Investigators testified they believed the victims were tortured before they were killed. January 25, 2018. mcstay family autopsy photosdave coulier son. The familys white 1996 Isuzu Trooper was found near San Ysidro, adjacent to the Mexico border. 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. The deaths have been ruled a homicide. An acquaintance of Merritt's told a San Diego reporter, "I think police should look at him and anyone associated with him. Welcome to Beyond Charts. What looked normal to Josephs brother but was alarming to investigators. 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 The car's location from February 4 to February 8 remains unknown. That was when Charles Merritts story started falling apart and really gave us the motive, Hanke said. 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. His last known call was with Charles Chase Merritt, a business associate. Webmcstay family autopsy photos. Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on executions while he's in office. It would have been impossible for the McStays to travel into Mexico with insufficient documents. McGees law partner, Rajan Maline, is also representing Merritt in the 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. According to a news article from CNN, it states how Food had been left out and the dogs were home. Cell phone records indicate that he drove home after the meeting, and he continued to make calls into the evening. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. 'Some rough places, but you have had somebody stab me, it doesn't matter,' she noted. I would have never raised my hand for a woman or child. stating that charles merritt has been executed is reprehensible. [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. But several family members did not believe that the man in the video was Joseph. Nov. 5, 2014Business associate Merritt is arrested for the murders of Joseph, Summer, Gianni, and Joseph Jr. McStay. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Get up to speed on the investigation with the timeline below. [27] Merritt's trial was delayed as he had repeatedly fired his attorneys or attempted to represent himself. On Nov. 20, at a vigil where volunteers erected white crosses and released doves, Michael pondered aloud the same questions. Its been a tough road.. The video, NBCSandiego reportedin 2010, is dated around 7 p.m. Feb. 8. Summers passport was expired and investigators could not find any records that she had applied for a new one. [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). Merritt was transferred to San Quentin State Prison until an execution date is scheduled.. Investigators believed that the family pictured is likely the McStays, based on analysis of family photos and home videos. On February 15, Michael phoned the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSD) and reported that his brother and his family were missing. 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. The sizes of the people appear to match the McStay family. Patrick said, "I truly believe she loved my son. 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. Patrick McStay says the murder of a family of four was "all about money" By Elaine Aradillas. Sign up for PEOPLEs free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Two days later, the remains were identified as the McStay family. Documentary Crime Mystery Disappeared examines the case of the McStay family who vanished from their Southern California home and may have headed into Mexico. [24] When asked if he thought Merritt was a suspect, Joseph's father Patrick said, "I have to have faith in Chase because I have to have faith in my son. 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. But privately, investigatorsnoticed Merritt had displayed some concerning behavior after the family disappeared. Their disappearance was extensively reported on national news stations across the country. 'You had a choice. Were they victims of a crime? The pair had met through Josephs successful decorative waterfall business, Earth Inspired Products. His last known call was with Charles Chase Merritt, a business associate. Inside, he found a relatively normal scene. 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. 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. 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. On February 19, California police notified Interpol to be on the lookout for the family. After 5:47 p.m.Joseph and Summer ended all communications. Being spoiled by my rich friend makes me feel like a charity case, Anti-agers no one but you needs to know about,Inge Van Lotringen tells all, How to dress like a grown up: Trust me, loose fit can be flattering, says Shane Watson, The one thing I've learnt byBinky Felstead, My Daily Horoscope: What does 27th February bring for my star sign? 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 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.. 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. Investigators immediately seized the car and searched it for evidence. Oscar Cainer tells all. He was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. In an interview with detectives just two weeks after the family was last seen, Merritt talked about his friend in the past tense. 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'. Investigators also discovered that the same car had been towed on February 8 for a parking violation near the Mexican border. Though it is possible that Summer was using a different name, there are no records of passports under any of her other names. [4], On June 10, 2019, a San Bernardino County jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. People. He could face the death penalty as a result. [2][7] The deaths were ruled a homicide and San Bernardino County authorities said they believed the family died of blunt force trauma inside their home, but declined to discuss specifics of the deaths or a motive. Summer, meanwhile,spoke with her sister, whod recently had a baby. Credit: Find the McStay Family Facebook Page. You can also watch "The McStay Family Mystery" on Oxygen's "Killer Motive.". 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. Merritt is documented as writing checks totaling $21,000 on McStays business account, after McStay went missing. The familys car was discovered at a strip mall near the U.S.-Mexico border. WebBack in February of 2010 the McStay family disappeared, in Fallbrook California. In October 2009, Joseph McStay excitedly e-mailed a friend about the house he and his wife had purchased in the San Diego suburb of Fallbrook, Calif. Lets make no mistake about it, Mr. Merritt is innocent, Maline tells American Greed.. None of these theories have been confirmed. [20] Although it is possible for a U.S. citizen to enter Mexico without a passport, one is required to reenter the United States. This allows you to focus on the securities you are interested in, so you can make informed decisions. San Bernardino County Det. [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. The four bodies were identified of the Mcstays family, the husband Joseph, wife Summer, and their two children. The driver for all Investors is the continuous search for investment opportunities. It did appear, however, as though the family left the home quickly. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, PrettyLittleThing - Offers on women's clothing, Get inspired by the newest styles and offers, Click through for ASOS promo codes this Autumn, Spend less with Missguided's exclusive codes, Treat yourself to offers on make-up and accessories, Check out the latest Wayfair sale to save on furniture. 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. Two shallow graves contained the remains of Joseph, his wife Summer, 4-year-old son Gianni and 3-year-old son Joe Jr. Investigators say they have a lot of work ahead to find the killers, and no predictions as to who they are or why they would kill a whole family. [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. Investigators believed that the family was willingly walking across the border, with no indication that they were in any distress. [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. On February 4, 2010,Summer McStay, her husbandJoseph, and their young sonsGianni andJoseph Jr.disappeared from San Diego, California. "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? On November 5, 2014, Chase Merritt, a business associate of McStay was arrested and charged with four counts of murder, after his DNA was discovered inside the McStay vehicle. How do you do that?. 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. Investigators rush to the scene and locatetwo graves containing multiple human remains in each. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Merritt told investigators that on Feb. 4, 2010, the day the family disappeared, Merritt and McStay met for lunch at a Chick-Fil-A restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga for a business meeting. 'I'm gonna get out the information and try to find them. 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. For years, police speculated they went to Mexica, but the McStays bodies were later found buried in the Mojave Desert in November 2013. There was no evidence to determine where the family went or why they had left. Prosecutors contend greed is the motive for the murders. I believe that [Joseph] trusted Chase and believed in Chase. His most recent felony conviction, in 2001, was for the theft of $32,000 worth of welding and drilling equipment from San Gabriel Valley Ornamental Iron Works in Monrovia, California. November 8, 2014, 3:05 PM 2:09 The McStay family is seen in this undated family photo provided to KGTV. [3] Merritt was charged with four counts of murder, and the district attorney sought the death penalty. Video recorded the evening of February 8, released on March 5, showed a family of four resembling the McStays crossing the border. The father's parents, Patrick McStay and Susan Blake, have opened up about the murders on the second season of the Oxygen true-crime series Killer Motive, which premieres on January 23., Mystery:Joseph 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, Tragedy: Joseph'sparents, Patrick McStay and Susan Blake, have opened up about the murders on the second season of the Oxygen true-crime series Killer Motive, In a preview clip from the episode about the McStay family, Patrick recalled speaking to his son in the morning on the day they disappeared.. February 15, 2010 Family members report the McStays missing to the San Diego County sheriff's department. Joseph's family confirmed that he had an unexplained illness and that Summer was possessive of her husband, but they called Merritt's suggestion that she was responsible for his illness unfounded. Cell phone records placed Merritt in the desert where the bodies were ultimately discovered just two days after the family disappeared. Webmcstay family autopsy photoscavalier king charles breeders near paris. shame on you. The autopsy revealed all four victims died from blunt force trauma to their heads. 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 [10], Over the next several days, relatives of the McStays unsuccessfully tried to contact the family. 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. The family and friends of the McStays did not expect them to be at the Mexican border. In the book, he speculated that Summer might have committed the murders. 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