Holidays are usually the time when everyone will set aside their differences and make the extra effort to appreciate some quality time with one another.
The Holidays have been extremely difficult for family and friends this year while we are left wondering if a large part of our family is ok.
One light at the end of the tunnel is the Discovery Channel’s show soon to air – Disappeared. This show will air our family’s story on January 3rd at 10pm.
I know that everyone is hoping for some long awaited answers and closure to our family’s disappearance. Maybe someone who sees this show will call in with the tip that will close this case and help us all move forward.
I just watched this tonight and it was my first time learning of this case I got straight out of bed and came in to google it, I have 5 kids and I can not imagine how a family of 4 just goes missing. If the toys were purchased on a credit card or debit card could they not be traced back to which Ross they were purchased at. I know most people do not use cash anymore so you would think they could trace the purchases through the payment and maybe get some surveliance videos once they find out which Ross they were purchased at. Also if they left their home at 7:30 and the mall their car was found in was 60 miles away and Joseph called his business assoc. at 8:30 maybe they were supposed to be meeting him somewhere and was calling to say they were there or something. Where was the last pings on the cell phone noted at. My heart is breaking this story does not make since. Why would they go shopping and spend money if they were planning on going on the run. I hope your family is safely brought home, my heart and prayers are with your entire family
why thay would just go. because thay would not just go.
unless thay had too. is someone after them . something happen here no one know about. and thay want to keep it that way for there safely . i just think thay may have a lot of funds some how from what ever happen or planing so that thay could Disappear. i do think there may be more to summer’s changeing of name. she may have been hideing from someone and was found they moved in to a new house but was found again. and had to go.
This is one of the most disturbing shows/cases I have watched and/or gotten interested in ever! Seems that someone in the family got a phone call or e-mail Feb. 4th and were told to clear out immediately or something very bad will happen that night. A women does not leave eggs out, popcorn sitting in bowls and the animals not cared for by friends or neighbors before she leaves for a trip or vacation. They HAD to get out within minutes and they did……………..the neighbor’s video camera showed them leaving and NO OTHER vehicle was involved as they pulled out and proceeded down the street. My feelings lean toward someone involved in illicit deals or dealing with dangerous people and the family had NO choice but to get out of the house AND the country. Obviously they have another source for money or they would NOT have left 100k in the bank…………one writer for a webb news service thinks they found a huge stash of cash in one of Joseph’s fountain creations put together in Mexico and shipped to him. An interesting theory for sure and NOT unreal when dealing with Mexican sources. I will continue to check this site for updates and sincerely hope you folks will find the McStays whole and healthy and bring them home. Bless all of you.
crazy story, just watched it with my family and thought wow, what would make me leave in a rush, had 100k in bank and no credit cards have been used, two things came to mind, one they wanted to leave the country, if they were in baja like they said the waiter saw them having lunch, I would of been down there asap and went to everything with in 20 miles showing there picture, you know they stopped of some where else if that was them, the waiter holds the true story if they are alive, and second they ran into the devil that night, some how taken at gun point and moved to another vehicle, we hope this is not the case that happened, just hard to believe four people would run off and never contact family or friends and let a new house go into foreclosure after they just bought it, what would make you disappear into the night forever? our prayers are with the family, hope for a good out come.
No leads, I’m sorry.
Just a heartfelt note to let you know your family is in my prayers. And I agree with alot of others. I’m quite sure if there had been anything hinky in their backgrounds, the police would have found it, yet it is almost impossible that a family of four could vanish. Personally I don’t see how they could be identified from the border tapes and alot of those coats and shoes are sold, but it is troubling.
Back in 87 my neice went missing and it wasn’t until 2 years had passed before we found her. Unfortunately it was not a good outcome and all these years later we still have no answers. I pray that your loved ones are alive and come home to you soo.
I watched this show last night and found it odd that people that know her take it lightly that she has multiple aliases. In the video thats shows people walking to mexico, some people thought the wife was there but couldnt be sure it was the husband. We all know how a mother would most likely not abandon her kids.
Has anyone considered the idea that in the video it was Mrs mcstay and kids , but with another man. i have a feeling something happened to mr mcstay, and mrs mcstay abandoned her life and took off to mexico, with another man, maybe just using the man to help her get there. If there is a chance mr mcstay was killed, then the obvious reaction from mrs mcstay would be to high tail it out of the country
I recently watched a television program about the McStay family. It bothered me deeply. I pray for the family as they try to sort through clues, and find their loved ones. From the tape of the family at the Mexico border, Josheph’s mom said that she didn’t think the man in the picture was her son, which makes me wonder, is it maybe possible that Summer went into Mexico with someone other than her husband? And if that is the case, where is Joseph? I hope that somehow this family’s questions are answered, and the missing four are found safe.
I just caught a re-airing of Disappeared and and very puzzled and curious about something. In this time of GPS cell phones, there was no mention in the show that they checked on any cell usage beyond a text sent by Summer several days before the family went missing and Joey’s cell phone use the day before. It could well be that is information police don’t want released, but it appears to me to be a huge void in the show. I, like so many people these days, am never without my cell phone and use it for nearly everything. I just find it hard to understand that typical L.A. urbanites would not have any cell usage for days. This is just odd these days.
I watch Disappeared all the time, but this is the one story that stood out for me. It was just so bizarre and disturbing. It just doesn’t seem to make any sense to why they would willingly cross into Mexico, and the toys found in the car, the way their house was left.
I hope that your family is found safely and brought back home.
I just really don’t find this case as perplexing as others. The McStays obviously left on their own because they were running from someone/something. Others have speculated that the family came across a large sum of money (smuggled drug money?) while importing fountains from Mexico. Once they found the money, they needed to run in order to protect themselves – not telling their families in order to protect their loved ones. The toys would have a been a perfect hiding place for the money. Hopefully wherever this family is, they are safe.
Prayers for the family.
I just finished watching this air for a second time. The theory of just the woman leaving with the children makes the most sense. Perhaps SHE was the one doing the searches for the passports for her children, and the reason that the money was still in the bank was because she couldn’t get to it on her own. (a joint account)
I think that it is easy for a Mexican woman and 2 small children to get lost in Mexico, more-so than a family of four…and that is probably why they haven’t been found yet- that it is just the three of them now. Was the toy purchases a plan to get her husband out of the house…to go pick up the toys that she ordered…although way so late at night. Her clothes were missing from the house (packed up) but were his? The constant name changes that Summer made were no coincidence.
We just now watched this program and thought as everyone seems to feel that this is one of the strangest cases ever to present itself. Reading through the comments above, I think “Ed” has posited a very plausible scenario. The aliases is somewhat troubling. That would make sense and would indicate there may someone else in her life we do not know of. The evidence for this rests in the photograph and the lack of long hair of the man walking across the border. His mother did not believe it was him and I tend to agree. Whatever the ultimate answer is, it is perhaps the weirdest, for want of a better word, case I have ever seen.
Just watched the show based of the family’s case and it real shook my husband my self up. I am so sorry for what you and your family is going through and we pray for the McStay’s family safe return.
I agree with the others who have said the food being left laying out is the red flag. eggs left to rot, full bowls of popcorn like the kids were just settling down, mom let’s out the dogs and goes tp bake something. it makes no sense and is clear it was abrupt for them to leave.
I’m curious about Mr.Stay’s arrival home. is there any way he could have been carjacked and forced to go home and then all forced to leave once he got there?
it might be stretch but I think either someone did that or was laying in wait for all the family to home and kidnapped them.
I didn’t hear this on the show but the family have thier cells on whebn they left and if so where did the pings lead too? I seen they showed the activity before Mr.Stay came home and said there was no activity after however the pinging are off the cell towers as long as the phone is on to recieve calls, I didn’t see any of that on the show and think it’s pretty important.
God Bless The McStay Family
Info regarding their cell phone records can be found in this article, http://www.michellesigona.com/2010/05/mcstay-family-mystery/
I hope they find them and everything is well.
I read some of these comments and was astonished to find some of them unnerving and not quite nice. Tonight I watched Disappeared for the first time and it broke my heart to see the family’s pain. I remembered hearing of this on the news a year ago and thinking of the “not knowing” part the family is forced to endure has to be unimaginable. I am in a close knit family and just do not ever want to imagine anything happening to any of them. I am so sorry your family is going this and wish there is something I could do to help…. what I can do is pray for the McStay’s family return.
Has anyone thought maybe joseph cut his hair off to disguise himself before going to mexico?
I just paid to watch this episode on amazon, I have heard of this case and wanted to know more. I cannot imagine what y’all are going thru. I sure hope they will contact you guys and come home soon. Seems so strange. I am thinking of you guys. Best. Liz
Here’s my theory. Family left house to get toys because there seemed on tv to not be very much in the house due to renovating. They get to Ross he probably went to car first to put toys in car while she is in store w/kids. Someone approaches him and takes him off, separately. She comes out w/kids and is told if she wants to see husband alive she will drive to new location leave car in parking lot and agrees to go w/kidnappers across border in order to see husband.. Never to be seen alive again.
This is my theory because 1) the house was left as if they were to return (dogs, food, etc left out. 2) the ticketed items found in car were not bought at shopping center buy border and car inside was had no evidence of more than 4 people being in it, cause of toys in back and position of car seats 3) persons walking across border appeared to be wife and kids, but family felt that man holding one child’s hand was not father in surveillance video 4) McStay family had money in the bank, good job, didn’t withdraw any money after disappearance, just because computer showed they accessed Mexico passport info doesn’t mean they went, might have been curious. I would like to think they left on their own, but if she was for the most part on her own, with prospect of seeing him again, she might go over the border.
My own mother was attacked and almost killed in a parking lot, while my father was in the store in broad daylight. So I know first hand how it can happen.
bottom line no mystery, an adult parent searched for in fo on taking children into mexico, case closed
Just saw the ID show on the McStays. My gut tells me they are in the witness protection program, based mainly on the video of what looks like them entering Mexico on foot. Also, there’s the internet search a few days earlier about entering Mexico, as well as the fact that their SUV was located a short distance from the Mexican border. I know there is evidence that conflicts with this theory, but I’d like to throw a couple of questions/considerations out there for anyone interested:
1) My understanding of the witness protection program is that even if cops try to confirm an individual’s inclusion in the program, they will be told (under ALL circumstances) that the individual/family is NOT in the program, even if they really ARE. So the statement made by the police that they have confirmed that the McStays are NOT in the program is meaningless–they would be told that no matter what.
2) Isn’t it possible that if the family had entered the witness protection program, the organization could have supplied them with NEW passports, NEW identities, & even changed their fingerprints on the national system, in case these people’s fingerprints were run through the system at some point (as they were, with the map left behind at the Baja restaurant)? In other words, the fingerprints on the map were lifted & run through the system, & did not match those of the McStays–I think someone in witness protection went into the computerized federal system & replaced the fingerprints of the McStays with someone else’s fingerprints, all in an effort to keep their identities secret.
3) The dogs–according to the show, the McStays NEVER would have left their dogs alone & unfed in the yard…but what if their contact in the witness protection program ASSURED them the dogs would be cared for; then didn’t follow up with their promise. If a person goes into witness protection, they are NOT ALLOWED to give their dogs away or give anyone any other hint or indication that they are entering the program. The McStays would have been instructed NOT to raise any red flags with anyone regarding the dogs. As a huge dog-lover myself, I believe the McStays would not have abandoned their dogs without having been completely convinced that the dogs would be okay. But what if someone lied to them about it? Isn’t that even a possibility?
In conclusion–the evidence very much supports them going into Mexico, as seen on the video. The evidence against this theory can be explained & dismissed if they are in the witness protection program. I don’t believe this family would abandon their friends, family members & animals unless they were ORDERED to do so, & unless revealing their whereabouts put them in EXTREME danger…it’s the only theory that makes sense, based on the history & habits of this loving, compassionate family.
I just saw the ID Dissapeared story yesterday afternoon. It has really gotten to me because how can they just up and leave everything. I too agree with “Ed” that Summer’s aliases are very suspicious. The video entering Mexico really seems disturbing to Joseph’s mother being that it in no way looks like her son. Maybe Summer is the bad guy and did hurt her husband and ran off with another man and the kids. I can’t understand how having so many name changes doesnt seem strange even to Joseph. Its just so confusing and I can only imagine what the family is going through. God Bless the McStay family and I can only keep you all in my prayers hoping that you get some closure to this story soon.
Can we really believe that cop who said he is confident they are NOT in witness protection? Would the feds really tell him if they were?
He also said “It’s legal to change your name; people do it all the time.” Yes to the first part, no to the second.
No matter the out come, I’m happy so many have been so thoughtfull to this family. You cannot find out the details of this case and not have it effect you strongly, and I’m no exclusion. I’m some stunned,and have been reading everything I can find concerning this case since seeing it on tv 24 hrs ago.
I only have on question I’m curious about.
The person with whom Joseph talked to at 8:30 on that Feb 4 , did that person ever give details if they heard the children or wife in the background during this conversation?
If anyone knows the answer I would like to know.
Thank you for your time.
Michael D
I agree I just saw the tv show and I personally think that summer toke off witg her kids and another man because the motives he gots money good life nice lugury wants everything gets it from him his joey brother said she wasn’t a type of person that give and usely if she dont give she likes to take only joey mother said she told her she wasn’t one of them some like that that it was all about them four summer joey and the kids and in the video (mexico boarder) I heard yea she looks like her cause of thee clothes and yes the height off the boys like just about right but yet the man not the clothes walking or anything like joey& then summer had a few name changes all I can advise is stop looking for them and look for the boy with the birthmark if you find him you find the other 3 its easier to find the boy because he has some thing you can take away change or hide some one somewhere has to see it
It is obvious that they are in the witness protection program. The woman’s multiple aliases are a huge red flag! Plus, how likely is it that her own mother-in-law would not know her real age? The show I watched on the disappearance was extremely vague about Lisa or whatever her name was. Why wasn’t her family testifying on the show? Why wasn’t her mother or father or sibling talking about how much they missed her?….Because she has long been in the witness protection program? Because she entered the witness protection program due to her own family? Because she was previously involved in some type of organized crime? And why did she have those odd glasses on in every picture posted of her? To detract from her features?
The show also didn’t talk that much about the man’s business, which could have easily been a reason for the family fleeing the country. He also had PROPERTY in Mexico as well as friends that lived in Costa Rica. He was familiar with the country!! And Summer emailed the guy on Craig’s List about the Rossetta Stone program because she thought that would be harder to trace (rather than just directly ordering the program).
If the family was in danger, they would definitely leave their dogs. The animals’ importance would not trump the importance of getting their family away safely and quickly.
When a person goes undercover through the witness protection program, the family of that person is commonly convinced that the person has gone missing, is dead, etc. If someone REALLY wants to disappear, they will cut off contact with their family, and they will do it in a way that makes their disappearance seem unintentional.
Completely agree with Elsi. Look for the boy with the birth mark. This is so strange. I don’t think they are dead, at least not all of them. I think government is involved somehow. Either that or the wife left with the kids and another man, but don’t think so. If this is a true disappearance (no gov involvement), where are the feds? How come they are not investigating this?
I didn’t get to watch this entire program. But seems so strange. There have been so many strange things in our area over the years, I am curious that a lot of things seem to be left out.
To the McStay Family God be with you ALL. I cannot immagine the situation this has put all of the family’s thought directions in. I have read many of the comments, but I haven’t seen the show yet.
On June 27, 2012, “E! Investigates” is showing this at 8:00am…they did their own investugation on this family. I am looking forward to watching it.
Most important is to keep playing these shows to educate the public~ and at different times of the day/night. Have a reminder, maybe on Americas Most Wanted will post a reminder about the case, or the 20/20 show.
My prayers are with you, the entire family of McStays,and I will at least have something on E! regarding this to educate me.
Take care
To the McStay Family God be with you ALL. I cannot immagine the situation this has put all of the family’s thought directions in. I have read many of the comments, but I haven’t seen the show yet.
On June 27, 2012, “E! Investigates” is showing this at 8:00am…they did their own investugation on this family. I am looking forward to watching it.
Most important is to keep playing these shows to educate the public~ and at different times of the day/night. Have a reminder, maybe on Americas Most Wanted will post a reminder about the case, or the 20/20 show over and over.
I couldn’t tell what years the media contact list was for, I assumend 2010, when their case was new. We must have continuous reminders.
My prayers are with you, the entire family of McStays,and I will at least have something on E! regarding this to educate me.
Take care
Wow- Elsie, how insightful!