', Getting worried: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, Confusing: Upon Mike's arrival, he noticed that Joseph's 1996 Isuzu Trooper was missing, but their dogs were in the backyard, Abandoned: When Mike crawled through a window of the San Diego County home, he discovered food rotting in the kitchen. The break came, defense attorneys said, when Merritt and McStay separately worked on a custom-fountain side of the business that did not include Kavanaugh. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. [33] The court upheld the jury's recommendation, and Merritt was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. His face was stoic. 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. ', 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. I did not know any of that part, Blake said. She would shout at him in the privacy of their own home, but then put on a front like he was the most important person in the world when they were in public. What about the little guys? Joseph McStay's mother, Susan Blake, followed. 'You had a choice. Merritt is charged with killing his business associate Joseph McStay; McStay's wife, Summer; and their 3- and 4-year-old sons. 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. We are scarred for life., Its been almost 10 years and the pain hasnt subsided, she added. Summer McStay's ex-husband spoke next. The family disappeared without a trace in February 2010. In the McStay family murders, Judge listens to arguments that sentence should be reduced from death penalty to life in prison without parole. Summer's sister stated that her passport was expired. I don't think so, and I truly hope not. Maline spent several hours speaking before the judge. Before the sentencing was handed down, six of the McStay family's loved ones delivered tearful, spine-tingling impact statements in court, staring straight at the face of the killer who took the lives of their family. Ultimately, officials determined it was not the McStay family in that video. I loved Joseph. #mcstay #nbc7 pic.twitter.com/gDh8XuxqiV, Merritt said he has the "utmost disdain" for the investigators and prosecutors who "put them all in this courtroom" and for the people who, in his words, "manipulated the evidence.". called the investigation into his son's disappearance . 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. They make up a small part of Merritts new book, which is due to be released later this year. ___ 12 a.m. Their remains were eventually discovered in the Mojave Desert near Victorville, California, about 100 miles from their home. June 10, 2019 Merritt is found guilty of murdering the McStay family. Businessman Joseph McStay, his wife, Summer, and their two young sons -- Gianni 4, Joseph Jr. 3 -- were last heard from Feb. 4. Here are the seven best ways to wear them this spring. They slept in the same bed, but were never intimate. Crying for Mommy and Daddy? Crying for mommy and daddy?" [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. I see its written, yes, she answered, confirming it was her signature. Radio host Rick Baker published a book, No Goodbyes: The Mysterious Disappearance of the McStay Family. "Ultimately, I hope to be a father and when I am, I will hold my children close," he continued. It was believed to have been parked there between 5:30 and 7:00 that evening. At that time, no one knew what happened to the family. According to state records, Merritt had felony convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property. Summers sister: My sister walked with a passion and purpose. Susanmade an equally emotional statement ahead of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives. Duchess dons $1,610 Carolina Herrera cape, $300 vegan leather Lovely in lilac! [31] The trial finally began on January 7, 2019, in a San Bernardino court, with both sides making opening statements. [16], After their disappearance, it was speculated that the McStays left voluntarily since investigators found searches on the family's computers for "What documents do children need for traveling to Mexico?" 'He told me he was in a hurry because he had a lunch meeting,' the dad told Killer Motive host Troy Roberts. Yes, sir, McStay replied. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. [27], Prosecutors allege that Merritt had a gambling problem and killed the McStay family for financial gain. In the last of the two meetings, They were definitely yelling, big time, at each other. #nbc7 https://t.co/5tmfTOuzsD. The clip appeared to show a family of four crossing the border into Mexico -- a family that looked like they could have been the McStays. Im heading to San Bernardino and will keep you updated. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Joseph McStay, 43-year-old Summer McStay and their two sons, Gianni, 4, and Joey, 3, vanished without a trace in February 2010 shortly after moving to Fallbrook from Orange County. 'And then as the days went by, you start thinking, "Okay, something's not right here." Who'll find love on our blind date? It was a mystery and he started to consider everything and anything. [3] Merritt was charged with four counts of murder, and the district attorney sought the death penalty. SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. A Southern California man was sentenced to death Tuesday for the 10-year-old killings of a family of four whose bodies were found buried in shallow graves in the California desert. 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. She said the two tangled over how to keep the business afloat. I have been in complete denial about having schizophrenia for the last few years. 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. Joseph's cellphone pinged a tower in Fallbrook. But what happened to Joseph McStay, 40, his 43-year-old wife, Summer, and sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3? The book will be released later this year. Blake was followed in testimony by her son and Joseph McStays brother, Michael McStay who said Joseph gave him $2,000 to start his fire sprinkler system business. Investigators believed the murder weapon was a 3-pound sledgehammer, which was found in the grave containing the remains of Summer and her son. 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. Jurors in San Bernardino. I just dont remember very much because I fell to the office floor. Joseph was 40 years old while his wife Summer was 43 making them a rather young family. And now, victim impact statements before formal sentencing. On the surface, while tragic, it may not seem all that crazy. California has not executed anyone since 2006. Don't worry, your fate will be way less tragic than that of the family you murdered. Published: 23:50 GMT, 22 January 2021 | Updated: 23:58 GMT, 22 January 2021. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The fountain designer has always been seen as a key player in the mystery as he was one of Josephs closest friends and his most trusted business associate. How scared were they, Chase? She said it was not until six months later that she could bear to go out to the site, marked by four crosses. "It is my deepest desire in my own life not to spread pain and suffering," said a. And when four skeletal remains were found in shallow graves in the remote Mojave Desert, San Bernardino County, it put an end to any belief the McStays had started a new life in the sunshine. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Prosecutors are seeking the death. The back of the check said endorsement cancelled, he pointed out. The case has sparked endless speculation, with both the police and amateur sleuths coming up with countless theories, some plausible, some wild and outrageous. [14], The circumstances surrounding the family's disappearance and the lack of clues about their whereabouts triggered speculation by amateur sleuths. The 30 Best Shows on Netflix for Kids. Investigators believe that Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their sons, 4-year-old Gianni and 3-year-old Joseph, were bludgeoned to death in their home in the San Diego County community of Fallbrook on Feb. 4, 2010, San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said Friday. Around five months before his disappearance he started suffering terrible problems with his equilibrium and his stomach. He didnt know what was wrong with him and he was desperate. 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. she said. [17] Because their car was found so close to the Mexican border, police reviewed surveillance footage of the pedestrian gate into Mexico. Disappeared examines the case of the McStay family who vanished from their Southern California home and may have headed into Mexico. California currently has a moratorium on death row executions. Summer had also ordered a Spanish-language education program a few months prior to their disappearance. ': Anguish of $21m fraudster banker's wife after he's found running POT FARM a year after faking his suicide, 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!' Joseph McStay, his wife Summer, and the couple's two young sons mysteriously disappeared in Feb. 2010. She talked about how the slayings of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons have destroyed her family. Will Payne Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts. I would never hurt him in any way. Jackie Collins taught me everything I know. Blake said Merritt and Kavanugh got into arguments in two meetings during the spring of 2010. 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. Sentencing still has not happened. The family's computer had recent internet searches for: 'What documents do children need for traveling to Mexico?' Smith ordered Merritt transferred to San Quentin State Prison until an execution date is scheduled. Queen Letizia of Spain is polished in a recycled Reiss skirt as she joins King Felipe VI at Repli-Kate! How can you take that all in?, Susan Blake, right, mother of Joseph McStay, reaches over and holds the hand of her other son Michael McStay, left, at a press conference at the San Bernardino Sheriff Headquarters, Friday, November 15, 2013. And she recounted for Rodriguez how she gave $4,410 in personal checks to Merritt in the months after her son and his family disappeared, based on Merritts claims he needed the money to complete projects for the business. He was in a really bad way. I would never have hurt him in any way. 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). Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on executions while he's in office. [28], In January 2018, a trial-setting conference was scheduled for February 23. As a precaution, investigators took DNA samples from the car, but there was still no evidence of foul play. 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. "It's not just a Netflix documentary to us. [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. But when Rodriguez questioned her Tuesday, Blake said, Thats what was said, but I dont know for sure.. On Friday, he. She had once told him she wanted that song played at her funeral. We're just the clowns.". Two days later, two sets of remains were officially identified as those of Joseph and Summer McStay. The bodieswere found in November 2013and Merrittwas arrested and chargeda year later. The McStay family disappeared from their San Diego County home in 2010. The family had been beaten to death with a three-pound sledgehammer found in one of the graves. 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. What lack of sleep REALLY does to your face: Expert reveals the warning signs your skin is suffering, My Daily Horoscope: What does March 2nd hold for MY star sign? Merritt added: If Im honest, I have no idea why he put up with it. Chase Merritt, 62, is facing a potential death sentence, or life in prison. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. And they told me they were also gone. "Death was the appropriate verdict for those three offenses," the judge said. But speaking on CNN in 2010 he said: 'My understanding was in the last year hed been having these vertigo type symptoms. 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. ", Missing McStay family killed, buried in desert, sheriff says, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McStay_family_murders&oldid=1138842709, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 23:11. Charles "Chase" Merritt, 62, was convicted in June of killing his former business associate Joseph McStay, 40, McStay's wife, Summer, 43, and their two children, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr.,. Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on executions while hes in office. After three years of searching, the San Diego Sheriff's Department investigators concluded in April 2013 that the McStay family had gone to Mexico voluntarily. Authorities think they've caught the killer, who is awaiting trial, and the family. How could you beat two precious little babies? And the fountain designer told MailOnline how Joseph once said to him, Maybe I should start eating out more and stop eating her food. [4] On June 10, 2019, a jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. I just dropped me to my knees I will never go back to that spot, she told San Bernardino County Deputy District AttorneyMelissa Rodriguez. His words were a precursor to the deep pain the rest of the McStay family's loved ones would share Tuesday in court. Huh? Joseph, 40, was suffering from a mystery illness in the months before he went missing with Summer and their two young children, and would spend days in bed barely able to walk. ', 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.'. As recently as April, the FBI believed the family went to Mexico voluntarily. There were no signs of forced entry or any foul play, which baffled investigators and suggested the family left on their own accord. when an off-road motorcyclist came across them in the Mojave Desert, New weekly farmers market opens in Cardiff, Dierks Bentleys Gravel & Gold tour coming to San, Vehicle pursuit prompts lane closures on SR-76, SD animal sanctuary rescues cougar orphanedin car, 2 critically injured in head-on collision, Teenage bicyclist hurt in hit-and-run crash, Experts explain concerns, benefits from CA storms, Best deals of Presidents Day weekend 2023, Forgot about Valentines Day? 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. 'This despicable, evil monster. Soon, the family's car was found at a strip mall in south San Diego County near the U.S.-Mexico border. Chase you are a low life coward and a baby killer. Never again will we hear their voices. #mcstay #nbc7 pic.twitter.com/CGQmypfaZb. Merritt was supposed to be sentenced last Friday, Jan. 17, but dramatic twists, turns, and delays prevented that from happening as planned. He went to the doctor a number of times, but they just didnt know what was wrong with him. My brother was I looked up to my brother. He was in the hospital for a couple of weeks, and on the (February) 4, he was talking to my mother and he had to pull over when he was driving home because he felt vertigo type symptoms.'. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Testimony in the trial is scheduled to continue Wednesday. Just a monster.". [26], According to the arrest warrant affidavits filed in the case, autopsies concluded that all four victims had been beaten to death with a blunt object. The McStays have deep Orange County ties, Cirignani said. Father of Joseph McStay, whose remains and wife's were found this week after 2010 disappearance, calls San Diego Sheriff's Dept. His attorney was arguing motions before Merritt was set to be sentenced. Mystery at the Border: With Christopher Crutchfield Walker, Joseph McStay, Summer McStay, Gianni McStay. I'm so bummed out after realising my diagnosis made a few years ago is legitimate. He maintains his innocence. I would never raise my hand to a woman or a child.". Arent you tired? She had asked to get the money back, she said, But I never saw any., Blake had told an investigator that Merritt told her he completed a job for a customer in Saudi Arabia and was paid $17,000. He called Merritt a "ruthless mass murderer.". [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? [9] In the surveillance recording, the vehicle's occupants could not be seen. We dont run this circus. His arrest was announced on November 7, 2014.

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