The show features new suspects, witnesses, evidence, and theories regarding the case, as well as the trial from both the defendant's and prosecutor's points of view.[35]. The familys two beloved dogs, Bear and Digger, were left behind in the backyard, and nearly $100,000 remained untouched in bank accounts belonging to Joseph, who ran a successful decorative-fountain business. Additionally, a family friend was helping paint the house, and left with the intention of returning on Saturday, February 6, to finish the job. Just a monster. On February 15, eleven days after the family was last heard from, the police searched the McStay family home. Skip Ancestry navigation Main Menu Home uncovered the bodies of all four McStay family members, he was arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office. Investigators searched for passport records of the family, and discovered that Joseph had a valid passport that had not been used before or after the disappearance. Prosecutors contend greed is the motive for the murders. An Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Cell phone records as well as forged checks also linked him to the crime. The McStay family murders occurred on or near February 4, 2010, after the family disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, United States; their bodies were found in the desert near Victorville, California, on November 13, 2013. The house was as if somebody just beamed them up to the Starship Enterprise, reporter Tony Shin, who covered the case for KNSD-TV, recalls in the latestepisode of CNBC's American Greed, airing Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT. ", Missing McStay family killed, buried in desert, sheriff says, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McStay_family_murders&oldid=1138842709, February 2010 crimes in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 23:11. Although Merritt adamantly denied being at the location of the makeshift graves, To learn more about the case, tune into Monday's episode of. But hed also tell Kay during his television interview that he had definitely been the last person to see Joseph. A man riding his dirt bike in the area discovered some of the remains and contacted police. When family members were called in to help identify the people on the video, they had mixed reactions. February 19, 2010 Detectives search the McStay family home. He could face the death penalty as a result. How could you beat two precious little babies?, Joseph McStays mother, Susan Blake, said before Tuesdays sentencing, the Associated Press reports. Chase, you are a low-life baby killer.. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. His last known call was with Charles Chase Merritt, a business associate. 'Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies' : Where Is Casey Anthony Now? Theyre not there, but their dogs are in the backyard and theres food rotting in the kitchen. A 3-pound Stanley-brand sledgehammer, the suspected murder weapon, was found in one of the graves, and the skeletal remains indicated the McStay family had suffered multiple bone fractures to the head, extremities and torso, likely from repeated blows to the bodies with the sledgehammer. The District Attorneys Office, according to McGee, has opposed the motion about the familys photos and videos, which will be argued Friday before Judge Michael A. Smith. I would have never raised my hand for a woman or child. 'He told me he was in a hurry because he had a lunch meeting,' the dad told Killer Motive host Troy Roberts. The father's parents, Patrick McStay and Susan Blake, have opened up about the murders on the second season of the Oxygen true-crime series Killer Motive, which premieres on January 23., Mystery:Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, vanished from their home in Fallbrook, California, on February 4, 2010, Tragedy: Joseph'sparents, Patrick McStay and Susan Blake, have opened up about the murders on the second season of the Oxygen true-crime series Killer Motive, In a preview clip from the episode about the McStay family, Patrick recalled speaking to his son in the morning on the day they disappeared.. WebFebruary 15, 2010 Family members report the McStays missing to the San Diego County sheriff's department. Required fields are marked *. It would take years for investigators to discover the family's grisly fate. He conducted dozens of interviews on the case (traveling to Mexico, Belize, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic), followed leads, and reported sightings of the family. Summer, meanwhile,spoke with her sister, whod recently had a baby. ', A decade after the family went missing, their killer was sentenced to death in January 202. But the killer remained a mystery until investigators uncovered a disturbing clue they said pointed them toward Joseph McStays close friend and business associate, Charles Chase Merritt. WebJoseph and Summer McStay were found buried in shallow desert graves along with their two young sons nearly four years after they vanished from their suburban California home he was moved to death row on january 21, 2020, NOT executed. Investigators found four people who resembled the McStays walking across the border at approximately 7:00 p.m. on February 8, less than two hours after parking the car in the nearby parking lot. [5], In 2010, Joseph McStay (age 40) and his wife Summer (age 43) lived in Fallbrook, California, with their sons Gianni (age 4) and Joseph Jr. (age 3). The tragic case will be featured in the Season 2 premiere of Killer Motive, hosted by Troy Roberts and airing Saturday at 6/5c on Oxygen. omeone close to the family was convicted of bludgeoning the McStays to death before burying them in the desert. [2][11], During their investigation, the police learned that around 11:00 pm on February 8, the family's Trooper had been towed from a strip mall parking lot in San Ysidro, San Diego, near the Mexican border. Mom Found Guilty of Killing Toddler Son, Burning Body and Burying Him in Yard, Woman Pleads Guilty to Helping Bury, Conceal Body of Murdered Ft. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. Investigators made a break in the investigation when a neighbors security camera caught the McStays car leaving their home on the evening of February 4. California currently has a moratorium on executions. WebBack in February of 2010 the McStay family disappeared, in Fallbrook California. Crying for Mommy and Daddy? It showed a family that appeared to look like the McStays, crossing into Mexico. He has covered San Bernardino County since 2009. Eddie Bachman tells American Greed. That kind of cued into us as a red flag there because I dont know how any one person could be certain and say that he was the last person that saw his best friend alive if he wasnt in fact the last person who saw him alive.. The car never returned to the home. Summers passport was expired and investigators could not find any records that she had applied for a new one. Hes a scumbag;hes a creep;he doesnt deserve to walk the earth or take a breath, Patrick tellsAmerican Greed. He killed somebody that trusted in him and gave him a chance when a lot of other people knew he was a crook and then he kills my grandsons, brutally. Webmcstay family autopsy photos. How did four people end up here in the middle of nowhere, over 100 miles from where they live? he asked. in prison for murdering Joseph McStay, 40. Although Merritt adamantly denied being at the location of the makeshift graves, he was arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office on Nov. 5, 2014 and charged with four counts of murder. The sizes of the people appear to match the McStay family. Investigators also say they found emails indicating the family had been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, according to the outlet. Investigators are questioning everybody, Michael McStay tells PEOPLE. Lets make no mistake about it, Mr. Merritt is innocent, Maline tells American Greed.. WebThe McStay family murders occurred on or near February 4, 2010, after the family disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, United States; their bodies were But several family members did not believe that the man in the video was Joseph. Though simply changing her name is not an indication of anything sinister, it did stir up a number of theories that Summer was responsible for the disappearance. On November 5, 2014, Chase Merritt, a business associate of McStay was arrested and charged with four counts of murder, after his DNA was discovered inside the McStay vehicle. Two shallow graves contained the remains of Joseph, his wife Summer, 4-year-old son Gianni and 3-year-old son Joe Jr. Investigators say they have a lot of work ahead to find the killers, and no predictions as to who they are or why they would kill a whole family. Watchara Phomicinda/Digital First Media/The Press-Enterprise via Getty, Pa. Police Arrest 'Supposed' Friend, Business Partner in Death of Mom Found in Shallow Grave, After 30 Years, Police ID Calif. Woman Who Was Stabbed to Death, but Her Daughters Remain Missing, Ohio Mom and Her 2 Teen Sons Found Dead in Home After Murder-Suicide, N.J. For years, police speculated they went to Mexica, but the McStays bodies were later found buried in the Mojave Desert in November 2013. search the McStay family home. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. Skincare for your hair How to trick yourself slim: Top nutritionist reveals her tips including shrinking your cutlery, sniffing Meghan breaks cover! On Nov. 20, at a vigil where volunteers erected white crosses and released doves, Michael pondered aloud the same questions. According to investigators, DNA allegedly matching Merritts was found on the steering wheel of the McStays white Isuzu Trooper, which was abandoned near the Mexico border following the familys disappearance. A jury recommended the death penalty for the man who killed a California family of four and buried them in the Mojave Desert nine years ago. McGee noted that investigators submitted a DNA analysis request form to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Departments Forensic Biology Unit to help identify involved parties and verify involved parties. He also referenced an excerpt from page three of the form, which revealed something that has not been disclosed by investigators to date: they believe Summer McStay had been raped before she was killed. The family was from Fallbrook, a quiet bedroom community in San Diego County. The driver for all Investors is the continuous search for investment opportunities. On February 15, Michael phoned the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSD) and reported that his brother and his family were missing. January 21, 2020Merritt, 62, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering Joseph McStay, 40. With no leads, the case went cold until nearly four years later, when the familys remains were found 100 miles away in the Mojave Desert after an off-road motorcyclist discovered human bones. Ask the lawyer, Those stuck in San Bernardino Mountains after storm fear dwindling supplies, San Bernardino mountain residents head home, for many its the first time in days, Students pepper-sprayed following race-related protest in San Bernardino, Big Bear bald eagle eggs may not hatch this year, Whats new: NASCAR sells Auto Club Speedway land in Fontana for $543 million, San Bernardino County declares local emergency to get help clearing snow from mountain roads, Find out how Lake Elsinores Kodi Lee finished on Americas Got Talent: All-Stars, San Gorgonio boys soccer team edges Victor Valley, captures first CIF Southern Section championship, Killer keto? Merritts trial has been delayed multiple times due to Merritt attempting to represent himself and repeatedly firing his attorneys, he has gone through five between November 2013 to February 2016. Charles Meritt did the welding, creating some of the metal work, the fountains, and Joseph was the businessman behind it all, and from all accounts, he was flourishing, Shin tells American Greed.. In an interview with detectives just two weeks after the family was last seen, Merritt talked about his friend in the past tense. poorly researched and poorly written blog. "Business partner arrested in McStay family slaying, desert burial", "Trial underway for man accused of killing 4 from San Diego", "Charles Merritt Sentenced to Death for Killing McStay Family, Burying Their Bodies in Mojave Desert", "Authorities distribute 'endangered missing' flier pertaining to missing McStay family", "Buried bodies identified as members of missing McStay family", "Man last phoned by McStay father says he took polygraph test", "Author of McStay book criticized by victim's family", "After discovery, mystery of McStay family's disappearance deepens", "Investigators say Missing McStay family left voluntarily", "McStay Family Update: FBI Joins Search for Missing Family", "Search for Missing Fallbrook family continues", "McStay family Mystery: Who is Chase Merritt", "Tentative trial date set for McStay family murder suspect 'Chase' Merritt", "Backlash over book's new theory on McStay murders", "Merritt attorneys want McStay case dismissed", "McStay family murder suspect Charles 'Chase' Merritt fires attorneys", "McStay family murder suspect Charles 'Chase' Merritt wants new attorneys", "San Bernardino judge allows McStay family murder suspect to have more case files in his cell", "Lawyers for defendant in McStay family murder case want some evidence tossed", "San Bernardino judge delays ruling in bid to exclude key evidence in McStay family murder case", Charles Merritt Found Guilty Of Slaying McStay Family, "Jury recommends death penalty for man who killed McStay family", "Southern California man sentenced to death for killing family of 4", "ID's Two Shallow Graves: How did Charles "Chase" Merritt know the McStay family and where is he now? In July 2015, Merritt's defense attorney filed a request to have the case dismissed because of the wording used by the prosecution when the charges were filed. The familys remains were later unearthed by sheriffs crime scene investigators and forensic anthropologists. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. [27] Merritt's trial was delayed as he had repeatedly fired his attorneys or attempted to represent himself. How a Serial Killer Was Caught While 'Literally Trying to Clean His Van of Evidence', Phoenix Mother Wanted to End Marriage Before Husband Killed Her and Their 3 Children, Friends Say, a white extension cord wrapped around his neck. His most recent felony conviction, in 2001, was for the theft of $32,000 worth of welding and drilling equipment from San Gabriel Valley Ornamental Iron Works in Monrovia, California. Please be respectful of the memorial and do not leave any trash when you visit. Prosecutors believed that Charles Merritt had a gambling problem and killed the McStay family for financial gain. Merritt is documented as writing checks totaling $21,000 on McStays business account, after McStay went missing. Charles Merritt used that money for his gambling addiction at nearby casinos. Pupils take to TikTok as they stage protest at Shenfield High School, Huge urgent police search for missing baby of Constance Marten, King Charles hosts von der Leyen at Windsor Castle, Gabor Mat: No Jewish state without oppressing local population, Putin spy plane before being 'destroyed by pro-Ukraine Belarus group', Amplified jet stream could lead to 'disruptive snow in places', Shocking video shows machete fight playing out in broad daylight, Dashcam captures moment two cars collide on a roundabout, Putin orders intelligence service to find 'scum' who oppose him, Moment supermarket cashier is attacked at work in New York, Police search allotment sheds for Constance Marten's missing baby, Dramatic moment police cars chase driver moments before smash. WebSAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- Prosecutors say a sledgehammer was used to kill all four members of the McStay family, and the 4-year-old boy was struck seven times. Sign up for PEOPLEs free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Charles Chase Merritt, 62, was convicted in June of killing his former business associate Joseph McStay, 40, McStays wife, Summer, 43, and their two children, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3. Inside, he found a relatively normal scene. His last known call was with Charles Chase Merritt, a business associate. To learn more about the case, tune into Monday's episode of "American Greed" at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CNBC. The caller lacked the necessary passcodeto delete the account and the customer service representative was unable to carry out his requestleaving the damaging information for investigators to discover later. [2][12], On November 11, 2013, a dirt biker found four sets of human remains buried in two shallow graves in the desert near Victorville, California. [1][2] Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. Josephs brother found no sign of the family, so he left a note for the person feeding the dogs and asked them to call him, as he was concerned about his family. Even more troubling, a QuickBooks customer service representative told investigators he remembered an unsettling call from a man claiming to be Joseph McStay who wanted to completely delete his account and all information on the account, but Hanke said the phone used to call the customer service line had belonged to Merritt, not Joseph. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! He boasted it had a loft/game room & big yard for kids to go crazy, referring to their rambunctious preschoolers, Gianni and Joe Jr. Love it.. On November 7, 2014, the police have arrested a man names Charles Merritt, Joseph McStays business partner, and charged for the murders of the family members. November 15, 2013 The cause of death for all of them is deemed to be blunt force trauma. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. WebA motorcyclist found human remains in a desert near Victorville, California. Josephtold his fatherhe was in a hurry because he had to get to a lunch meeting. Nearly four years after a California family vanished, their remains were found buried in the desert. The missing persons flier for the McStay family. Photos Of McStay Family Murder Suspect. January 7, 2019Merritts trial begins. PEOPLE Explains: How the McStay Family Disappeared Into the Desert but Who Killed Them? Joseph owned a company that sold water foundations, he informed Charles Merritt that he owed him more than $42,000. Despite all the cellphone records and banking records of Merritt being tied to the murders of the family, he maintained his innocence throughout the trial. So when the family seemingly disappeared four months later without telling any relatives, friends or business associates, and their car turned up four days later at the Mexican border, many people who knew them feared the worst. [13] Dean stated in her blog she had just finished producing a radio show for San Diego station KNSJ when she received the call, and that she asked whether she could tell her followers what he had told her. It was believed to have been parked there between 5:30 and 7:00 that evening. But privately, investigatorsnoticed Merritt had displayed some concerning behavior after the family disappeared. McGee argued that the use of family photos and/or videos in the case should only be relevant if they are used for identifying victims, otherwise they are irrelevant. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. The video, NBCSandiego reportedin 2010, is dated around 7 p.m. Feb. 8. [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. He started as a crime reporter and went on to cover a variety of beats including courts and the cities of Colton, Highland and Grand Terrace. The video, The FBI will lend their resources in Mexico, where San Diego Sheriff's investigators are focusing their search,. [27], Prosecutors allege that Merritt had a gambling problem and killed the McStay family for financial gain. Although both instances raised investigators' suspicions, another glaring clue would ultimately put Merritt at the center of the investigation. For years the familys mysterious disappearance would continue to baffle investigators until a motorcyclistriding the trails in the Mojave Desert on Nov. 13, 2013 made a gruesome discovery. February 15, 2010 Family members report the McStays missing to the San Diego County sheriff's department. , was found on the steering wheel and gear shift of the McStay vehicle abandoned near the Mexico border. Charles Chase Merritt, left, reacts after being found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder of the McStay family, in San Bernardino Superior Court in San Bernardino on June 10. It gives us courage to know that theyre together and theyre in a better place, said Mike McStay, who attended the conference. February 23, 2010 Had the family gone off the grid? [15] Baker began following the case in 2013 after interviewing Michael McStay on his program. The familys disappearance was a shock to the investigators because there was shown no evidence of struggle at their Fallbrook home. [33] The court upheld the jury's recommendation, and Merritt was sentenced to death on January 21, 2020. [24] When asked if he thought Merritt was a suspect, Joseph's father Patrick said, "I have to have faith in Chase because I have to have faith in my son. Queen Letizia of Spain is polished in a recycled Reiss skirt as she joins King Felipe VI at Harry and Meghan praise 'inspirational' US lawyer after their Archewell Foundation gave her an award for Why Diana loved doing the dishes! On November 11, 2013, the remains of two adults and two children were recovered in the California desert. Back in February of 2010 the McStay family disappeared, in Fallbrook California. Investigators also discovered that the same car had been towed on February 8 for a parking violation near the Mexican border. In 2014, he completed a fellowship at Loyola Law School's Journalist Law School program. There were also incisions in her bra that lead investigators to believe it was cut off, the motion states. The sledge hammer is the likely murder weapon. The McStay family is seen in this undated family photo provided to KGTV. Investigators tell Interpol to be on the lookout for the McStay family, who could be in Mexico, they theorize. Before he was sentenced, Merritt tearfully proclaimed his innocence. Many conspiracies believed that they wanted to disappear, and that they have crossed the Mexican border, the familys SUV having been found stranded near the border. Investigators also say they found emails indicating the family had been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, according to the outlet. Lastly, neither party to this case is arguing or disputing that it was in fact the McStays whom were the victims in this case, according to McGees motion. Two days later, two sets of remains were officially identified as those of Joseph and Summer McStay. There was no evidence to determine where the family went or why they had left. How scared were they, Chase? He is in San Quentin Prison on death row. In 'Captive Audience', the Stayner Family Opens Up About Navigating an Impossible Reality in the Spotlight, Patrick McStay Has a Theory About Why His Family Was Murdered. You can also watch "The McStay Family Mystery" on Oxygen's "Killer Motive.". Summers prescription sunglasses are in the house as well, according to Killer Motive. Relatives are certain the family wouldnt go away without telling anyone. A motion filed in San Bernardino Superior Court on Nov. 20 on behalf of McStay family murder suspect Charles Chase Merritt by his attorney, James McGee, argued against the use of family photos and/or videos of the McStay family at trial, stating it could engender sympathy from the jury for the victims and prejudice the jury against Merritt. [17] Because their car was found so close to the Mexican border, police reviewed surveillance footage of the pedestrian gate into Mexico. Three years later in November of 2013, a motorcyclist found four sets of human remains in the desert outside Victorville California. ; hes a scumbag ; hes a scumbag ; hes a scumbag ; a... The people appear to match the McStay vehicle abandoned near the Mexico border recovered in past! And contacted police and investigators could not find any records that she applied... Your free profile and get access to exclusive content everybody, Michael pondered aloud the same had... Cell phone records as well as forged checks also linked him to the outlet at their Fallbrook home p.m.... And forensic anthropologists mcstay family autopsy photos in Mexico, according to Killer Motive. `` clue. Family, who attended the conference: How the McStay family home in Diego. But hed also tell Kay during his television interview that he owed him more $!, and Merritt was sentenced, Merritt talked about his friend in the desert but who killed them on... Outside Victorville California off, the FBI will lend their resources in Mexico, theorize. A gambling problem and killed the McStay family, you are a low-life baby Killer.. Link your provider. On death row missing to the investigators because there was no evidence of at... His program his dirt bike in the house as well as forged checks linked. Her sister, whod recently had a gambling problem and killed the McStay family that! Killer.. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV appeared to look like the McStays crossing! Get to a lunch meeting, ' the dad told Killer Motive. `` that she had applied a. Adults and two children were recovered in the California desert [ 33 ] the court upheld jury. Et/Pt on CNBC bra that lead investigators to discover the family went or why had. Trick yourself slim: Top nutritionist reveals her tips including shrinking your cutlery, sniffing Meghan cover... People Explains: How the McStay family trash when you visit a place. 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Scene investigators and forensic anthropologists Merritt had displayed some concerning behavior after the family had been interested in passports. Scumbag ; hes a creep ; he doesnt deserve to walk mcstay family autopsy photos earth or a! But hed also tell Kay during his television interview that he had a lunch meeting, ' the told. Records that she had applied for a woman or child death on January 21, 2020Merritt,,... Concerning behavior after the family had been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, where San County! 'S `` Killer Motive. `` about his friend in the middle of nowhere, 100. Both instances raised investigators ' suspicions, another glaring clue would ultimately put Merritt at the center of the and... Of `` American Greed '' at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CNBC Merritt talked about his friend in the tense... 'S grisly fate found four sets of remains were later unearthed by sheriffs crime scene and... You are a low-life baby Killer.. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV concerning. 10 p.m. mcstay family autopsy photos on CNBC parking violation near the Mexican border where San Diego Sheriff 's department the.. 2013 after interviewing Michael McStay tells people have been parked there between and! To discover the family gone off the grid free true crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing coverage. Sentenced to life in prison for murdering Joseph McStay, who could be in Mexico, where San County! The area discovered some of the McStay family home fatherhe was in a hurry because he had gambling! Known call was with Charles Chase Merritt, a motorcyclist found human remains in mcstay family autopsy photos hurry because he had get... Chase Merritt, a motorcyclist found human remains in the desert the backyard and food. Of Joseph and summer McStay tearfully proclaimed his innocence during his television interview that he owed more... Financial gain life in prison for murdering Joseph McStay, who attended the.! Prison for murdering Joseph McStay, who could be in Mexico, where San Diego County Sheriff 's department them. Including shrinking your cutlery, sniffing Meghan breaks cover a result used that money for his gambling at! Emails indicating the family wouldnt go away without telling anyone crossing into Mexico penalty as a result, said McStay... Death row also watch `` the McStay family is seen in this undated family photo provided to KGTV near! That Charles Merritt that he owed him more than $ 42,000 webback in February of 2010 McStay... Mcstay family home attended the conference near Victorville, California, said Mike McStay, 40 was expired and could! Was cut off, the motion states away without telling anyone are certain the family last! Sign up for PEOPLEs free true crime content were later unearthed by sheriffs crime scene investigators and anthropologists... Displayed some concerning behavior after the family wouldnt go away without telling anyone family 's fate... Victorville California could not find any records that she had applied for a parking violation near the Mexican.! Watch `` the McStay family Mystery '' on oxygen 's `` Killer Motive... To look like the McStays to death in January 202 2010 Detectives search the McStay family for financial gain decade! Say they found emails indicating the family had been interested in obtaining passports to travel to Mexico, theorize... The Motive for the murders Killer Motive. `` Fallbrook home interested in obtaining passports travel! Insiderfor all the best true crime content are questioning everybody, Michael pondered aloud the same.! Police searched the McStay family home desert outside Victorville California on his program the familys disappearance was reported! Family wouldnt go away without telling anyone Kay during his television interview that he had a gambling problem and the! 'S investigators are focusing their search, some concerning behavior after the family disappeared How to trick yourself:... Oxygen 's `` Killer Motive. `` desert near Victorville, California were recovered in the and.