Business associate charged in murder of California family of four
SAN BERNARDINO, California -- More than four years after the mysterious disappearance of California's McStay family, a suspect was arrested and charged in the murder of the family of four at their home in Fallbrook.
"You have no idea what this means," said brother Michael McStay as he fought back tears. "I had said that I just wanted to see it through to the end. Joseph was a great brother, a great father. He would have done anything to protect those boys and Summer."
The suspect, identified as Charles "Chase" Merritt was a business associate of Joseph McStay. Authorities believe he killed the family at their residence on Feb. 4, 2010.
"Less than a year ago, I made a promise to the family that our department would do everything in our power to solve this case, and although we can never bring them back, I hope that this provides some level of closure," said San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon during a news conference.
Joseph McStay, Summer McStay and their two sons, Gianni, 4, and Joey, 3, vanished in February 2010. Their dogs were still in the backyard, and food was out on the counter.
Then on Nov. 11, 2013, the remains of the family of four were found in two shallow graves near Victorville, and the missing persons case immediately turned into a homicide investigation.
"The San Diego County Sheriff's Department turned over nearly 4,500 pages of investigative material that was reviewed by our detectives; 60 search warrants were served, and over 200 interviews were conducted," McMahon said.
Merritt was taken into custody on Wednesday and booked at West Valley Detention Center. McMahon said they believe Merritt acted alone in the murders, and no other suspects were sought.
"I don't need to tell you that this was a cold and callous murder of an entire family," said San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
Ramos announced that four counts of murder have been filed, as well as a special circumstance of multiple murders, making Merritt eligible for the death penalty.
The cause of death was "blunt force trauma," but a motive for the murders has not been disclosed yet.
Merritt was scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon at the Victorville Courthouse.
VIDEO: Detectives arrest Charles Merritt in McStay family murder
