Last month marked the 3rd anniversary since a family of four mysteriously vanished from their Southern California home. Parents of Joseph McStay open up about his family's murder Chase you are a low life coward and a baby killer. Patrick had the chance to directly address Merritt in court, calling him a 'ruthless mass murderer' and telling him, 'I hope you burn in hell. Mother Provides Emotional Testimony in McStay Family Murder Trial Homicide investigators search the family's home on Avocado Vista Lane and found no sign of a struggle. Do you remember writing that check? he asked. Did you always look up to him Imes asked. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. I believe that [Joseph] trusted Chase and believed in Chase. "I did not do this thing. He maintains his innocence. Mother of McStay family murder victim: 'We'll never ever be the same His words were a precursor to the deep pain the rest of the McStay family's loved ones would share Tuesday in court. She said they clashed in front of her as they argued how to keep the business going. 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. According to prosecutors, greed was the motive for the killings and Merritt killed the McStays because he had been embezzling thousands of dollars from Joseph McStay's business. [32] On June 24, the jury recommended that Merritt be sentenced to death.
As recently as April, the FBI believed the family went to Mexico voluntarily. 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. 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. The attorney stopped Merritt, saying, "You can't.". 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. ', 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. Alex Murdaugh Is Guilty Of Murder! The Tragic Rise and Fall Of The 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. 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. [4] On June 10, 2019, a jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. Indian lodge motel in joseph oregon. It was believed to have been parked there between 5:30 and 7:00 that evening. [3] Merritt was charged with four counts of murder, and the district attorney sought the death penalty. [1][2] Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. Yes, sir, McStay replied. Note:A previous version of this story misidentified the prosecutor who questioned Michael McStay. [2], On November 7, 2014, police announced they had arrested Charles "Chase" Merritt, Joseph McStay's business partner, and intended to charge him with the murders. "Disappeared" Mystery at the Border (TV Episode 2011) - IMDb My brother was I looked up to my brother. He called Merritt a "ruthless mass murderer.". . 09:19 EST 04 Jan 2014 Merritt also says Summer had a terrible temper and would often snap at her husband over completely insignificant things. Just a monster., After a delay, the convicted killer of the McStay family of Fallbrook will be sentenced today. 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.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. But speaking on CNN in 2010 he said: 'My understanding was in the last year hed been having these vertigo type symptoms. The McStays, their two boys Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, vanished in 2010, leaving food on the table and a massive mystery. [15] Baker began following the case in 2013 after interviewing Michael McStay on his program. He always said, "I have messed up one family before, I will not be unfaithful and ruin another one". The trial in the downtown San Bernardino Justice Center is before Judge Michael A. Smith. She talked about how the slayings of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons have destroyed her family. We're just the clowns.". In the gallery sat Merritt's daughter and brother. Patrick McStay, Joseph McStay's father told CBS 8 in San Diego that authorities informed him two of the bodies found in shallow graves in the Mojave Desert on Monday were that of his son and his son's wife, Summer. Missing McStay Family Members Found In Shallow Grave Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. They took none of their belongings, left $100,000 in the bank and even abandoned their beloved dogs. In the last of the two meetings, They were definitely yelling, big time, at each other. Gunfire at 7-Eleven stores killed a clerk in Brea and a 24-year-old man in Santa Ana and injured three others in La Habra and Riverside early Monday, July 11, authorities said. Everything with her seemed to be done for gain.. Three years later, their bodies were found in a remote desert location more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) away in San Bernardino County. He had this problem right up until the day he went missing. Joseph McStay's mother, Susan Blake, followed. On February 19, California police notified Interpol to be on the lookout for the family. At one point he said to me, "Maybe I should start eating out more and stop eating her food". Sentencing set Friday for man convicted of killing McStay family Three years later, no sign of missing family | CNN Mystery at the Border: With Christopher Crutchfield Walker, Joseph McStay, Summer McStay, Gianni McStay. Radio host Rick Baker published a book, No Goodbyes: The Mysterious Disappearance of the McStay Family. Susan explained that her son and daughter-in-law would often go on 'little mini-trips' with their kids in California, so they weren't alarmed at first. During that period, she got an early-morning call from someone in Saudi Arabia, demanding his fountain, she recalled. He was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. Patrick McStay, Joseph's father, was informed of the discovery and phoned missing person advocate Jerrie Dean to tell her what he knew. 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. Investigators testified they believed the victims were tortured before they were killed. [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. '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. Joseph's father, Patrick McStay, told the Los Angeles Times in 2011. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. 'They actually thought that was really them going over the border on the video,' said Susan, who was skeptical but still headed to Mexico to search for her family. We are scarred for life., Its been almost 10 years and the pain hasnt subsided, she added. On Feb. 15, the family was reported missing to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Voice shaking, it was Merrit's turn to speak to the courtroom and to the McStay family's loved ones. 'It's like they went poof,' Susan recalled. How to trick yourself slim: Top nutritionist reveals her tips including shrinking your cutlery, sniffing Meghan's (very expensive) date night look! [14], The circumstances surrounding the family's disappearance and the lack of clues about their whereabouts triggered speculation by amateur sleuths. "[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. [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. Around five months before his disappearance he started suffering terrible problems with his equilibrium and his stomach. Our lives were intertwined both on a business and a personal level. The hearing, which consumed more than 10 hours, concluded with several emotional statements from McStay's mother, brother, in-laws and surviving son, as well as from Merritt himself, who . Merritt sentenced to death for McStay family murders Joseph was 40 years old while his wife Summer was 43 making them a rather young family. [35], Last edited on 11 February 2023, at 23:11, "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? Investigators also have e-mails indicating the couple asked. His arrest was announced on November 7, 2014. Joseph McStay - Biography - IMDb I have been in complete denial about having schizophrenia for the last few years. Joseph loved to eat out anyway, but I know he made a real effort to eat away from his house after that.. When the bodies were found, he offered a refund to those who purchased his book before November 2013. Who killed the McStay family? They also linked him to a call seeking to close Joseph McStay's online bookkeeping account. Patrick McStay speaks out, believes his family was killed over money 'He told me he was in a hurry because he had a lunch meeting,' the dad told Killer Motive host Troy Roberts. I just spoke to the prosecuting attorney in the Merritt case. A grainy video captured at a nearby border crossing deepened the mystery. Here are some last-minute, Best last-minute Valentines Day gifts for him, These are places to live on the West Coast, Scooter rider killed in crash near border identified, SD Co. Sheriff: 2022 inmate death now ruled a homicide, A new pirate-themed speakeasy has washed ashore in, This SD campground is among the best in America, CA extends tax deadline to Oct. 16 for disaster areas, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. June 10, 2019 Merritt is found guilty of murdering the McStay family. [7] Summer was born Virginia Lisa Aranda, and had also been known as Summer Martelli. The bodies were identified asJoseph, Summer, Joseph Mateo, and Gianani McStay. [31] The trial finally began on January 7, 2019, in a San Bernardino court, with both sides making opening statements. 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 disappearance, according to an explosive new book. 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. Just a monster. I would have never raised my hand for a woman or child. Patrick noted that it was 'highly unusual for [the dogs] to be left out alone like that. The car's location from February 4 to February 8 remains unknown. With all the action and breaks, there was no time left for victim impact statements and the actual sentencing of Merritt. Joseph's cellphone pinged a tower in Fallbrook. In late November 2009, the family moved to Fallbrook, California, for a fresh start in a peaceful and friendly neighborhood. Ill never get another conversation with him. Huh? 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). Two days later, two sets of remains were officially identified as those of Joseph and Summer McStay.