The case had been baffling from the start. The story of the McStay family is one that has baffled San Diego investigators for years.. Both are convinced of Merritts guilt, but even they shake their heads and raise eyebrows at some of the other unexpected threads to the case. Two Shallow Graves: The McStay Family Murders: With Suzanne Armstrong, Tony Azzaro, Taylor Jarvis, Shawn Patrick Murphy. Investigators believed that the family pictured is likely the McStays, based on analysis of family photos and home videos. Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. Merritt had previously worked with Joseph McStay, who owned and ran the Earth Inspired Products decorative fountain company. While speaking to Merritt, she said. 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 head, extremities and torso, likely from repeated blows to the bodies with the sledgehammer. USA Spot News. 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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. Lets make no mistake about it, Mr. Merritt is innocent, Maline tells American Greed.. The motive was greed and the murders were brutal. The morning of February 4, 2010, started like any other day for the family. Your login session has expired. 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. Woman is wearing light colore. In 2018, the trial was postponed again so that his current defense attorney could do more investigating, Merritt remained jailed without bail. Read Less Posted: Jan 23, 2015 / 12:29 PM PST 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 . When you look at the totality of the picture, you just came right back to its Charles Merritt, Imes tellsAmerican Greed.. Jan 2, 2018 By all accounts, Joseph McStay, age 40, and his wife Summer, age 43, were happy and living the American dream.. He was also cherished by companion he leaves five children, several grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Merritt, a business associate of Joseph McStay, was arrested in 2014. Merritts trial has been delayed multiple times due to Merritt attempting to represent himself and repeatedly firing his attorneys, he has gone through five between November 2013 to February 2016. Authorities say Merritt, a business associate of 40-year-old Joseph McStay, beat the family to death inside their residence. Today, he is still imprisoned on death row at Quentin State Prison, where he has been held since the day he was arrested. The court upheld the jury's recommendation and Merrit was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020 for the McStay Family Massacre. Research genealogy for Vivian McStay of Gordonville, Grayson Texas, USA, as well as other members of the McStay family, on Ancestry. What Happened to the McStays, Who Vanished 3 Years Before They Were Found Buried in the Desert? Witnesses also testified that Merritt cashed checks written from Joseph McStay's business account days after McStay and his family vanished. Earlier in the week before the family disappeared, Summer had made plans to visit her sister, who had recently had a baby. On a seemingly inconsequential day in early 2010, Mr McStay had a conversation with his father and told him he had a lunch meeting. Defense attorney Rajan Maline has continued to proclaimhis clients innocence, arguing there's no physical evidence linking Merritt to themurder scene. The Selena autopsy photos have been temporarily removed from this site. Kevin and I work a lot in true crime and talk to a lot of people whove been convicted, and Merritt knows his case inside and out every single detail in a way that Ive never experienced before.. If you have any suggestions for any crime locations, infamous crimes or infamous people you want me to cover, (mostly around WA state as that is where I live. Although Merritt adamantly denied being at the location of the makeshift graves, To learn more about the case, tune into Monday's episode of. 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. Merritt not only had motive to carry out the grisly slayings, it seemed that he also had the opportunity. The man found a small human skull that appeared to belong to a child. Investigators discovered that neither of the familys cars had traveled to Mexico in years, so they believed that the family had not driven into Mexico during the unaccounted for four days. The family consisted of Joseph McStay, 40, the father and co-owner of a company that built custom, high . However, there was raw food left out, which seemed to indicate the family left in a hurry or had the intention to come back soon after. With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Maria Carvalho (Providence, Rhode Island), who passed away on March 3, 2023. After Joseph, along with his wife and kids, suddenly went missing in February 2010, the authorities didn't have many leads. Look out for wildlife like rattlesnakes. 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 . One of the most infamous murder cases in the Inland area will be a focus of the second season premiere of the Oxygen show "Killer Motive" Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. The grave sites were the main discussion in court. Even though Merritt was at one point representing himself, that is no longer the case. When Joseph needed to develop his bespoke company, he enlisted Merritt, a fabricator, for assistance. There were also incisions in her bra that lead investigators to believe it was cut off, the motion states. January 21, 2020 Merritt, 62, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering Joseph McStay, 40. Merritt was arrested for the family's killings the following year, when his DNA was discovered inside the family vehicle, dumped near the border, and fake company checks traced back to him. 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. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. 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. This led to speculation that the family may have willingly fled the country. The family had been savagely beaten to death. The man convicted of killing a California family of four and burying them in the Mojave Desert nearly 10 years ago has been sentenced to death, San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Michael A . 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. It took some time for people to become concerned; the family sometimes took small vacations, so it was more than a week before Mr McStays brother, Michael, stopped by the house to see if it held answers to where they might be. The skeletal remains of Joseph McStay were found with a cutoff extension cord wrapped around the neck, and the rest of the body wrapped in a white towel, all of it secured by a tie-down strap. Another two points would put us in good . Two Shallow Graves on ID is examining the tragic murders of the McStay family, who were butchered by business associate Charles Chase Merritt, and buried in the desert near Victorville, California, in 2010. The McStays looked like the All-American family living the dream. Detectives said Merritt had grown up in the area and was familiar with the terrain. On February 15, the family reported them missing, and the authorities searched the house. Volunteers set up the original memorial site in 2013. He found rotting food and Mrs McStays prescription sunglasses; there was no sign of 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. No mention was made by investigators or attorneys during Merritts preliminary hearing that investigators believe Summer McStay had been raped, nor has any evidence been presented publicly to indicate that, other than what McGee included in his motion.
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