McStays Episode 1: 11 Days

The Disappearance of the McStays [0:00]

• A family of four vanished from their Southern California home in February 2010.
• Joseph and Summer McStay, with their two young sons, had moved into a new home in San Diego County.
• The home showed no signs of struggle or forced entry, leading to questions about their departure.

  "Had the mixed days really left on their own? If they did, where would they have gone in such a hurry? Or had something more sinister happened?"

A Family's Life Before the Vanishing [1:38]

• The McStays appeared to be living a charmed Southern California life.
• Home videos showed them as an active, fun-loving family enjoying their new home and activities like biking and playing at the park.
• Their new home was a large Spanish-style house on Avocado Vista Lane.

  "Come here, Jake, come here. Oh my god. Cadillac mama."

The Silence Begins [4:23]

• Joseph McStay had a weekly ritual of calling his brother Michael every Friday.
• On Friday, February 5th, 2010, Michael did not receive his usual call.
• Joseph's colleagues also noted his unusual silence, with customer emails going unanswered.

  "He would call me. We'd touch base. Hey, how's things going? Hey, Mikey, how's your business? What's going on?"

Initial Concerns and a Welfare Check [7:32]

• Friends and family grew worried as Joseph and Summer remained unreachable.
• Michael McStay initially hoped the family might be on a quick, unannounced vacation.
• Joseph's business partner, Dan Cavanaugh, eventually called the police for a welfare check.

  "I thought, well, maybe they're doing a quick vacay. So I didn't want to jump to any conclusions."

Discovering the Unsettling Scene [9:57]

• Michael McStay, accompanied by Chase Merritt, entered the house and found it messy, with drawers pulled out and items scattered.
• The family dogs were left unattended in the backyard, a detail that deeply troubled Michael.
• This abandonment of their beloved pets was highly uncharacteristic of the McStays.

  "The dogs were left outside unattended. It didn't make sense."

A Closer Look at the McStays [12:37]

• Joseph McStay was described as a generous, talkative man who adored his wife and sons.
• Summer McStay was passionate and had a background in photography.
• Their sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr., were young and loved the beach, taking after their father.

  "He was just very easy with money. He never was too uptight about it."

Business and a New Home [15:29]

• Joseph co-owned a business called Earth-Inspired Products, which sold decorative fountains.
• The business had secured significant contracts, including for a car wash chain and the Paul Mitchell brand.
• The family had recently moved to a larger home in Fallbrook, known for its avocado orchards, and were undertaking renovations.

  "Joe doesn't invest, you know, like $30,000 into a house to renovate it because he's going to leave tomorrow."

Filing the Missing Persons Report [17:29]

• By February 15th, 2010, the McStays had been missing for 11 days.
• Michael McStay filed a missing persons report.
• Police arrived at the house and, after receiving no response, entered the residence.

  "By the morning of February 15th, 2010, Michael McStay had reached his personal deadline to sound the alarm."

Suspicious Clues Emerge [18:25]

• Detectives found half-eaten popcorn, rotting bananas, and a carton of eggs left out, suggesting a sudden departure.
• Suitcases with clean laundry were found open, contradicting the idea of a planned trip.
• The McStays' 1996 white Isuzu trooper was missing from the driveway.

  "You don't leave perishable food out if you're going to be gone for an extended period of time, generally."

The Vehicle at the Border [20:55]

• The missing Isuzu trooper was found towed from a parking lot near the U.S.-Mexico border.
• The vehicle had been towed on February 8th, four days after the family vanished.
• This discovery raised questions about whether the family had gone to Mexico, voluntarily or by force.

  "According to police records, the check revealed that the vehicle was recently towed from a parking lot about 60 miles from the McStays' home, near the US-Mexico border."

Investigators' Suspicions [23:17]

• Despite no signs of forced entry or violence, the abandoned dogs and the car's location raised suspicions.
• Lieutenant Dennis Brugos noted that the overall picture suggested something was not right.
• Michael McStay expressed hope for an innocent explanation but was troubled by the evidence.

  "When you put the whole picture together, it raises the level of suspicion that something's not right."

Foul Play Suspected [25:54]

• Detectives interviewed Michael McStay, probing into the family's relationships, finances, and potential troubles.
• Michael had limited knowledge of his brother's business dealings or financial status.
• Detective Troy Dugal concluded in his report that the McStay family was the victim of foul play.

  "It is my opinion the McStay family is the victim of foul play."