Mystery of McStay Family's Disappearance Ends With Arrest Today

[Little Star]

Source: ABC News

A business associate of a California family that mysteriously disappeared more than four years has been charged in the four murders - including two young boys, police said today.

The remains of Joseph and Summer McStay and their sons were found in the desert near the U.S.-Mexico border last year, reinvigorating the investigation and today San Bernardino County authorities announced that they made an arrest in the case.

Charles"Chase" Merritt, who knew the family through business, has been charged with all four murders and is expected to appear in court later today, the Associated Press reports.

No cause of death has been released, but the San Bernardino County Sheriff's office says that all the victims died of blunt force trauma.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/mystery-mcstay-familys-disappearance-ends-arrest-today/story?id=26761979

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I hope the trial will reveal the why of these murders.

I have always wondered about that.

[sharp_stick]

3. Me too

My only assumption would be that he killed Joseph for business related reasons and then killed the family to keep them quiet.

I can't imagine what kind of sick mind would allow you to kill two little kids though.

[Orsino]

9. Yep. "Mystery ends" is a premature headline. n/t

[sharp_stick]

2. The guy they arrested

was all over any of the stories produced about this case. I don't think anybody produced a video without Merritt recounting his last day spent with the father.

[Scairp]

4. It's about time

I kept wondering if or when they would solve this. And the fact that the person arrested was close to them is not a surprise.

[Blue_Tires]

5. I remember the early rumors had suggested they joined a cult

Hopefully their friends and relatives can get some kind of justice...

[jtuck004]

6. Business partner. Money seems likely. Could be sex or child molestation but with the

kids found there, and everyone with the same cause of death it seems more like trying to wipe out anyone who might have an interest in some assets you want, either directly or through inheritance, etc. Plain old murder for money.

[LeftInTX]

7. I'm glad this is solved

A business associate murders an entire family......
That is really cold blooded.

[shenmue]

8. ...

[JI7]

10. i wonder if this is the guy who kept attacking Summer McStay

i can't remember where i saw it but it was one of those unsolved crimes type shows and there was one guy who kept bringing up Summer and implying things about her from things like cheating, being violent, jealous etc and even her past and how hse might have someone in her past who wants revenge .

but the father of Joseph McStay didn't believe any of that .

[Little Star]

11. Wasn't that guy Michael McFadden?....

http://www.cbs8.com/story/24235590/mcstay-murder-mystery-who-is-michael-mcfadden

[JI7]

12. i don't think it was mcfadden

i don't think this guy said much other than respond to suspicions about him because of his background and other info about him .

the one i am talking about was talking a lot and just saying crazy shit .

[Scairp]

15. Wow

He looked like a great suspect, except they arrested the other guy who could not stop talking to the media and inserting himself into the investigation, serious tells for a murder suspect. I really hope they have gotten this right.

[Sheldon Cooper]

14. Yes, it's the same guy.

From wiki:

Investigators and the public also focused on McStay's business partner, Chase Merritt. Merritt was the last known person to be in contact with Joseph McStay, and the first to notice his disappearance. According to state records, Merritt has felony convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property. His most recent felony conviction, in 2001, was for the theft of $32,000 worth of welding and drilling equipment from the San Gabriel Valley Ornamental Iron Works in Monrovia, California. An acquaintance of Merritt's told a San Diego reporter, "I think police should look at him and anyone associated with him."

Merritt denied any involvement, insisting that he passed a polygraph test. Asked if he thought Merritt was a suspect, Joseph McStay's father Patrick said: "I have to have faith in Chase because I have to have faith in my son. I believe that (Joseph McStay) trusted Chase and believed in Chase. Do I think Chase is involved? I don't think so and I truly hope not."

In January 2014 Merritt said that he might write a book about the family, alleging that Summer had anger issues and Joseph had been ill for some time with a mysterious illness; although Merritt feared that Summer was poisoning him, he did not believe that she was responsible for the deaths. Joseph McStay's family confirmed that Joseph had an unexplained illness and Summer was possessive of her husband, but they called the accusations unfounded. Joseph's father Patrick said, "I truly believe she loved my son."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McStay_family_murder

[hopemountain]

13. those sweet little boys...

and their parents, too.

perhaps, now, the family can begin to seek justice.

i followed the comments and stories and, yes, it was curious how disparaging comments (with nearly word for word attacks) targeted the mom & dad.