The disappearance of Joseph, Summer and their two sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3 gripped the nation for almost four years, keeping people guessing until their bodies were discovered lying in a shallow grave in the Californian desert on November 15. Patrick McStay was there, too, along with other members of the McStay family, including Joseph McStay's brother, Michael McStay. "Hes an excellent surfer and soccer player. Patrick said, "I truly believe she loved my son. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/xNxV3CqRtr. Smith ordered Merritt transferred to San Quentin State Prison until an execution date is scheduled. I know you dont believe me and thats what kills me, he added. 14:31 EST 05 Jan 2014. The comments below have not been moderated. 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. In the McStay family murders, Judge listens to arguments that sentence should be reduced from death penalty to life in prison without parole. You cannot get back time. 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? During that period, she got an early-morning call from someone in Saudi Arabia, demanding his fountain, she recalled. "From Day One, I just had this gut feeling that I was never going to see them again," he said, swallowing tears. He was given the death penalty for killing Summer, Gianni, and Joseph Jr. Now, Merritt is on San Quentin Death Row. "I did not do this thing. 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. "[22], In January 2014, Merritt said that he might write a book about the family, alleging that Summer had anger issues and that Joseph had been ill for some time with a mysterious ailment. January 21, 2020 Merritt, 62, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering Joseph McStay, 40. California has not executed anyone since 2006. 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 . 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. For years, police speculated they. [33] The court upheld the jury's recommendation, and Merritt was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. #nbc7 pic.twitter.com/usvvTgHitl. Merritt looked at Blake as she spoke. But despite that public front, I know, prior to their disappearance they had not had sex in more than a year. In the last of the two meetings, They were definitely yelling, big time, at each other. But he would not even entertain the idea of cheating on her. The bodieswere found in November 2013and Merrittwas arrested and chargeda year later. 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. It is my deepest desire in my own life not to spread pain and suffering, said a soft-spoken Jonah McStay. I would have never raised my hand for a woman or child. He was a big part of my life and my familys life. "It's not just a Netflix documentary to us. Joseph, 40, was suffering from a mystery illness in the months before he went missing with Summer and their two young children, and would spend days in bed barely able to walk. The case initially puzzled. Summers sister: My sister walked with a passion and purpose. 'I'm gonna get out the information and try to find them.'. He said healing will be a lifelong thing for his family, but he knows they can do it together. 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. As recently as April, the FBI believed the family went to Mexico voluntarily. '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. NBC 7's Jackie Crea has more. 'It's like they went poof,' Susan recalled. 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. May 23, 2022 Investigation Discovery's ' Two Shallow Graves' follows the trial of Charles "Chase" Merritt, accused of murdering Joseph McStay and his family. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. ", Chase Merritt watching and listening. 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. The McStay family disappeared from their San Diego County home in 2010. 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. The trial in the downtown San Bernardino Justice Center is before Judge Michael A. Smith. [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. Sorry because he was worth it, he told Imes. Richard K. De Atley has been a journalist since 1975, for City News Service in Los Angeles, The Associated Press in Los Angeles and New York, and The Press-Enterprise in Riverside. This world was robbed of four beautiful souls. 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. But when Rodriguez questioned her Tuesday, Blake said, Thats what was said, but I dont know for sure.. Susan said they would stop in little towns that had just a gas station and a grocery store to post flyers. 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. Mystery at the Border: With Christopher Crutchfield Walker, Joseph McStay, Summer McStay, Gianni McStay. 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.. Joseph McStay's mother, Susan Blake, followed. 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. Two days later, two sets of remains were officially identified as those of Joseph and Summer McStay. [7] Merritt lashed out at prosecutors he said framed him, some witnesses he accused of lying and the judge he said allowed it to happen. He had this problem right up until the day he went missing. Charles "Chase" Merritt, 62, was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of his former business associate, Joseph McStay, 40. What about the little guys? [32] On June 24, the jury recommended that Merritt be sentenced to death. She had asked to get the money back, she said, But I never saw any., Blake had told an investigator that Merritt told her he completed a job for a customer in Saudi Arabia and was paid $17,000. If you were trying to save the business, Ms. Blake, what steps did you take to learn about the funds that were coming into the business and going out of the business, Maline asked, surviving an objection from Rodriguez. His mother Susan Blake gave an interview to Myvalleynews.com six weeks after her sons disappearance, where she said she was very concerned about his health. Homicide investigators search the family's home on Avocado Vista Lane and found no sign of a struggle. The surviving McStay family members held an emotional memorial for. He didnt know what was wrong with him and he was desperate. [2][11], During their investigation, the police learned that around 11:00 pm on February 8, the family's Trooper had been towed from a strip mall parking lot in San Ysidro, San Diego, near the Mexican border. #nbc7 https://t.co/muZXjqJBFT. June 10, 2019 Merritt is found guilty of murdering the McStay family. I would never hurt him in any way. Il ne rpond pas au . The shocking claims will stun everyone who has followed the McStay family disappearance since they first went missing back on February 4, 2010. He always said, "I have messed up one family before, I will not be unfaithful and ruin another one". He boasted it had a "loft/game room & big. 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 home had no signs of forced entry. He was such a great guy and he got his share of female attention. "I want to psychologically mess you up," he said to Merritt. 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. [10], Over the next several days, relatives of the McStays unsuccessfully tried to contact the family. The skeletal remains of the McStay family were found near Victorville in 2013 and Merritt was arrested a year later. And the fountain designer told MailOnline how Joseph once said to him, Maybe I should start eating out more and stop eating her food. [27], Prosecutors allege that Merritt had a gambling problem and killed the McStay family for financial gain. 2023.03.03 04:09 oz2usa I'm so bummed out after realising my diagnosis made a few years ago is legitimate. We're just the clowns.". Prosecutors contend greed is the motive for the murders. 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. "corrupt" . [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. The McStays' disappearance from their serene San Diego-area community of Bonsall has since prompted an investigation by police who still have no idea what happened.

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