McStay Family Case Update: Authorities Arrest And Charge Business Partner Over The Family’s Deaths

McStay Family Update - San Bernardino County Sheriff's investigators announced Friday that the murder case of the McStay family is finally solved. The former business partner of Joseph McStay, who disappeared with his entire family in 2010, has been arrested and charged with murder for their deaths.

The McStay family was an American family who were found murdered in the desert near Victorville, California on Nov. 13, 2013. The family had disappeared from their Fallbrook, California home on Feb. 4, 2010. The family's disappearance gained intense media attention and was widely reported on national news stations. Based on the latest update with the case, police announced the arrest of Charles "Chase" Merritt, Joseph McStay's business partner, and intended to charge him with the murders.

The McStay family consist of Joseph, 40, his 43-year-old wife, Summer, the couple lived in Fallbrook with their two sons, 3-year-old Joey Jr. and 4-year-old Gianni. Joseph managed a company that built decorative fountains while Summer was a licensed real estate agent.

Based on an update, San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos told reporters at a news conference that Charles "Chase" Ray Merritt is charged with four counts of murder in the deaths of the entire McStay family. KTLA 5 reported the suspect was arrested Wednesday in Chatsworth, California, as said by Detective Chris Fisher.

According to the authorities, they believed the McStay family died of "blunt force trauma" inside their home in north of San Diego. However, the police refused to discuss further information or details about the deaths or a motive. As per a CNN update, Merritt appeared in court Friday but arraignment was postponed until Nov. 12, Wednesday. No bail bond was set.

On Friday, Joseph McStay's brother, Michael, thanked the investigators for their work on the family's case while choking back his tears.

"You have no idea what this means," Michael McStay said.

Joseph McStay's mother credited investigators for their strength and efforts in solving her family's case.

"I need justice from the law and the courts and to get to talk to the judge," she said. "And most of all, justice upstairs for my lovely family."        

After going over 4,500 pages of investigative records, executing 60 search warrants and conducting 200 interviews, U-T San Diego said in an update that investigators zeroed in on Merritt. San Bernardino authorities said he had acted alone in killing the McStay family in their own home.

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