I want to send out a personal “Thank You” to Elliot Spagat and all the newspapers who ran an article about our family’s story.
A year later, Southern California family’s disappearance puzzles investigators
By ELLIOT SPAGAT , Associated Press Hopefully someone who reads this article, and who may have seen or knows something, will call the San Diego Sheriff’s Department and bring some resolution to my family’s disappearance. Thank You for all the support.
Mike & Family, just want you to know I’ve been praying for you guy’s & your family, always in my prayers. I can’t imagine being in your position. I pray & hope for there safe return. Julie
Wow…this story is so sad and upsetting. I am following from England and have been concerned with this story and soon as i heard of it. I cannot believe they haven’t been found yet. I pray for the safe return of you’re family and hope that you’re questions may be answered soon!
Wow…this story is so sad and upsetting. I am following from England and have been concerned with this story and soon as i heard of it. I cannot believe they haven’t been found yet. I pray for the safe return of you’re family and hope that you’re questions may be answered soon!
Laura
been following your story for a few months. Your family is always in my prayers. Is there any New news?
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that everyone is safe somewhere and I pray that you get news about them really soon. God bless your family and give you comfort!
Saw this story on Discovery. I remember the news stories when the family went missing last year. Never imagined they still hadn’t been heard from. My deepest sympathies. I can’t imagine the pain of simply not knowing what’s happened to 4 of your family members. I hope & pray your family members are found safe.
This is such a sad story. I can’t help, but wonder have the authorities looked into a scenario where the parents were separated from the children? Family says it doesn’t look like Joe crossing the border, but the waiter at the restaurant saw the child with the birth mark. Were finger prints on the map linked to anyone???
Perplexing to say the least.
I watched the documentary twice tonight on tv.
Just a couple of thoughts;
The police dusted the map that they found in Mexico for prints, and yet found none of the familys’ prints on the map. Whose prints did they find? The waiter described the childs birthmark. Who was there?
Secondly, Mrs. Mcstay was complaining about a painter that was “missing” (walked off the job) when she was remodeling. Question him. People rarely walk off jobs anymore.
Mr. Mcstay left his money in his account. People do not leave like that and leave their money even if they are embezzling funds, dodging the Irs, or other illegal activities.
I am not accusing. I do not believe that to be the case. I am just stunned and rambling.
No ransom note, No demands. If they were abducted that would be expected.
Perhaps he has friends in Mexico that offered a sweet business deal?
No…No phone records.
Go to the local convenience store and check for a pay phone. Talk to the proprietor. Ask him who frequents the pay phone there. access those records as well.
I am probably not saying one thing that hasn’t already been said.
There is one other scenario. Mr. Mcstay knows something he shouldn’t know, and he is hiding ….from someone for fear of his family.
I know that sounds like conspiracy theory, but at this point, I see no other logical answer. The shoe fits.
My heart is with you guys, and although I can’t imagine the pain you feel, you have my prayers for a safe outcome.
Mark
I live in Southern California and I remember this disturbing story well. Such a beautiful family!!!! I also just finished watching “Disappeared” on the ID channel and I can barely get through this without sobbing. I feel so awful for the whole family. We, as citizens must find the key to this mystery. Somewhere out there someone knows what happened to this family. I am praying that that answer comes soon…today. It’s been a year too long!!
Prayers to this whole family. I just don’t know what to say…this is just so awful!!
I just watched the story of this family on ID. I kept hoping it would have a happy ending before the show was over. I pray that they return soon.
Just a future law student reading up on this case because my heart goes out to this family. To others out there like me, consider this excerpt from an article in the NC Times:
Because there is no proof of a crime, DuGal can’t jump the necessary legal hurdles to get search warrants to learn, for example, the real name of the person with whom Summer was communicating to buy language software. All DuGal has is a screen name and e-mail address from Craigslist. DuGals’ e-mails to the seller have gone unanswered.
“Because I don’t have a crime, everything I do is ‘I’m a detective, please, please, please help me,’ instead of saying, ‘Here is a search warrant, you must help,’ ” DuGal said. “There are things I would really like to know, but may never know.”
————
The timeline from another separate article from the NC Times reveals this on the day they disappeared:
February 4th at 3:52 p.m. Home computer used to search Craigslist for children’s toys.
———–
Putting this together, it’s possible that the LAST person to have contact with the McStay’s is someone who had sold them kids’ toys from Craigslist (or wherever else), and because the US Justice System sometimes can be tricky, no evidence of foul play means Detective Dugal can’t acquire a search warrant to further investigate this properly.
And to strengthen my concerns, consider this: something like the birthmark on Joseph Jr’s forehead is a HIGHLY distinguishing physical trait. Now since the waiter at the Baja restaurant spotted a little boy with a similar birthmark after the McStay’s disappeared, and the two adults fingerprints on the map he retrieved from the table (coincidently, a map of Mexico) did not match Joseph and Summer’s, this does not mean the two kids were not the two McStay children. Maybe people did put an add looking to sell kids’ toys, in hopes of trapping in a family to come in and kidnap their kids and these are the two adults the waiter saw at the restaurant.
I am SURE you can get a lawyer or a detective to figure out how to retrieve the name/address of who Summer was talking to in regards to children’s toys, (if she did in fact buy toys from someone online), as this would be a person of interest to interview.
Furthermore, I also think you should get a lawyer to ask for a warrant for the language software guy Summer was talking to (whose lack of co–operation is VERY sketchy). Though I’m no lawyer yet, I believe it is of reasonable means to do so, and evidence of foul play may not be necessary to acquire a warrant in your particular case.
Since the first time I heard your story, my heart just broke for your family. I can not imagine the limbo your family is in at this time. My prayers are with you in the hope that they will all four be found safe and sound. May God continue to give the strength you need to carry on the fight for answers.
Stay strong and carry on, God bless you!
Writing to let the family know that people are still hoping and praying for a positive resolution to this case…..I think Ashley’s comments are pretty good…..Something about those toys and maybe the family was lured over there somehow…..Can’t understand how so many avenues are off limits because supposedly no crime was committed. How can they say this? I firmly believe the McStay family did not just disappear off the face of the map. Something must have happened to them…..Maybe if they had crossed the Canadian border, we could think they just decided to disappear. But, all the stuff going on with the Mexican border and the drug war going on, no way…..So many victims down there……when will it end….Will keep all of you in my thoughts….Carol
i just can’t help wondering if they went down south for Joseph’s health, and didn’t tell anyone because they found out some bad news and didn’t want to burden family(although you are definitely burdened now). Someone mentioned he had been having strange symptoms. Is there any way to search doctors, treatment programs, and such down there? It just seems they left on their own and planned to come back in not too long.
Seen this story on ID. It’s crazy to me that so many things are off limits for the investigation to go forward since they left “willingly”. I agree with Ashley on the software & toys. These people should be suspects. Especially since the show on ID said they tried to contact the store where the toys might have been bought but couldn’t prove it since there wasn’t a receipt. Craigslist has had it’s share of suspicous behavior with members. I also don’t think that if they were going to look at toys or whatever in mexico for the day that they would have taken the children. Especially with everything going on down there. They would have asked a family member to watch them for a few hours. I strongly believed the waiter who said they seen the child at the restaurant. it’s too much of a coincidence that there was a map of mexico & a child who looked identical to the missing one.
Prayers sent up for you and your family. Hoping for a safe return.
The McStays will be in my prayers until this is solved. Someone eluded to this above, but it seems to me that there is a good chance the McStay children were with another couple at that restaurant. It was menttioned on the Disappeared program that on the video of the four people crossing the border, the man didn’t have Mr. McStays curly hair sticking out. Putting 2 + 2 together, maybe the children were taken by the other couple B4 crossing the border. Of course in that case, it is likely the parents met with foul play. Maybe the toys were even bought by the kidnappers to appease the children? I could be way off on that as someone above mentioned something about evidence Mrs. McStay may have bought the toys used. Hopefully they interviewed toy store employees at least at the stores between their home and the place the car was left. God bless your family. I sure hope everything works out for the best.
The way the family left…yes, they left with a plan…but not at the hands of force. Maybe the potential of fear, but they were in total control. I think that the weeks leading up to this dramatic event the plan however was only known by Joe and he was hiding something from his wife, something he thought might put her in danger. I believe that the night they fled, was the first Sommer knew this news..perhaps it was her idea to hid for the 4 day’s, and Joe wore her down during that time to leave family, friends or he would have to leave with out her to save his life.. the fact she made family plans..birthday plans and arrange painting with her friend that weekend proves she would have to be some kind of actress to have known anything. The toys she bought were all from Ross, covered because it was close to one of the boy’s birthday, so she hid them in the back. Again, not what someone does that thinks they are leaving… I do believe Joe made the internet search on boarder rules..maybe she saw the search and that started the conversation he spilled the beans, he had to have a plan, he had enough cash to for hotel and food. I think Sommer faced with loosing him or fear went along with the plan…(side note) In the youtube viedo Joe is talking the entire time about how wonderful the new house is and Sommer is not on the same page at all. But this could be a window into the couple’s personalities. He is the gusher and she is the more level headed one. He might have been too trusting and got in way over his head with some contract etc, afraid of telling his wife, (who he would be putting in danger) he with held information till it was totally out of hand and he had to leave and hide out. Once he told her she wouldn’t let him go alone so they made a dramatic departure and it is full of mistakes if they wanted this to look like foul play. The fact that they locked the door’s…put the dog’s out (that way neighbors would hear them before they starved-and that is exactly what happened)..and from that point used only cash, clearly proves that they were in control. I think another clue is the call Joe made (about a hour after the family left the house) also proves that no outside force was there..why would kidnapers let Joe make make a business call? Food left out to rot was an attempt to make it look like they were forced, but locking the doors and leaving the dog’s out was the obvious flaw. Kidnappers don’t care if the house is locked or if your dog’s are left inside or out..and neither would the victims for that matter..nothing new, let’s face it..people stage robberies or arson all the time, they always leave clues that don’t add up.. Locking the house was prob a habbit and putting the dog’s outside showed kindness to beloved dogs. Left inside they would have mostlikely died not heard by the neighbors. Joe’s only call that night was an attempt (and several friends called him or texted him that night and he didn’t answer them) to feel out his business partner, to see if everything seemed normal etc. Again, they were in total control. He called no one back..and turned off his phone. Yet, for 4 day’s the family ate, slept, and didn’t answer phones or make calls. Then a fuzzy viedo at the Mexico boarder and the suv are found within walking distance on same night, and to be honest..this looks just like the family. The kids with those distintive hats and dress style..plus Sommer with her ever presant uggs and white coat, Joe is walking in front so his hair could be cut or tucked in his collar..but commmon, it looks just like that family. Kidnappers make people use debit cards…make them go to the bank and take out money… or contact family.. why would they ‘treat’ the family of 4 as guests-no attempt on the account at all .. I do think this was a well ‘planned’ exit, Joe prob intended to be the only one to go into hiding but he couldn’t face life without his family, weakness and in the end selfishness he coaxed her once again to be with him and given the choice we know what her answer was… He prob has some friends or money in Mexico..they prob re-entered under false id’s and are living somewhere my guess is Europe. Sadly I don’t think the waiter saw the family or their fingerprints would be all over the map, and they were not. Mexico has crime, but a family with kids would not be a target. Drunk college kids..or women are the likely one’s.
Anything new at all? I pray everyday!
Prayers and hope,
Jackie
I have four brothers, and just the thought of not knowing where they were or if they were safe from harm is just unbearable. I check your website periodically in hope of some good news, even just a small lead. It must be hard enough living with so much incertainty as it is but the fact that the media is trying to sensationalize this story and family is just adding insult to injury. I admire your strength in this trying time and pray for the safe return of your family!
With the food being left out, the dogs outside, etc., it surely looks to me like they went out together for a quick trip and never came back. Too many things like money etc, left untouched for people who are going “on the run”, or want to be unfound. We pray for their safety and return.
I agree with Ashley, check the person(s) Summer contacted on Craigslist about toys. They may have been going to look at toys from the ads when they left their house for the last time that evening.
I know it’s extremely difficult to absorb and accept all of this. I do not know your family yet am very perplexed and disturbed by it. All I can say is that it’s pretty clear they chose to disappear, thus it seems dangerous to them for you to bring clues to the enemies they are surely running from. Again, not my family so I know it must be killing you not being able to get answers but it seems to me you need to have faith and trust that when they feel it is safe they will notify or return to you.
Hang in there. I wish you the best. My thoughts and concerns are very much with you and your entire family.
Craigslist is scetchy. I would definitly go that route. Also, Which store can’t determine where the goods came from? Especially if their are mutipal toys bought together…receipts are kept! Go to craigslist, find out who was selling these ‘toys’! Bring this family back together god bless and good luck
[ This is one of my concerns too. MM ]
I saw your the segment on your family on ID, I pray for their safe return and will keep my eyes open wherever I travel.
I am so confused with this. No break in, no robbery, dogs left outside, food on the counter, popcorn on couch, no activity on their cell phones, no activity on bank accts and in fact they left behind their nest egg ($100K per ID show). Then they find their car near border with “newly purchased toys”. QUESTION: Did they buy those toys using their debit or credit card? Is there a ROSS closer to their home that they may have purchased those toys at? Why would they buy a “stove” when they had two boys? Were there any fingerprints on steering wheel or any other place of car? Did they take their cell phones with them and were they traced to any other location? Or were they left behind? So many questions the show did not answer. And why would anyone change their name so many times? That in itself is very strange.
I guess it would be very hard to understand the “whats” and “whys” about the disappearance of your family. It seems kind of odd that this family would have left if things would have been going right for this family. I hope that if anything that the McStay family is together and happy and that everyone is safe. Just curious if there has been any new information on the case or is it still cold?
I am thinking witness protection program. How do those people, who are protected witnesses, disappear???? Was there anything illegal surrounding this family? What were affiliates up to???? He may have been a whistleblower or, perhaps, involved in something illegal himself and then turned on the crime in order to preserve his freedom – that is where the wpp comes in.
After just watching the McStays case on “Disappeared” My heart goes out to you and your family, the unknown is a terrible thing. Cases like this are intriguing and sad. My personal thoughts are that the wife may have been Googling about kids passports for Mexico. In order to get a child a passport both parents must approve and be witness. I think it is a possibilty that she may have left with another man-who got her a fake passport and had gotten the two children fake passports. Afterall they have no record of the McStay’s passports that night. Another thought was Witness Protection-for the four days before they crossed the border they could have been briefed on their new life-that though seems not right cause I don’t think they would have had them crossing to Mexico on foot-so I think that is out. One final thought–the answer may lie with the toys in the trunk-someone could have done something sinister with the parents to kidnap the children. After just watching the profile on ID all these thoughts are running in my head..I couldn’t imagine the relatives left at home have any peace with these thoughts that they have had for over a year. God Bless You…The truth will always come out..hang in there
My conclusion after watching the information on e I think it has to with the wife I believe shes the main reason n,cause n that she planned it n there was one other person envolved n that joey was forced to leave along with,the boys. She has such very scetchy past its beilivable
Just saw the program on E and was so shocked by it all that I hardly slept a wink all night. I kept thinking more about the poor heartbroken relatives that they left behind to live a life of hell…… Im sure one of the McStays had been hiding something that suddenly came to the surface ….thus making the other one a partner in crime …or it could have been a serious health issue. Obviously the police have lots more info. but Im curious to know who knocked on the door very late one night while Summers was on the phone?? She shouted to her husband to answer the door and was annoyed that someone would come to her door at such a late hour….Did we ever get a follow up on that? I just hope this program has opened the eyes of the world because 4 people just cannot dissappear into thin air……..there must be a serious motive. The only unfortunate thing is that they had 11days headstart before they were reported missing. I pray they will eventually get the courage to contact their families as I am more than confident they are alive …………but cant possibly be happy.
I am just curious if anything new has come up reguarding the McStay family? This is such a bazarre case!! Why would a whole family just up and leave his business, their new home and everything else behind? Is the business still in operation? I hope whatever happened that they are still together as a family and are happy together.
My take after many , many hours of research.
FIRST OFF – Believe none of what you hear , and 1/2 of what you see….
I feel this story is doing exactly what the McStays want..
I am not saying I am right and every other theory is wrong , but I feel some OBVIOUS points need to be made about this case..
1. NOTHING POINTS TO FOUL-PLAY…PEROID.
2. There is ZERO information about this man’s wife , besides the fact that there are no pictures of her without shades on , the fact she has had numerous names , no birth certificate , NO NOTHING.
3. Can someone show me an example of someone who has a wife and 3 kids Facebook page , that doesn’t include one photo of his wife? I don’t think so..
4. On the official Facebook page , the brother NEVER responds to any questions that can easily be answered , that could help the case. BUT , he can plug the mcstay site a million times , everywhere and ask for “donations” , that are “going through a 3rd party , for search efforts etc…” , yet , the tower has been pinged , and the area NEVER searched.. And PayPal is definitely not a third party , more of a wire type deal …
5. $1,000 dollar reward? This case has been broadcasted WORLDWIDE … I want to know how much “donation” money Mike McStay has accumulated since the “dissaperence”….
6. The father has been arrested on FRAUD charges and extricated to Louisiana , and is currently in jail.
7. WHO WAS THE WIFE?????
8. Who would leave 100k in the bank and “take off” , without feeding their dogs ? SOMEONE OR PEOPLE THAT WANT TO LEAVE , AND CREATE NEWS JUST LIKE THIS. No bloggers or onlineers lived with this family , no one online knows what was really going on in this man’s (family’s) life , and I don’t care how “normal” they look , looks can be deceiving . I feel they knew EXACTLY what they were doing , and sadly to sayi feel the family knows EXACTLY where they are. They most likely had a reason to disappear . And they did a hell of a good job doing that..
Who would kill someone and drive there car 78 miles and park it at the border , knowing they could be pulled over / caught on camera ? The “killer” most likely wouldn’t assume it would take over a week for the family to realize the entire family was missing , so I don’t buy any of that. Even in the car , ZERO evidence was found. Mexico searches , Craigslist , money in the bank , all just seems like a great setup to “disappear” and make it LOOK LIKE “foul play”
Now I am not saying that nothing horLrible happened to the family ( I pray it didn’t ) , but this would not surprise me to be a HUGE news story in the coming years , as one of the biggest BS schemes ever in history. I can’t imagine how many have “donated” to the “search” that never happened !
I’m sure the police know a lot more than the public , and know they are alive , because they ARE STILL LISTED “Voulenterally Missing”