Do you, This was definitely in IL because we are friends with, Hi. 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. The McStay Family Memorial is located in a very rural desert area directly north of the I-15 Stoddart Wells/Quary Rd exit. The family's disappearance had puzzled investigators, who said there . Joseph and Summer McStay vanished from their . 4:25. To learn more about the case, tune into Monday's episode of "American Greed" at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CNBC. There was Mrs McStays ex-boyfriend, who sent her an email just months before the familys disappearance telling the mother-of-two hed love her for ever. He lived nearby and had been arrested for threatning a neighbour and her daughter. Look out for wildlife like rattlesnakes. Charles 'Chase' Merritt is currently on death row in California after his 2019 conviction for the murders of Joseph and Summer McStay and their two young sons. Research genealogy for Elizabeth McStay of Draycott, Derbyshire, England, as well as other members of the McStay family, on Ancestry. Two days later, the remains were identified as the McStay family. On Feb. 15, the family was reported missing to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The original memorial consisting of 4 white crosses. 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. I did not do this.. 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. This gave him a flexible schedule and the ability to work from home, so he could spend more time with his family. Authorities say Merritt, a business associate of 40-year-old Joseph McStay, beat the family to death inside their residence. In addition, investigators also discovered that Summer had changed her name multiple times throughout her life. McGee argued that the use of family photos and/or videos in the case should only be relevant if they are used for identifying victims, otherwise they are irrelevant. There were no signs of foul play or any forced entry. An attorney eventually represented Merritt, and the jury decided in favor of the victims. The grave sites were the main discussion in court. Photos Of McStay Family Murder Suspect. The McStay family, consisting of Joseph, 40, his wife Summer, 43, and their two sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, were reported missing in 2010. They were living at Fallbrook and simply listed as missing. Merritt told detectives that during their last lunch meeting, Joseph had given him physical copies of checks to pay for some of the projects they were working on. But hed also tell Kay during his television interview that he had definitely been the last person to see Joseph. When family members were called in to help identify the people on the video, they had mixed reactions. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 5th 2023 at 2:00 PM at the . 1:39. The family of four had just moved into their Southern California home when they vanished on the night of Feb. 4, 2010. Joseph McStay's mother Susan Blake addresses the court during the sentencing of Charles Chase Merritt on Jan. 21, 2020 . CNN. In December 2009, Summer inquired about buying software to learn Spanish. Arrest in slaying of . Morbid Tourism does not recommend visiting the area after dark, as it can be dangerous at times. 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. Defense attorney Rajan Maline has continued to proclaimhis clients innocence, arguing there's no physical evidence linking Merritt to themurder scene. Prosecutors contend greed is the motive for the murders. The morning of February 4, 2010, started like any other day for the family. A man riding his dirt bike in the area discovered some of the remains and contacted police. However, there was raw food left out, which seemed to indicate the family left in a hurry or had the intention to come back soon after. He adds: There are so many actual other people who could potentialy be suspects and so many people who had motive. 16 Rare Photos of Princess Diana. Mr McStays friend, Gina Watson, and father, Patrick who called Merritt a ruthless mass murderer in court and told him to burn in hell are among the subjects interviewed in the series. Judge Michael A. Smith determined there It certainly isn't justice, not for Murray or for her family. If you wish to write to us in regards to this matter, please be advised that we reserve the right to post your. 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. This site is to discuss and explore the Mcstay family murders. Something doesnt, No , the murder happened in Ohio . He found rotting food and Mrs McStays prescription sunglasses; there was no sign of foul play. Merritt would also make a bold claim about his last contact with Joseph. She adds that she still thinks one of the other suspects was involved in the brutal kilings. Although both instances raised investigators' suspicions, another glaring clue would ultimately put Merritt at the center of the investigation. Jaroslav Jerry Hanel had tormented the Diamond Head, Huong Lee and Long Nyugen were an elderly Vietnamese couple. On the same day as they are broadcast, episodes will be available on discovery+. There is reportedly a DNA match that links Merritt to the McStay vehicle, which was found in San Ysidro near the U.S.-Mexico border. Its kind of remarkable, Ms Davis says. The seven-episode Two Shallow Graves premieres Sunday on Investigation Discovery and will be available to stream on discovery+. Prosecutors claim that the McStays were murdered by Merritt for financial gain. 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. One of the most infamous murder cases in the Inland area will be a focus of the second season premiere of the Oxygen show "Killer Motive" Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. The family did not appear to have any plans to be gone that day. I never knew who did it, Ms Watson says in Two Shallow Graves. Dylan Eason and Isaiah Churchwell were convicted of murdering Cynthia William "Patrick" Alexander remains in prison for murder. And they should be. There was the new husband of Mr McStays ex-wife, a man with a history of violence whod allegedly threatened to muzzle Mrs McStay and beat up her husband. 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. Found the resolution to each, I know who really killed Chanin, her husband did not, I have so many questions about this story. Cell phone records indicate that he drove home after the meeting, and he continued to make calls into the evening. So without direct evidence, then they have to show enough circumstantial evidence to convice the jury that it was me at their home and who killed them.. Family members of the victims . Joseph's brother expressed his sorrow, saying. Read More:Nicole Berte Murder: Where is Randy Lee Bode Now? I think, normally when you [look at] a case, youre like, Oh, there could be one or two people involved., There were potentially more than one or two people involved when we started this. 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. Charles Ray Merritt, 61, stands trial for the murder of a couple and their two sons in San Bernardino County, California. Today, he is still imprisoned at San Quentin State Prison and on death row. PEOPLE Explains: How the McStay Family Disappeared Into the Desert but Who Killed Them? Your login session has expired. In an email Thursday, sheriffs Lt. Sarkis Ohannessian declined to comment, citing the ongoing criminal case. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. A 3-pound sledgehammer was found with the bodies . 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. According to reports, denying his involvement in the murders, Merritt told the court. McStay Family Murder Investigation: Search Warrants Unsealed, Reveal Details Of Fallbrook House. Prosecutors claim he killed business partner Joseph McStay, McStay's 43-year-old wife Summer, and the couple's sons--4 year-old Gianni and 3-year-old Joseph Jr. Smiley Public Library program will focus on womens dress during the Civil War, BLU Education Foundation helps Black, Latino students prepare for careers, Dine 909: New restaurants coming to San Bernardino, Upland and Redlands, Plow the roads, mountain residents say, as San Bernardino County vows to do better, Snow collapses roof of Goodwin and Sons, Crestlines only grocery store, 55-hour closures on 210 Freeway in Redlands and San Bernardino postponed again, Obernolte: Newsom must declare state of emergency for San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino mountain residents frustrated after volunteer helicopter efforts are restricted, We are coming, San Bernardino County officials tell trapped mountain residents, Conditions for snowed-in Crestline mobile home park pretty bleak, Shake Shack sets date for Victoria Gardens grand opening, Monday, March 13, 3 apparent gas explosions in San Bernardino mountain homes worry local residents, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The paint was still fresh on the walls, the corners bordered by blue painter . 1:22. BREAKING: A jury found Charles 'Chase' Merritt GUILTY of first-degree murder in the bludgeoning deaths of the McStay family, Joseph (40), Summer (43), Gianni (4), Joseph Jr. (3). 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. Two days later, the remains were identified as the McStay family. Everything to Know About the Murdaugh Family Murders, Including Alex's Conviction, 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. People. 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. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. As the investigation continued, it also emerged that the last call from Mr McStays phone had been to Merritt whose cell phone pinged near a tower in the desert in the vicinity of the shallow graves. Randi Kaye discusses her investigation into the murder of the McStay family, including her interview with "Chase" Merritt Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Reports state that it was via Joseph's flourishing decorative fountain business and Earth Inspired Products that the two first became acquainted. 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. There was a huge sigh of relief. Their children, Gianni and Joseph Jr., were 4 and 3, respectively. 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. Whether or not Merritt receives the death penalty has yet to be decided. Source: wikipedia | CBS News |. Prosecutors say Merritt owed McStay more than $42,000.