Joseph's father, Patrick McStay, told the Los Angeles Times in 2011. 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. ', 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.'. I know the thought of leaving her crossed his mind, probably quite a lot, but he would never actually go through with it., The comments below have not been moderated, 'Insane' man who lived with his dead mother and stepfather for three days after murdering them recaptured one day after escaping from mental institution, Alabama pastor suspected of stabbing wife to death in July arrested as he tried to board flight to Germany, 'Jail food is cold, the water's bad and my cell doesn't have a microwave': Drug lord suspect writes to complain about prison conditions as he awaits trial, 'Can you imagine telling your four kids he's gone, then he turns up alive? Prosecutors eventually discovered that about the time the family vanished thousands of dollars in checks allegedly from McStay to Merritt had been written and cashed. 14:31 EST 05 Jan 2014. Merritt lashed out at prosecutors he said framed him, some witnesses he accused of lying and the judge he said allowed it to happen. Alex Murdaugh Is Guilty! It was a mystery and he started to consider everything and anything. "So unnatural. 09:19 EST 04 Jan 2014 (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. Merritt looked at Blake as she spoke. 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. [2] In April 2013, the San Diego Sheriff's Department announced that they believed that the McStays traveled to Mexico voluntarily.[18]. Despite all the time I spent with Joseph, I had no kind of relationship with her. The evidence finally placing Merritt at the scene of the crime was his cellphone data, prosecutors said. Crying for mommy and daddy?" Merritt was supposed to be sentenced last Friday, Jan. 17, but dramatic twists, turns, and delays prevented that from happening as planned. [4] On June 10, 2019, a jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. While Merritt does not think Summer was directly involved, he has revealed she treated Joseph horrendously in the years before they went missing. Doctors couldnt diagnose the energy-sapping condition and according to his close friend, Chase Merritt, he started to suspect that his fiery wife may have something to do with it. "Our family has already received a life sentence. The car's location from February 4 to February 8 remains unknown. In the book, he speculated that Summer might have committed the murders. Inconclusive: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, Frustrating: The McStays friends and family insisted they would never go to Mexico with their children, but there was no other explanation, Heartbreaking: On November 11, 2013, an off-road motorcyclist came across the family's human remains in San Bernardino County's Mojave Desert. I don't think so, and I truly hope not. Six victim impact statements were heard before Merritt got a chance to speak at the continued sentencing hearing Tuesday. Merritt was transferred to San Quentin State Prison until an execution date is scheduled. The skeletal remains of the McStay family were found near Victorville in 2013 and Merritt was arrested a year later. 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. Merritt's attorneys said the two men were best friends and investigators overlooked another possible suspect in the killings. He didnt know what was wrong with him and he was desperate. Joseph McStay; his wife, Summer; and their two children, Gianni and Joseph Mateo, have not been heard from since the night of Thursday, February 4, 2010. 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.. 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. "I loved Joseph. Officers arrived at the home and requested a search warrant, executed on February 19, 2010. The comments below have not been moderated. 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. 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. 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. The bodies of Joseph McStay, 40, and his wife Summer, 43, along with their sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, were found in a shallow grave in the desert north of Victorville in 2013. Mystery of McStay money: Family found dead could barely afford rent. 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. I have been in complete denial about having schizophrenia for the last few years. Never again will we hear their voices. #mcstay #nbc7 pic.twitter.com/CGQmypfaZb. Just stop all the appeals, all the shenanigans. 'It's like they went poof,' Susan recalled. Charles Merritt was convicted of killing Joseph and Summer McStay along with their two sons. California has not executed anyone since 2006. Joseph loved to eat out anyway, but I know he made a real effort to eat away from his house after that.. 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. She talked about how the slayings of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons have destroyed her family. 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. Victorville, California CNN . They got their first clue when they learned a neighbor's surveillance camera had captured what appeared to be the family'sIsuzu trooper leaving the cul de sac at 7:47 p.m. on the night they went missing. Charles Chase Merritt was convicted in June of killing his former business associate Joseph McStay, McStays wife, Summer, and their 4- and 3-year-old sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr. Four years ago, Patrick McStay lost everything he loved. In the McStay family murders, Judge listens to arguments that sentence should be reduced from death penalty to life in prison without parole. 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. [27], Prosecutors allege that Merritt had a gambling problem and killed the McStay family for financial gain. Charles "Chase" Merritt, 62, was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of his former business associate, Joseph McStay, 40. Joseph McStay, his wife Summer, and the couple's two young sons mysteriously disappeared in Feb. 2010. If I want to speak with him, I have to go to a gravesite," Michael McStay added. By Merritt was due to speak next. 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? "We don't run this circus. You cannot get back time. [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. Huh? [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. I even went to the hospital with him to try and see what was wrong; we thought maybe it was stress.'. I believe that [Joseph] trusted Chase and believed in Chase. The bodieswere found in November 2013and Merrittwas arrested and chargeda year later. Le 9 fvrier 2010, il avait envoy un courrier lectronique au pre de Joseph McStay, alertant de la disparition de son associ : Je n'ai pas de nouvelles de Joe. But he would not even entertain the idea of cheating on her. See also Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites 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. Just a monster. Arguing, and Dan just wasnt going to budge, she said. 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. Just a monster. - Susan Blake, Joseph McStays mother. He said: Summer was a very self-centered, self-obsessed person with an awful temper. Arent you tired, man? he asked. All rights reserved. Prosecutors contend greed is the motive for the murders. "You had a choice. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/Ojp02cg2cJ. Will Payne Who'll find love on our blind date? "Closer still because I know what it's like to lose people I love.". Theres nothing more valuable on this Earth than time and that was stolen from them; that was stolen from us," he said. 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. Judge just said clearly its not timely. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/qLzXb6wJlM. Duchess dons $1,610 Carolina Herrera cape, $300 vegan leather Lovely in lilac! The mother of Joseph McStay wept on the witness stand Tuesday as she recounted the moment in November 2013 when she learned the remains of her son, his wife, and their boys aged 3 and 4,. 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 Crying for mommy and daddy? 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. "Ultimately, I hope to be a father and when I am, I will hold my children close," he continued. 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). Michael McStay said watching his parents bury his brother was the most "unnatural" thing he could've ever witnessed. Summer's sister stated that her passport was expired. 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. Why were they gone? A neighbor's security camera was triggered at 7:47PM when the McStays . [9] In the surveillance recording, the vehicle's occupants could not be seen. 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 30 Best Shows on Netflix for Kids. Patrick McStay was there, too, along with other members of the McStay family, including Joseph McStay's brother, Michael McStay. [4], On June 10, 2019, a San Bernardino County jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. January 21, 2020 Merritt, 62, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering Joseph McStay, 40. ", Chase Merritt watching and listening. 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.