Neighbor Charged with Murder After Elderly Couple Disappears from California Nudist Resort!
A neighbor has been arrested for murder in connection with the disappearance of an elderly couple from a California nudist resort. đ #News #RedlandsCA #California #Crime
REDLANDS, CA – Police in California on Friday announced an arrest has been made in connection with the disappearance of an elderly couple from the Olive Dell Ranch nudist resort in San Bernardino County, as authorities continue searching for the bodies.
Stephanie Menard, 73, and her husband, Daniel Menard, 79, were last seen at their residence on the 26000 block of Keissel Road at around 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, the Redlands Police Department said.
They were reported missing on Sunday when a neighbor became concerned that they weren’t ready for church as usual, and found Stephanie Menard’s purse inside their home, with a TV and computer left on. Their white Shih Tzu, Cuddles, was also missing.
Police said the Menards’ unlocked vehicle was found down the road from their residence, and the purse along with both their phones were found in their home.
“We suspect that there may have been foul play,” Carl Baker, a spokesperson for the city of Redlands and the police department said during a news conference Thursday. He said police received a tip that the Menards’ next-door neighbor may be involved in their disappearance.
“We obtained a search warrant to try and locate the suspect,” Baker said. Instead of entering the home, for officer safety, police used a Tac Cat from the Riverside County Sheriffâs Department to tear down a wall to breach the suspect’s home, and used drone video and dogs to search the site.
Although the suspect was not immediately found inside, police announced Friday that Michael Royce Sparks, 62, was arrested Thursday night and booked into the West Valley Detention Center on murder charges.
Police were still at the scene Friday preparing to search for the Menards’ remains.
“Due to extensive damage, the structure will need to be made safe before searchers can enter,” police said.
Written by TMX staff, with additional reporting by Thomas Miller for JackAndKitty.com.
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