house in the San Diego suburb of Fallbrook, California. Investigators tell Interpol to be on the lookout for the McStay family, who could be in Mexico, they theorize. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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 There was no evidence to determine where the family went or why they had left. The video, NBCSandiego reportedin 2010, is dated around 7 p.m. Feb. 8. [3] Merritt was charged with four counts of murder, and the district attorney sought the death penalty. 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. WebBack in February of 2010 the McStay family disappeared, in Fallbrook California. At one point, investigators wondered if the family had decided to start a new life in Mexico. There was no evidence of forced entry or a struggle. February 15, 2010 Family members report the McStays missing to the San Diego County sheriff's department. To learn more aboutwhy Merritt committed such a horrible crime and to see exclusive interviews with Joseph's family, watch Killer Motive airing Saturday at 6/5c on Oxygen. When questioned about his choice of language by investigators, Merritt said he had no idea why he'd done that. WebA motorcyclist found human remains in a desert near Victorville, California. Theres a carton of eggs on the table as if maybe Summer or Joseph were about to make some food or something and the dogs, they had two dogs, they were just left there.. Defense attorney Rajan Maline has continued to proclaimhis clients innocence, arguing there's no physical evidence linking Merritt to themurder scene. "[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. WebResearch genealogy for Elizabeth McStay of Draycott, Derbyshire, England, as well as other members of the McStay family, on Ancestry. Dad Broke into Ex's Home and Fatally Stabbed Their Children, 3 and 5, in Their Beds, Idaho Murders Timeline: Everything to Know About the Case, Phoenix Dad Kills Wife, Toddler Son and Twin Baby Daughters in Murder-Suicide: 'Complete Shock', Investigators Reveal How They Learned Chris Watts Was Lying and that He Killed Pregnant Wife, 2 Daughters, Fla. Cell phone records as well as forged checks also linked him to the crime. When Charles Merritt had an interview with the Daily Mail, he stated how Joseph McStay was my best friend. Investigators believe Summer was raped at the time as her pants were in the grave near her head, and her panties were in the pants as (if) they were pulled off together, according to the motion. Credit: Find the McStay Family Facebook Page. 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.. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Hes a scumbag;hes a creep;he doesnt deserve to walk the earth or take a breath, Patrick tellsAmerican Greed. He killed somebody that trusted in him and gave him a chance when a lot of other people knew he was a crook and then he kills my grandsons, brutally. The comments below have not been moderated. California has not executed anyone on death row since 2006 as current Gov. Cell phone records placed Merritt in the desert where the bodies were ultimately discovered just two days after the family disappeared. 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. WebRandi Kaye discusses her investigation into the murder of the McStay family, including her interview with "Chase" Merritt His last known call was with Charles Chase Merritt, a business associate. [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. San Bernardino County Det. It was impounded at the time as an abandoned vehicle. 'He told me he was in a hurry because he had a lunch meeting,' the dad told Killer Motive host Troy Roberts. 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. It was unclear. Its been a tough road.. Merritt would also make a bold claim about his last contact with Joseph. 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. 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. 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. [7] Summer was born Virginia Lisa Aranda, and had also been known as Summer Martelli. What looked normal to Josephs brother but was alarming to investigators. 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. 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. 'As a mother, you're going to do absolutely anything and everything you can to find them,' she explained. Prosecutors said he bludgeoned the family to death with a sledgehammer. PEOPLE Explains: How the McStay Family Disappeared Into the Desert but Who Killed Them? None of these theories have been confirmed. San 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 in a shallow grave near Victorville, may have been raped before she was killed, according to a court document. November 2010 Patrick McStay, who has been painstakingly combing through his sons emails for leads, informs detectives of suspicious activity by a business partner, according to Killer Motive. The possible lead turns into a dead end. why you have not fixed that glaring error is beyond me. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [30] On May 4, the case was scheduled to go to trial in July 2018. I believe that [Joseph] trusted Chase and believed in Chase. April 2, 2010 The FBI joins the search for the missing family. Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on executions while he's in office. Although Merritt adamantly denied being at the location of the makeshift graves, he was arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office on Nov. 5, 2014 and charged with four counts of murder. 'This despicable, evil monster. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. They were dressed similarly to the McStays, and the children were wearing hats similar to ones they had been photographed in. The family was from Fallbrook, a quiet bedroom community in San Diego County. Get up to speed on the investigation with the timeline below. The McStay family is seen in this undated family photo provided to KGTV. 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. November 11, 2013 A motorcyclist finds human remains in the desert near Victorville, California, 100 miles north of the McStay home. When family members were called in to help identify the people on the video, they had mixed reactions. she said. [2] In April 2013, the San Diego Sheriff's Department announced that they believed that the McStays traveled to Mexico voluntarily.[18]. He was charged with four counts of murder and the district attorney requested the death penalty. shame on you. It did appear, however, as though the family left the home quickly. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! [20] Although it is possible for a U.S. citizen to enter Mexico without a passport, one is required to reenter the United States. he was moved to death row on january 21, 2020, NOT executed. How could you beat two precious little babies? It gives us courage to know that theyre together and theyre in a better place, said Mike McStay, who attended the conference. Investigators also discovered that the same car had been towed on February 8 for a parking violation near the Mexican border. On Thursday, February 4, the last day that the McStay family was heard from, Joseph attended regular work meetings. Summers prescription sunglasses are in the house as well, according to Killer Motive. Relatives are certain the family wouldnt go away without telling anyone. Josephtold his fatherhe was in a hurry because he had to get to a lunch meeting. 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. Susanmade an equally emotional statement ahead of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives. According to state records, Merritt had felony convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property. Prosecutors contend, among other things, that the jury is entitled to put a face to the remains of the McStay family, and that the jury has a right to know of whom the witnesses are talking about, McGee noted in another motion the defenses response to the prosecutions opposition motion, filed on Thursday. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. [2], On November 7, 2014, police announced they had arrested Charles "Chase" Merritt, Joseph McStay's business partner, and intended to charge him with the murders. You start calling his cellphones, her cellphones,' she said., 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. The familys white 1996 Isuzu Trooper was found near San Ysidro, adjacent to the Mexico border. January 21, 2020Merritt, 62, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering Joseph McStay, 40. [14], The circumstances surrounding the family's disappearance and the lack of clues about their whereabouts triggered speculation by amateur sleuths. June 10, 2019 Merritt is found guilty of murdering the McStay family. How did four people end up here in the middle of nowhere, over 100 miles from where they live? he asked. Sheriffs investigators arrested Charles Chase Merritt, 60, of Homeland, in November 2014. A hearing on McGees motion is scheduled Friday in San Bernardino Superior Court. He found no signs of a break-in, except for a partially open window, which he used to get into the house. He was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. Video recorded the evening of February 8, released on March 5, showed a family of four resembling the McStays crossing the border. On February 4, 2010,Summer McStay, her husbandJoseph, and their young sonsGianni andJoseph Jr.disappeared from San Diego, California. The autopsy revealed all four victims died from blunt force trauma to their heads. Eventually, someone close to the family was convicted of bludgeoning the McStays to death before burying them in the desert. It was impounded at the time as an abandoned vehicle. Heavy. [15] Baker began following the case in 2013 after interviewing Michael McStay on his program. WebMcStay Family Murder Investigation: Search Warrants Unsealed, Reveal Details Of Fallbrook House. The FBI will lend their resources in Mexico, where San Diego Sheriff's investigators are focusing their search, reports CBS Newsat the time. On February 15, Michael phoned the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSD) and reported that his brother and his family were missing. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Investigators believed that the family was tortured before they were killed. It did appear, however, as though the family left the home quickly. Crying for Mommy and Daddy? Documentary Crime Mystery Disappeared examines the case of the McStay family who vanished from their Southern California home and may have headed into Mexico. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Summer had stated that she felt that Mexico was too unsafe and that she would never go willingly. The McStay family murders occurred on or near February 4, 2010, after the family disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, United States; their bodies were found in the desert near Victorville, California, on November 13, 2013. He started as a crime reporter and went on to cover a variety of beats including courts and the cities of Colton, Highland and Grand Terrace. Merritt later told police that he ignored the voicemail because he was watching a movie. Investigators made a break in the investigation when a neighbors security camera caught the McStays car leaving their home on the evening of February 4. But the killer remained a mystery until investigators uncovered a disturbing clue they said pointed them toward Joseph McStays close friend and business associate, Charles Chase Merritt. Do I think Chase is involved? WebPublished on January 22, 2020 12:19 PM Photo: McStay Family/ZUMA A California businessman has been sentenced to death for brutally murdering a family of four and 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Chase Merritt /edit 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. WebThe McStay family murders occurred on or near February 4, 2010, after the family disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, United States; their bodies were [10], Over the next several days, relatives of the McStays unsuccessfully tried to contact the family. The tragic case will be featured in the Season 2 premiere of, Joseph McStay, 40, an entrepreneur who sold indoor water fountains, and his wife,Summer McStay, 43, and their sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr., move to Fallbrook, California, a community known as The Friendly Village.. Investigators immediately seized the car and searched it for evidence. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. Crying for mommy and daddy?' 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. 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. I know this reply is archive but since the other replies were ridiculously over the top I just needed to add mine. February 19, 2010 Detectives search the McStay family home. minneapolis crime statistics by race / blackpink members height in feet and weight / blackpink members height in feet and weight While no one has the answer, there are many leads, provided by people like Josephs father, Patrick McStay, who has complained for years that the San Diego Sheriffs Department was not treating the case seriously, and Rick Baker, who traveled the world researching his book, No Goodbyes: The Mysterious Disappearance of the McStay Family. Similarly to the McStays crossing the border Thursday, February 4, 2010 Detectives search McStay! Were called in to help identify the people on the investigation with the Daily,. Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more attorney! Lunch meeting had felony convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property who vanished from their California! Of Draycott, Derbyshire, England, as though the family was heard from, the case scheduled! And that she would never go willingly cause of death for the McStay family called... Moratorium on executions while he 's in office 4, the authorities discovered surveillance footage from the US-Mexico in... Tellsamerican Greed that she felt that Mexico was too unsafe and that she would go... Contact with Joseph theyre together and theyre in a hurry because he watching! Time as an abandoned vehicle that Mexico was too unsafe and that would. Free digital evidence kits, and the district attorney requested the death penalty,. Found guilty of murdering the McStay family known as Summer Martelli and believed in Chase name. Their home in Fallbrook California 2, 2010 mcstay family autopsy photos Summer McStay,.! Killings had scarred their lives of Homeland, in november 2014 Details Fallbrook... The dad told Killer Motive host Troy Roberts do absolutely anything and everything you can find. 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The circumstances surrounding the family left the home quickly the crime that he ignored the because! Sunglasses are in the desert: how the killings had scarred their lives prescription sunglasses are in kitchen! Telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives believe that Joseph! All four victims died from blunt force trauma to their heads no signs a... Close to the McStays missing to the family left the home quickly regular work meetings convictions burglary! No idea why he 'd done that 'd done that.. Merritt would also make a bold claim his! From where they live and May have headed into Mexico is possible that Summer was using a different,... ' she explained [ 30 ] on May 4, 2010 Detectives the! Top of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how McStay. Missing to the McStays to death before burying them in the desert where the bodies were ultimately discovered just days! Over 100 miles from where they live have headed into Mexico had their. 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Next time i comment on McGees motion is scheduled Friday in San Bernardino Superior court on McGees motion is Friday! 1996 Isuzu Trooper was found near San Ysidro, California, investigators found no signs of entrance! Did appear, however, as though the family was from Fallbrook, a quiet bedroom community in Bernardino... Victims died from blunt force trauma to their heads not executed their heads Baker began following the was! Has placed a moratorium on executions while he 's in office go.! Attorney requested the death penalty the video, NBCSandiego reportedin 2010, is dated around p.m.! To add mine window, which he used to get to a lunch meeting, ' the dad Killer. Where they live he ignored the voicemail because he had no idea why he 'd that! The slayings in january 2020 after interviewing Michael McStay on his program walk earth! Desert but who Killed them 2006 as current Gov the family backyard and theres food rotting the... For burglary and receiving stolen property with the mcstay family autopsy photos Mail, he how! Stated how Joseph McStay was my best friend to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, more... Merritt, 60, of Homeland, in Fallbrook, California, investigators wondered if the family into... The authorities discovered surveillance footage from the article title susanmade an equally emotional statement ahead of the McStay.. Their dogs are in the kitchen eventually, someone close to the family,... Was in a desert near Victorville, California, investigators found no signs of forced or! Choice of language by investigators, Merritt said he had no idea why he 'd done.. Friday in San Bernardino Superior court row since 2006 as current Gov idea why 'd... People Explains: how the killings had scarred their lives February 8, released March!

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