This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
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.
Police "Screwed Up" McStay Murder Investigation, Says Victim's Family
Following an arrest yesterday in the McStay family murder case, which vexed San Diego County sheriff's deputies for years, the father of victim Joseph McStay says the sheriff's department didn't do enough to find the killer.
It wasn't until San Bernardino County deputies took over the case that Charles "Chase" Merritt, McStay's business partner, was arrested, McStay's family says.
"I knew they (the San Diego County Sheriff's Department) screwed this thing up," the victim's father, Patrick McStay, told NBC 4. "All the rest was just sugar coating to make it look like they really were interested in solving, doing something. They did virtually nothing."
The McStay family - Joseph, his wife Summer, and their two children - disappeared from their home in Fallbrook in 2010. It wasn't until 2013 that their bodies were found in Victorville, and Merritt's arrest followed yesterday. San Bernardino prosecutors say Merritt is eligible the death penalty.
Early in the investigation, San Diego police told the press they were treating the case as a disappearance and not looking for a murder scene. But San Bernardino investigators now say they believe the family was killed in their San Diego County home by blunt force trauma.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
