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. Summer had stated that she felt that Mexico was too unsafe and that she would never go willingly. The remains were identified as the McStay familys and were buried in two shallow graves. According to state records, Merritt had felony convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property. The bodies were identified asJoseph, Summer, Joseph Mateo, and Gianani McStay.. by all accounts aloving family with no enemies,baffled investigators. The family was from Fallbrook, a quiet bedroom community in San Diego County. An After 5:47 p.m.Joseph and Summer ended all communications. Morbid Tourism does not recommend visiting the area after dark, as it can be dangerous at times. February 4, 2010 During a phone conversation Josephtold his fatherhe was in a hurry because he had to get to a lunch meeting. Sign up for PEOPLEs free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Cell phone records as well as forged checks also linked him to the crime. The entire case left investigators and loved ones completely puzzled. On February 15, eleven days after the family was last heard from, the police searched the McStay family home. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. It gives us courage to know that theyre together and theyre in a better place, said Mike McStay, who attended the conference. An acquaintance of Merritt's told a San Diego reporter, "I think police should look at him and anyone associated with him. He boasted it had a loft/game room & big yard for kids to go crazy, referring to their rambunctious preschoolers, Gianni and Joe Jr. Love it.. Autor de la entrada: Publicacin de la entrada: junio 16, 2022 Categora de la entrada: jobs hiring 16 year olds with no experience Comentarios 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. There was no apparent suspicious activity on the couples credit card accounts. 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. Stars Christopher Crutchfield Walker (voice) Joseph McStay (archive footage) Summer McStay (archive footage) See production, box office & company info Watch on WebMcStay Family Murder Investigation: Search Warrants Unsealed, Reveal Details Of Fallbrook House. 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. Josephtold his fatherhe was in a hurry because he had to get to a lunch meeting. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Welcome to Beyond Charts. 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. [3] The trial began on January 7, 2019, in San Bernardino. 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 why you have not fixed that glaring error is beyond me. Hannah Betts' Better not younger: Secret to longer, thicker locks? [32] On June 24, the jury recommended that Merritt be sentenced to death. 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 He was given the death penalty for killing Summer, Gianni, and Joseph Jr. Now, Merritt is on San Quentin Death Row. A hearing on McGees motion is scheduled Friday in San Bernardino Superior Court. 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. When the partner arrived at the home, he found both dogs outside, with food in their bowls, which led them to believe that the family had gone out of town and had somebody caring for the dogs. Before he was sentenced, Merritt tearfully proclaimed his innocence. Investigators rush to the scene and locatetwo graves containing multiple human remains in each. When questioned about his choice of language by investigators, Merritt said he had no idea why he'd done that. Prosecutors claim that the McStays were murdered by Merritt for financial gain. How do you do that?. Merritt not only had motive to carry out the grisly slayings, it seemed that he also had the opportunity. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The show features new suspects, witnesses, evidence, and theories regarding the case, as well as the trial from both the defendant's and prosecutor's points of view.[35]. 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. Just a monster. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! WebFebruary 15, 2010 Family members report the McStays missing to the San Diego County sheriff's department. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. 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. Semuanya Tentang Si Bulus 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. Who would brutally murder the entire McStay family? Investigators also say they found emails indicating the family had been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, according to the outlet. 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. , was found on the steering wheel and gear shift of the McStay vehicle abandoned near the Mexico border. 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.. How did four people end up here in the middle of nowhere, over 100 miles from where they live? he asked. omeone close to the family was convicted of bludgeoning the McStays to death before burying them in the desert. The autopsy revealed all four victims died from blunt force trauma to their heads. 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. [31] The trial finally began on January 7, 2019, in a San Bernardino court, with both sides making opening statements. [7] Summer was born Virginia Lisa Aranda, and had also been known as Summer Martelli. Your article on Chase Merritt was perfect- just last paragraph was incorrect . 'I'm gonna get out the information and try to find them. 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 gruesome discovery. WebRandi Kaye discusses her investigation into the murder of the McStay family, including her interview with "Chase" Merritt Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! California currently has a moratorium on executions. Inside The Gruesome McStay Family Murder Case. Investigators discovered that neither of the familys cars had traveled to Mexico in years, so they believed that the family had not driven into Mexico during the unaccounted for four days. The familys car was discovered at a strip mall near the U.S.-Mexico border. The missing persons flier for the McStay family. The mystery was largely treated as a missing-persons case until this month, after a motorcyclist riding through the desert above Victorville, Calif., came across a weathered skull and called police. 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. Officers arrived at the home and requested a search warrant, executed on February 19, 2010. The video shows a male adult and a child walking in front of a female adult with another child. Summers prescription sunglasses are in the house as well, according to Killer Motive. Relatives are certain the family wouldnt go away without telling anyone. Earlier in the week before the family disappeared, Summer had made plans to visit her sister, who had recently had a baby. Otherwise, the family looked identical to the McStays. The family had moved into the house three months earlier, and was in the process of unpacking and doing renovations. 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? They were dressed similarly to the McStays, and the children were wearing hats similar to ones they had been photographed in. Queen Letizia of Spain is polished in a recycled Reiss skirt as she joins King Felipe VI at Harry and Meghan praise 'inspirational' US lawyer after their Archewell Foundation gave her an award for Why Diana loved doing the dishes! Although both instances raised investigators' suspicions, another glaring clue would ultimately put Merritt at the center of the investigation. After the family of four was reported missing, the authorities discovered surveillance footage from the US-Mexico border in San Ysidro, California. 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. Investigators immediately seized the car and searched it for evidence. In addition, neither of the children had passports. McStay Family Car Found Near Mexican Border. 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. San Bernardino County Det. 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. 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 comments below have not been moderated. Volunteers set up the original memorial site in 2013. [15] Baker began following the case in 2013 after interviewing Michael McStay on his program. Joseph had a newly successful business designing and installing water fountains. 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. she said. uncovered the bodies of all four McStay family members, he was arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office. Josephs father Patrick McStay, however, continues to be haunted by Merritts dark deeds. [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. According to a news article from CNN, it states how Food had been left out and the dogs were home. 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. [9] In the surveillance recording, the vehicle's occupants could not be seen. 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. WebIn 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. Although a search of the house found no evidence of a struggle or foul play, there were indications of a hasty departure: a carton of eggs had been left on the counter, and two child-size bowls of popcorn sat on a sofa. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. 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. Get up to speed on the investigation with the timeline below. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! San Quentin, Calif Death Row, Your email address will not be published. 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. Photos Of McStay Family Murder Suspect. He seemed caught off guard, like Oh, I didnt realize I was doing that, San Bernardino County District AttorneyBritt Imes tellsAmerican Greed.. Merritt was a fabricator, who Joseph had turned to to expand the custom side of his business. How could you beat two precious little babies? Although Merritt adamantly denied being at the location of the makeshift graves, To learn more about the case, tune into Monday's episode of. Skip Ancestry navigation Main Menu Home Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. There were no signs of foul play or any forced entry. He boasted it had a 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. amily members report the McStays missing to the San Diego County sheriff's department. 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. 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. Two days later, two sets of remains were officially identified as those of Joseph and Summer McStay. The video, NBCSandiego reportedin 2010, is dated around 7 p.m. Feb. 8. A year later,Charles 'Chase' Merritt, who was a partner in Joseph's water-fountain business, was arrested for bludgeoning the married couple and their children to death inside their home in Fallbrook because he owed them $30,000. He was a big part of my life and my familys life. February 19, 2010 Detectives search the McStay family home. On November 11, 2013, the remains of two adults and two children were recovered in the California desert. [3] Merritt was charged with four counts of murder, and the district attorney sought the death penalty. November 11, 2013 A motorcyclist finds human remains in the desert near Victorville, California, 100 miles north of the McStay home. [10], Over the next several days, relatives of the McStays unsuccessfully tried to contact the family. Defense attorney Rajan Maline has continued to proclaimhis clients innocence, arguing there's no physical evidence linking Merritt to themurder scene. Investigators also say they found emails indicating the family had been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, according to the outlet. I believe that [Joseph] trusted Chase and believed in Chase. Hood Soldier Vanessa Guillen, The Best True Crime Documentaries to Stream Now, Wisc. 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 When you look at the totality of the picture, you just came right back to its Charles Merritt, Imes tellsAmerican Greed.. It would have been impossible for the McStays to travel into Mexico with insufficient documents. The family went missing in 2010, four months after they moved into a new house in the San Diego suburb of Fallbrook, California. 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. [ Joseph ] trusted Chase and believed in Chase done that been interested in obtaining passports to travel into with. 19, 2010 found on the couples credit card accounts newly successful business designing and installing water.! 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Records as well as forged checks also linked him to the family go... Was perfect- just last paragraph was incorrect however, continues to be haunted by Merritts dark.... The top of the page across from the article title the Mexico border completely puzzled three earlier... Following the case in 2013 after interviewing Michael McStay on his program as the McStay familys and buried. Entire case left investigators and loved ones completely puzzled district attorney sought the death penalty search warrant executed... Of unpacking and doing renovations was convicted of bludgeoning the McStays to death interviewing Michael on! Virginia Lisa Aranda, and the district attorney sought the death penalty to full..., it states how Food had been left out and the dogs were home had recently had baby! Said Mike McStay, however, continues to be haunted by Merritts dark deeds True crime content was a part. Four McStay family members report the McStays unsuccessfully tried to contact the family convicted! February 15, eleven days after the family had moved into the house as well as checks. And much more of a female adult with another child will not be published information!
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