Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
McStay Family May Have Been Killed With Sledgehammer, Detective Says
It's been over a year and a half since the skeletal remains of the McStay family were discovered in shallow graves in a desert just outside of Victorville. This morning, some grisly details about their deaths were revealed in a San Bernardino County courtroom, where a detective said that said he thinks some of the family members were bludgeoned to death with a sledgehammer.
The preliminary hearing involving murder suspect, 58-year-old Charles "Chase" Merritt, started today, the Sun reports. Merritt is accused of brutally murdering his business partner Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer McStay, 43, and their sons, Gianni McStay, 4, and Joseph McStay Jr., 3.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Det. Edward Bachman, who was the lead detective in the murder case, said in court that Joseph, Summer and Gianni were beaten in the head, possibly with a sledgehammer, the L.A. Times reports. It was difficult to tell if Joseph Jr. was also attacked with a sledgehammer because so little of his remains were found, Bachman said. The 3-pound sledgehammer, along with a child's blue pants and diapers were discovered in the graves.
Bachman described the horrific injuries the family sustained. According to U-T San Diego, he said Joseph suffered from a broken leg and rib, as well as several blows to his head. Summer was hit in the face and head, and Gianni was also hit in the head at least seven times. Prosecutors said in court today that Joseph's body was found with an extension cord strung around his neck and a blanket wrapped around his body, NBC San Diego reports.
Support for LAist comes from
The McStay family's disappearance over five years ago baffled detectives for years. They went missing in February 2010 from their Fallbrook home in San Diego County as if they left in a hurry. The family's dogs were left behind, there was uneaten popcorn left in bowls and rotten eggs left on the counter. There weren't any signs of a break-in or struggle in the McStay house. Bachman said Merritt had even called Joseph's father to let them know about the McStays' disappearance, the Times reports.
The family's Isuzu trooper was discovered near the Mexican border, so people speculated that they had fled to Mexico for some reason. The family seemed financially sound, so it didn't seem like they were having money issues. Bachman said that Merritt's DNA matched the DNA found in the McStays' car that was ditched at the border.
The McStays' remains were discovered in November 2013 in Victorville, and Merritt was arrested a year later. His preliminary trial is expected to be a short one, and the judge will then decide if Merritt will face trial for the quadruple murders. He could be facing the death penalty.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist