Detectives testified during Merrittspreliminary hearingin June 2015 that Merritt was a gambling man who had written multiple checks totaling more than $21,000 on Joseph McStays QuickBooks account in the weeks after the McStay family was last seen on Feb. 4, 2010. The video shows a male adult and a child walking in front of a female adult with another child. On February 4, 2010,Summer McStay, her husbandJoseph, and their young sonsGianni andJoseph Jr.disappeared from San Diego, California. The video, NBCSandiego reportedin 2010, is dated around 7 p.m. Feb. 8. A hearing on McGees motion is scheduled Friday in San Bernardino Superior Court. February 13, 2010 Josephs brother, Michael, goes to his siblings house and enters it through an open window to search for the family. 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. On Thursday, February 4, the last day that the McStay family was heard from, Joseph attended regular work meetings. Investigators tell Interpol to be on the lookout for the McStay family, who could be in Mexico, they theorize. DNA matching Merritt, who owed Joseph McStay more than $42,000, was found on the steering wheel and gear shift of the McStay vehicle abandoned near the Mexico border. He boasted it had a [27] Merritt's trial was delayed as he had repeatedly fired his attorneys or attempted to represent himself. On February 15, eleven days after the family was last heard from, the police searched the McStay family home. ABC 7. It did appear, however, as though the family left the home quickly. Lets make no mistake about it, Mr. Merritt is innocent, Maline tells American Greed.. Crying for mommy and daddy?' 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. 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. Although both instances raised investigators' suspicions, another glaring clue would ultimately put Merritt at the center of the investigation. 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. There was no evidence of forced entry or a struggle. Susan explained that her son and daughter-in-law would often go on 'little mini-trips' with their kids in California, so they weren't alarmed at first., 'And then as the days went by, you start thinking, "Okay, something's not right here." 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. Investigators rush to the scene and locatetwo graves containing multiple human remains in each. 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.. Whether youre interested in researching and testing your ideas, saving and recalling your favourite analysis or accessing tools and strategies from leading Industry Educators, Beyond Charts+ is modern, powerful and easy to use charting software for private investors. [4], On June 10, 2019, a San Bernardino County jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. The memorial is located about 200 feet west of Quary road With no leads, the case went cold until nearly four years later, when the familys remains were found 100 miles away in the Mojave Desert after an off-road motorcyclist discovered human bones. A jury recommended the death penalty for the man who killed a California family of four and buried them in the Mojave Desert nine years ago. According to state records, Merritt had felony convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property. You can also watch "The McStay Family Mystery" on Oxygen's "Killer Motive.". 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. To learn more about the case, tune into Monday's episode of "American Greed" at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CNBC. 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. WebA motorcyclist found human remains in a desert near Victorville, California. 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. 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. It was unclear. Nelson is a graduate of California State University Fullerton. 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. Investigators testified they believed the victims were tortured before they were killed. The bodies were identified asJoseph, Summer, Joseph Mateo, and Gianani McStay.. January 25, 2018. mcstay family autopsy photosdave coulier son. On February 15, Michael phoned the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSD) and reported that his brother and his family were missing. There was no apparent suspicious activity on the couples credit card accounts. [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. This gave him a flexible schedule and the ability to work from home, so he could spend more time with his family. There was a couple bowls of I believe popcorn that it looked like the boys were eating, possibly watching TV. The world was robbed of four beautiful souls, Josephs brother, Mike McStay said, according to the Los Angeles Times. After 5:47 p.m.Joseph and Summer ended all communications. 'Some rough places, but you have had somebody stab me, it doesn't matter,' she noted. February 23, 2010 Had the family gone off the grid? The entire case left investigators and loved ones completely puzzled. When Charles Merritt had an interview with the Daily Mail, he stated how Joseph McStay was my best friend. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Who Killed The McStay Family? At one point, investigators wondered if the family had decided to start a new life in Mexico. 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 ', Susan said they would stop in little towns that had just a gas station and a grocery store to post flyers., Patrick also searched for their son in Mexico and thought he had a lead when a family claimed to have seen the McStays at Walmart, but security footage confirmed it wasn't them., Inconclusive:After three years of searching, the San Diego Sheriff's Department investigators concluded in April 2013 that the McStay family had gone to Mexico voluntarily, Frustrating: The McStays friends and family insisted they would never go to Mexico with their children, but there was no other explanation, Heartbreaking: On November 11, 2013, an off-road motorcyclist came across the family's human remains in San Bernardino County's Mojave Desert, After three years of searching, the San Diego Sheriff's Department investigators concluded in April 2013 that the McStay family had gone to Mexico voluntarily., Seven months later, on November 11, 2013, an off-road motorcyclist came across human remains in San Bernardino County's Mojave Desert. McGees law partner, Rajan Maline, is also representing Merritt in the case. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. Mom Found Guilty of Killing Toddler Son, Burning Body and Burying Him in Yard, Woman Pleads Guilty to Helping Bury, Conceal Body of Murdered Ft. Joseph owned a company that sold water foundations, he informed Charles Merritt that he owed him more than $42,000. Despite all the cellphone records and banking records of Merritt being tied to the murders of the family, he maintained his innocence throughout the trial. The family had moved into the house three months earlier, and was in the process of unpacking and doing renovations. [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. [3] The trial began on January 7, 2019, in San Bernardino. 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 CNBC's American Greed, airing Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Merritt not only had motive to carry out the grisly slayings, it seemed that he also had the opportunity. That was when Charles Merritts story started falling apart and really gave us the motive, Hanke said. Published on November 9, 2014 01:05 PM. In 2018, the trial was postponed again so that his current defense attorney could do more investigating, Merritt remained jailed without bail. 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. California has not executed anyone on death row since 2006 as current Gov. Webdollar tree plastic candy jars with lids. 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. Cell phone records placed Merritt in the desert where the bodies were ultimately discovered just two days after the family disappeared. He was sentenced to death 5 months later and was put to death on January 21, 2020. There was a huge sigh of relief. Summers passport was expired and investigators could not find any records that she had applied for a new one. Their skulls and jaws were smashed and fractured. He found no signs of a break-in, except for a partially open window, which he used to get into the house. Its been a tough road.. The pair had met through Josephs successful decorative waterfall business, Earth Inspired Products. He was given the death penalty for killing Summer, Gianni, and Joseph Jr. Now, Merritt is on San Quentin Death Row. The familys remains were later unearthed by sheriffs crime scene investigators and forensic anthropologists. February 4, 2010 During a phone conversation Josephtold his fatherhe was in a hurry because he had to get to a lunch meeting. WebBack in February of 2010 the McStay family disappeared, in Fallbrook California. Investigators also say they found emails indicating the family had been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, according to the outlet. 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 Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Investigators also uncovered an email from Joseph dated Feb. 1, just days before the family disappeared, stating that Merritt owed him nearly $43,000. Investigators believed that the family was tortured before they were killed. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. On February 13, when the family hadnt been heard from in nine days, Josephs brother went to the house. To add a new type of media, please go to the Admin Console. 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. What Happened to the McStays, Who Vanished 3 Years Before They Were Found Buried in the Desert? 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. The familys two beloved dogs, Bear and Digger, were left behind in the backyard, and nearly $100,000 remained untouched in bank accounts belonging to Joseph, who ran a successful decorative-fountain business. 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. November 11, 2013 A motorcyclist finds human remains in the desert near Victorville, California, 100 miles north of the McStay home. 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]. By February 2016, he had gone through five attorneys. But privately, investigatorsnoticed Merritt had displayed some concerning behavior after the family disappeared. Nearly four years after a California family vanished, their remains were found buried in the desert. However, Michael was sure it wasnt his relatives, adding, Summer would never take the boys to Mexico. by all accounts aloving family with no enemies,baffled investigators. 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. He stands charged with first-degree murder in connection with the February 2010 bludgeoning deaths of Summer McStay, 43, her husband Joseph McStay,40, and their two children, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3. Webmcstay family autopsy photoscavalier king charles breeders near paris. Eddie Bachman tells American Greed. That kind of cued into us as a red flag there because I dont know how any one person could be certain and say that he was the last person that saw his best friend alive if he wasnt in fact the last person who saw him alive.. 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. [9] In the surveillance recording, the vehicle's occupants could not be seen. 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 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. Though simply changing her name is not an indication of anything sinister, it did stir up a number of theories that Summer was responsible for the disappearance. Morbid Tourism does not recommend visiting the area after dark, as it can be dangerous at times. They recognized that the children and Summer were the people in the video, but Josephs mother believed that if the man in the video were Joseph, his hair would have been much bushier. 'This despicable, evil monster. McGee noted that investigators submitted a DNA analysis request form to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Departments Forensic Biology Unit to help identify involved parties and verify involved parties. He also referenced an excerpt from page three of the form, which revealed something that has not been disclosed by investigators to date: they believe Summer McStay had been raped before she was killed. The familys white 1996 Isuzu Trooper was found near San Ysidro, adjacent to the Mexico border. Summers prescription sunglasses are in the house as well, according to Killer Motive. Relatives are certain the family wouldnt go away without telling anyone. Chase, you are a low-life baby killer.. Summers skull was fractured and one of their sons heads was bludgeoned seven times, according to court testimony. The family went missing in 2010, four months after they moved into a new house in the San Diego suburb of Fallbrook, California. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Joe Nelson is an award-winning investigative reporter who has worked for The Sun since November 1999. Chase Merritt /edit [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. 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 How do you do that?. [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. The caller lacked the necessary passcodeto delete the account and the customer service representative was unable to carry out his requestleaving the damaging information for investigators to discover later. Investigators believed that the family pictured is likely the McStays, based on analysis of family photos and home videos. Summer's sister stated that her passport was expired. Our simple yet powerful stock market charting software and other tools take standard charting functionality to a higher level. Two days later, the remains were identified as the McStay family. 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 In the book, he speculated that Summer might have committed the murders. According to a news article from CNN, it states how Food had been left out and the dogs were home. Otherwise, the family looked identical to the McStays. Prosecutors said he bludgeoned the family to death with a sledgehammer. "[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. There were no signs of foul play or any forced entry. January 7, 2019Merritts trial begins. Publicly Merrittwho had several prior convictions on his recordclaimed to be Josephs best friend. https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/01/21/charles-chase-merritt-san-quentin-death-row-murder/, Hello! A happy, successful couple with two young sons couldn't just vanish into thin air right? He was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. With no leads, the case went cold until nearly four years later, when the familys remains were found 100 miles away in the Mojave Desert after an off-road motorcyclist discovered human bones. 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. Ask the lawyer, Those stuck in San Bernardino Mountains after storm fear dwindling supplies, San Bernardino mountain residents head home, for many its the first time in days, Students pepper-sprayed following race-related protest in San Bernardino, Big Bear bald eagle eggs may not hatch this year, Whats new: NASCAR sells Auto Club Speedway land in Fontana for $543 million, San Bernardino County declares local emergency to get help clearing snow from mountain roads, Find out how Lake Elsinores Kodi Lee finished on Americas Got Talent: All-Stars, San Gorgonio boys soccer team edges Victor Valley, captures first CIF Southern Section championship, Killer keto? Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Crying for Mommy and Daddy? Merritt, who faces the death penalty if convicted, has pleaded not guilty to the crimes. 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. Skincare for your hair How to trick yourself slim: Top nutritionist reveals her tips including shrinking your cutlery, sniffing Meghan breaks cover! 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! 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. Hannah Betts' Better not younger: Secret to longer, thicker locks? "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? 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. Prosecutors claim that the McStays were murdered by Merritt for financial gain. But several family members did not believe that the man in the video was Joseph.
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