Buried Secrets — The Mojave Desert Discovery and Arrest

 

A Grim Discovery in the Desert

On November 11, 2013 — nearly four years after the McStay family vanished — a motorcyclist riding through a remote stretch of the Mojave Desert near Victorville, California, spotted something unusual: a partially exposed human skull.

Authorities arrived and unearthed two shallow graves. Inside were the remains of four people, later identified as Joseph, Summer, Gianni, and Joseph Jr. All had been bludgeoned to death, likely with a sledgehammer found buried nearby.

The discovery shattered any lingering hope. The McStays hadn’t fled. They’d been murdered.

The Trail to Chase Merritt

Investigators turned their attention to Charles “Chase” Merritt, Joseph’s business partner in Earth Inspired Products. Merritt had a criminal record and a history of gambling addiction. He was one of the last people to speak with Joseph — and his behavior after the disappearance raised red flags.

• 📞 Cell phone records placed Merritt near the McStay home on February 4, 2010.

• 💸 He wrote checks to himself from Joseph’s business account after the family vanished.

• 🧾 He gave conflicting statements to police and failed a polygraph test.

In 2014, Merritt was arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

Motive: Greed and Desperation

Prosecutors argued that Merritt killed the McStays out of greed. He had been embezzling money from the business and feared Joseph would cut him off. The brutality of the murders — especially the children — suggested rage and a desire to eliminate witnesses.

The case against Merritt was circumstantial but compelling. No DNA linked him to the graves, but the financial trail, cell data, and timeline painted a damning picture.

“Who Was Chase Merritt?”

• 🧱 Business Partner: Co-founder of Earth Inspired Products with Joseph McStay

• 🎰 Gambling Addict: Lost thousands at casinos, often borrowed money from Joseph

• 📞 Last Contact: One of the final people to speak with Joseph on February 4

• 💸 Fraud Trail: Forged checks and drained business accounts after disappearance

A Family’s Grief, A Nation’s Shock

The McStay case had captivated the public for years — a wholesome family vanishing without a trace. The discovery of their remains and the arrest of someone so close to them felt like a betrayal of trust, a rupture of the narrative.

Patrick McStay, Joseph’s father, said in a statement:

“I never gave up. I knew they didn’t walk away. I knew someone took them.”

 In Part III, we’ll follow the courtroom drama, Merritt’s defense, and the haunting questions that remain — including whether he acted alone.