McStay Family Murdered: Will Desert Graves Yield Their Killers?
Deserted in the Desert
Gianni Family Photo
Gianni Martelli McStay had rock star hair at only 4years old. His little brother Joseph, affectionately nicknamed Chubba- did as well. They both rocked a beanie like no other little dudes.
Chubba Family Photo
Gianni and Chubba were as inseparable in life as they were in death when they were recovered in a shallow grave in the Mojave Desert on November 11.
Their parents, Joseph, 40 and Summer McStay, 43, were located in a separate grave nearby.
A 3rd gravesite was found-but empty. A protected source not authorized to speak to the media has confirmed that at least one of the parent’s remains was bound by an electrical cord.
While formal DNA comparisons and autopsy protocols are pending, the manner of death in all four victims have been declared homicides.
Just about 50 yards off the intersection of Route 15 and Quarry Rd the family that San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (SDCSD) believed was “likely” voluntarily missing on their own and living in Mexico, was recovered in a 30 hour excavation process. An off road motorcycle enthusiast called the San Bernardino County Sheriff when he came across what he suspected was human remains.
Last April SDCSD forwarded the McStay case to the FBI based on their conclusions that the McStay’s had McGone to Mexico, following a lengthy complaint of their handling of the case by Patrick McStay, Joseph’s Father. Troy Dugal, previous lead investigator of the McStay case, appeared on several news and cable television programs over the last three years explaining there was “overwhelming” circumstantial evidence the family of four that was pictured crossing the border into Tijuana, Mexico the evening of February 8th, 2010 was in fact, the McStays.
Following the recovery, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office will maintain jurisdiction of the investigation.
Frenemies.. Frenethieves.. Friends.. Family or Cartel?
Who brutally murders innocent children and dumps them in a hole they dug in the desert?
Logically- someone who is very familiar with the area. Of course it is just as shocking and horrific to murder anyone, but it takes a specific brand of evil to murder a baby. Make that two.
There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that either Joseph or Summer McStay had any ties to drugs, associates with ties to drugs or cartel, at any time. None.
Contrary to a top selling book on the case, “No Goodbyes” by Rick Baker, there has never been any evidence whatsoever that Summer McStay was some sort of closeted psychotic and homicidal type. The book goes on to malign members of both Joseph and Summer’s families and in some cases outright accuses same of extortion or stealing. Baker’s subsequent public theory is that Summer murdered Joseph and everyone should be looking for her and the boys in Mexico.
Not surprisingly , Baker has requested Amazon pull his book from available stock and has offered refunds to prior purchases. Popular online sleuth sites previously promoting “No Goodbye’s” have since either deleted it’s hundreds of posts endorsing Baker, or moved them to a member’s only private viewing area.
Albeit obtusely, Baker does touch on a troubling and serious abuse allegation concerning Joseph McStay’s oldest son from his first marriage, Jonah, and his step-father, Michael McFadden. He writes summer filed a complaint with Child Protective Services after she and Joseph recorded a conversation with Jonah and placed a copy of same with a private party for safekeeping. Blinkoncrime.com has been able to independently verify that is accurate, but that the investigation was not known to be completed until shortly after the McStay’s disappearance. Under California probate law, Jonah would be an heir to the McStay estate or as otherwise provisioned in the instance of an existing will.
Interviewed by Laura Ling for E! Investigation, Joseph McStay’s web administrator Dan Kavanaugh claims he was the first to become concerned. In Baker’s book, he refers to him as a suspect and details how he alleges he was funneling cash from McStay’s business account before he or anyone else knew the family was missing. Kavanaugh has an unrelated open criminal matter in San Diego County according to court records.
Chase Merritt- Joseph McStay’s business partner in his water fountain design and installation business was the last number ever dialed from his phone at 8:28PM on February 4th. Merritt joined McStay in a lunch meeting earlier that afternoon where they discussed a proposal for a very large car wash chain to feature custom fountains in each facility. According to family friend MacCargar McGyver, McStay was very excited about the opportunity. Merritt claims he passed a voluntary lie detector test, and that he was adamant that Joseph McStay would never have taken his family to Mexico and has always believed they met with foul play.
McGYver spent several days leading up to February 4th at the McStay home due to a painter Summer hired not returning to complete the job. McGyver introduced Summer and Joseph and by all accounts was a close confidant of the couple.
Patrick McStay, Joseph’s Father living in Texas has had some harsh words for the investigation into the disappearance of his son, daughter in law and grandsons.
“…most botched, inept investigation I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
He also believes very strongly that the list of suspects with motive to kill his family members is very short. Three, to be exact.
He said the department didn’t even bother to contact him to tell him his son’s remains had been found.
“I got a message from someone [on Thursday] on Facebook telling me to go and read an article,” McStay said. “The minute I read the article, I knew it was him.”
“I have exhausted and have so much information on three possible persons of interest. All have a motive.”
The three individuals are not connected to each other, but all of them seem like likely candidates. Patrick says one of them seems to be a particularly likely suspect: he’s a wealthy man with a long rap sheet that includes charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and burglary. McStay says he, too, has a motive for killing his son.
Although Mr. McStay did not reference him by name, he may be referring to Michael James McFadden, who was arrested in July 1998 and charged with attempted murder and a litany of other felonies including great bodily harm to a child:
459/460(a) PC – Burglary 07/16/1998 02/25/2000 Dismissed
422 PC – Assault 07/16/1998 02/25/2000 Dismissed
273.5(a) PC – Domestic Violence 07/16/1998 02/25/2000 Dismissed
12022.7(d) PC – Infliction of great bodily injury on a child under the age of five … 07/16/1998 02/25/2000 Dismissed
422 PC – Assault 07/16/1999 02/25/2000 Dismissed
240 PC – Attempt to inflict violent force on another person. 07/16/1999 02/25/2000 Dismissed
245(a)(1) PC – Assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm 07/16/1998 01/18/2000 Pled Guilty
12022.7(d) PC – Infliction of great bodily injury on a child under the age of five… 07/16/1998 02/25/2000 Dismissed
422 PC – Criminal Terrorist Threat 07/16/1999 01/18/2000 Pled Guilty
664-187 PC – Attempted Murder 07/16/1998 02/25/2000 Dismissed
You will note some of the charges are from 1998, others 1999 on the anniversary date, McFadden successfully negotiated a plea agreement and only pled to criminal terroristic threats and assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm. Both felonies.
In the complaint he lodged against the detectives in SDCSD, Patrick McStay specifically references failure to interview key suspects he provided to LE directly.
Given the location of the bodies, it would seem that whoever is responsible would at least want investigators to think McFadden was involved. As a self-proclaimed mountain bike “racer”, McFadden has participated in several bike events in various locations all along the Route 15 Mojave corridor. SBCSO says they will be re-interviewing everyone in the case and have no suspects.
There have been no named suspects to date and the investigation is ongoing. Memorial or Funeral arrangements for the McStay’s have not yet been announced . LATE EDIT: The family and friends of the McStay family will gather at the grave site in Victorville, on Joseph’s McStay’s birthday.
To be continued in Part 2: Analysis of the last day of their lives points to involvement by someone they knew.
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@Sounbeach. Imo if this were a cartel assassknation,
the killers could have just come into the house with silencers & gloves in the wee hours, then slipped away.
It was essential imo the bodies not be found & death certificates not issue.
In fact, setting up a lure away, meetup, disposal site, & car abadonment
increased the killers’ risk factors imo. So, they’re very stupid & lucky,
or very smart & lucky. So I would factor in someone who needed a mysterious
disappearance & limbo, not deaths for the sake of deaths.
I am going to respectfully disagree with you Rose. If this were any non-domestic cartel, imo, there is not a single case similar to this to include the entire set of circumstances to compare it to.
The cartel is absolutely in the unambiguous message business. This is Tarantino matinee.
I do agree with the stupid and lucky.
B
when you look at it, this was a complex disappearance scheme at heart.
So that makes me think bank account balances were the motive
Blink:
I too thought it was Kenny but the name of the pic on RB’s blog named it summer and vic when I saved it to HD, Yup looks like kenny only taller than he looked in McStay house tour with Tim Miller and the excitable ‘tour guide’ MM.
http://i.imgur.com/fIPRAjK.jpg
It is Kenny. It is not a stretch that Baker posts a pic with the wrong caption- is it?
B
http://lawenforcementtoday.com/tag/no-comment/
Article titled – No comment is a comment -
There is a killer out there. The public needs an update!
Thanks, I will review. Not surprised.
B
@Blink. I thought I was saying it did not fit a
cartel. I think that is what you replied?
I do not believe this is a “cartel” quadruple homicide based on information to date.
B
Suggestion- a new police protocol
When small children have been absent from their sources of life ( their food, shelter, clothing, family and pets, transportation, phones ) it should be considered a KIDNAPPING .
Hindsight- That is what it was. The evidence was there. The family cars. Food and clothing still in the house. The pets . The children had appointments to meet the new cousin and an upcoming party. No phone contact.
Call it the Mcstay law.
O/T: heart u- and the Hawk is gone. Harper Weston has no predatory assessment feature and she chased it and jumped at it on the fence one day- and he took off, LOL.
B
Blink-
It was stated the last dinner guest the family had was Chase the week before the disappearance, do you know if the dinner was on the same day the internet search for information to enter into Mexico was made? The search for entering into Mexico was on 1/28 (I’ve also read 1/27) which is a week before the disappearance. Do you know what day they had dinner together?
TY
Dinner was Sat the 30th.
B
Update to previous post:
It was actually the 27th when the internet search was made, per the I.D. Disappeared episode/Det. Dugal.
Blink
In your opinion, is the McStay investigation proceeding as per expectation, time wise?
How long does it take before a homicide becomes a ” cold case”
I think when you have a case that is 4 years old, with the potential for both immediate suspects that are known publicly, and all of the background this case has had, I am still hopeful that this case is progressing at a good clip. It is also somewhat dependent on the part of said possible “POI”s to cooperate to exclude themselves.
Everyone has lawyers is what I am hearing.
B
This former FBI agent agrees there are no obvious markings of cartel in this case.
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/11/15/the-mcstay-murders-who-could-be-responsible-for-such-a-heinous-crime/#comments
Michael Mikey McStay Victorville is over 100 miles away from where I live, over the grapevine in the high dessert. I went out to Needles, Ca twice the last month to do a job for a good friend of mine who lives out there and had to pass by the site each time. I always stop by the site on my way back home. Seeing the site saddens me, but pisses me off and fuels my intensity to catch the cowards who did this to my family.
February 6 at 7:41pm · Like · 23
From Justice for the Mcstays facebook page.
Does this last sentence sound like there has been no progress made?
I’m losing hope.
Why no public update ? Why is the family quiet ? Does that have to do with the upcoming tv shows ?
What upcoming tv shows? There have been no named shows or dates mentioned so what makes you think there are upcoming tv shows?
Yes, there have been. Mike McStay announced it on his FB, and my contacts have confirmed same.
B
We have a ssimilar case with a perp charged and absolutely no information. Its been 2 years since the arrest and we were finally told that it was strategy so defense could not win a request for change of venue. We also could not u derstand for 2 years why there was no information. This was why. LE wanted to make sure the guy was tried in the town it happened against. And they won, no change of venue and he will be tried in the 35000 population town he pretty much violated. Glad now but it sure was impossible to get one shred of information.
Ours took 4 months for an arrest and charge, yet they knew within days who did it. They took time to follow and gather evidence hoping he would visit the crime scene. They must have got something big on him because suddenly he was arrested and LE stopped searching. No body was found. He is moving to trial and we all still know very very little. Everyone was out searching for the remains but no luck in locating. Private parties are still searching. But they have something on him even without a body. Just sayin that might be why we arent getting any information on the McStays.
angie says says:
February 21, 2014 at 9:35 pm
Thanks Angie – Makes sense, but then we have the family(s) facebook groups active to which the family is commenting (vaguely). Also the upcoming tv shows.
Also here the family and mark klaas were keeping it in the spotlight and making comments about why there wasnt enough information, going on tv. Since it was disclosed that the family knew LE had a perp in mind days after, later on it was discovered that a lot of the tv appearances were by design to feter out real information that other people might know or create pressure.by revealing guessed information. I would summize that any tv appearances are fully albeit secretly endorsed and carefullydesigned and rehearsed to bring information out . If it was more than a one man operation they may need further evidence and this is one way to tighten a noose. If mm is doing the interview then he probably is not a suspect although that is how scott petersen in the laci petersen murder case tightened his own noose. I remember the diane sawyer interview in his own home, mid interview the house phone rang, scott never broke stride and just let the house phone ring… no reaction, no jump, nothing. Now if your wife wasmissing and the house phone rang, interview or no interview you would probably have a noticable desire to need to pick it up. That interview was designed to set him up. So, who knows what LE is doing. But LE is definitely for the public appearances. The reason they are so quiet is the do know who has done it. But they need a little more evidence to drive iin the nail. Chances are the perps are arrested under other charges.
angie- respectfully I disagree with your take entirely. I contribute to National media outlets and programs on occasion and I can tell you they do not participate with LE as an “agent” of the state or the Federal Government. There is no conspiracy in that regard- just seeking ratings for the network and the program itself. I would recommend the book by Mark Fuhrman, The Murder Business for a better detailed explanation on the very real role MSM plays in high profile criminal cases.
Lastly, a phone ringing in an interview is evidence of someone calling someone else, nothing more.
Pretexting an interview, which is what you are suggesting, is illegal in most states, and would likely revoke media credentials from the ethics perspective.
B
Blink writes:
Yes, there have been. Mike McStay announced it on his FB, and my contacts have confirmed same.
———-
Hi Blink, I have been unable to find the posting for the television interviews on the Facebook page for” Mikey McStay”, that you reference above. Maybe it is on a different Facebook page, I don’t know.
Can you post the information you have as to when Mike McStay will be doing televised interviews?
Thanks in advance
Something wrong with this thread or really no comments since February 22? Thanks.
There is always comments so must
Be problem maybe b is ill or I wish
Part two even better an arrest
B is not ill, but thank you. The practice is eclipsing, I apolly for the necessary evil to BOC.
B
Let the light shine
whodunnit-
The info regarding Mike doing the television interview is on Justice for the Mcstay Family FB group page.Jan. 14th he spoke with a producer from NBC and the filming would start that Thur. Tenative to air in April.
The practice is eclipsing, I apolly for the necessary evil to BOC.
That went right over my flat head, any chance of a short explanation my friend?
TIA
My bad for the obtuse- my private casework/commitments are raging at the moment, and interfering with my customary participation to BOC.
B
Thanks for the explanation. I thought it was some cryptic message – kept going back to “eclipsing”?! Anyway, sorry you’re unable to carry on here but we’ll all be waiting. Stay safe.
Thanks for the info, Bystander!
Blink, I’m feeling like my mom must feel; you never write anymore, no updates
I know. And I can’t tell you how much that means to me that you acknowledge same.
I have to be true to the work- keep the faith please.
B
You are the only person I feel is reliable with information. So yeah.. I am missing your input something terrible!!!!
Unfortunately, being reliable also means that you won’t hear from me unless there is new and verifiable information. There is none in this case.
B
Case is cold. Thats what it looks like
I hope im wrong. ….. Justice for
The mcstays
You are completely right. This is not a chat room. But I have seen you comment and react to posters when they mention a set of curcumstances, opinions etc. that you know about and can confirm or deny..
)
Agreed.
B
Caught a documentary on this case today and have spent all evening reading here. Fascinating and deeply saddening case. Sincerely hope those responsible are caught and justice is served.
Hi there,
I have only recently seen the documentary on the McStay family on Discovery ID. I found it to be absolutely mesmerising and ultimately very frustrating and complex. Your article definitely provided allot of good insight and it is also useful to read the commentaries here from people who have taken the time to follow and analyse this. I don’t come with a theory, just a very keen interest in the case and am certainly looking forward to your follow up article ‘Part 2’.
What I do believe based on what I have seen in the documentary and read from various sources is that it is not possible to definitively establish the identities of the family crossing the border in to Mexico, nor do I think that is something that happened. It is impossible for me to imagine this being a random act of evil either. I think it’s safe to say that there are numerous people involved. Certainly it would be a very difficult task for any one person to commit this atrocity.
I think the motive is monetary and very personal. When I say monetary, that does not necessarily mean that any one person had allot to gain from this, but it could be that Mr McStay found himself in a bad situation due to money. Nobody is perfect and people can find themselves in such situations. But for it to have such a gruesome outcome, wow.
Thanks for your time.
Graeme
Blink-
I was thinking, what if the painting being done on the 4 th was actually done by the perps. What if something happened at the house and the perps cleaned up the crime scene, including painting over any blood. Is it possible luminal could still show the presence of blood even though it was painted over?
TY
It is almost impossible to contain a violent crime scene to blood on just walls- I never say never, but I have personally never run across a case, nor studied any, and there have been hundreds with a particular focus on forensic evidence at crime scenes. To my knowledge, the house was never processed as though it was a potential crime scene- I sincerely hope and actually believe that is because it field- tested negative.
That means there was zero findings according to protocol to include a violent altercation, attack or death.
B
Hi Blink,
Without sounding rude or presumptuous, can I ask respectfully, what if any role you have in this investigation? I understand that the police and FBI are still leading this investigation, but the feeling I get is you are a PI working on the periphery?
Do you still genuinely believe this case will solve? Correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t believe there have been many instances in which an entire family were killed and more importantly recovered where it did not solve?
Fascinating reading here.
Thank you
I have not been retained in an analyst capacity in this case- but that is the extent I feel comfortable discussing any involvement.
B
Blink:
Does it seem odd to you that SBSO is not giving any public updates? This seems very odd to me and I’m also wondering why the public and/or media aren’t demanding an update, at the very least. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks Blink!
Not odd- but really necessary.
B
I realize this is wrong thread but can you update us on who has just been indicted in Holly Bobo disappearance. I heard a bleep but figured you know more than anyone!
Re#34…you can erase. I see lots of new info on Holly Bobo thread. Thank you.
Hi Lynn – I think the SBSO are acting appropriately here, much in the same way they did not make public the cause of death. It seems to me that some commentators were a genuine hindrance to the investigation over the years and they are trying to avoid muddying the waters so to speak. I agree though that it has gone quiet, but perhaps this can be a positive thing?
Again, I am not a theorist but I truly believe the motive to be monetary. I should think that their accounts were thoroughly investigated over the course of the investigation though. There are questions nobody here will be able to answer with true certainty for example – How viable was Joseph’s business? Viable enough for them to be able to purchase a large house with renovations? Then there is the 100,000 US dollars on account. I’m not sure these finances represent an ‘all American working family’ as suggested by family members in the documentary.
Then there is Summer – why the aliases? Her sister attributes this to her eccentricity, but you can see why people would questions this. It is not usual for people to have aliases lets be honest. Blink – you eluded to ‘shady characters’ in the McStaty’s circle in a few posts.
Maybe I am being a Pollyanna, but I hope that the seemingly general ” shut down” on information about the McStay case is because at this point, LE is circling a suspect(s) and wants to make every effort possible to insure a trial that will not be plagued with defense cries of inability to get a fair trial due to over exploitation of the case by the press.
If in fact Mike McvStay is going to do an interview in April, that is just around the corner. I wonder if that too will turn into smoke, like so many trails in this confounding case.
Someone sent me a link that RB was set to publish emails that were sent between Joey and Summer that outlined specific sexual abuse allegations involving children. Something about that age old BS line ” We WAS HACKED”.
Please. What person in their right mind would even suggest such a thing? I don’t blame SBCSD for not updating a thing- and keep in mind, if such emails have been authenticated they are possibly evidence in a criminal quadruple homicide- and then SBCSD or the FBI has to deal with this clown- taking time and resources away from the four slaughtered persons who need them to be focused.
B
Her sister is correct being eccentric. The use of
The name summer started in early 80s and through
The 90s it was a name used in night clubs in
Sandiego. And yes she realy was not blessed
With the gift of housecleaning. She was laid
Back and saw the world in an odd way. Now doesn’t
That sound like alot of peaple?
Yes, it does.
B
Peaple buy houses every day
And renovate and for money
I heard it say she sold property
That vick.j…gave her and yes
Its been said about shady peaple
Around eip…the buisness
Oh…all in my opinion
Blink writes
” ……….and keep in mind, if such emails have been authenticated they are possibly evidence in a criminal quadruple homicide- and then SBCSD or the FBI has to deal with this clown- taking time and resources away from the four slaughtered persons who need them to be focused.’
—————
Rick Baker self published a book claiming he had cooperation of the McStay relatives and stating he had proven that Summer McStay murdered her family. Then he said he withdrew the book from sales and offered refunds, which was also fictitious. He claimed he was shutting down his site because his wife was ill.Then he gave an interview stating that actually, LE was covering up the fact that thee was cartel involvement, claiming that “after that interview, no one would touch him” Now he claims he has had emails all along referring to ” the child sex abuse that started the Cps investigation” ( sorry, I refuse to post link, but I know you have it, Blink) He stated two days ago that he found his files of those emails, once buried under other files, suddenly popped up on his desk top screen, which could mean he was hacked. Stated that IF this ” hacking was done by the FBI, it was okay, but that if it was NOT LE who had accessed that email file on his computer, he would be forced to release them the next day ” to protect the innocent” .
This man’s one man show of over investment in solving this case is insane to say the least and and most, presuming he has his own alibis, he is impeding justice.
If rb has any real info.then shouldnt a
Gag order be put in place?
There is no pending litigation in place ( prosecution or civil) to warrant that.
If there is a determination that RB is either interfering with or obstructing the criminal investigation that is a criminal matter in itself. I personally don’t believe he ever had any intention of publishing any of that material or he is a bigger baffoon than I originally thought.
B
Rick Baker is only one part of a larger ring that has turned this into a circus by spewing hate, stupidity and misinformation regarding homicide victims over the course of the past four years. Baker often refers to his team of “investigators,” whom he admittedly respects and has relied on for information. One of many references is found at the 17:28 minute mark of an interview at http://www.tombarnardpodcast.com/112-rick-baker/. These “investigators” are in fact the hackers of several victim accounts that were the source of much of the information Baker has quoted and published on various forums. Baker himself confirms this at the 22:50 minute mark of the same interview.
Nobody should allow this sideshow to deflect from justice being served. However, once justice is served, another justice for all victims should arise from this case. That is the prosecution of the Baker “investigator” team for the illegal hacking in which they have participated in. When such prosecution takes place, maybe it will serve as a deterrent to other prospective hackers of victims in future crimes. Baker’s antics are a chilling example of what happens when people with no qualifications insert themselves into matters, via illegal activity, such as the McStay family tragedy. Prosecution of such may ultimately be one small positive outcome to a horrible story.
I can’t argue with your point one iota in this case.
B
I hope LE has not come to the same stand-still as wee have here.
Hi Blink,
Is there nothing new to post about the investigation? I’m hoping LE is close to arresting who committed this evil crime. I pray this case will solve. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say ….we miss you. First thing I do after coffee and the last before bed is check this site. You are my number one go to. So, in case no one has told you lately, YOU’RE AWESOME!
I think b has her hands tied at
The moment . I think she out of
Consideration for this case has
Put a personal gag on blink on
Crime and has stoped commenting
For the most part
Parden my mouth ..but it sucks
Not knowing zip