He could face the death penalty as a result. Investigators searched for passport records of the family, and discovered that Joseph had a valid passport that had not been used before or after the disappearance. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Detectives with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department described in detail what they found, describing the remains of four bodies, 45 groups of bones, including ribs and parts of legs from two adults and two children. They had recently moved to a home Jan 21, 2020 Charles Merritt was sentenced to death for killing the McStay family.. A jury recommended the death penalty for Merritt for the murders of Summer Jan 22, 2020 Charles Merritt has been sentenced to death for killing the entire McStay family in a bizarre California case that went unsolved for years. He stands charged with first-degree murder in connection with the February 2010 bludgeoning deaths of Summer McStay, 43, her husband Joseph McStay,40, and their two children, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3. On Nov. 20, at a vigil where volunteers erected white crosses and released doves, Michael pondered aloud the same questions. Please be respectful of the memorial and do not leave any trash when you visit. Publicly Merrittwho had several prior convictions on his recordclaimed to be Josephs best friend,once telling CNNs Randi Kay that although they began as work acquaintances, they quickly grew to be friends, playing paintball together andsharingdinnera few nights a week. The autopsy revealed all four victims died from blunt force trauma to their heads. He tried to deflect the cops by claiming that Summer suffered from anger issues and that Joseph had failing health. She adds that she still thinks one of the other suspects was involved in the brutal kilings. There was a couple bowls of I believe popcorn that it looked like the boys were eating, possibly watching TV. Your login session has expired. Inside, he found a relatively normal scene. The discovery of the McStay family's remains in November 2013 brought an end to more than three years of speculation regarding what happened to them. Dan Hanke tells American Greed that when investigators examined Josephs QuickBooks account they did, in fact, discover a series of checks made out to Merritt or other vendors that Merrittowed money to that were dated Feb. 4, but the metadata stored within the computer revealed that the checks had not actually been written that day. In February 2010, the McStay family vanished without a trace, propelling the authorities to investigate. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was blunt force trauma, and it appeared they were tortured before they were killed. Prosecutors say Merritt owed McStay more than $42,000. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner Walker's body was discovered in a "pugilistic stance," meaning the 40-year-old actor died with his arms up, instinctively trying to shield his head and face from impact. McGees law partner, Rajan Maline, is also representing Merritt in the case. Charles 'Chase' Merritt was convicted in June of killing his former business associate Joseph McStay, McStay's wife Summer and the couple's children The McStay family vanished from their San Diego . Mcstay-family-autopsy-photos DMz.Sora [UPD] Indir Title Zamanda Aile Ailede Zaman Pdf Oku Al Quran In Microsoft Word Steffi, 38 @iMGSRC.RU ((LINK)) Crack For Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC 2020 V9.2.0.10 X64 Free Download - Wor brolau Detectives said when they interviewed Merritt about the missing family, he referred to them in the past tense, saying Joseph McStay "was my best friend.". Two Shallow Graves is a seven-part docu-series that delves into the details of the case.The premiere . Their bodies were found on November 13, 2013 in the desert near Victorville, California. The four-year-old Gianni had suffered a shocking seven blows to the head. He started as a crime reporter and went on to cover a variety of beats including courts and the cities of Colton, Highland and Grand Terrace. The family did not appear to have any plans to be gone that day. Because of the lack of furniture and the state of the home amidst renovations, it was difficult to determine whether or not there had been a struggle. Reports state that Susan, Joseph's mother, was visibly upset and described him as a "despicable, evil monster," adding that knowing how the family was murdered had made her life a nightmare. A motorcyclist found human remains in a desert near Victorville, California. GUILTY. The deaths have been ruled a homicide. January 30, 2015 / 2:32 PM / CBS News. Summers passport was expired and investigators could not find any records that she had applied for a new one. The father of murder victim Joseph McStay and his family is upset with the way the San Diego County Sheriff's Department handled the case. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! In the end, Merritt was represented by a defense attorney . Who Killed The McStay Family? Credit: Find the McStay Family Facebook Page. Pic credit: San Diego County Police. The investigation into the disappearance of the McStay family in February 2010 and the subsequent disappearance of money from the company's bank account led investigators to believe Merritt was responsible. Prosecutors pushing for the death penalty for McStay family murder suspect Charles Chase Merritt can use one family photo of the victims during trial, a . It didnt take this long. McStay Murder Suspect Chase Merritt Has Heart Condition, Lawyer Says . How do you do that?. Autopsy Photos. A 3-pound sledgehammer was found with the bodies, which was believed to be the murder weapon. Nov. 17, 2013 -- The 2010 disappearance of the McStay family, whose skeletal remains were discovered in shallow graves in the California desert last week, led a former North Carolina radio host to . Volunteers set up the original memorial site in 2013. The McStay Family Memorial is located in a very rural desert area directly north of the I-15 Stoddart Wells/Quary Rd exit. Authorities say Merritt, a business associate of 40-year-old Joseph McStay, beat the family to death inside their residence. Whether or not Merritt receives the death penalty has yet to be decided. Around about February 4, 2010, the McStay family, Joseph, 40; his wife, Summer, 43; and their two sons, Gianni, 4, and Joey Jr., 3, disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, Ca. In January 2010, just days before the disappearance, the home computer was used to search for passport requirements for kids traveling to Mexico. Even though Merritt was at one point representing himself, that is no longer the case. The story of the McStay family is one that has baffled San Diego investigators for years.. On February 9, when family and business partners hadnt heard from Joseph in five days, they sent a co-worker to the house to see if the familys beloved dogs were there. The seven-episode Two Shallow Graves premieres Sunday on Investigation Discovery and will be available to stream on discovery+. Although both instances raised investigators' suspicions, another glaring clue would ultimately put Merritt at the center of the investigation. About three days before the disappearance, Joseph emailed Chase regarding the money and was close to firing him. But that changed when the remains of the McStay family were found in November 2013, [] Investigation Discovery's 'Two Shallow Graves' follows the trial of Charles "Chase" Merritt, accused of murdering Joseph McStay and his family. Woman is wearing light colore. After he reported the family missing on 15 February, police discoverd the McStays vehicle had been towed from a parking lot near the border with Mexico on 8 February. Joseph had a newly successful business designing and installing water fountains. There was Mrs McStays ex-boyfriend, who sent her an email just months before the familys disappearance telling the mother-of-two hed love her for ever. He lived nearby and had been arrested for threatning a neighbour and her daughter. The McStay family, consisting of Joseph, 40, his wife Summer, 43, and their two sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, were reported missing in 2010. But privately, investigatorsnoticed Merritt had displayed some concerning behavior after the family disappeared. Prosecutors pushing for the death penalty for McStay family murder suspect Charles "Chase" Merritt can use one family photo of the victims during trial, a San Bernardino Superior Court judge . When Joseph McStay, his wife Summer, and their two young sons disappeared from the familys Fallbrook, California home in February 2010, it was as if theyd simply vanished into thin air. The autopsy report details the pathologist's findings.. Merritt is charged with murdering the McStay family of four in February 2010 in San Diego County. Summer McStay may have been raped before 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), Summer McStay may have been raped before she was killed, buried in desert, court document says, Baby girl Winter of Lake Arrowhead is born amid raging blizzard, There are many ways to fight writers block, find inspiration, A.K. Prosecutors claim that the McStays were murdered by Merritt for . . There was the new husband of Mr McStays ex-wife, a man with a history of violence whod allegedly threatened to muzzle Mrs McStay and beat up her husband. A 3-pound Stanley-brand sledgehammer, the suspected murder weapon, was found in one of the graves, and the skeletal remains indicated the McStay family had suffered multiple bone fractures to the . Investigators made a break in the investigation when a neighbors security camera caught the McStays car leaving their home on the evening of February 4. Even more troubling, a QuickBooks customer service representative told investigators he remembered an unsettling call from a man claiming to be Joseph McStay who wanted to completely delete his account and all information on the account, but Hanke said the phone used to call the customer service line had belonged to Merritt, not Joseph. The cops also learned that his cellphone had been pinged in the area where the family was buried. The authorities zeroed in on Chase after the remains were found and arrested him in the first week of November 2014. I think its fair to say the show looks at other suspects, and its fair to say that, towards the end of the show, we will confront some of them.. There is reportedly a DNA match that links Merritt to the McStay May 27, 2021 The McStay family murders occurred on or near February 4, 2010, after the family disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, Mcstay family autopsy photos Merritt is on trial for the murder of the McStay family from Fallbrook tried to cover his tracks after the murders. Merritt, who faces the death penalty if convicted, has pleaded not guilty to the crimes. It was sort of one sort of absurdity after the other, Kevin Fitzpatrick, an executive producer of Two Shallow Graves, tells The Independent. McStay Memorial Erected In . Michael's worst fears were realized. According to cell tower data, on February 4, 2010, his phone was near the McStay family home. There were also incisions in her bra that lead investigators to believe it was cut off, the motion states. Merritt is accused of killing his former business associate, Joseph McStay, McStay's wife Summer, and their two small children on Feb. 4, 2010. Given the evidence, Chase was eventually found guilty of murdering the McStay family. Joseph McStay's business partner, Charles Chase Merritt, was eventually charged with the deaths of the McStay family after detectives found apparent evidence of desertion and, ultimately, foul play. Although Merritt adamantly denied being at the location of the makeshift graves, he was arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office on Nov. 5, 2014 and charged with four counts of murder. A man riding his dirt bike in the area discovered some of the remains and contacted police. They were living at Fallbrook and simply listed as missing. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. At the beginning, hes like, I know this case better than the attorneys, Mr Fitpatrick adds. The McStays That changed in November 2013, when the bodies were found in the desert along with a sledgehammer believed to be the murder weapon. While there were no signs of forced entry, it seemed like the McStays left in a hurry. Please logout and login again. It wasn't until January 2019 that his trial even started after it was revealed that he dismissed many lawyers to defend himself in court. Investigation Discoverys Two Shallow Graves delves into a case that garnered national news headlines, eventually culminating in the killer being brought to justice close to a decade later. On Thursday, February 4, the last day that the McStay family was heard from, Joseph attended regular work meetings. Merritts trial finally began on January 7, 2019 and on June 10, 2019, a San Bernardino County jury found Merritt guilty of murdering the McStay family. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Syd Field Four Screenplays Pdf 11 !!HOT!! Dylan Eason and Isaiah Churchwell were convicted of murdering Cynthia William "Patrick" Alexander remains in prison for murder. So, lets find out what happened then, shall we? Investigators believe Summer was raped at the time as her pants were in the grave near her head, and her panties were in the pants as (if) they were pulled off together, according to the motion. Lets make no mistake about it, Mr. Merritt is innocent, Maline tells American Greed.. Today, he is still imprisoned at San Quentin State Prison and on death row. Do you, This was definitely in IL because we are friends with, Hi. Two Shallow Graves also points to an advertisement allegedly placed by the same man to sell the water fountain business from under its rightful owner. Mr McStays friend, Gina Watson, and father, Patrick who called Merritt a ruthless mass murderer in court and told him to burn in hell are among the subjects interviewed in the series. Please be respectful of the memorial and do not leave any trash when you . Detectives testified during Merrittspreliminary hearingin June 2015 that Merritt was a gambling man who had written multiple checks totaling more than $21,000 on Joseph McStays QuickBooks account in the weeks after the McStay family was last seen on Feb. 4, 2010. There was no evidence to determine where the family went or why they had left. My fear is that Im looking for two adult shallow graves and my two nephews crosses, Josephs kid brother, Michael, told the Orange County Register a few weeks after the Feb. 4, 2010, disappearance. Merritt would also make a bold claim about his last contact with Joseph. Merritt had previously worked with Joseph McStay, who owned and ran the Earth Inspired Products decorative fountain company. They had a loving circle of friends and family, enjoyed taking trips and watching their young sons grow and learn. Joseph McStay's mother Susan Blake addresses the court during the sentencing of Charles Chase Merritt on Jan. 21, 2020 . He boasted it had a loft/game room & big yard for kids to go crazy, referring to their rambunctious preschoolers, Gianni and Joe Jr. Love it.. Merrit wasarrested a year after the McStay familysskeletal remainswere discovered in two shallow graves, west of the 15 Freeway and north of Stoddard Wells Road, near Victorville. Investigators also discovered that the same car had been towed on February 8 for a parking violation near the Mexican border. Eddie Bachman tells American Greed. That kind of cued into us as a red flag there because I dont know how any one person could be certain and say that he was the last person that saw his best friend alive if he wasnt in fact the last person who saw him alive.. To add a new type of media, please go to the Admin Console. The McStay case started . Be the first one to comment on this story. Publicly Merrittwho had several prior convictions on his recordclaimed to be Josephs best friend. . The McStay Family Disappearance and Murder. Merritt's girlfriend gives him an alibi, but the prosecution attempts to discredit her . Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Her disappearance was widely reported in the national news media. Prosecutors told jurors Merritt killed the family after learning Mr McStay was cutting him out; they said the victim told friends Merritt was doing shoddy work and stealing money. The caller lacked the necessary passcodeto delete the account and the customer service representative was unable to carry out his requestleaving the damaging information for investigators to discover later. The gift by aselin debison free sheet music. What Happened to the McStays, Who Vanished 3 Years Before They Were Found Buried in the Desert? Their children, Gianni and Joseph Jr., were 4 and 3, respectively. In December 2009, Summer inquired about buying software to learn Spanish. This led to speculation that the family may have willingly fled the country. The authorities also found Chases DNA on the steering wheel and the gearshift handle of the McStay family car; he had claimed earlier to have never driven that vehicle. San Bernardino County sheriffs investigators believe Summer McStay, who along with her husband Joseph and two young sons was fatally beaten with a sledgehammer and buried in a shallow grave near Victorville, may have been raped before she was killed, according to a court document. They were dressed similarly to the McStays, and the children were wearing hats similar to ones they had been photographed in. There was a huge sigh of relief. LOS ANGELES 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 . The investigation revealed that Chase was a gambling addict who owed Joseph about $42,000. A bombshell witness upends the Merritt murder trial, claiming someone else confessed to the McStay murders. The McStay family - whose bodies were found in a shallow grave in the Californian desert almost four years after they mysteriously vanished - could barely afford to pay $210 a week on rent just . Photographer Behind Iconic Princess Diana Funeral Photos Reflects on Intimate Moments From Service. Case 7, McStay. Family members of the victims were emotional in court during the preliminary hearing Monday. When Joseph needed to develop his bespoke company, he enlisted Merritt, a fabricator, for assistance. The morning of February 4, 2010, started like any other day for the family. Merritt constantly denied he had anything to do with the crime. Suspicion had long fallen on Joseph McStays business partner, Chase Merritt, as he had been the last person to have contact with the family, and he also had a criminal record, albeit for small-time offenses. People. One of those suspects, Charles Chase Merritt, was convicted of the murders in 2019 and remains on death row in California. In 'Captive Audience', the Stayner Family Opens Up About Navigating an Impossible Reality in the Spotlight, Patrick McStay Has a Theory About Why His Family Was Murdered. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. The family had moved into the house three months earlier, and was in the process of unpacking and doing renovations. He found rotting food and Mrs McStays prescription sunglasses; there was no sign of foul play. Everything to Know About the Murdaugh Family Murders, Including Alex's Conviction, The McStay Mystery: A Family's Tragic End, Man Killed Business Associate, Wife and Kids Before Burying Their Remains in Calif. Desert, Detective Testifies in Court He Found No Evidence McStay Family Was Killed Inside Their Home. With trial footage, and with getting access to Merrit and to the prosecution and to the defense attorneys, I think we were able to creat a much more intimate picture for an audience that gives you the whole story, Mr Fitzpatrick says. Read More:Nicole Berte Murder: Where is Randy Lee Bode Now? Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. On November 11, 2013, the remains of two adults and two children were recovered in the California desert. For years the familys mysterious disappearance would continue to baffle investigators until a motorcyclistriding the trails in the Mojave Desert on Nov. 13, 2013 made a gruesome discovery.