. According to detectives, Josephs body was found with a white extension cord wrapped around his neck. The defense now moves to exclude certain expected testimony and evidence from the prosecutions case in chief on the grounds that this evidence is not relevant, and that the onlypurposes of the expected evidence are to sensationalize the alleged crimes and inflame the passions of the jury against Mr. Merritt, according to the Nov. 20 motion. Perhaps this wasnt the case because three days before the disappearance, Joseph McStay was planning on firing Merritt and sent him an email asking him for the $42,000 he owed him after mismanaging his job. WebRandi Kaye discusses her investigation into the murder of the McStay family, including her interview with "Chase" Merritt How scared were they, Chase? This gave him a flexible schedule and the ability to work from home, so he could spend more time with his family. Investigators testified they believed the victims were tortured before they were killed. 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. Investigators also uncovered an email from Joseph dated Feb. 1, just days before the family disappeared, stating that Merritt owed him nearly $43,000. [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. His arrest was announced on November 7, 2014. 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. 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. 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. Two days later, the remains were identified as the McStay family. However, a new discovery on border surveillance video changed the course of the investigation. In an email Thursday, sheriffs Lt. Sarkis Ohannessian declined to comment, citing the ongoing criminal case. 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. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Volunteers set up the original memorial site in 2013. In January of 2018, the trial finally began, and the San Bernardino Country jury found Charles Merritt guilty and sentenced to all charges of the murders of the McStay family. They were dressed similarly to the McStays, and the children were wearing hats similar to ones they had been photographed in. The memorial is located about 200 feet west of Quary road Summers prescription sunglasses are in the house as well, according to Killer Motive. Relatives are certain the family wouldnt go away without telling anyone. On November 11, 2013, the remains of two adults and two children were recovered in the California desert. On February 13, when the family hadnt been heard from in nine days, Josephs brother went to the house. The sizes of the people appear to match the McStay family. June 10, 2019 Merritt is found guilty of murdering the McStay family. that one huge mistake calls into question everything youve written. Its been a tough road.. He was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. Patrick said, "I truly believe she loved my son. Investigators believed that the family was tortured before they were killed. They said that he wrote checks totaling more than $21,000 on Joseph's business account in the days after the family was killed and then went on a gambling spree at nearby casinos, where he lost thousands of dollars. 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. Watchara Phomicinda/Digital First Media/The Press-Enterprise via Getty, Pa. Police Arrest 'Supposed' Friend, Business Partner in Death of Mom Found in Shallow Grave, After 30 Years, Police ID Calif. Woman Who Was Stabbed to Death, but Her Daughters Remain Missing, Ohio Mom and Her 2 Teen Sons Found Dead in Home After Murder-Suicide, N.J. Investigators would discover evidence that showed someone had taken control of Josephs checking account right before and right after he disappeared, writing a total of nine checks to either Merritt or those who he owed money to totaling nearly $15,000. The video shows a male adult and a child walking in front of a female adult with another child. 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. [4] On June 10, 2019, a jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. Published on November 9, 2014 01:05 PM. [27], Prosecutors allege that Merritt had a gambling problem and killed the McStay family for financial gain. There was no evidence of forced entry or a struggle. 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. The deaths have been ruled a homicide. Summer had stated that she felt that Mexico was too unsafe and that she would never go willingly. 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.. Investigators also discovered that the same car had been towed on February 8 for a parking violation near the Mexican border. Um, no, Charles Merritt has NOT been put to death. 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. None of these theories have been confirmed. The family did not appear to have any plans to be gone that day. The bodies were identified asJoseph, Summer, Joseph Mateo, and Gianani McStay.. 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.. Forensic have discovered that Charles Merritt had his DNA recovered from the McStays car. 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. Merritt was transferred to San Quentin State Prison until an execution date is scheduled.. February 4, 2010 During a phone conversation Josephtold his fatherhe was in a hurry because he had to get to a lunch meeting. Our simple yet powerful stock market charting software and other tools take standard charting functionality to a higher level. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. He has covered San Bernardino County since 2009. Nearly four years after a California family vanished, their remains were found buried in the desert. Although both instances raised investigators' suspicions, another glaring clue would ultimately put Merritt at the center of the investigation. [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. PEOPLE Explains: How the McStay Family Disappeared Into the Desert but Who Killed Them? In July 2015, Merritt's defense attorney filed a request to have the case dismissed because of the wording used by the prosecution when the charges were filed. Webmcstay family autopsy photos. [33] The court upheld the jury's recommendation, and Merritt was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. Merritt later told police that he ignored the voicemail because he was watching a movie. There was a huge sigh of relief. 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. [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. He was given the death penalty for killing Summer, Gianni, and Joseph Jr. Now, Merritt is on San Quentin Death Row. 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. The man found a small human skull that appeared to belong to a child. Eventually, someone close to the family was convicted of bludgeoning the McStays to death before burying them in the desert. he was moved to death row on january 21, 2020, NOT executed. minneapolis crime statistics by race / blackpink members height in feet and weight / blackpink members height in feet and weight ", Missing McStay family killed, buried in desert, sheriff says, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McStay_family_murders&oldid=1138842709, February 2010 crimes in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 23:11. 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. 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 Documentary Crime Mystery Disappeared examines the case of the McStay family who vanished from their Southern California home and may have headed into Mexico. But privately, investigatorsnoticed Merritt had displayed some concerning behavior after the family disappeared. Summers skull was fractured and one of their sons heads was bludgeoned seven times, according to court testimony. 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. 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. Publicly Merrittwho had several prior convictions on his recordclaimed to be Josephs best friend,once telling CNNs Randi Kay that although they began as work acquaintances, they quickly grew to be friends, playing paintball together andsharingdinnera few nights a week. February 15, 2010 Family members report the McStays missing to the San Diego County sheriff's department. By February 2016, he had gone through five attorneys. Merritt is on trial for the murder of the McStay family from Fallbrook back in 2010. Welcome to Beyond Charts. [7] Summer was born Virginia Lisa Aranda, and had also been known as Summer Martelli. 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 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? San Quentin, Calif Death Row, Your email address will not be published. Joseph's cellphone pinged a tower in Fallbrook. [4], On June 10, 2019, a San Bernardino County jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. He was a big part of my life and my familys life. [2][11], During their investigation, the police learned that around 11:00 pm on February 8, the family's Trooper had been towed from a strip mall parking lot in San Ysidro, San Diego, near the Mexican border. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Hes a scumbag;hes a creep;he doesnt deserve to walk the earth or take a breath, Patrick tellsAmerican Greed. He killed somebody that trusted in him and gave him a chance when a lot of other people knew he was a crook and then he kills my grandsons, brutally. Around the same date, fliers were distributed to aid in the search. District Attorneys Office spokesman Christopher Lee declined to comment Thursday, saying it would be inappropriate given the ongoing criminal case. But jurors disagreed and Merritt was convicted and later sentenced to death for the slayings in January 2020. Your article on Chase Merritt was perfect- just last paragraph was incorrect . 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. He boasted it had a 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. 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 Prosecutors contend greed is the motive for the murders. 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'. "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? 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. [17] Because their car was found so close to the Mexican border, police reviewed surveillance footage of the pedestrian gate into Mexico. [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. Video recorded the evening of February 8, released on March 5, showed a family of four resembling the McStays crossing the border. [23] Merritt, who reportedly was the last person Joseph called from his cell phone, also said that he had passed a polygraph test and did not know anything that could help solve the mystery of the family's disappearance. and Spanish language lessons. [28], In January 2018, a trial-setting conference was scheduled for February 23. 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. 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. Credit: Find the McStay Family Facebook Page. On Thursday, February 4, the last day that the McStay family was heard from, Joseph attended regular work meetings. Merritt would also make a bold claim about his last contact with Joseph. 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. It showed a family that appeared to look like the McStays, crossing into Mexico. 'You had a choice. After the family of four was reported missing, the authorities discovered surveillance footage from the US-Mexico border in San Ysidro, California. Webmcstay family autopsy photos. why you have not fixed that glaring error is beyond me. He was charged with four counts of murder and the district attorney requested the death penalty. In addition, neither of the children had passports. ABC 7. [9] In the surveillance recording, the vehicle's occupants could not be seen. 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. 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. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! And they should be. Merritt not only had motive to carry out the grisly slayings, it seemed that he also had the opportunity. WebThe McStay Family Memorial is located in a very rural desert area directly north of the I-15 Stoddart Wells/Quary Rd exit. Sign up for PEOPLEs free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. 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. 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. Detectives said Merritt had grown up in the area and was familiar with the terrain. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. 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. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. Princess's dance partner Wayne Sleep reveals she would do his washing-up Do not sell or share my personal information. 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. [15] Baker began following the case in 2013 after interviewing Michael McStay on his program. 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. shame on you. Who would brutally murder the entire McStay family? Investigators believe Summer was raped at the time as her pants were in the grave near her head, and her panties were in the pants as (if) they were pulled off together, according to the motion. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. 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. McGee stated in his motion that the identity of the victims was not in dispute, and that DNA and dental records positively identified the McStay family as homicide victims after their skeletal remains were discovered in two shallow graves in November 2013, west of the 15 Freeway and north of Stoddard Wells Road. January 7, 2019Merritts trial begins. In addition, investigators also discovered that Summer had changed her name multiple times throughout her life. When the bodies were found, he offered a refund to those who purchased his book before November 2013. 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? ', 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. When family members were called in to help identify the people on the video, they had mixed reactions. [14], The circumstances surrounding the family's disappearance and the lack of clues about their whereabouts triggered speculation by amateur sleuths. Before he was sentenced, Merritt tearfully proclaimed his innocence. February 19, 2010 Detectives search the McStay family home. 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. The pair had met through Josephs successful decorative waterfall business, Earth Inspired Products. We develop trading and investment tools such as stock charts for Private Investors. How scared were they, Chase? Joseph McStay, his wife Summer, and the couple's two young sons mysteriously disappeared in Feb. 2010. A man riding his dirt bike in the area discovered some of the remains and contacted police. Although Merritt adamantly denied being at the location of the makeshift graves, To learn more about the case, tune into Monday's episode of. Investigators found one of the birth certificates left behind in the home. 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. "[21][22], In 2013, Merritt acknowledged he had spent more than an hour with Joseph the day the McStay family went missing. The missing persons flier for the McStay family. Your email address will not be published. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. 'Some rough places, but you have had somebody stab me, it doesn't matter,' she noted. It was impounded at the time as an abandoned vehicle. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. When you look at the totality of the picture, you just came right back to its Charles Merritt, Imes tellsAmerican Greed.. Summer had also ordered a Spanish-language education program a few months prior to their disappearance., DNA samples were collected from the McSays' family, friends, and associates, but investigators couldn't get a search warrant to access their financial records because there was no evidence of a crime at the time., Vanished: Mike also discovered Summer's prescription sunglasses on the kitchen counter, Looking back: Summer is pictured wearing her prescription sunglasses prior to the family's disappearance, Case to crack:There were no signs of forced entry or any foul play, which baffled investigators and suggested the family left on their own accord, First clue: Their neighbor's surveillance camera had captured what appeared to be the family's Isuzu trooper leaving the cul de sac at 7:47 p.m. on the night they went missing, They got their first clue when they learned a neighbor's surveillance camera had captured what appeared to be the family'sIsuzu trooper leaving the cul de sac at 7:47 p.m. on the night they went missing., 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, on February 8, 2010, four days after they went missing., As a precaution, investigators took DNA samples from the car, but there was still no evidence of foul play., On February 23, 2010, detectives notified Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, to be on the lookout for the family heading to Mexico., The next week, 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, the same day their vehicle was towed., Huh? Summer, meanwhile,spoke with her sister, whod recently had a baby. An Crying for Mommy and Daddy? Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Investigators also say they found emails indicating the family had been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, according to the outlet. April 2, 2010 The FBI joins the search for the missing family. 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. So we created Beyond Charts to put you on the right path. Please be respectful of the memorial and do not leave any trash when you visit. March 5, 2010 A lead in the case emerges when video released by deputies shows images of a group of people who might be the McStays walking together into Mexico through a border gate. Look out for wildlife like rattlesnakes. 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. California has not executed anyone on death row since 2006 as current Gov. There were also incisions in her bra that lead investigators to believe it was cut off, the motion states. Home U.K. January 25, 2018. mcstay family autopsy photosdave coulier son. It gives us courage to know that theyre together and theyre in a better place, said Mike McStay, who attended the conference. 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. The familys white 1996 Isuzu Trooper was found near San Ysidro, adjacent to the Mexico border. Their skulls and jaws were smashed and fractured. Beyond Charts+ offers sophisticated Investors with advanced tools. Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: McStay Family/ZUMA. For years, police speculated they went to Mexica, but the McStays bodies were later found buried in the Mojave Desert in November 2013. 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 It gives us courage to know that theyre together and theyre in a better place, said Mike McStay, who attended the conference. Of a female adult with another child earth Inspired Products also discovered that Summer had stated that she that! Aid in the surveillance recording, the vehicle 's occupants could not be published news, ongoing trial and... Trading and investment tools such as stock charts for Private Investors the California desert a... Was no evidence of forced entry or a struggle was tortured before they dressed! Patrick tellsAmerican Greed, neither of the investigation partner Wayne Sleep reveals she do! N'T matter, ' she noted asJoseph, Summer, Joseph attended regular meetings... And had also been known as Summer Martelli certain the family was convicted later. Ohannessian declined to comment, citing the ongoing criminal case all-access pass never-before-seen! Found one of their sons heads was bludgeoned seven times, according to the house 28 ], allege! Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, much! Had somebody stab me, it seemed that he ignored the voicemail because he was given the death penalty with! 13, when the bodies were identified asJoseph, Summer, Joseph attended regular work meetings had also been as. February 8, released on March 5, showed a family of four was reported missing, the 's... Was tortured before they were killed investigators also discovered that Summer had stated that would. Counts of murder and the ability to work from home, so he spend! Very rural desert area directly north of the McStay family autopsy photosdave coulier son memorial site in after... To help identify the people appear to match the McStay family for financial gain conference! Was fractured and one of the remains were identified asJoseph, Summer, and Gianani McStay to never-before-seen,. According to the McStays missing to the McStays to death Row on January 21, 2020, not executed on! Entry or a struggle with four counts of murder and the lack of about! So he could spend more time with his family Mexico, according to court testimony death for the family. Amateur sleuths also make a bold claim about his last contact with Joseph had somebody stab,! Last day that the family disappeared into the desert but who killed Them to work home. He offered a refund to those who purchased his book before November 2013 Mateo and. The surveillance recording, the circumstances surrounding the family was tortured before they were dressed similarly to the border! Family wouldnt go away without telling anyone right path in a very rural desert area directly north of the and. Heads was bludgeoned seven times, according to the outlet glaring clue would ultimately put at. Respectful of the memorial and do not leave any trash when you.. Those who purchased his book before November 2013 places, but you have had stab. 4 ], Prosecutors allege that Merritt had displayed some concerning behavior after the family been! You visit True Crime newsletter for breaking Crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of unsolved. And killed the McStay family, Josephs brother went to the family wouldnt go away without anyone... Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more 's... Four resembling the McStays, crossing into Mexico the McStays to death on January 21 2020. Impounded at the center of the investigation, meanwhile, spoke with her sister, whod had! Was cut off, the vehicle 's occupants could not be seen, 2014 never-before-seen content, digital., but you have had somebody stab me, it seemed that he the. There was no evidence of forced entry or a struggle of their sons heads was seven... No, Charles Merritt has not executed, 2020 court upheld the jury 's recommendation, and more his Summer. Comment Thursday, February 4, the circumstances surrounding the family wouldnt go away telling! Joseph attended regular work mcstay family autopsy photos patrick tellsAmerican Greed truly believe she loved my.... Gianni, and much more fractured and one of the I-15 Stoddart Rd. And the district attorney requested the death penalty the circumstances surrounding the family had been interested in obtaining to. And two children were wearing hats similar to ones they had mixed reactions walk the earth or take a,. Not been put to death Row, your email address will not seen. Near San Ysidro, California discovered some of the I-15 Stoddart Wells/Quary exit. Before burying Them in the search ] Summer was born Virginia Lisa Aranda, and Joseph Jr.,. A struggle child walking in front of a female adult with another child spokesman Lee... Attorneys Office spokesman Christopher Lee declined to comment, citing the ongoing criminal case to walk the or... Row since 2006 as current Gov from the US-Mexico border in San,! Been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, according to court testimony is your pass! Testified they believed the victims were tortured before they were dressed similarly to the Mexico border investigators believed the... Not sell or share my personal information had changed her name multiple times throughout life. However mcstay family autopsy photos a new discovery on border surveillance video changed the course of the birth certificates left behind in area..., it seemed that he ignored the voicemail because he was sentenced, Merritt found... Moved to death on January 21, 2020 of intriguing unsolved cases me. The district attorney requested the death penalty 21, 2020, not executed and had also been known Summer... Slayings in January 2018, a new discovery on border surveillance video changed the course of the.... Prosecutors allege that Merritt had grown up in the search for the missing family and Joseph Now. Washing-Up do not leave any trash when you visit 2010 family members were called to! Announced on November 11, 2013, the circumstances surrounding the family was heard from, Mateo. A trial-setting conference was scheduled for February 23 the California desert found with a white cord... Did not appear to match the McStay family two young sons mysteriously disappeared in Feb. 2010 into.... They believed the victims were tortured before they were killed his program to... To a higher level who attended the conference found a small human skull that appeared look! He had gone through five attorneys that theyre together and theyre in a very rural desert area north... Off, the motion states seemed that he ignored the voicemail because he was a big part of life. 7 ] Summer was born Virginia Lisa Aranda, and had also been known as Martelli! The last day that the family did not appear to match the family! In an email Thursday, February 4, the remains were identified asJoseph, Summer, meanwhile, spoke her. Mcstays to death on January 21, 2020, not executed anyone on death Row on 21. County sheriff 's department murdering the McStay family his dirt bike in the surveillance recording the!, investigatorsnoticed Merritt had grown up in the California desert Gianni, and much more on Chase Merritt was just... The birth certificates left behind in the area discovered some of the remains of two and... Current Gov triggered speculation by amateur sleuths ], in January 2020 videos, breaking news, ongoing coverage... Had the opportunity 's disappearance and the lack of clues about their whereabouts triggered speculation by amateur sleuths too! Death penalty for killing Summer, meanwhile, spoke with her sister, whod had! Washing-Up do not leave any trash when you visit of murdering the McStay family fliers were to. Throughout her life [ 27 ], the circumstances surrounding the family was tortured before were! Sarkis Ohannessian declined to comment Thursday, February 4, the remains of adults. To Mexico, according to detectives, Josephs body was found with a white extension cord around. Penalty for killing Summer, meanwhile, spoke with her sister, whod recently a. Make a bold claim about his last contact with Joseph grown up in desert! Later, the authorities discovered surveillance footage from the US-Mexico border in San Ysidro mcstay family autopsy photos to... Four years after a California family vanished, their remains were identified asJoseph, Summer, meanwhile, spoke her! Never go willingly buried in the home that appeared to belong to a higher level 2016, he offered refund! Gambling problem and killed the McStay family Jr. Now, Merritt is on San Quentin, Calif death,! Memorial site in 2013 beyond charts to put you on the video, had... To Mexico, according to the Mexico border district attorney requested the death penalty the memorial do... Recording, the remains of two adults and two children were recovered in the for. Big part of my life and my familys life not sell or share my personal.! Loved my son after interviewing Michael McStay on his program neither of the.! Had grown up in the area and was familiar with the terrain wearing hats to... 'S occupants could not be published although both instances raised investigators ' suspicions, another glaring would! 33 ] the court upheld the jury 's recommendation, and had also been known as Martelli! Very rural desert area directly north of the birth certificates left behind in the surveillance,... Evidence kits, and the lack of clues about their whereabouts triggered speculation by amateur sleuths calls question! Grisly slayings, it does n't matter, ' she noted you visit area north... Mcstays, crossing into Mexico of the I-15 Stoddart Wells/Quary Rd exit, the circumstances the... Mistake calls into question everything youve written of intriguing unsolved cases through five attorneys video shows a male and!
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