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. Morbid Tourism does not recommend visiting the area after dark, as it can be dangerous at times. 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. Unconfirmed family sightings were reported in Mexico and elsewhere, perpetuating hopes that they were safe and had left voluntarily. People. Although both instances raised investigators' suspicions, another glaring clue would ultimately put Merritt at the center of the investigation. Patrick said, "I truly believe she loved my son. Investigators rush to the scene and locatetwo graves containing multiple human remains in each. minneapolis crime statistics by race / blackpink members height in feet and weight / blackpink members height in feet and weight Investigators also say they found emails indicating the family had been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, according to the outlet. 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. 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. But hed also tell Kay during his television interview that he had definitely been the last person to see Joseph. 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. Susanmade an equally emotional statement ahead of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives. 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.. His arrest was announced on November 7, 2014. I would have never raised my hand for a woman or child. In 2018, the trial was postponed again so that his current defense attorney could do more investigating, Merritt remained jailed without bail. Two days later, two sets of remains were officially identified as those of Joseph and Summer McStay. Webdollar tree plastic candy jars with lids. The FBI will lend their resources in Mexico, where San Diego Sheriff's investigators are focusing their search, reports CBS Newsat the time. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. 'As a mother, you're going to do absolutely anything and everything you can to find them,' she explained. I know this reply is archive but since the other replies were ridiculously over the top I just needed to add mine. 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. he was moved to death row on january 21, 2020, NOT executed. Who Killed The McStay Family? 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. However, a new discovery on border surveillance video changed the course of the investigation. Merritt not only had motive to carry out the grisly slayings, it seemed that he also had the opportunity. [7] Summer was born Virginia Lisa Aranda, and had also been known as Summer Martelli. 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, 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. Chase, you are a low-life baby killer.. How scared were they, Chase? Welcome to Beyond Charts. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! 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.. 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. Their disappearance was extensively reported on national news stations across the country. 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. uncovered the bodies of all four McStay family members, he was arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office. Investigators also say they found emails indicating the family had been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, according to the outlet. Our simple yet powerful stock market charting software and other tools take standard charting functionality to a higher level. Oscar Cainer tells all. 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 sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. 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. 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. Michaels worst fears were realized. 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. The entire case left investigators and loved ones completely puzzled. On February 15, Michael phoned the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSD) and reported that his brother and his family were missing. 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. It would have been impossible for the McStays to travel into Mexico with insufficient documents. [31] The trial finally began on January 7, 2019, in a San Bernardino court, with both sides making opening statements. Additionally, a family friend was helping paint the house, and left with the intention of returning on Saturday, February 6, to finish the job. Patrick McStay says the murder of a family of four was "all about money" By Elaine Aradillas. 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 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. Merritt used the money to fuel his gambling addiction at nearby casinos, in which he lost thousands of dollars. There was no apparent suspicious activity on the couples credit card accounts. Investigators believed that the family was tortured before they were killed. It was believed to have been parked there between 5:30 and 7:00 that evening. November 15, 2013 The cause of death for all of them is deemed to be blunt force trauma. Investigators and the public also focused on Merritt, the last known person to have had contact with Joseph and the first to notice his disappearance. Sheriffs investigators arrested Charles Chase Merritt, 60, of Homeland, in November 2014. 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. [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. Around the same date, fliers were distributed to aid in the search. But privately, investigatorsnoticed Merritt had displayed some concerning behavior after the family disappeared. CNN. Therefore, since the identities of the victims need not andcannot be confirmed by visual inspection or photograph, any photographs of the victims are not relevant to prove or refute a disputed fact.. 'Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies' : Where Is Casey Anthony Now? 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. 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. 'Some rough places, but you have had somebody stab me, it doesn't matter,' she noted. and Spanish language lessons. [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. But jurors disagreed and Merritt was convicted and later sentenced to death for the slayings in January 2020. San Bernardino County Det. By February 2016, he had gone through five attorneys. In addition, neither of the children had passports. Joseph had a newly successful business designing and installing water fountains. They were dressed similarly to the McStays, and the children were wearing hats similar to ones they had been photographed in. 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. Lets make no mistake about it, Mr. Merritt is innocent, Maline tells American Greed.. It was impounded at the time as an abandoned vehicle. 'You had a choice. The autopsy revealed all four victims died from blunt force trauma to their heads. Detectives said Merritt had grown up in the area and was familiar with the terrain. Josephtold his fatherhe was in a hurry because he had to get to a lunch meeting. 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