[6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. San Bernardino County Det. Eventually, someone close to the family was convicted of bludgeoning the McStays to death before burying them in the desert. Cell phone records as well as forged checks also linked him to the crime. WebSan Bernardino County sheriffs investigators believe Summer McStay, who along with her husband Joseph and two young sons was fatally beaten with a sledgehammer and buried 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 Before he was sentenced, Merritt tearfully proclaimed his innocence. Investigators believed the murder weapon was a 3-pound sledgehammer, which was found in the grave containing the remains of Summer and her son. and Spanish language lessons. "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? Officers arrived at the home and requested a search warrant, executed on February 19, 2010. 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. Radio host Rick Baker published a book, No Goodbyes: The Mysterious Disappearance of the McStay Family. 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. 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 were also incisions in her bra that lead investigators to believe it was cut off, the motion states. 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? 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 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. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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.. 'This despicable, evil monster. The familys remains were later unearthed by sheriffs crime scene investigators and forensic anthropologists. Now She's Sentenced to Life for Starving Girl to Death, How a Calif. Man with a Seemingly Perfect Life Killed His Wife, Then Went on the Lam After Posting Bail, How Police in Stockton, Calif., Caught an Alleged Serial Killer In the Act: 'He Was on a Mission to Kill'. Autor de la entrada: Publicacin de la entrada: junio 16, 2022 Categora de la entrada: rivian executive vice president Comentarios de la entrada: Investigators also uncovered an email from Joseph dated Feb. 1, just days before the family disappeared, stating that Merritt owed him nearly $43,000. Its been a tough road.. Chase Merritt /edit 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. Its been a tough road.. When Charles Merritt had an interview with the Daily Mail, he stated how Joseph McStay was my best friend. A happy, successful couple with two young sons couldn't just vanish into thin air right? On November 11, 2013, the remains of two adults and two children were recovered in the California desert. 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. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. 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 The sizes of the people appear to match the McStay family. Investigators 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-old JosephJr.buried in two shallow graves in the harsh desert. 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. Joe Nelson is an award-winning investigative reporter who has worked for The Sun since November 1999. Skincare for your hair How to trick yourself slim: Top nutritionist reveals her tips including shrinking your cutlery, sniffing Meghan breaks cover! [3] The trial began on January 7, 2019, in San Bernardino. The FBI will lend their resources in Mexico, where San Diego Sheriff's investigators are focusing their search, reports CBS Newsat the time. Prosecutors contend greed is the motive for the murders. Webmcstay family autopsy photos. The familys car was discovered at a strip mall near the U.S.-Mexico border. McStay Family Car Found Near Mexican Border. 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. 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. Cell phone records indicate that he drove home after the meeting, and he continued to make calls into the evening. ideo released by deputies shows images of a group of people who might be the McStays walking together into Mexico through a border gate. We just had to go over all kinds of money stuff, Merritt told detectives in an interview recording obtained by American Greed.. The bodies were identified asJoseph, Summer, Joseph Mateo, and Gianani McStay.. 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. He was sentenced to death 5 months later and was put to death on January 21, 2020. There was a huge sigh of relief. They were actually written several days after the family disappeared and backdated to make it appear as though theyd been issued before the family vanished. But hed also tell Kay during his television interview that he had definitely been the last person to see Joseph. 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. I did not do this thing.. What Happened to the McStays, Who Vanished 3 Years Before They Were Found Buried in the Desert? I would have never raised my hand for a woman or child. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! PEOPLE Explains: How the McStay Family Disappeared Into the Desert but Who Killed Them? The autopsy revealed all four victims died from blunt force trauma to their heads. He found no signs of a break-in, except for a partially open window, which he used to get into the house. How scared were they, Chase? Investigators immediately seized the car and searched it for evidence. WebRandi Kaye discusses her investigation into the murder of the McStay family, including her interview with "Chase" Merritt When you look at the totality of the picture, you just came right back to its Charles Merritt, Imes tellsAmerican Greed.. It was impounded at the time as an abandoned vehicle. How do you do that?. WebThe McStay Family Memorial is located in a very rural desert area directly north of the I-15 Stoddart Wells/Quary Rd exit. [3] Merritt was charged with four counts of murder, and the district attorney sought the death penalty. 'As a mother, you're going to do absolutely anything and everything you can to find them,' she explained. A sledgehammer was also found buried at the site. People. 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. [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). Although Merritt adamantly denied being at the location of the makeshift graves, To learn more about the case, tune into Monday's episode of. 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. The family did not appear to have any plans to be gone that day. Investigators also say they found emails indicating the family had been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, according to the outlet. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Unconfirmed family sightings were reported in Mexico and elsewhere, perpetuating hopes that they were safe and had left voluntarily. 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. 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