Joseph and Summer McStay had two sons Gianni and Joseph Jr. California has not executed anyone since 2006. Investigators and the public also focused on Merritt, the last known person to have had contact with Joseph and the first to notice his disappearance. A deep pause followed as Michael McStay tried to collect himself. 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. A lot of his close friends did not trust her and thought she treated him very badly. It would take years for investigators to discover the family's grisly fate. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Josephs illness was well documented and had left his entire family completely baffled. Gov. That 8-hour day in court included lengthy motions arguments from Merritt's attorney, Rajan Maline, and even a moment when Merritt tried to interrupt proceedings and fire Maline. A license plate search for the vehicle led to the discovery that the McStay's SUV had been towed from a parking lot near San Ysidro, California, right near the U.S.-Mexico border, on February 8, 2010, four days after they went missing. I even went to the hospital with him to try and see what was wrong; we thought maybe it was stress.'. Prosecutors say he bludgeoned them with a sledgehammer. His mother was not available to speak to MailOnline about Merritt's latest revelations. He just gave me the quote of the day on the continuing delays. Merritt later told police that he ignored the voicemail because he was watching a movie. "It didn't just mark me that day," Michael McStay said. Finally, Joseph McStay's only surviving son from a previous marriage, Jonah McStay, took the podium. Maline spent several hours speaking before the judge. He would try to ignore it at first, but she would call and call and eventually he would have to go off and deal with whatever drama there was. I was not his best friend, but he was mine and I believe he opened up to me about things he would not tell anyone else. " Finally, Joseph McStay's only surviving son from a previous marriage, Jonah McStay, took. ", 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. 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. [4] On June 10, 2019, a jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. An acquaintance of Merritt's told a San Diego reporter, "I think police should look at him and anyone associated with him. But he would not even entertain the idea of cheating on her. 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. 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. [4], On June 10, 2019, a San Bernardino County jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. 2023.03.03 04:09 oz2usa I'm so bummed out after realising my diagnosis made a few years ago is legitimate. The McStays have deep Orange County ties, Cirignani said. With the motions finally out of the way, the judge moved on to the victim impact statements just before 11:20 a.m. Merritt was also expected to speak after the victims delivered their statements. 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 . Joseph was 40 years old while his wife Summer was 43 making them a rather young family. As recently as April, the FBI believed the family went to Mexico voluntarily. [7] Summer was born Virginia Lisa Aranda, and had also been known as Summer Martelli.
He didnt know what was wrong with him and he was desperate. But when Rodriguez questioned her Tuesday, Blake said, Thats what was said, but I dont know for sure.. 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. For years, police speculated they. [14], The circumstances surrounding the family's disappearance and the lack of clues about their whereabouts triggered speculation by amateur sleuths. "The gruesome and brutal details of the crime that you committed are his family," she said to Merritt. No one can explain how a seemingly normal suburban family who only moved into their new home in Fallbrook, California, three months earlier, could be living a regular life one day and then vanish the next. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. How scared were they, Chase? California currently has a moratorium on death row executions. But despite that public front, I know, prior to their disappearance they had not had sex in more than a year. The thing that is bringing you this solace, is ending my life. [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. On Monday, more than four years since his arrest in connection with the slayings, the family's accused killer, Charles "Chase" Merritt, is scheduled to go on trial on murder charges in San. I did not know any of that part, Blake said. and Spanish language lessons. 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. "Closer still because I know what it's like to lose people I love.". Chase Merritt sobs and says I did not do this thing. (File photo by Kurt Miller, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG). I know you dont believe me and thats what kills me. He was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. [3] Merritt was charged with four counts of murder, and the district attorney sought the death penalty. 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. #nbc7 #mcstay He told Merrit, I want to psychological mess you up. https://t.co/0xbSXeb9kX. He was a big part of my life and my familys life. The impression I get is that Summer would use her sexuality to get attention and get what she wanted. Crying for Mommy and Daddy? Merritt added: If Im honest, I have no idea why he put up with it. Just a monster.". 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. Queen Letizia of Spain is polished in a recycled Reiss skirt as she joins King Felipe VI at Repli-Kate! Investigators testified they believed the victims were tortured before they were killed. 'He told me he was in a hurry because he had a lunch meeting,' the dad told Killer Motive host Troy Roberts. Joseph McStay's mother, Susan Blake, followed. 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. Situated in northern San Diego County, the community is known as "The Friendly Village." Sadly, disaster would soon strike the tranquil town. Im heading to San Bernardino and will keep you updated. They also linked him to a call seeking to close Joseph McStay's online bookkeeping account. [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? 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. Merritt said the people responsible for the slayings are still free. The McStay family of Fallbrook was last heard from or seen on Feb. 4, 2010. 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. "I want to psychologically mess you up," he said to Merritt. ', 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.'. Were they scared, Chase? 'This despicable, evil monster. 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. 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. That family that went missing? Prosecutors contend greed is the motive for the murders. The case initially puzzled. '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. Neither was Joseph's brother, Michael. Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on executions while he's in office. 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. Basically, she wouldnt let him near her. Patrick McStay, Joseph's father, was informed of the discovery and phoned missing person advocate Jerrie Dean to tell her what he knew. Merritts defense team has claimed Kavanaugh is a likely suspect in the McStay family case, but was overlooked by investigators despite what they described as a deteriorating relationship with Joseph McStay in the months before the familys disappearance. She said they clashed in front of her as they argued how to keep the business going. And when we were out she would call him constantly. They said McStay told friends Merritt was doing shoddy work and pilfering money from him. Michael McStay remembered the day detectives told him and his family that the bodies of his brother, sister-in-law, and nephews had been discovered in the desert. The family's computer had recent internet searches for: 'What documents do children need for traveling to Mexico?' 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. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. 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? Indiana Man Charged After Son In Diapers Points Gun At . Then a few people started putting the idea in his head that maybe Summer was behind it. 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. For years, police speculated they went to Mexica, but the McStays bodies were later found buried in the Mojave Desert in November 2013. He went to the doctor a number of times, but they just didnt know what was wrong with him. [2] In April 2013, the San Diego Sheriff's Department announced that they believed that the McStays traveled to Mexico voluntarily.[18].