The back of the check said endorsement cancelled, he pointed out. 'This despicable, evil monster. My brother was I looked up to my brother. He went to the doctor a number of times, but they just didnt know what was wrong with him. Will Payne He was a big part of my life and my familys life. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Radio host Rick Baker published a book, No Goodbyes: The Mysterious Disappearance of the McStay Family. She said they clashed in front of her as they argued how to keep the business going. 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.. 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. He maintains his innocence. 14:31 EST 05 Jan 2014. NBC 7's Jackie Crea has more. In the summer of 2021, shocking news rocked the state of South Carolina. He didnt know what was wrong with him and he was desperate. Investigators said they also traced Merritts cellphone to the area where the bodies were buried in the days after the family disappeared and to a call seeking to close McStays online bookkeeping account. Charles "Chase" Merritt was convicted in June of killing his former business associate Joseph McStay, McStay's wife, Summer, and their 4- and 3-year-old sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr.. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. Summer had also ordered a Spanish-language education program a few months prior to their disappearance. Why were they gone? And if the truth be told, despite everything, he was still infatuated with Summer. Dont worry, your fate will be way less tragic than of the family you murdered.. According to state records, Merritt had felony convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/xNxV3CqRtr. At center is Erin McStay, Michaels wife. The thing that is bringing you this solace, is ending my life. ', 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. Their dogs. 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. A decade after the family went missing, their killer was sentenced to death in January 202. Jackie Collins taught me everything I know. The hearing, which consumed more than 10 hours, concluded with several emotional statements from McStays mother, brother, in-laws and surviving son, as well as from Merritt himself, who continued to maintain his innocence, I loved Joseph, he said, his voice shaking a times. "It marked my kids.". 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 . 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. The attorney argued a motion to reduce Merritt's sentence in the killings of Summer McStay and the children to life in prison without the possibility of parole rather than the death penalty previously recommended by the jury that convicted Merritt. Mike crawled through a window and discovered food rotting in the kitchen, and Summer's prescription sunglasses were also left on the table. Hes considering motion of insufficient evidence to support verdict. #McStay family visibly frustrated. His words were a precursor to the deep pain the rest of the McStay family's loved ones would share Tuesday in court. 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. Voice shaking, it was Merrit's turn to speak to the courtroom and to the McStay family's loved ones. 'Are you that family? '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. [17] Because their car was found so close to the Mexican border, police reviewed surveillance footage of the pedestrian gate into Mexico. [2] In April 2013, the San Diego Sheriff's Department announced that they believed that the McStays traveled to Mexico voluntarily.[18]. As court resumed, the judge said Maline had made yet another motion: to disqualify this judge from ruling on the remaining motion to reduce Merritt's sentence. 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. Patrick said, "I truly believe she loved my son. #nbc7 #mcstay He told Merrit, I want to psychological mess you up. https://t.co/0xbSXeb9kX. 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? How the Princess of Wales recreated her 2006 outfit from Prince William's Sandhurst graduation Behind-the-scenes at fashion week with the Spencers! Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. , updated Merritt looked at Blake as she spoke. On Feb. 15, the family was reported missing to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. 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. [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). Video recorded the evening of February 8, released on March 5, showed a family of four resembling the McStays crossing the border. Merritt said the people responsible for the slayings are still free. Michael McStay remembered the day detectives told him and his family that the bodies of his brother, sister-in-law, and nephews had been discovered in the desert. Merritt later told police that he ignored the voicemail because he was watching a movie. His arrest was announced on November 7, 2014. "You had a choice. Our lives were intertwined both on a business and a personal level. Soon, the family's car was found at a strip mall in south San Diego County near the U.S.-Mexico border. The family had moved to Fallbrook, 45 miles north of San Diego, in November 2009 fromSan Clemente. On February 13, Joseph's brother Michael traveled to the McStay residence and climbed in and gained entry to the home upon finding an open window in the back. They told how the McStays Joseph, Summer and their sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3 were bludgeoned to death with a sledgehammer and buried in shallow graves in the high desert outside. 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. After Joseph, along with his wife and kids, suddenly went missing in February 2010, the authorities didn't have many leads. Working through prosecutor Rodriguezs objections, Maline asked Blake, Do remember if it bounced?. called the investigation into his son's disappearance . McStay says he's felt all along that multiple people were involved in the February 2010 disappearance of his son, Joseph; Joseph's wife, Summer; and their children; 3-year-old Joey and. With all the action and breaks, there was no time left for victim impact statements and the actual sentencing of Merritt. Merritt is accused of killing his former business associate, Joseph McStay, McStay's wife Summer, and their two small children on Feb. 4, 2010. How they stalked the stalker: A gripping new true crime 'It did get weird': Couple who are in the middle of divorce Woman finds out her husband was cheating on her after he was made an equally emotional statement ahead of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives. When their remains were unearthed, investigators also found a rusty sledgehammer that they said was used to kill the family. "The gruesome and brutal details of the crime that you committed are his family," she said to Merritt. He was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. Charles "Chase" Merritt appears at his sentencing hearing in San Bernardino, California, on Jan. 21, 2020. She said it was not until six months later that she could bear to go out to the site, marked by four crosses. 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 Judge just denied defense motion to reduce potential sentence to life in prison (Judge will also consider death). [3] Merritt was charged with four counts of murder, and the district attorney sought the death penalty. 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. Ending my life for a crime that I did not commit," Merritt said. 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 "I hope you burn in Hell," he told the man convicted of killing his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Susanmade an equally emotional statement ahead of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives. This despicable, evil monster. I was just trying to keep the customers or whoever was calling calm and hopefully to keep the business going. 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. 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. Just stop all the appeals, all the shenanigans. They said McStay told friends Merritt was doing shoddy work and pilfering money from him. 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. Alex Murdaugh Is Guilty! Im heading to San Bernardino and will keep you updated. 'You had a choice. 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. Joseph McStay has operated Earth Inspired Products, a waterfall and garden accessories business in San Clemente, since 1996, according. [9] In the surveillance recording, the vehicle's occupants could not be seen. There were no signs of forced entry or any foul play, which baffled investigators and suggested the family left on their own accord. "Death was the appropriate verdict for those three offenses," the judge 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.. 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,. "Not natural causes; there was intent here.". 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. [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. And they told me they were also gone. A license plate search for the vehicle led to the discovery that the McStay's SUV had been towed from a parking lot near San Ysidro, California, right near the U.S.-Mexico border, Gone: The family was considered missing, and detectives notified Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, to be on the lookout for headin to Mexico, Can't tell: Deputies released a video of a group of people similar to the McStay family entering Mexico hand in hand through the pedestrian gate around 7 p.m. on February 8, 2010, Devastating: Joseph's parents headed to Mexico to hang flyers and search for them but never found anything. she said. Blake said, speaking to Merritt. 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. 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. Three years later, the remains of the family were discovered in a shallow grave in a remote desert in Southern California. Summer McStay's ex-husband spoke next. As a precaution, investigators took DNA samples from the car, but there was still no evidence of foul play. Vanished: Mike also discovered Summer's prescription sunglasses on the kitchen counter, Looking back: Summer is pictured wearing her prescription sunglasses prior to the family's disappearance, Case to crack:There were no signs of forced entry or any foul play, which baffled investigators and suggested the family left on their own accord, First clue: Their neighbor's surveillance camera had captured what appeared to be the family's Isuzu trooper leaving the cul de sac at 7:47 p.m. on the night they went missing. 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. For years, police speculated they went to Mexica, but the McStays bodies were later found buried in the Mojave Desert in November 2013. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Ultimately, officials determined it was not the McStay family in that video. Despite all the problems they had and how explosive Summer was, I dont know if he ever truly believed she was capable of that, but it was definitely something he considered. The next week, deputies released a video of a group of people similar to the McStay family entering Mexico hand in hand through the pedestrian gate around 7 p.m. on February 8, 2010, the same day their vehicle was towed. Unconfirmed family sightings were reported in Mexico and elsewhere, perpetuating hopes that they were safe and had left voluntarily. She also touched on the media attention and pressures her family has coped with for years, including questions from strangers. I know you dont believe me and thats what kills me. (Will Lester . [2][12], On November 11, 2013, a dirt biker found four sets of human remains buried in two shallow graves in the desert near Victorville, California. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Prosecutors are seeking the death. He told me when they had first got together they had a great sex life, but she just lost interest. 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. Joseph's father, Patrick McStay, told the Los Angeles Times in 2011. Finally, Joseph McStay's only surviving son from a previous marriage, Jonah McStay, took the podium. Gov. As recently as April, the FBI believed the family went to Mexico voluntarily. On the surface, while tragic, it may not seem all that crazy. 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? [1][2] Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. In the book, he speculated that Summer might have committed the murders. I was not his best friend, but he was mine and I believe he opened up to me about things he would not tell anyone else. Prosecutors contend greed is the motive for the murders. Crying for Mommy and Daddy? Patrick McStay was there, too, along with other members of the McStay family, including Joseph McStay's brother, Michael McStay. Arguing, and Dan just wasnt going to budge, she said. He was in the hospital for a couple of weeks, and on the (February) 4, he was talking to my mother and he had to pull over when he was driving home because he felt vertigo type symptoms.'. Patrick also searched for their son in Mexico and thought he had a lead when a family claimed to have seen the McStays at Walmart, but security footage confirmed it wasn't them. Investigators believe that Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their sons, 4-year-old Gianni and 3-year-old Joseph, were bludgeoned to death in their home in the San Diego County community of Fallbrook on Feb. 4, 2010, San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said Friday.