Merritt, who faces the death penalty if convicted, has pleaded not guilty to the crimes. Nov. 17, 2013 -- The 2010 disappearance of the McStay family, whose skeletal remains were discovered in shallow graves in the California desert last week, led a former North Carolina radio host to . There was Mrs McStays ex-boyfriend, who sent her an email just months before the familys disappearance telling the mother-of-two hed love her for ever. He lived nearby and had been arrested for threatning a neighbour and her daughter. For years, that was the prevailing belief among law enforcement. Sheriffs investigators believe Merritt, a business associate of Joseph McStay who built custom decorative water fountains for McStays online business, killed the McStays for financial gain. The skeletal remains . The missing persons flier for the McStay family. McStay Family Murder Investigation: Search Warrants Unsealed, Reveal Details Of Fallbrook House. The McStay family, consisting of Joseph, 40, his wife Summer, 43, and their two sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, were reported missing in 2010. USA Spot News. Charles Merritt, former business partner of Joseph McStay, has just been found guilty of killing the entire McStay family with a sledgehammer and burying their bodies in the desert. Charles "Chase" Merritt, who has been convicted of killing the 4-member McStay family of Fallbrook and burying their remains in the San Bernardino County desert back in 2010, carries papers to . Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! On June 10, 2019, a San Bernardino County jury found Charles 'Chase' Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family and recommended that he be sentenced to death. SAN 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. Charles "Chase" Merritt was sentenced to death Tuesday for killing the McStay family of Fallbrook. Merritt was arrested for the family's killings the following year, when his DNA was discovered inside the family vehicle, dumped near the border, and fake company checks traced back to him. There was the new husband of Mr McStays ex-wife, a man with a history of violence whod allegedly threatened to muzzle Mrs McStay and beat up her husband. We just had to go over all kinds of money stuff, Merritt told detectives in an interview recording obtained by American Greed.. It took some time for people to become concerned; the family sometimes took small vacations, so it was more than a week before Mr McStays brother, Michael, stopped by the house to see if it held answers to where they might be. However, the rest of the family thought it was unusual for them to just leave so abruptly. Though it is possible that Summer was using a different name, there are no records of passports under any of her other names. The car never returned to the home. Charles Merrit was found guilty of the murders in 2019. 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. In January 2010, just days before the disappearance, the home computer was used to search for passport requirements for kids traveling to Mexico. Thats unusual.. Investigation Discovery's 'Two Shallow Graves' follows the trial of Charles "Chase" Merritt, accused of murdering Joseph McStay and his family. Then a biker in the Mojave Desert finds their bodies in shallow graves. 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 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 found in the desert near Victorville, California, on November 13, 2013. The remains were identified as the McStay familys and were buried in two shallow graves. Reports state that Susan, Joseph's mother, was visibly upset and described him as a "despicable, evil monster," adding that knowing how the family was murdered had made her life a nightmare. Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. The morning of February 4, 2010, started like any other day for the family. 0. Do you, This was definitely in IL because we are friends with, Hi. The murders were as gruesome as they were shocking. SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The man accused of killing the McStays, a family of four who disappeared in 2010 and whose remains were found in 2013 in the . These bodies were soon confirmed as the McStay family. Investigators were stumped until they came upon a distressing hint that directed them towards Charles "Chase" Merritt, a close friend and business partner of Joseph McStay's. There was finally some closure for the family, Imes says. Earlier in the week before the family disappeared, Summer had made plans to visit her sister, who had recently had a baby. Chase further stated that Joseph called him at around 8:28 pm on that evening. 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. Kevin McStay (Mayo): "There's a lot of teams that will beat each other before this League is over. There is reportedly a DNA match that links Merritt to the McStay May 27, 2021 The McStay family murders occurred on or near February 4, 2010, after the family disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, Mcstay family autopsy photos Merritt is on trial for the murder of the McStay family from Fallbrook tried to cover his tracks after the murders. The authorities also found Chases DNA on the steering wheel and the gearshift handle of the McStay family car; he had claimed earlier to have never driven that vehicle. Merrit himself, the producers say, was nervous to participate since he could not control the narrative. The McStay family murders occurred on or about February 4, 2010, after the family disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, United States. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has yet to release a . ABC 7. The family of four had just moved into their Southern California home when they vanished on the night of Feb. 4, 2010. 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. His trial hadn't even begun until January 2019 after he reportedly fired multiple attorneys as he tried to represent himself. 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 claim he killed business partner Joseph McStay, McStay's 43-year-old wife Summer, and the couple's sons--4 year-old Gianni and 3-year-old Joseph Jr. Each is holding the hand of a child. What to Know. The paint was still fresh on the walls, the corners bordered by blue painter . However, in November 2013, an off-track motorcyclist discovered a tiny human skull in an isolated Californian desert, ultimately leading to uncovering the McStays' remains in two shallow graves. A new documentary series re-examines the trial and evidence in a 'comprehensive' look at the case, writes Sheila Flynn He seemed caught off guard, like Oh, I didnt realize I was doing that, San Bernardino County District AttorneyBritt Imes tellsAmerican Greed.. Morbid Tourism does not recommend visiting the area after dark, as it can be dangerous at times. The remains were identified as the McStay family's and were buried in two shallow graves. Jun 15, 2015 Merritt has said there is no direct evidence linking him to the crime scene.. 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. The McStay Family Memorial is located in a very rural desert area directly north of the I-15 Stoddart Wells/Quary Rd exit. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was blunt force trauma, and it appeared they were tortured before they were killed. January 30, 2015 / 2:32 PM / CBS News. On the same day as they are broadcast, episodes will be available on discovery+. Police announced they had arrested Charles "Chase" Merritt, Joseph McStay's business partner, and intended to charge him with the murders. McStay Family Murders: Who Killed Them? Complete Murderpedia Autopsy Photos online with US Legal Forms.. .. Descargar Dmelect Gratis. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. . Nicole Berte Murder: Where is Randy Lee Bode Now. After Joseph, along with his wife and kids, suddenly went missing in February 2010, the authorities didn't have many leads. Gas prices rise for 31st consecutive day in LA County, Carjacking victim comes face to face with suspect during wild chase, How Paul Murdaugh helped solve his own murder. The investigation revealed that Chase was a gambling addict who owed Joseph about $42,000. Merritt disputes the theory and argues, in the documentary, that hed been the one raising the alarm about the McStays disappearance, claiming he would have reported the four missing if the family hadnt. 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. When the family went missing, the pair began their own investigation, describing in the new series how they combed through the McStays emails and followed up any lead they could find. Merritt insists on his innocence in the face of the prosecution's evidence, raising the question: Did Merritt murder the McStay family? The McStays A 3-pound sledgehammer was found with the bodies . He was given the death penalty for killing Summer, Gianni, and Joseph Jr. Now, Merritt is on San Quentin Death Row. Merritt has said there is no direct evidence linking him to the crime scene. With trial footage, and with getting access to Merrit and to the prosecution and to the defense attorneys, I think we were able to creat a much more intimate picture for an audience that gives you the whole story, Mr Fitzpatrick says. In an interview with detectives just two weeks after the family was last seen, Merritt talked about his friend in the past tense. It was sort of one sort of absurdity after the other, Kevin Fitzpatrick, an executive producer of Two Shallow Graves, tells The Independent. Arrest in slaying of . Merritt would also make a bold claim about his last contact with Joseph. One of the most infamous murder cases in the Inland area will be a focus of the second season premiere of the Oxygen show "Killer Motive" Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. A carton of eggs lay on the counter, and two bowls of popcorn were located in the living room. It gives you the story of the trial, and it gives you the story of the relationship between Merritt and Joseph McStay, and it gives you the understanding of the families on both sides going through the trial one of the interview subjects that we talked to said, This is going to be the comprehensive look at this story - which has not been done before.. Judge Michael A. Smith determined there But jurors disagreed and Merritt was convicted and later sentenced to death for the slayings in January 2020. I think, normally when you [look at] a case, youre like, Oh, there could be one or two people involved., There were potentially more than one or two people involved when we started this. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 5th 2023 at 2:00 PM at the . The familys remains were later unearthed by sheriffs crime scene investigators and forensic anthropologists. Lee Harvey Oswald autopsy photo. A motorcyclist found human remains in a desert near Victorville, California. In February 2010, the McStay family vanished without a trace, propelling the authorities to investigate. When questioned about his choice of language by investigators, Merritt said he had no idea why he'd done that. Whether or not Merritt receives the death penalty has yet to be decided. When the partner arrived at the home, he found both dogs outside, with food in their bowls, which led them to believe that the family had gone out of town and had somebody caring for the dogs. That changed in November 2013, when the bodies were found in the desert along with a sledgehammer believed to be the murder weapon. There was a couple bowls of I believe popcorn that it looked like the boys were eating, possibly watching TV. 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. Our priority is picking up the points as soon as we can. The family had moved into the house three months earlier, and was in the process of unpacking and doing renovations. The McStays looked like the All-American family living the dream. SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - He wrote a book on the McStay case, but an investigative author is expressing shock over the tragic new twist in the case. The entire case left investigators and loved ones completely puzzled. The family and friends of the McStays did not expect them to be at the Mexican border. In the end, Merritt was represented by a defense attorney . The family was from Fallbrook, a quiet bedroom community in San Diego County. 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. Similarly, on February 6, his phone pinged off of towers in Victorville, placing him at the burial site. But several family members did not believe that the man in the video was Joseph. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! They were living at Fallbrook and simply listed as missing. Then began the authorities' quest to figure out who killed the loving family of four. Lets make no mistake about it, Mr. Merritt is innocent, Maline tells American Greed.. 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. 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. 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. The McStay case started . Even though Merritt was at one point representing himself, that is no longer the case. According to cell tower data, on February 4, 2010, his phone was near the McStay family home. In December 2009, Summer inquired about buying software to learn Spanish. Buried in the Desert: Was a Family Friend Their Killer? It wasn't until January 2019 that his trial even started after it was revealed that he dismissed many lawyers to defend himself in court. Research genealogy for Vivian McStay of Gordonville, Grayson Texas, USA, as well as other members of the McStay family, on Ancestry. They had a loving circle of friends and family, enjoyed taking trips and watching their young sons grow and learn. At that time, no one knew what happened to the family. 'It was blow after blow after blow to a child's skull,' the prosecutor said. Two Shallow Graves airs Sunday from 9/8c on Investigation Discovery. Today, he is still imprisoned at San Quentin State Prison and on death row. Something doesnt, No , the murder happened in Ohio . BREAKING: A jury found Charles 'Chase' Merritt GUILTY of first-degree murder in the bludgeoning deaths of the McStay family, Joseph (40), Summer (43), Gianni (4), Joseph Jr. (3). While there were no signs of forced entry, it seemed like the McStays left in a hurry. Investigators immediately seized the car and searched it for evidence. Pic credit: San Diego County Police. Merritt is documented as writing checks totaling $21,000 on McStays business account, after McStay went missing. Surveillance footage from the border from a few hours prior seemed to show a family of four crossing the border. Inside The Gruesome McStay Family Murder Case. Joseph and Summer McStay vanished from their . Given the evidence, Chase was eventually found guilty of murdering the McStay family. Merritt used the money to fuel his gambling addiction at nearby casinos, in which he lost thousands of dollars. There was no evidence to determine where the family went or why they had left. Syd Field Four Screenplays Pdf 11 !!HOT!! A bombshell witness upends the Merritt murder trial, claiming someone else confessed to the McStay murders. On Feb. 15, the family was reported missing to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The deaths have been ruled a homicide. However, a breakthrough in the case came in November 2014 when the cops found Merritts DNA on the steering wheel of McStays car. In 2019, Charles "Chase" Merritt was accused of killing Joseph McStay's family during his trial for the murders. 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. I never knew who did it, Ms Watson says in Two Shallow Graves. The case had been baffling from the start. A 3-pound Stanley-brand sledgehammer, the suspected murder weapon, was found in one of the graves, and the skeletal remains indicated the McStay family had suffered multiple bone fractures to the head, extremities and torso, likely from repeated blows to the bodies with the sledgehammer. Summers passport was expired and investigators could not find any records that she had applied for a new one. 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. Found the resolution to each, I know who really killed Chanin, her husband did not, I have so many questions about this story. To add a new type of media, please go to the Admin Console. 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. Sheriffs investigators arrested Charles Chase Merritt, 60, of Homeland, in November 2014. San 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 in a shallow grave near Victorville, may have been raped before she was killed, according to a court document. Furthermore, Josephs mother stated that the car had his asthma medication, and he never went anywhere without it. How To Paint Citadel Miniatures Download Pdf NEW! 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. But privately, investigatorsnoticed Merritt had displayed some concerning behavior after the family disappeared. 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. The ID series features new interviews with Merritt who, unsurprisingly, remains adamant that he is innocent as well as trial footage, interviews with legal teams and the McStays loved ones. The sizes of the people appear to match the McStay family. Good Housekeeping. Their car was located a few days later, near San Diego, close to the Mexican border. This information was alarming enough for Josephs brother to call the police and report the family missing, as it was uncharacteristic of them to leave the dogs without food. Joseph and Summer McStay had two sons Gianni and Joseph Jr. Their children, Gianni and Joseph Jr., were 4 and 3, respectively. Please logout and login again. Man Convicted Of Killing Couple, Their 2 Sons, 10 Years After Familys Skeletal Remains Found In Desert. I never settled on anybody. Merritt is accused of killing his former business associate, Joseph McStay, McStay's wife Summer, and their two small children on Feb. 4, 2010. Defence attorney Raj Maline in the series describes this suspect as a walking, talking red flag but Merritts team was barred in court from bringing up him or the other suspects without concrete evidence linking them to the crimes. Josephs brother found no sign of the family, so he left a note for the person feeding the dogs and asked them to call him, as he was concerned about his family. In addition, investigators also discovered that Summer had changed her name multiple times throughout her life. Everything was circumstantial. They spoke with him for months in 15-minute phone calls allowed by the prison and both were taken aback by his knowledge of the case. She adds that she still thinks one of the other suspects was involved in the brutal kilings. 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Watch the horrifying tale of the McStay family murders and the controversial trial of Charles "Chase" Merritt in ID's Two Shallow Graves, set to air this May 22, 2022.
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