Published: 23:50 GMT, 22 January 2021 | Updated: 23:58 GMT, 22 January 2021. Four years ago, Patrick McStay lost everything he loved. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. The Latest: ID of family's killer contested in murder trial Where Are Patrick and Michael McStay Now? - The Cinemaholic Two Shallow Graves takes a look at the murders of the McStay family: Joseph, Summer and their two young boys, followed by the shocking trial . 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. Defense: Other partner killed McStays, buried them in desert [28], In January 2018, a trial-setting conference was scheduled for February 23. Basically, she wouldnt let him near her. He went to the doctor a number of times, but they just didnt know what was wrong with him. By A grainy video captured at a nearby border crossing deepened the mystery. 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. 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. Investigators also have e-mails indicating the couple asked. Maline spent several hours speaking before the judge. McStay Family Murders: How Did They Die? Who Killed Them? But the details of this case go back decades and has many twists and turns. California man sentenced to death in killings of McStay family members At center is Erin McStay, Michaels wife. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. Nine years after the McStay family disappeared, their accused killer Their bodies were not found until 2013, when an off-road motorcyclist came across them in the Mojave Desert. "[21][22], In 2013, Merritt acknowledged he had spent more than an hour with Joseph the day the McStay family went missing. McStay Family Murders: Who Killed Them? | Crime News - Oxygen Official Site Merritt was supposed to be sentenced last Friday, Jan. 17, but dramatic twists, turns, and delays prevented that from happening as planned. "I loved Joseph. Joseph McStay and his wife, Summer, and their 4- and 3-year sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr., were a fun-loving, happy family who'd recently settled into a comfortable life in Fallbrook, California. Do you remember writing that check? he asked. Im heading to San Bernardino and will keep you updated. '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. Sheriffs investigators believeSummer McStay may have been rapedbefore she was killed. PEOPLE Explains: How the McStay Family Disappeared Into the - Yahoo! Jurors in San Bernardino. 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. she said. McStay Family Update: Joseph McStay's father calls probe of Calif Crying for mommy and daddy?" He said: Summer was a very self-centered, self-obsessed person with an awful temper. 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. Chase Merritt, 62, is facing a potential death sentence, or life in prison. 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. San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Michael Smith upheld the jurys recommendation of death following a two-day sentencing hearing that included a flurry of last-minute motions from Merritt and his lawyer, who accused prosecutors of misconduct, Merritts earlier attorneys of incompetence and, on Tuesday, tried to remove the judge himself from the case. On February 15, Michael phoned the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSD) and reported that his brother and his family were missing. [1] At 8:28 pm, a call was placed from Joseph's cell phone to his business associate, Charles "Chase" Merritt, which went to voicemail. The bodies were identified asJoseph, Summer, Joseph Mateo, and Gianani McStay. On the surface, while tragic, it may not seem all that crazy. California man pleads not guilty to killing family of four #nbc7 pic.twitter.com/usvvTgHitl. Finally, Joseph McStay's only surviving son from a previous marriage, Jonah McStay, took the podium. Duchess dons $1,610 Carolina Herrera cape, $300 vegan leather Lovely in lilac! But when Rodriguez questioned her Tuesday, Blake said, Thats what was said, but I dont know for sure.. Who killed the McStay family? | Global Justice Seekers With all the action and breaks, there was no time left for victim impact statements and the actual sentencing of Merritt. 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. Mother of Joseph McStay describes moment she learned son, family were 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 such a great guy and he got his share of female attention. [8], On February 4, 2010, at 7:47pm, a neighbor's surveillance system captured the bottom eighteen inches of a vehicle, thought at the time to be the McStay family's 1996 Isuzu Trooper. Prosecutors told jurors Merritt killed the family after learning McStay was cutting him out of his business making and selling custom water fountains. Three Weeks Later, Still No Sign of California's McStay Family [32] On June 24, the jury recommended that Merritt be sentenced to death. "[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. Sentencing still has not happened. Officers arrived at the home and requested a search warrant, executed on February 19, 2010. His son, Joseph, his daughter-in-law, Summer, and their two little boys, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3 vanished. And when four skeletal remains were found in shallow graves in the remote Mojave Desert, San Bernardino County, it put an end to any belief the McStays had started a new life in the sunshine. Joseph was 40 years old while his wife Summer was 43 making them a rather young family. I would never raise my hand to a woman or a child.". This included Susan Blake, Joseph McStay's mother. Ending my life for a crime that I did not commit," Merritt said. Merritt added: If Im honest, I have no idea why he put up with it. She really didnt like anyone being around Joseph and the family other than herself and a very small, selective group of people. In the last of the two meetings, They were definitely yelling, big time, at each other. After Joseph, along with his wife and kids, suddenly went missing in February 2010, the authorities didn't have many leads. Our lives were intertwined both on a business and a personal level. 'You Are a Baby Killer': Calif. Man Sentenced to Death for Killing We're just the clowns," Imes said. This despicable, evil monster. 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 was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. See also Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites 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. We are scarred for life., Its been almost 10 years and the pain hasnt subsided, she added. 14:31 EST 05 Jan 2014. Victorville, California - Four years ago, Patrick McStay lost everything he loved. Were they scared, Chase? 'It's like they went poof,' Susan recalled. Just a monster., After a delay, the convicted killer of the McStay family of Fallbrook will be sentenced today. He didnt know what was wrong with him and he was desperate. Blake said, speaking to Merritt. Summer had also ordered a Spanish-language education program a few months prior to their disappearance. The back of the check said endorsement cancelled, he pointed out. Unanswered Questions About The McStay Family Disappearance The Mystery of The McStay Family Disappearance He would spend days on end in bed. 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? Chase Merritt sobs and says I did not do this thing. 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. She said they clashed in front of her as they argued how to keep the business going. At one point he said to me, "Maybe I should start eating out more and stop eating her food". In late November 2009, the family moved to Fallbrook, California, for a fresh start in a peaceful and friendly neighborhood. Everything with her seemed to be done for gain.. 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. [3] Merritt was charged with four counts of murder, and the district attorney sought the death penalty. "It's not just a Netflix documentary to us. I see its written, yes, she answered, confirming it was her signature. And the fountain designer told MailOnline how Joseph once said to him, Maybe I should start eating out more and stop eating her food. In the summer of 2021, shocking news rocked the state of South Carolina. 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. 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. California man pleads not guilty to killing family of four Susan Blake (L), the mother of Joseph McStay, leaves the courtroom with her son Michael McStay after Charles "Chase" Merritt was. And then the family that was killed by their own friend?'" Heartbreaking details revealed in murders of family of four as man will "I did not do this thing. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. On Friday, he. We dont run this circus. Two days later, two sets of remains were officially identified as those of Joseph and Summer McStay. The impression I get is that Summer would use her sexuality to get attention and get what she wanted. Joseph McStay feared wife was POISONING him before they disappeared She said it was not until six months later that she could bear to go out to the site, marked by four crosses. 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.,. Joseph's cellphone pinged a tower in Fallbrook. Michael did not find any family at home, and their two dogs were in the backyard. 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. 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. There were no signs of forced entry or any foul play, which baffled investigators and suggested the family left on their own accord. How could you beat two precious little babies? 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). He used to spend hours at a time talking on his mobile phone and it got to the stage where he was convinced he had a brain tumor. '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. Charles "Chase" Merritt, 62, was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of his former business associate, Joseph McStay, 40. While Merritt does not think Summer was directly involved, he has revealed she treated Joseph horrendously in the years before they went missing. Finally, Joseph McStay's only surviving son from a previous marriage, Jonah McStay, took the podium. Why were they gone? I was just trying to keep the customers or whoever was calling calm and hopefully to keep the business going. 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. California has not executed anyone since 2006. Investigators testified they believed the victims were tortured before they were killed. Merritt looked at Blake as she spoke. The McStays have deep Orange County ties, Cirignani said. 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. 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.. It is my deepest desire in my own life not to spread pain and suffering, said a soft-spoken Jonah McStay. The McStay family disappeared from their Fallbrook home in San Diego's North County in 2010. I did not do this thing.. 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. Prosecutors contend greed is the motive for the murders. Unsealed warrants: Chase Merritt owed Joseph McStay $30k They also linked him to a call seeking to close Joseph McStay's online bookkeeping account. ', 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. Ill never get another conversation with him. Just a monster. - Susan Blake, Joseph McStays mother. I believe that [Joseph] trusted Chase and believed in Chase. "Closer still because I know what it's like to lose people I love.". 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. I dont remember bouncing a check, she said. 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. In the book, he speculated that Summer might have committed the murders. [31] The trial finally began on January 7, 2019, in a San Bernardino court, with both sides making opening statements. The home had no signs of forced entry. His son, Joseph, his daughter-in-law, Summer, and their two little boys - Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3 . 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. and Spanish language lessons. Parents of Joseph McStay open up about his family's murder "Our family has already received a life sentence. De Atley is a Cal State Long Beach graduate with a double major in journalism and political science. In October 2009, Joseph McStay excitedly e-mailed a friend about the house he and his wife had purchased in the San Diego suburb of Fallbrook, Calif. A jury recommended the death penalty for Merritt for the murders of Summer McStay and the children, and life without the possibility of parole in the killing of Joseph McStay. [33] The court upheld the jury's recommendation, and Merritt was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. 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. Radio host Rick Baker published a book, No Goodbyes: The Mysterious Disappearance of the McStay Family. Missing McStay Family Members Found In Shallow Grave 09:19 EST 04 Jan 2014 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. 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. How the Princess of Wales recreated her 2006 outfit from Prince William's Sandhurst graduation Behind-the-scenes at fashion week with the Spencers! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. She talked about how the slayings of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons have destroyed her family. (Will Lester . He maintained his innocence, saying something has always been "amiss" in this case. It was a mystery and he started to consider everything and anything. "Death was the appropriate verdict for those three offenses," the judge said. As recently as April, the FBI believed the family went to Mexico voluntarily. 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. 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. How scared were they, Chase? Kavanaugh has denied any involvement in the familys disappearance and slayings. [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? "We don't run this circus. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/Ojp02cg2cJ. California currently has a moratorium on death row executions. According to state records, Merritt had felony convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property. Here are the seven best ways to wear them this spring. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. How scared were they, Chase? 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