Three years later, no sign of missing family | CNN Judge just said clearly its not timely. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/qLzXb6wJlM. Michael McStay said watching his parents bury his brother was the most "unnatural" thing he could've ever witnessed. Richard K. De Atley has been a journalist since 1975, for City News Service in Los Angeles, The Associated Press in Los Angeles and New York, and The Press-Enterprise in Riverside. Nine years after the McStay family disappeared, their accused killer Charles Chase Merritt, l'associ du pre de famille retrouv mort avec femme et . A deep pause followed as Michael McStay tried to collect himself. Charles "Chase" Merritt interrupted his attorney Friday during legal proceedings. "From Day One, I just had this gut feeling that I was never going to see them again," he said, swallowing tears. Two Shallow Graves takes a look at the murders of the McStay family: Joseph, Summer and their two young boys, followed by the shocking trial . 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 views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. How they stalked the stalker: A gripping new true crime 'It did get weird': Couple who are in the middle of divorce Woman finds out her husband was cheating on her after he was made an equally emotional statement ahead of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives. ', Gruesome: The McStays' skeletal remains were unearthed along with a three-pound rusted sledgehammer believed to be the murder weapon, Crime: Charles 'Chase' Merritt, who was a partner in Joseph's water-fountain business, was arrested for the murders in 2014 and found guilty in 2019 (pictured), Criminal: In January 2020, Merritt was sentenced to death for bludgeoning the couple and their children to death inside their home because he owed them $30,000. Summer's sister stated that her passport was expired. While Merritt does not think Summer was directly involved, he has revealed she treated Joseph horrendously in the years before they went missing. The mother of Joseph McStay wept on the witness stand Tuesday as she recounted the moment in November 2013 when she learned the remains of her son, his wife, and their boys aged 3 and 4,. [7] Summer was born Virginia Lisa Aranda, and had also been known as Summer Martelli. Joseph McStay - the father of the family of four found dead in the California desert after vanishing nearly four years ago - had suspicions his wife was POISONING him in the days before their . Just stop all the appeals, all the shenanigans. It was believed to have been parked there between 5:30 and 7:00 that evening. 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. "So unnatural. I know you dont believe me and thats what kills me, he added. I have been in complete denial about having schizophrenia for the last few years. Missing McStay Family Members Found In Shallow Grave See also Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites He has pleaded not guilty to the charges that he killed McStay, 40, a former business associate; his wife, Summer, 43, and their two children, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, in their Fallbrook home on Feb. 4, 2010, then buried their bodies more than 100 miles away in two shallow graves in the Mojave Desert, north of Victorville and west of the 15 Freeway. He was married to Summer McStay for seven years. May 23, 2022 Investigation Discovery's ' Two Shallow Graves' follows the trial of Charles "Chase" Merritt, accused of murdering Joseph McStay and his family. Then a few people started putting the idea in his head that maybe Summer was behind it. Joseph McStay - Biography - IMDb On February 15, Michael phoned the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSD) and reported that his brother and his family were missing. How to trick yourself slim: Top nutritionist reveals her tips including shrinking your cutlery, sniffing Meghan's (very expensive) date night look! Last month marked the 3rd anniversary since a family of four mysteriously vanished from their Southern California home. 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. she said. De Atley is a Cal State Long Beach graduate with a double major in journalism and political science. Investigators believed the murder weapon was a 3-pound sledgehammer, which was found in the grave containing the remains of Summer and her son. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. I would never hurt him in any way. Merritt sentenced to death for McStay family murders And the fountain designer told MailOnline how Joseph once said to him, Maybe I should start eating out more and stop eating her food. They also linked him to a call seeking to close Joseph McStay's online bookkeeping account. 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. Chase Merritt sobs and says I did not do this thing. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. In the gallery sat Merritt's daughter and brother. The back of the check said endorsement cancelled, he pointed out. "I loved Joseph. The evidence finally placing Merritt at the scene of the crime was his cellphone data, prosecutors said. You cannot get back time. The judge has been speaking for the last hour - and still going, reviewing in slow, excruciating detail certain facts of the case. At that time, no one knew what happened to the family. She really didnt like anyone being around Joseph and the family other than herself and a very small, selective group of people. But speaking on CNN in 2010 he said: 'My understanding was in the last year hed been having these vertigo type symptoms. His son, Joseph, his daughter-in-law, Summer, and their two little boys, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3 vanished. The case has sparked endless speculation, with both the police and amateur sleuths coming up with countless theories, some plausible, some wild and outrageous. 'When I last talked to my son, on February 4, he said he still didnt feel good,' said Blake, adding that she had provided the Sheriffs Dept with information on Josephs health problems. [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. As recently as April, the FBI believed the family went to Mexico voluntarily. Merritt added: If Im honest, I have no idea why he put up with it. California man pleads not guilty to killing family of four Susan Blake (L), the mother of Joseph McStay, leaves the courtroom with her son Michael McStay after Charles "Chase" Merritt was. Merritt has pleaded not guilty to the murders of McStay; McStay's wife, Summer, 43; 4-year-old son Gianni and 3-year-old Joseph Jr. The disappearance of the McStay family - Joseph, 41, Summer, 43, Gianni, 4, and Joey Jr., 3 - occurred in 2013, when they vanished without a trace from their California home. McStay family murder: 4-year-old was struck 7 times on head It is my deepest desire in my own life not to spread pain and suffering, said a soft-spoken Jonah McStay. The disappearance of Joseph, Summer and their two sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3 gripped the nation for almost four years, keeping people guessing until their bodies were discovered lying in a shallow grave in the Californian desert on November 15. He was a big part of my life and my familys life. Trademark and Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. The Mystery of The McStay Family Disappearance Police search for missing San Clemente business owner and family [30] On May 4, the case was scheduled to go to trial in July 2018. A jury recommended the death penalty for Merritt for the murders of Summer McStay and the children, and life without the possibility of parole in the killing of Joseph McStay. He went to the doctor a number of times, but they just didnt know what was wrong with him. Merritt was found guilty on June 10, 2019, on four counts of murder. 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. Joseph McStay, 40, and his wife, Summer, 43, disappeared along with their two children, Gianna, 4, and Joseph, 3, from their their serene San Diego-area community more than a month ago. She said it was not until six months later that she could bear to go out to the site, marked by four crosses. Why were they gone? 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. The McStay family of Fallbrook was last heard from or seen on Feb. 4, 2010. Mike crawled through a window and discovered food rotting in the kitchen, and Summer's prescription sunglasses were also left on the table. Merritt who was once a person of interest in the familys 2010 disappearance claims some of Josephs friends started telling him to be careful around Summer, 43. By February 2016, he had gone through five attorneys. (Will Lester . Authorities think they've caught the killer, who is awaiting trial, and the family. During the last stretch of Friday's marathon day in court, only one person was able to deliver a victim impact statement: Patrick McStay, Joseph McStay's father. Mrs Blake described Josephs symptoms as something similar to vertigo and said he complained of feeling 'woozy'. Just a monster.". [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). Published: 23:50 GMT, 22 January 2021 | Updated: 23:58 GMT, 22 January 2021. McStay family went missing nearly three years ago Surveillance video shows four people of similar size crossing into Mexico Relatives dispute author's claim that wife was involved in. Princess Diana's nieces Lady Eliza and Amelia share Do not sell or share my personal information. "[21][22], In 2013, Merritt acknowledged he had spent more than an hour with Joseph the day the McStay family went missing. Charles "Chase" Merritt was convicted in June of killing his former business associate Joseph McStay, McStay's wife, Summer, and their 4- and 3-year-old sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr.. Merritt built fountains, while Kavanaughdesigned EIPs website and did search engine optimization. Merritt's attorneys said the two men were best friends and investigators overlooked another possible suspect in the killings. So unnatural," he said. Were just the clowns, - Britt Imes. [20] Although it is possible for a U.S. citizen to enter Mexico without a passport, one is required to reenter the United States. Scholarly publications with full text pdf download. Radio host Rick Baker published a book, No Goodbyes: The Mysterious Disappearance of the McStay Family. My brother was I looked up to my brother. "Ultimately, I hope to be a father and when I am, I will hold my children close," he continued. Victorville, California CNN . [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. [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. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Prosecutors are seeking the death. Alex Murdaugh Is Guilty Of Murder! The Tragic Rise and Fall Of The Crying for Mommy and Daddy? Merritt is charged with killing his business associate Joseph McStay; McStay's wife, Summer; and their 3- and 4-year-old sons. McStay Family Update: Joseph McStay's father calls probe of Calif Il ne rpond pas au . You just do what you can for your son, and your family, she said. Despite all the time I spent with Joseph, I had no kind of relationship with her. Joseph was 40 years old while his wife Summer was 43 making them a rather young family. 'As a mother, you're going to do absolutely anything and everything you can to find them,' she explained. Mystery of McStay money: Family found dead could barely afford rent. Blake said, speaking to Merritt. Arent you tired? Their remains were eventually discovered in the Mojave Desert near Victorville, California, about 100 miles from their home. The bodies of Joseph McStay, 40, and his wife Summer, 43, along with their sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, were found in a shallow grave in the desert north of Victorville in 2013. On Tuesday, the judge said the sentencing stands: Merritt gets life in prison for the killing of Joseph McStay, and the death penalty for the slayings of Summer McStay, Gianni McStay, and Joseph McStay Jr. Charles Merritt was sentenced to death for killing the McStay family. In the book, he speculated that Summer might have committed the murders. Around five months before his disappearance he started suffering terrible problems with his equilibrium and his stomach. "We don't run this circus. She said: 'My son had been sick since last August and hes normally a very healthy person. Merritt also says Summer had a terrible temper and would often snap at her husband over completely insignificant things. The hearing, which consumed more than 10 hours, concluded with several emotional statements from McStays mother, brother, in-laws and surviving son, as well as from Merritt himself, who continued to maintain his innocence, I loved Joseph, he said, his voice shaking a times. 'This despicable, evil monster. Merritt was convicted in June 2019 of the murders of his former business associate Joseph McStay, McStay's wife Summer, and their 4- and 3-year-old sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr. (Irfan. The attorney argued a motion to reduce Merritt's sentence in the killings of Summer McStay and the children to life in prison without the possibility of parole rather than the death penalty previously recommended by the jury that convicted Merritt. Despite all the problems they had and how explosive Summer was, I dont know if he ever truly believed she was capable of that, but it was definitely something he considered. [14], The circumstances surrounding the family's disappearance and the lack of clues about their whereabouts triggered speculation by amateur sleuths. Susan said they would stop in little towns that had just a gas station and a grocery store to post flyers. California man sentenced to death in killings of McStay family members 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. McStay family murders - Wikipedia They took none of their belongings, left $100,000 in the bank and even abandoned their beloved dogs. A grainy video captured at a nearby border crossing deepened the mystery. McStay Family Murders: How Did They Die? Who Killed Them? Description. "[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. Their bodies were not found until 2013, when an off-road motorcyclist came across them in the Mojave Desert. The comments below have not been moderated. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/xNxV3CqRtr. Upon his arrival, he noticed that Joseph's 1996 Isuzu Trooper was missing, but their dogs were in the backyard. When the bodies were found, he offered a refund to those who purchased his book before November 2013. Alex Murdaugh Is Guilty! His attorney also says Merritt himself will want to speak. The impression I get is that Summer would use her sexuality to get attention and get what she wanted. 'You had a choice. Just a monster. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/Ojp02cg2cJ. She was obsessed with the idea of being Italian and that was her name for him. 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. Prosecutors told jurors Merritt killed the family after learning McStay was cutting him out of his business making and selling custom water fountains. Charles "Chase" Merritt appears at his sentencing hearing in San Bernardino, California, on Jan. 21, 2020. I was just trying to keep the customers or whoever was calling calm and hopefully to keep the business going. He didnt know what was wrong with him and he was desperate. Indian lodge motel in joseph oregon | | I'm so bummed out after [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. On Feb. 15, the family was reported missing to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "corrupt" . This despicable, evil monster. He had a son from a previous relationship, who he didnt get to see much of and he was terrified that would happen with his two boys if he left Summer. Family members react to the arrest: Summer McStays brother-in-law, Joseph Russell, speaks and then Michael McStay, brother of Joseph McStay, speaks. His face was stoic. Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, TN residents say Jack Daniel's distillery spews black mold, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' How scared were they, Chase? Charles Merritt was convicted of killing Joseph and Summer McStay along with their two sons. I just dropped me to my knees I will never go back to that spot, she told San Bernardino County Deputy District AttorneyMelissa Rodriguez. The details are shocking and nauseating to sit through.".