Merritt who was once a person of interest in the familys 2010 disappearance claims some of Josephs friends started telling him to be careful around Summer, 43. 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. His words were a precursor to the deep pain the rest of the McStay family's loved ones would share Tuesday in court. After Joseph, along with his wife and kids, suddenly went missing in February 2010, the authorities didn't have many leads. How could you beat two precious little babies? 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. He was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. Merritt built fountains, while Kavanaughdesigned EIPs website and did search engine optimization. McStay Family Murders: Killer Sentenced to Death - Peoplemag Where were they? 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. Charles Chase Merritt, l'associ du pre de famille retrouv mort avec femme et . He didnt know what was wrong with him and he was desperate. Just a monster. - Susan Blake, Joseph McStays mother. Merritt also says Summer had a terrible temper and would often snap at her husband over completely insignificant things. 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. In the summer of 2021, shocking news rocked the state of South Carolina. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. On the surface, while tragic, it may not seem all that crazy. The judge has been speaking for the last hour - and still going, reviewing in slow, excruciating detail certain facts of the case. She said: 'My son had been sick since last August and hes normally a very healthy person. Judge just said clearly its not timely. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/qLzXb6wJlM. 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. A lot of his close friends did not trust her and thought she treated him very badly. Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on executions while he's in office. Victorville, California - Four years ago, Patrick McStay lost everything he loved. It is my deepest desire in my own life not to spread pain and suffering, said a soft-spoken Jonah McStay. He maintained his innocence, saying something has always been "amiss" in this case. ', 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. Theres nothing more valuable on this Earth than time and that was stolen from them; that was stolen from us," he said. NBC 7's Jackie Crea has more. In the last of the two meetings, They were definitely yelling, big time, at each other. McStay family murder case: Man sentenced to death for killing family of 4 But what happened to Joseph McStay, 40, his 43-year-old wife, Summer, and sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3? 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. She would fawn over him and call him, her Joseppi. 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. I would never hurt him in any way. McStay family murders - Wikipedia 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. The mother of Joseph McStay provided emotional testimony on the second day of the McStay murder trial. Mcstay Family Documentary Netflix[1] [2] Their disappearance was widely Officers arrived at the home and requested a search warrant, executed on February 19, 2010. Never again will we hear their voices. #mcstay #nbc7 pic.twitter.com/CGQmypfaZb. ', 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. Summer's sister stated that her passport was expired. I would have never raised my hand for a woman or child. Why were they gone? I would never have hurt him in any way. "I did not do this thing. He boasted it had a "loft/game room & big. Jackie Collins taught me everything I know. Merritt is fully aware that his book will ruffle feathers and anger certain people, but he believes his intimate knowledge of Josephs life means he may be able to shed some light on the mystery. 'As a mother, you're going to do absolutely anything and everything you can to find them,' she explained. "From Day One, I just had this gut feeling that I was never going to see them again," he said, swallowing tears. The car's location from February 4 to February 8 remains unknown. 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. His son, Joseph, his daughter-in-law, Summer, and their two little boys - Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3 . I was just trying to keep the customers or whoever was calling calm and hopefully to keep the business going. She said the two tangled over how to keep the business afloat. The two children were very young a three-year-old and a four-year-old. The newly unsealed documents indicate Joseph McStay lent Chase Merritt money to cover a gambling debt before McStay and his family disappeared in February 2010. 'You Are a Baby Killer': Calif. Man Sentenced to Death for Killing - The mysterious disappearance of Joseph McStay, his wife Summer, and their two sons in February 2010 raised a lot of questions. Three years later, their bodies were found in a remote desert location more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) away in San Bernardino County. 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. Do I think Chase is involved? Unconfirmed family sightings were reported in Mexico and elsewhere, perpetuating hopes that they were safe and had left voluntarily. "I want to psychologically mess you up," he said to Merritt. 'Are you that family? Joseph and Summer McStay had two sons Gianni and Joseph Jr. 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. 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. Joseph McStay, de 40 aos, su mujer, Summer, de 43, y sus hijos Gianni, de 4, y Joseph Jr., de 3, desaparecieron de su casa en Fallbrook, California, el 4 de febrero de 2010 DESAPARICIN Indiana Man Charged After Son In Diapers Points Gun At . After 8-Hour Day in Court, Sentencing Delayed for Man Who Killed McStay Family. Last month marked the 3rd anniversary since a family of four mysteriously vanished from their Southern California home. 'He told me he was in a hurry because he had a lunch meeting,' the dad told Killer Motive host Troy Roberts. "You had a choice. 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. Missing McStay Family Members Found In Shallow Grave 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. The back of the check said endorsement cancelled, he pointed out. Kavanaugh has denied any involvement in the familys disappearance and slayings. (Will Lester . [1][2] Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. 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.,. (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. Instead, they said, authorities zeroed in on an innocent man. He was married to Summer McStay for seven years. Merritt said the people responsible for the slayings are still free. On Feb. 15, the family was reported missing to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. 'It's like they went poof,' Susan recalled. [27] Merritt's trial was delayed as he had repeatedly fired his attorneys or attempted to represent himself. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/xNxV3CqRtr. 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. While Merritt does not think Summer was directly involved, he has revealed she treated Joseph horrendously in the years before they went missing. 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. 'I'm gonna get out the information and try to find them.'. [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). "I hope you burn in Hell," he told the man convicted of killing his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. (File photo by Peter Surowski, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG), In this file photo, Michael McStay, the brother of Joseph McStay and his mother Susan Blake enter the court through the throng of media before the start of the preliminary hearing on Monday, June 15, 2015 for Charles Merritt in the 2010 slayings of four McStay family members in Fallbrook. Merritt lashed out at prosecutors he said framed him, some witnesses he accused of lying and the judge he said allowed it to happen. "[25], On November 5, 2014, detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department arrested Merritt in connection with the deaths of the McStay family after discovering that his DNA had been recovered from their car. How the Princess of Wales recreated her 2006 outfit from Prince William's Sandhurst graduation Behind-the-scenes at fashion week with the Spencers! Ending my life for a crime that I did not commit," Merritt said. Obviously there wasnt money coming in, cause I was paying for money going out., So to your knowledge, Maline said, there is no money coming in, or you didnt learn of any money coming in.. He would spend days on end in bed. He was sentenced to the death penalty for the slayings of Joseph McStay's wife, Summer McStay, 43, and the couple's two sons, Gianni McStay, 4, and Joseph McStay, Jr., 3. , updated Unanswered Questions About The McStay Family Disappearance This included Susan Blake, Joseph McStay's mother. Patrick noted that it was 'highly unusual for [the dogs] to be left out alone like that. The 58-year-old Merritt is. He said: Summer was a very self-centered, self-obsessed person with an awful temper. The bodies were identified asJoseph, Summer, Joseph Mateo, and Gianani McStay. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. There were no signs of forced entry or any foul play, which baffled investigators and suggested the family left on their own accord. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. What about the little guys? I just dropped me to my knees I will never go back to that spot, she told San Bernardino County Deputy District AttorneyMelissa Rodriguez. Chase, you are a low-life baby killer, Blake said as Merritt stared at her impassively. Investigators believed the murder weapon was a 3-pound sledgehammer, which was found in the grave containing the remains of Summer and her son. 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 Joseph was his older brother, by three years, two months, three days, he toldSan Bernardino County Supervising Deputy District Attorney Britt Imes. 'This despicable, evil monster. McStay Family Murders Case Timeline: What To Know | Crime News Working through prosecutor Rodriguezs objections, Maline asked Blake, Do remember if it bounced?. Sorry because he was worth it, he told Imes. Mother of Joseph McStay describes moment she, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Mother of Joseph McStay describes moment she learned son, family were dead, San Bernardino mountain residents grow worried as they cant access medicine, supplies, LA man arrested, suspected ofcarjackinga vehicle in Corona and firing shots at police during pursuit, Teacher at high school in Menifee arrested, suspected of inappropriate relationship with student, Baby girl Winter of Lake Arrowhead is born amid raging blizzard, her son, his wife, and their boys aged 3 and 4, Dine 909: New restaurants coming to San Bernardino, Upland and Redlands, Snow collapses roof of Goodwin and Sons, Crestlines only grocery store, Plow the roads, mountain residents say, as San Bernardino County vows to do better, San Bernardino mountain residents frustrated after volunteer helicopter efforts are restricted, Obernolte: Newsom must declare state of emergency for San Bernardino Mountains, 55-hour closures on 210 Freeway in Redlands and San Bernardino postponed again, We are coming, San Bernardino County officials tell trapped mountain residents, Shake Shack sets date for Victoria Gardens grand opening, Monday, March 13, Desperate Crestline residents help one another while awaiting assistance from San Bernardino County, Conditions for snowed-in Crestline mobile home park pretty bleak, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Hes considering motion of insufficient evidence to support verdict. #McStay family visibly frustrated. Charles "Chase" Merritt appears at his sentencing hearing in San Bernardino, California, on Jan. 21, 2020. Doves were . 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. Sentencing still has not happened. [7] Summer was born Virginia Lisa Aranda, and had also been known as Summer Martelli. 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. 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. She said it was not until six months later that she could bear to go out to the site, marked by four crosses. Victorville, California CNN . Just stop all the appeals, all the shenanigans. I remember one woman in particular was all over him for a while. 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. Duchess dons $1,610 Carolina Herrera cape, $300 vegan leather Lovely in lilac! 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. At one point he said to me, "Maybe I should start eating out more and stop eating her food". 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. [34], On May 22, 2022, the case was looked at again on the Investigation Discovery docuseries Two Shallow Graves. I did not do this thing.. Authorities think they've caught the killer, who is awaiting trial, and the family. Unsealed warrants: Chase Merritt owed Joseph McStay $30k I have been in complete denial about having schizophrenia for the last few years. Where is Joseph McStay's Business Associate 'Dan - SpikyTV He maintains his innocence. Three Weeks Later, Still No Sign of California's McStay Family 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,. Joseph McStay feared wife was POISONING him before they disappeared Day by day, month by month, the case grew colder. #nbc7 https://t.co/muZXjqJBFT. 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. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline Merritt who worked with Joseph in his fountain business - said: I was extremely close to Joseph. The McStay family of Fallbrook was last heard from or seen on Feb. 4, 2010. Joseph managed a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. The shocking claims will stun everyone who has followed the McStay family disappearance since they first went missing back on February 4, 2010. On Friday, he. On February 15, Michael phoned the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSD) and reported that his brother and his family were missing. 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. #nbc7 https://t.co/5tmfTOuzsD. How One Man's Greed Meant the End of the Entire McStay Family How scared were they, Chase? 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? 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. (File photo by Kurt Miller, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG), In this file photo Susan Blake, mother of Joseph McStay, wipes her eyes at a press conference at the San Bernardino Sheriff Headquarters on Friday, November 15, 2013. We used to speak to each other 10 or 12 times almost every day and we would talk about absolutely everything. [17] Because their car was found so close to the Mexican border, police reviewed surveillance footage of the pedestrian gate into Mexico. Arent you tired, man? he asked. Two days later, two sets of remains were officially identified as those of Joseph and Summer McStay. Related research topic ideas. Do you remember writing that check? he asked. The home had no signs of forced entry. 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). 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. Description. Trademark and Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. Man convicted of killing McStay family sentenced to death Il ne rpond pas au . His attorney was arguing motions before Merritt was set to be sentenced. she said. Queen Letizia of Spain is polished in a recycled Reiss skirt as she joins King Felipe VI at Repli-Kate! [33] The court upheld the jury's recommendation, and Merritt was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. Le meurtrier de la famille McStay condamn mort I dont remember bouncing a check, she said. She really didnt like anyone being around Joseph and the family other than herself and a very small, selective group of people. Three years later, no sign of missing family | CNN Blake said Merritt and Kavanugh got into arguments in two meetings during the spring of 2010. Nine years after the McStay family disappeared, their accused killer He was a big part of my life and my familys life. Finally, Joseph McStay's only surviving son from a previous marriage, Jonah McStay, took the podium. Missing Family May Have Been Spotted - NBC 7 San Diego They make up a small part of Merritts new book, which is due to be released later this year. Merritt was supposed to be sentenced last Friday, Jan. 17, but dramatic twists, turns, and delays prevented that from happening as planned. [28], In January 2018, a trial-setting conference was scheduled for February 23. How scared were they, Chase? Sheriffs investigators believeSummer McStay may have been rapedbefore she was killed. As recently as April, the FBI believed the family went to Mexico voluntarily. "So unnatural. List of journal articles on the topic 'Kirkland House (Cambridge, Mass.)'. "The gruesome and brutal details of the crime that you committed are his family," she said to Merritt. His most recent felony conviction, in 2001, was for the theft of $32,000 worth of welding and drilling equipment from San Gabriel Valley Ornamental Iron Works in Monrovia, California. Crying for mommy and daddy?' The shame and despair of being physically attacked by your own child. 'You had a choice. NBC 7 was once again inside the courtroom Tuesday. Obviously that was a real problem for Joseph and he used to talk to me about it regularly. In the McStay family murders, Judge listens to arguments that sentence should be reduced from death penalty to life in prison without parole. He called Merritt a "ruthless mass murderer.". As a precaution, investigators took DNA samples from the car, but there was still no evidence of foul play.