Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. Why were they gone? Investigators also have e-mails indicating the couple asked. After 8-Hour Day in Court, Sentencing Delayed for Man Who Killed McStay Family. I believe that [Joseph] trusted Chase and believed in Chase. Merritt was arrested the following year. [4], On June 10, 2019, a San Bernardino County jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. Sheriffs officials announced that the remains of the four people found buried in the desert belong to the McStay family, a Fallbrook family missing since 2010. [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. He conducted dozens of interviews on the case (traveling to Mexico, Belize, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic), followed leads, and reported sightings of the family. Jackie Collins taught me everything I know. Mrs Blake described Josephs symptoms as something similar to vertigo and said he complained of feeling 'woozy'. Summer's sister stated that her passport was expired. On February 13, Joseph's brother Michael traveled to the McStay residence and climbed in and gained entry to the home upon finding an open window in the back. 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. [15] Baker began following the case in 2013 after interviewing Michael McStay on his program. Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on executions while he's in office. He was a big part of my life and my familys life. Why? Imes asked, and Michael broke down on the witness stand. Charles "Chase" Merritt appears at his sentencing hearing in San Bernardino, California, on Jan. 21, 2020. [17] Because their car was found so close to the Mexican border, police reviewed surveillance footage of the pedestrian gate into Mexico. 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. Susanmade an equally emotional statement ahead of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives. Merritt is accused of killing his former business associate, Joseph McStay, McStay's wife Summer, and their two small children on Feb. 4, 2010. The back of the check said endorsement cancelled, he pointed out. The McStay family disappeared from their Fallbrook home in San Diego's North County in 2010. A judge denied a motion to reduce Charles Merritt's sentencing from the death penalty to life in prison wihtout parole in the killings of Summer McStay, Gianni McStay and Joseph McStay Jr. Michael McStay talks about how much he misses his brother Joseph McStay at Merritt's sentencing. The impression I get is that Summer would use her sexuality to get attention and get what she wanted. He was the last known person to see Joseph alive, during an hour-and-a-half long meeting in Rancho Cucamonga, California just hours before the family vanished into thin air. Do I think Chase is involved? [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). Joseph managed a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. He would often come up and visit me and we would go out for dinner with my wife at the time, but Summer never came. [1][2] Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. Maline spent several hours speaking before the judge. The bodies of two members of a family that went missing in 2010 have been identified. The parents of a man who disappeared with his wife and two young children have detailed how they searched for the family for years before it was discovered that their son's business partner brutally murdered them with a sledgehammer. The shocking claims will stun everyone who has followed the McStay family disappearance since they first went missing back on February 4, 2010. Son of Patrick McStay and Susan Blake. She said it was not until six months later that she could bear to go out to the site, marked by four crosses. The McStay family disappeared from their San Diego County home in 2010. He just gave me the quote of the day on the continuing delays. Joseph and Summer McStay were found buried in shallow desert graves along with their two young sons nearly four years after they vanished from their suburban California home (San Bernardino. How could you beat two precious little babies? Arent you tired? Sheriffs officials announced that the remains of the four people found buried in the desert belong to the McStay family, a Fallbrook family missing since 2010. [27] Merritt's trial was delayed as he had repeatedly fired his attorneys or attempted to represent himself. Summer and Joseph McStay as well as their sons Joseph Mateo and Gianni had vanished without leaving much behind in terms of clues or without really informing any of their kith and kin. Joseph McStay has operated Earth Inspired Products, a waterfall and garden accessories business in San Clemente, since 1996, according. I see its written, yes, she answered, confirming it was her signature. Ultimately, officials determined it was not the McStay family in that video. Upon his arrival, he noticed that Joseph's 1996 Isuzu Trooper was missing, but their dogs were in the backyard. The family's computer had recent internet searches for: 'What documents do children need for traveling to Mexico?' Trademark and Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. At one point he said to me, "Maybe I should start eating out more and stop eating her food". At that time, no one knew what happened to the family. Charles "Chase" Merritt, 62, was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of his former business associate, Joseph McStay, 40. She said they clashed in front of her as they argued how to keep the business going. The two children were very young a three-year-old and a four-year-old. I did not do this thing.. This despicable, evil monster. How the Princess of Wales recreated her 2006 outfit from Prince William's Sandhurst graduation Behind-the-scenes at fashion week with the Spencers! Joseph's father, Patrick McStay, told the Los Angeles Times in 2011. I know you dont believe me and thats what kills me. I honestly believed my psychiatrist . Instead, they said, authorities zeroed in on an innocent man. We dont run this circus. Six victim impact statements were heard before Merritt got a chance to speak at the continued sentencing hearing Tuesday. Merritt said the people responsible for the slayings are still free. He would spend days on end in bed. "Ultimately, I hope to be a father and when I am, I will hold my children close," he continued. "No more surfing; no more anything., Michael McStay said the court should never forget what this case is really about: "Those four innocent people and the lives they never got to live.". Joseph was his older brother, by three years, two months, three days, he toldSan Bernardino County Supervising Deputy District Attorney Britt Imes. "Our family has already received a life sentence. Sorry because he was worth it, he told Imes. And while he does not believe Summer was directly involved, he will dedicate a significant amount of the book to her behavior and the couples relationship. 'He told me he was in a hurry because he had a lunch meeting,' the dad told Killer Motive host Troy Roberts. He was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. Neither was Joseph's brother, Michael. See also Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites A grainy video captured at a nearby border crossing deepened the mystery. It was to me, at the time, very scary, so I literally walked out and said If my son loses his business, so be it, I need to find my family and I left., Under questioning by Rodriguez, Blake described the argument as filled with A lot of, lot of cussing, screaming at each other Chase wanted to wring his neck.. she said. [2][12], On November 11, 2013, a dirt biker found four sets of human remains buried in two shallow graves in the desert near Victorville, California. She said the two tangled over how to keep the business afloat. 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. A lot of his close friends did not trust her and thought she treated him very badly. Patrick McStay has waited for this day, when he finally gets to speak in court, gets to speak for his slain son Joseph McStay, daughter-in-law Summer and two young grandsons. But he would not even entertain the idea of cheating on her. Never again will we hear their voices. #mcstay #nbc7 pic.twitter.com/CGQmypfaZb. We are scarred for life., Its been almost 10 years and the pain hasnt subsided, she added. NBC 7's Jackie Crea has more. 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). On February 23, 2010, detectives notified Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, to be on the lookout for the family heading to Mexico. During the lull, NBC 7 spoke with prosecuting attorney Britt Imes about the continuing delays. The show features new suspects, witnesses, evidence, and theories regarding the case, as well as the trial from both the defendant's and prosecutor's points of view. He was married to Summer McStay for seven years. 'You had a choice. Huh? Maline asked Blake about the point of that argument, again struggling against Rodriguezs objections: Chase is telling (Kavanaugh) that he is a liar, that he is getting the money and not giving it to him, he managed to outline to the witness. Patrick noted that it was 'highly unusual for [the dogs] to be left out alone like that. Around five months before his disappearance he started suffering terrible problems with his equilibrium and his stomach. But what happened to Joseph McStay, 40, his 43-year-old wife, Summer, and sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3? All rights reserved. He asked for funds to keep the business going, and at that time I would do anything to help my son probably not in my right mind anyway at that time, she said. (File photo by Kurt Miller, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG), In this file photo Susan Blake, mother of Joseph McStay, breaks down while speaking at a press conference at the San Bernardino Sheriff Headquarters on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. Related research topic ideas. The family disappeared without a trace in February 2010. Basically, she wouldnt let him near her. Judge just denied defense motion to reduce potential sentence to life in prison (Judge will also consider death). Joseph McStay, 40, and his wife, Summer, 43, went missing along with their two children, Gianna, 4, and Joseph, 3. Crying for mommy and daddy?" As court resumed, the judge said Maline had made yet another motion: to disqualify this judge from ruling on the remaining motion to reduce Merritt's sentence. They said McStay told friends Merritt was doing shoddy work and pilfering money from him. Summer McStay's ex-husband spoke next. The trial in the downtown San Bernardino Justice Center is before Judge Michael A. Smith. Where were they? [13] Dean stated in her blog she had just finished producing a radio show for San Diego station KNSJ when she received the call, and that she asked whether she could tell her followers what he had told her. '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. "[21][22], In 2013, Merritt acknowledged he had spent more than an hour with Joseph the day the McStay family went missing. ', 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. Yes, sir, McStay replied. Merritt also says Summer had a terrible temper and would often snap at her husband over completely insignificant things. Summers ex husband made good on a promise the two made years ago and just played a portion of Norman Greenbaums Spirit in the Sky. An acquaintance of Merritt's told a San Diego reporter, "I think police should look at him and anyone associated with him. During her morning testimony, Blake also described heated arguments between Merritt and Dan Kavanaugh, both business partners in McStays decorative fountain business. 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. And that those sounds haunt you, Chase, he said. NBC 7 was once again inside the courtroom Tuesday. Finally, Joseph McStay's only surviving son from a previous marriage, Jonah McStay, took the podium. I just dropped me to my knees I will never go back to that spot, she told San Bernardino County Deputy District AttorneyMelissa Rodriguez. She said the day detectives told her they had found her family's bodies, it felt as if she'd been hit by a boulder. The family had been beaten to death with a three-pound sledgehammer found in one of the graves. He will focus on a number of key incidents and characters and try to paint a picture of what really happened in the lead up to that fateful day. In the gallery sat Merritt's daughter and brother. California has not executed anyone since 2006. called the investigation into his son's disappearance . He said: Summer was a very self-centered, self-obsessed person with an awful temper. 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. Chase Merritt, 62, is facing a potential death sentence, or life in prison. In further sensational claims, Merrits new book Afraid of the Light will detail how the couple were having major problems in their relationship and had not had sex for more than a year before they went missing. During that period, she got an early-morning call from someone in Saudi Arabia, demanding his fountain, she recalled. 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. Mystery of McStay money: Family found dead could barely afford rent. The 58-year-old Merritt is. The attorney stopped Merritt, saying, "You can't.". Summer had also ordered a Spanish-language education program a few months prior to their disappearance. 'We went all the way down to Cabo because at first they said there were sightings, and then we just took the car and went north. His face was stoic. "I hope you burn in Hell," he told the man convicted of killing his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on executions while hes in office. When the bodies were found, he offered a refund to those who purchased his book before November 2013. They took none of their belongings, left $100,000 in the bank and even abandoned their beloved dogs. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/xNxV3CqRtr. 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. He maintains his innocence. For years, police speculated they. 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. He then spoke to his friend several more times on his mobile over the course of the afternoon and actually missed a call from him at 8.28pm, which was the last time Joseph used his phone. "Hes an excellent surfer and soccer player. But despite that public front, I know, prior to their disappearance they had not had sex in more than a year. "I did not do this thing. 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). All rights reserved, Jury Recommends Death Penalty for Business Associate Convicted of Killing McStay Family, Business Partner Found Guilty in McStay Family Killings, Check Your Pockets: These Coins Can Be Worth Up To $24,000, Glendale Neighborhood Frustrated After an Illegal Hostel Moves In, NASA Images Show Southern California Mountains Before and After Winter Storm, Tax Deadlines Extended to October for Most Californians Due to Storms. 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? California currently has a moratorium on death row executions. 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.. In the summer of 2021, shocking news rocked the state of South Carolina. We were incredibly busy with the business, things were really flying, but he would often just have to work on his laptop from his bedroom. The bodies of the McStay family were found buried in the Mojave desert in 2013, three years after the family vanished from their home in San Diego County. This included Susan Blake, Joseph McStay's mother. He was sentenced to death and life in prison. "I loved Joseph. Day by day, month by month, the case grew colder. "corrupt" . "Not natural causes; there was intent here.". Ending my life for a crime that I did not commit," Merritt said. "The extreme violence and savagery of the nature of the killings -- particularly of two small children -- far outweigh the totality of all of the mitigating evidence," the judge added. By Jill Sederstrom The McStay Family Goes Missing Now Playing Preview The McStay Family Goes Missing 2:14 Preview McStay Family Car Found Near Mexican Border 2:24 "So unnatural. The details are shocking and nauseating to sit through.". [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? By Smith ordered Merritt transferred to San Quentin State Prison until an execution date is scheduled. A year later,Charles 'Chase' Merritt, who was a partner in Joseph's water-fountain business, was arrested for bludgeoning the married couple and their children to death inside their home in Fallbrook because he owed them $30,000. Charles Merritt was convicted of killing Joseph and Summer McStay along with their two sons. Finally, Joseph McStay's only surviving son from a previous marriage, Jonah McStay, took the podium. He boasted it had a "loft/game room & big. Every time you hear a sound in prison or in a movie similar to the sounds you made that day when you murdered this family, I hope it rings loud in your ears. He was visibly shaken, fighting back tears. . A small public memorial was held Wednesday afternoon in honor of the McStay family, a couple and their two young sons whose bodies were discovered last week in the Mojave Desert. 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. Just a monster., After a delay, the convicted killer of the McStay family of Fallbrook will be sentenced today. Tony Shin reports for NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2019. How could you beat two precious little babies? Do you remember writing that check? he asked. The McStays' disappearance from their serene San Diego-area community of Bonsall has since prompted an investigation by police who still have no idea what happened. Joseph McStay's mother Susan Blake addresses the court during the sentencing of Charles Chase Merritt on Jan. 21, 2020. 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.,. [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. Dont worry, your fate will be way less tragic than of the family you murdered.. The family had moved to Fallbrook, 45 miles north of San Diego, in November 2009 fromSan Clemente. Charles "Chase" Merritt, who was convicted of murdering the McStay family of four of Fallbrook, speaks to the judge before his sentencing at San Bernardino Superior Court in San Bernardino on. The McStays' skeletal remains were unearthed along with a three-pound rusted sledgehammer believed to be the murder weapon a bra and a child's pants and diaper. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. DNA samples were collected from the McSays' family, friends, and associates, but investigators couldn't get a search warrant to access their financial records because there was no evidence of a crime at the time. 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. Then a few people started putting the idea in his head that maybe Summer was behind it. Merritt was found guilty on June 10, 2019, on four counts of murder. Arguing, and Dan just wasnt going to budge, she said. He told me when they had first got together they had a great sex life, but she just lost interest. Queen Letizia of Spain is polished in a recycled Reiss skirt as she joins King Felipe VI at Repli-Kate! Despite all the time I spent with Joseph, I had no kind of relationship with her. Our last name is mentioned. A neighbor's security camera was triggered at 7:47PM when the McStays . 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. 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. It is my deepest desire in my own life not to spread pain and suffering, said a soft-spoken Jonah McStay. In the family's home, investigators found bowls of uneaten popcorn, as if the family had just been there, and planned to return.
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