poorly researched and poorly written blog. January 25, 2018. mcstay family autopsy photosdave coulier son. 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. 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. [4], On June 10, 2019, a San Bernardino County jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. [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. Who Killed The McStay Family? Required fields are marked *. 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. McGees law partner, Rajan Maline, is also representing Merritt in the case. [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. Publicly Merrittwho had several prior convictions on his recordclaimed to be Josephs best friend. When Charles Merritt had an interview with the Daily Mail, he stated how Joseph McStay was my best friend. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. 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. 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. The driver for all Investors is the continuous search for investment opportunities. 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.. Duchess is seen visiting woke coffee brand she invested in - her first public Lovely in lilac! 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 On November 11, 2013, the remains of two adults and two children were recovered in the California desert. The entire case left investigators and loved ones completely puzzled. 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. After 5:47 p.m.Joseph and Summer ended all communications. District Attorneys Office spokesman Christopher Lee declined to comment Thursday, saying it would be inappropriate given the ongoing criminal case. [31] The trial finally began on January 7, 2019, in a San Bernardino court, with both sides making opening statements. So when the family seemingly disappeared four months later without telling any relatives, friends or business associates, and their car turned up four days later at the Mexican border, many people who knew them feared the worst. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. [30] On May 4, the case was scheduled to go to trial in July 2018. Prosecutors contend greed is the motive for the murders. Josephs father Patrick McStay, however, continues to be haunted by Merritts dark deeds. However, a new discovery on border surveillance video changed the course of the investigation. Documentary Crime Mystery Disappeared examines the case of the McStay family who vanished from their Southern California home and may have headed into Mexico. Who would brutally murder the entire McStay family? 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.. At their home in Fallbrook, California, investigators found no signs of forced entrance or violence. Semuanya Tentang Si Bulus [28], In January 2018, a trial-setting conference was scheduled for February 23. I know this reply is archive but since the other replies were ridiculously over the top I just needed to add mine. ', 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?' February 23, 2010 Had the family gone off the grid? '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. So we created Beyond Charts to put you on the right path. Winter 2009 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.. Hood Soldier Vanessa Guillen, The Best True Crime Documentaries to Stream Now, Wisc. 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. she said. But hed also tell Kay during his television interview that he had definitely been the last person to see Joseph. 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. On February 13, Joseph's brother Michael traveled to the McStay residence and climbed in and gained entry to the home upon finding an open window in the back. [14], The circumstances surrounding the family's disappearance and the lack of clues about their whereabouts triggered speculation by amateur sleuths. Nelson is a graduate of California State University Fullerton. After 5:47 p.m.Joseph and Summer ended all communications. He boasted it had a Investigators also discovered that the same car had been towed on February 8 for a parking violation near the Mexican border. [33] The court upheld the jury's recommendation, and Merritt was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. 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? 'This despicable, evil monster. Heavy. 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. amily members report the McStays missing to the San Diego County sheriff's department. Two days later, two sets of remains were officially identified as those of Joseph and Summer McStay. 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. Summers skull was fractured and one of their sons heads was bludgeoned seven times, according to court testimony. . and Spanish language lessons. [10], Over the next several days, relatives of the McStays unsuccessfully tried to contact the family. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Although Merritt adamantly denied being at the location of the makeshift graves, To learn more about the case, tune into Monday's episode of. Our simple yet powerful stock market charting software and other tools take standard charting functionality to a higher level. 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. When family members were called in to help identify the people on the video, they had mixed reactions. How scared were they, Chase? Cell phone records placed Merritt in the desert where the bodies were ultimately discovered just two days after the family disappeared. Prosecutors said he bludgeoned the family to death with a sledgehammer. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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! WebBack in February of 2010 the McStay family disappeared, in Fallbrook California. Your email address will not be published. Their skulls and jaws were smashed and fractured. 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 Joseph's family confirmed that he had an unexplained illness and that Summer was possessive of her husband, but they called Merritt's suggestion that she was responsible for his illness unfounded. WebA motorcyclist found human remains in a desert near Victorville, California. Investigators believed that the family was tortured before they were killed. Merritt used the money to fuel his gambling addiction at nearby casinos, in which he lost thousands of dollars. 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. Video recorded the evening of February 8, released on March 5, showed a family of four resembling the McStays crossing the border. The deaths have been ruled a homicide. Radio host Rick Baker published a book, No Goodbyes: The Mysterious Disappearance of the McStay Family. 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. 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. Their disappearance was extensively reported on national news stations across the country. The bodies of Joseph and Summer McStay and their sons, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, were found in a shallow grave in 2013, about 100 miles north of their suburban San Diego 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. The man found a small human skull that appeared to belong to a child. He was given the death penalty for killing Summer, Gianni, and Joseph Jr. Now, Merritt is on San Quentin Death Row. Its been a tough road.. It was believed to have been parked there between 5:30 and 7:00 that evening. Please be respectful of the memorial and do not leave any trash when you visit. A man riding his dirt bike in the area discovered some of the remains and contacted police. January 7, 2019Merritts trial begins. 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. In addition, investigators also discovered that Summer had changed her name multiple times throughout her life. "Business partner arrested in McStay family slaying, desert burial", "Trial underway for man accused of killing 4 from San Diego", "Charles Merritt Sentenced to Death for Killing McStay Family, Burying Their Bodies in Mojave Desert", "Authorities distribute 'endangered missing' flier pertaining to missing McStay family", "Buried bodies identified as members of missing McStay family", "Man last phoned by McStay father says he took polygraph test", "Author of McStay book criticized by victim's family", "After discovery, mystery of McStay family's disappearance deepens", "Investigators say Missing McStay family left voluntarily", "McStay Family Update: FBI Joins Search for Missing Family", "Search for Missing Fallbrook family continues", "McStay family Mystery: Who is Chase Merritt", "Tentative trial date set for McStay family murder suspect 'Chase' Merritt", "Backlash over book's new theory on McStay murders", "Merritt attorneys want McStay case dismissed", "McStay family murder suspect Charles 'Chase' Merritt fires attorneys", "McStay family murder suspect Charles 'Chase' Merritt wants new attorneys", "San Bernardino judge allows McStay family murder suspect to have more case files in his cell", "Lawyers for defendant in McStay family murder case want some evidence tossed", "San Bernardino judge delays ruling in bid to exclude key evidence in McStay family murder case", Charles Merritt Found Guilty Of Slaying McStay Family, "Jury recommends death penalty for man who killed McStay family", "Southern California man sentenced to death for killing family of 4", "ID's Two Shallow Graves: How did Charles "Chase" Merritt know the McStay family and where is he now? CNN. 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. "[25], On November 5, 2014, detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department arrested Merritt in connection with the deaths of the McStay family after discovering that his DNA had been recovered from their car. 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 It was impounded at the time as an abandoned vehicle. ', Merritt showed no emotion as she said she felt like she'd been hit by a boulder when she was told the bodies were found: 'It's just a nightmare. On Nov. 20, at a vigil where volunteers erected white crosses and released doves, Michael pondered aloud the same questions. Inside, he found a relatively normal scene. On February 15, eleven days after the family was last heard from, the police searched the McStay family home. 'As a mother, you're going to do absolutely anything and everything you can to find them,' she explained. Dan Hanke tells American Greed that when investigators examined Josephs QuickBooks account they did, in fact, discover a series of checks made out to Merritt or other vendors that Merrittowed money to that were dated Feb. 4, but the metadata stored within the computer revealed that the checks had not actually been written that day. There was a couple bowls of I believe popcorn that it looked like the boys were eating, possibly watching TV. why you have not fixed that glaring error is beyond me. ', 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. Merritt not only had motive to carry out the grisly slayings, it seemed that he also had the opportunity. However, three years later, in November 2013, the remains of the McStay family were discovered in two shallow graves in the Mojave Desert, near Victorville. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. When the bodies were found, he offered a refund to those who purchased his book before November 2013. Nearly four years after a California family vanished, their remains were found buried in the desert. [2] In April 2013, the San Diego Sheriff's Department announced that they believed that the McStays traveled to Mexico voluntarily.[18]. Charles Meritt did the welding, creating some of the metal work, the fountains, and Joseph was the businessman behind it all, and from all accounts, he was flourishing, Shin tells American Greed.. 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. Michael did not find any family at home, and their two dogs were in the backyard. [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 car never returned to the home. 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.. Were they victims of a crime? omeone close to the family was convicted of bludgeoning the McStays to death before burying them in the desert. 'You had a choice. How do you do that?. 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. In 'Captive Audience', the Stayner Family Opens Up About Navigating an Impossible Reality in the Spotlight, Patrick McStay Has a Theory About Why His Family Was Murdered. Earlier in the week before the family disappeared, Summer had made plans to visit her sister, who had recently had a baby. Just a monster. Cell phone records as well as forged checks also linked him to the crime. [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. 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. I don't think so, and I truly hope not. Crying for mommy and daddy?' California has not executed anyone on death row since 2006 as current Gov. 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. Merritt would also make a bold claim about his last contact with Joseph. [5], In 2010, Joseph McStay (age 40) and his wife Summer (age 43) lived in Fallbrook, California, with their sons Gianni (age 4) and Joseph Jr. (age 3). There were also incisions in her bra that lead investigators to believe it was cut off, the motion states. Prosecutors claim that the McStays were murdered by Merritt for financial gain. 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. 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. [1] At 8:28 pm, a call was placed from Joseph's cell phone to his business associate, Charles "Chase" Merritt, which went to voicemail. Officers arrived at the home and requested a search warrant, executed on February 19, 2010. Unconfirmed family sightings were reported in Mexico and elsewhere, perpetuating hopes that they were safe and had left voluntarily. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. [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. 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. It was impounded at the time as an abandoned vehicle. It gives us courage to know that theyre together and theyre in a better place, said Mike McStay, who attended the conference. Defense attorney Rajan Maline has continued to proclaimhis clients innocence, arguing there's no physical evidence linking Merritt to themurder scene. 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. And they should be. [4] On June 10, 2019, a jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? A happy, successful couple with two young sons couldn't just vanish into thin air right? ', A decade after the family went missing, their killer was sentenced to death in January 202. It showed a family that appeared to look like the McStays, crossing into Mexico. How could you beat two precious little babies? [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. Their disappearance was extensively reported on national news stations across the country. Investigators believed that the family pictured is likely the McStays, based on analysis of family photos and home videos. The remains were identified as the McStay familys and were buried in two shallow graves. 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. Credit: Find the McStay Family Facebook Page. [9] In the surveillance recording, the vehicle's occupants could not be seen. Crying for Mommy and Daddy? Beyond Charts+ offers sophisticated Investors with advanced tools. 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. The disappearance of the McStays,by all accounts aloving family with no enemies,baffled investigators. Mom Claimed Daughter, 5, Vanished Overnight. Um, no, Charles Merritt has NOT been put to death. He was charged with four counts of murder and the district attorney requested the death penalty. 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. shame on you. Published on November 9, 2014 01:05 PM. Detectives said Merritt had grown up in the area and was familiar with the terrain. 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. Josephs brother found no sign of the family, so he left a note for the person feeding the dogs and asked them to call him, as he was concerned about his family. Before he was sentenced, Merritt tearfully proclaimed his innocence. 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. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. There were no signs of foul play or any forced entry. 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. Investigators also uncovered an email from Joseph dated Feb. 1, just days before the family disappeared, stating that Merritt owed him nearly $43,000. 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. Your article on Chase Merritt was perfect- just last paragraph was incorrect . Though it is possible that Summer was using a different name, there are no records of passports under any of her other names. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Around the same date, fliers were distributed to aid in the search. Do I think Chase is involved? 'Some rough places, but you have had somebody stab me, it doesn't matter,' she noted. He was sentenced to death 5 months later and was put to death on January 21, 2020.
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