U.S. News – Brother refuses to stop searching

By admin on February 4, 2012

SAN DIEGO — It’s been two years since a Fallbrook family of four went missing, and one of their relatives is still looking for clues in their disappearance. Read more…

Posted in News

38 responses to “U.S. News – Brother refuses to stop searching”

cindy
February 5, 2012 at 11:47 am | Permalink

I only recently heard heard about this case, I watched it on disappeared a few months ago. I googled the family after watching the show to see if they had been found, and was so shocked and disappointed to read they had not! Was so hoping that the 2 year anniversary would somehow bring some sort of closure?! My heart goes out to you and your family for what you have had to endure these past 2 years. I’m sure the not “knowing” is the worst part of all. It is such a mystery! In the article, Mike, you stated that you have always wanted to search the area where his cell phone was last detected, so why has that not been done yet? Surely by searching there you can eliminate that as a possibility of them being there. It is definitely plausible. I don’t undertand why the police have not done that as part of their investigation, that to me, just doesn’t make any sense. I really do wish for you and your family closure one way or the other.
Taran
February 10, 2012 at 4:22 am | Permalink

Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I’m praying for an answer for your family soon, in the name of Jesus.
Annonymous
February 17, 2012 at 2:21 pm | Permalink

Have you checked up with the capea in Tijuana?, have you gave a blood sample for DNA records at the capea?. You might want to check the semefo just in case anything has turned up. Remember it is difficult to get anything done in the U.S. side, once a person crosses over that boarder it’s up to the agencies in Mexico to get things done.
Kym
February 27, 2012 at 1:38 pm | Permalink

I am hoping your family gets some answers soon. It has played twice today on disappeared. I hope it gives some much needed exposure. I still can not believe they have not been found. It is an believable to me how a whole family can disappear. Mexico, seems where they probably will be found, scary thought. I will be praying for your family today, and light a candle for them.
Lisa
February 28, 2012 at 2:54 pm | Permalink

I live on the East Coast and had no idea of this case until the E documentary. I was so touched by your family, as they remind me of my own family. I will keep you all in my prayers, and pray that you will be reunited with your brother and his family again!
Joseph Guerrieri
February 28, 2012 at 3:10 pm | Permalink

ok i get that dude has 100k in the bank but everyone knows that the us dollar in mexico would make anyone rich.. if he did want to be found y would he go to a country that he already has purchased land…that would be the first place someone would look. Have they checked into his business partners or acquaintences?? its kinda weird the night he leaves that he calls this dude by the bridge ….. ok so like she said y havent you searched down there.??? think bout this he met the same guy for lunch and then called this guy when he leaves the house to never be found. what was the convo about? why is he the one they call.. how do you know that he doesnt know something that eryone else doesnt. maybe something was said for him to flee maybe he cant speak with his family for fear of endangering them.. too weird the circumstances but weirder the small things werent checked out?
Tais
March 3, 2012 at 4:32 am | Permalink

I just saw the images of that family of four crossing the border on youtube.
I am pretty sure it is possible to determine with precision the height of the individuals using geometric methods (I’ve seen a case on Medical Detectives that was solved this way).
There are some poles along the way that could be used as reference.
If the height of one of them does not match, at least police could rule that out as a lead…
Just a suggestion …
My blessings
Karen
March 4, 2012 at 8:21 am | Permalink

I saw this story on Disappeared awhile back and watch the show every time it comes on. I was really taken with the story and have so wanted to hear that there’s a good ending, and I am terribly disappointed nothing has come of the. Investigation and search. It has to be a horrible heartache to the families! And I can’t help but wonder what in the world happened to them. There is NO way they would leave thEir beloved dogs, and no one has ever mentioned what happened to those poor dogs. Does anyone know ? Has that area where the last cell call was placed ever been checked ?
Froggy2
March 4, 2012 at 9:19 am | Permalink

I have seen this twice on disappear and E investigations. I want to know if they pictures they distributed on the border of the missing family… especially the son with the strawberry birthmark on his forehead was ever shown to the public before they got a tip from the guy in the piece that said he saw the ? Then if not why not really investigate more of the guy that called and said that he saw them and also the map left behind with no finger prints of the family. Was there any fingerprints at all? just a thought. I do hope we all will hear when they are found.
Sharri
March 4, 2012 at 10:09 am | Permalink

If you haven’t already, offer a reward in Mexico and consider hiring a private detective in Mexico to find the family.
January
March 7, 2012 at 10:07 pm | Permalink

I’ve been keeping up with this story from the beginning because its just an extraordinary case and you always hope for the best in instances like this. I can not recall anything like this ever to me it is truly a one of a kind case. I keep your family in my preys, on my mind and in my heart at all times. I know GOD is watching over your whole family and I have to believe as a Christian this will end well for your family and for all who’ve invested a-lot in to this case. I tell you what your family is definitely do for a blessing, so please believe the LORD will bring your family through this horrific tragedy.
Jennifer
March 13, 2012 at 10:07 pm | Permalink

Mike,

I live in the same neighborhood and reading that they had a ping at the Bonsall bridge area an hour after they left the house made me wonder if perhaps they went to get something to eat at the McDonalds at the gas station, Subway, Mexican place, or perhaps somewhere in the IGA shopping center like Village Pizza or Peking Wok. Maybe some of these places have security video from this date? I am sure at this point its a long shot but if they did and you could get some insight into their actions/behaviors it could give some clues.
vianne
March 17, 2012 at 11:57 am | Permalink

Mike all your hard work will lead you to answers. Every time your families story is told through the media is another chance of getting them back. They need to be found.Keep up your hard work. I can’t imagen how hard it is. I pray for you and your mom all of the time. I know how close you three were. God Bless, Vianne
maggie church
March 26, 2012 at 7:17 am | Permalink

I’m so sorry, I posted another message a little while ago. I have no news or sightings. I hope you are investigating your sister inlaws background!!! I read that her sister is upset that most people are blaming her sister. The MULTIPLE name changes ARE a prob. Her FORGED birth certificate a bigger prob. I said I thought she may have been poisining your brother, but, stress alone could have caused his health declining. Why did she meet in secret with someone to buy the Rosetta spanish lang. tapes? The money in the account doesn’t mean a thing. His bus. partner said he made alot of money. Her glasses might have been a 2nd pair. His meds. could have been replaced very easily in Mexico! Your own mother said she was trying to exclude her from “Summer’s family of 4″. You said your brother had a relationship with his eldest son! Did it decline from her influence? Some women have an uncanny ability to coerce or make men feel that they’re in danger. I feel something in her past was threatening only HER! She pulled your brother into some bizzare lie to avoid it! People will do anything from having the truth come out. I feel your brother is alive for the simple reason that she had enough control over him that he would leave you and your mother! I’m sure he thinks that you would be in danger if he didn’t leave. Your nephew was to old for her to get rid of your brother wihout notice! I feel your brother fears for his and families lives. I think the only threat is to “Summer”! You and your family are in my prayers! Maggie Find the truth about her and broadcast it so your brother knows the TRUTH!
Dante villarreal
April 4, 2012 at 10:20 pm | Permalink

Hi there, I just saw the tv show from your case on Discovery Chanel, and I understand your concerns.
I’m a Mexican, American and currently I live in puerto Vallarta Mexico, I’m originally from Tijuana Mexico.

I still have relatives in TJ and I will love to help, here’s how.
I suggest a TV add that comes out on national Mexican tv, actually there’s one I’ll love to find out for you guys that when some one is missing in Mexico they’ll post it for free nation wide in Mexico.

Aldso I suggest the news media in Mexico taking advantage of the fact that more than 80% of the population in mexico has no cable, dishi or any paid for antena, meaning every one has acces to regular broadcast and at 7:00 am on the Mexican TELEVISA news by Carlos Loret de Mola or at 10:00 pm on Juaquin Lopez Dorigas nation wide news broadcast I can bet they can talk about this particular case and help letting the news really go arrownd Mexico.
The reason why I suggest this is because it’s been 2 years and this is the first time I ever heard of this missing family.

I bet that if some of this ideas are taken to consideration something might just pop up.

Best regards.
Scott
April 17, 2012 at 8:12 am | Permalink

Mike;
First, let me say that my heart goes out to your family and I know how heart wrenching simply not knowing can be. You are in our prayers. Secondly, I am a retired police officer and investigator and would like to make a suggestion. I believe that most of the evidence really does point to your sister-in-law, the name changes, age changes, and bizarre statements indicate something is amiss, people without something to hide do not engage in that type of behavior. I have read what is available and do not know if this has been done, but I suggest a close examination of the family computer be conducted by a forensic computer expert. This is a rapidly progressing field of study, and everything you do on the computer leaves a record which can often be retrieved by the proper person with the right software/hardware. I would want to look at when the searches were made regarding travel in Mexico, passports for minors, etc. Frequently you can find out who conducted the search by simply checking who logged onto the computer. Although not definitive, it could give you some insight into who was planning this activity. This may have already been done, but if not it might be worth pursuing. Just a suggestion. Let me know if I can help you in any way. Best wishes.
Diane
April 19, 2012 at 6:53 am | Permalink

Why isn’t the focus on the painter that was painting
The house. Who has gone missing as well. Obviously
He’s involved in this. This is a blurb from nancy grace;

MCSTAY: No. It was not their only vehicle. It was their mid-sized SUV. And to answer the other part of that question, yes, they did have other people in there. They had a painter that vanished, and actually Summer was overseeing the remodel because Joey worked from home.

GRACE: So, the painter vanished?

MCSTAY: That`s right. That`s why MacGyver, an old family friend who actually introduced them, came down and was the last person to see them on Wednesday the 3rd, and he was supposed to come back and paint on Saturday, the 6th. That`s why some of the last text messages she got was actually from MacGyver saying, hey, are we still on? Am I coming down? But the first original painter which brought MacGyver in there was because he, you know, no-showed and just —

And then it’s forgotten about that the painter is gone
As well. Obvious to me.
Monica
April 24, 2012 at 12:44 pm | Permalink

The story of the missing McStays has haunted me since the family dissappeared. I have always felt that if the McStays, a normal happy loving family of four, could simply vanish without a trace, then couldn’t my family???? They and you are in my thoughts and prayers. If you ever organize a search of the Bonsall bridge area (or any other area), I will gadly volunteer.
patrick
April 24, 2012 at 9:53 pm | Permalink

Wow. Speechless. Keep the faith. I’m sure you’ve thought of everything by now. Forgive me if I’m repeating other posts- just hoping to create a spark. Joe called his business associate 41 minutes after the neighbor’s cam caught the truck pulling out- but only 9 miles from the residence & everything seemed ok. Dinner out? Were they late eaters? Did they frequent restaurants near the cell towers? Did summer have a laptop? Joe doesn’t seem like a guy who would drop everything to go surfing in Mexico. Even if he were, out of sheer convenience, he wouldn’t have left his meds in the car. No forign DNA in the truck. I would think that’s a pretty good indication that it was driven by one of them. Summer’s purse? Anything of hers left in the truck that she would have otherwise logically taken? Sunglasses? The only thing that would seem to make some sense is something going bad between them spontaneously while out; she takes the car with the boys, can’t go home, appeases kids with toys while figuring out a strategy. Probably met someone in the parking lot. Probably not in Mexico. Key is the phones- close to home and Summer’s worked for two days. Whatever caused this seems to have happened between the cell towers. Any search of the parking lot on the far side of the bridge? Looks pretty remote from Google earth and between the towers. Was Joe’s Dell recovered? In videos on a table, but can’t tell what’s file videos from family videos. Keep it in the public eye and stay strong.
Jamie Ramsey
April 25, 2012 at 8:49 am | Permalink

I have commented on here before, but I just wanted to let you know I continue to think about your missing family members. I pray for you all every time I think about this sad story. Good luck in your search. God is with you and with Him ALL things are possible. Seek prayer to ease your mind and give you peace. God will bring your family back to you!

Praying for you always,

Jamie
Knoxville, TN
Kim
April 25, 2012 at 9:29 am | Permalink

Your family has been in my thoughts and prayers since I saw the story on E!. Praying for a safe return for the family soon! Keep up the good work. All the media attention will bring them home eventually. I believe this in my heart. Miracles do happen! Hugs to you and your family!
Azaria
April 25, 2012 at 9:39 pm | Permalink

It is 430 pm here in New Zealand. At 3pm the network E! had the one hour show casing ‘The Family that Vanished’ … I do feel for your family Mike and I do agree with a lot of the comments above. The painter could have been the last person called from the cellphone near the bridge. I highly recommend that all evidence be looked through again and Im sure there can be some enhancement to the video recording at the border!

What stood out to me is that your brother became very ill and his wife, who has many aliases, was in search for some medication to help with anger and also the fact she told your mother she was not a part of their family of four! I truly believe in my heart, ‘Summer’ is the culprit to all this and Joey has done this for her. Did Joey know Summer had these aliases? does the friend who got them together know this about Summer? Where is the painter now?

I can not express enough how strong I believe Summer is behind all this.
Is it possible they used different names and applied for Passports and flew from Costa Rica or Mexico to somewhere beyond the US/Mexico Coastlines? She is a mastermind and a controlling woman, I truly feel she has an evil presence within her and she is taking over the situation.
I think also, they might of had young Jo’s birthmark removed as it is very distinct to have such a birthmark on the forehead.It might help contacting some national, local and international surgeons who have done a birthmark removal procedure.
Another thing that captured my attention were the dogs, It is very sad to know they were left unfed and unattended to.I truly adore animals and hope they have been taken well good care of. The friend, in the documentary near the end, who lives in Costa Rica-I think he has some thing to do with it.For some reason, his facial expression released an instinct to me sensing me he is not at all being truthful. He could be someone to investigate. Is it possible to get PHONE RECORDS of both Cell Phones, Joey and Summer. It can be done

I have a lot of ideas going through my mind right now and since watching the full screening of this family of four who went missing in 2010. Please do keep in touch with me as it will be very much appreciated. I know Im millions of miles away but I would like to help as much as I possibly can.

All possibilities should be taken into action!
I truly hope some day the young boys are found and your brother too.
Love to all, god bless
Julia
May 2, 2012 at 3:33 pm | Permalink

Still hoping you locate your brother and the rest of his family. His wife and her jaded past seems to had led your brother in a location of no return. Sadly it seems his wife and maybe the family is in some sort of danger (life/death situation) why else would anyone up and leave forever? If it was just the wife in this sort of danger, for your brother to leave as if he was in witness protection or something, willing to never speak or hear from his extended family–he must love his wife and mother of the children very much. loyalty to an extreme! but at the cost of his children’s life and future? why not leave the children with trusted family members if the wife and or dad were in danger. Why keep the children running, what kind of life is that for them? Very selfish behaviour! Many questions, and have not thought or spoken of the alternative… I don’t want to until evidence points in that direction. Keep broadcasting the story! Most people want to help, especially when it comes to innocent children! I feel like brainwashing techniques might have been used on the children, for nothing to have been brought to the publics attention as far as the children–it is sad. Hopefully something will come up – like a valid sighting, law enforcement or maybe even your brother! I will pray for you. All the best from our home to yours!
Darcey
May 10, 2012 at 6:53 am | Permalink

I have no connection or info about this case, just saw the E! Investigates and can’t get it out of my mind!! Absolutely bizarre!! I’m very curious if the Bonsall Bridge area has been checked?? I mean, that’s where the last cell phone ping was coming from so I’m surprised if it hasnt been, according to E! it hasnt….Anyway, I wish you all the luck int he world and sending lots of prayers your way!!
Orchid
May 12, 2012 at 3:33 pm | Permalink

It’s clear that this case intrigues so many people, including me. They look like such a beautiful family and it just baffles me as to the strange details of what happened. Like many others on here, it fills my mind everyday. I wish I could be a part of the investigation. I hope that getting this story out as much as you can will bring up more leads and eventually lead you to the truth.

At first I thought they had to ‘run’ right then and there. Maybe they knew they would have to at some point but didn’t know when. Joeseph’s declining health may be nothing significant but definatley could be signs of stress, if he was keeping information hidden, the stress was displaying itself outwardly. Nothing was said of this person he called at 8:30pm. And the phone call was only a minute long, he may not have even talked to anyone. I can’t remember when the purchases were made of the toys(maybe they were already in the back of the car) and I think some bags, etc. And they didn’t say if the bags were found in the car and the family in the border video weren’t carrying bags. It looks like they were each carrying something small on their left shoulders. To me, that doesn’t seem like a family going away for even a day but maybe a family going home after a short time in the U.S. There was nothing said about whether there had been any problems with anyone personally or business-wise that would make them feel the need to dissappear. And I think, if it was me, and I was going to have to dissappear off the face of the earth, I would at least pick 1 person I trusted and give them some type of clue about it so they would know. It’s almost as if they left to just go grab a bite to eat and were going to be right back. And then something happened unexpectedly while they were out. I thought the witness protection program made sense but I feel like their families would have more details about what might have been happening in their life to make them have to join the wpp. Just the way the car was left disturbs me and makes me think they knew they would be right back. The fact that they took 2 small children makes me think they thought they were going somewhere safe. I’d like to know more details of the days in between when they left and when the car was found in the mall parking lot. I think the investigation should be focusing on that time period, sightings of the vehicle, purchases, and why the cell phones weren’t tried to be located in that area confuses me. Without knowing if those cell phones were with them or dumped out of the car makes things very unclear. Nothing stands out to me to point to two sane people up and leaving without saying anything to anybody and leaving no clues behind, leaving their dogs and money. That doesn’t make sense to me.

I hope to hear more details of this family and I will continue to follow it. My thoughts are with the families and hope they can endure until they find closure.
rennae
May 29, 2012 at 1:32 am | Permalink

I have watched this 5 times..first I thought Summer was behind this but I had a lightbulb go off and realised it wasnt her. None of it made sense, the house, the dogs, the money in the account, leaving behind his son from a previous relationship it was just bizarre…i really think maybe they met with foul play. that night i believe they headed out for icecream or down the store for something and they all decided to go and something has happened on the way there or on the way home. The video survellance and car near the border has me stumped but I think the last ping from their cell phones near the bonsall bridge might hold answers. Not sure if it has been searched or not however maybe summers phone might be there or josephs. I believe summer did have secrets but nothin that would cause all this. His medication left behind, kids stuff in the back. maybe someone followed them. I know no one else’s finger prins were left in the car beside theirs but that means nothing…what does anyone else think?
jan
June 11, 2012 at 6:56 pm | Permalink

Has anyone thought of Witness Protection?
Yisel
July 6, 2012 at 5:05 pm | Permalink

January, thought and protection for witnesses and are not within the program. I hope that they are safe and sound soon. My blessings and I’m from Chile I’m still the case here.
DLC
July 9, 2012 at 1:01 am | Permalink

Maybe the wife had the Hubby killed and walked across the Border with the painter to finally live near the ocean for life as she truly apparently wanted to again.?? Thats why the man n the video didn’t really look like the Hubby.
Lizzie
July 10, 2012 at 12:55 pm | Permalink

Just saw the story on the show disappeared. I’m deeply sorry about how the family is nowhere to be found. It’s such an odd case! Those little boys were so adorable, and it makes me sad that they have been taken away from their other family members. Stay strong, I’m sure they are out there somewhere!!

Did the couple have any conflicts with people? Maybe coworkers, friends, friends of friends , ect. I’m really suspecting the painter is involved in this.

I will support you and your search throughout the way!
LisaSummer
July 12, 2012 at 10:09 pm | Permalink

Why did they move to Fallbrook?
Sarah
July 14, 2012 at 3:21 pm | Permalink

I just watched “The Family Who Vanished” and my feeling is that maybe Joseph killed them… One hypothesis… They had an argument on February 4th at night, they decided then to go outside for dinner… Near the bridge of Bonsall another argument… Joseph stopped the car, told Summer to go outside to speak, leaving the children in the car… The discussion went very wrong and Joseph killed her, maybe by strangling her or maybe she fell badly on a rock… In a state of total panic, thinking he would stay all of his life in jail, he decided to take the children out of the car and killed them too… Then he hide them in the area and decided to left everything and to flee by passing the border of mexico… This is just an hypothesis but it would explain many things… the last traces of the phones near the bridge, no blood in the car or in the house, how the house and the car were found as if they just went outside for a walk, the only one car seen leaving on the camera near the home and no dna or evidence in the car of a third or more persons implicated in the disappearance, etc… If I were the family, I would have made a call to unite one hundred of volunteers to search near the bridge and the area where the last traces of the phones were found… I hope I’m wrong and that all the family is still alive somewhere… (I’m French, sorry for my english…)
JamaicaJoe
July 19, 2012 at 2:54 pm | Permalink

Is this the same Fallbrook neighborhood???

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/la-me-marine-wife-20120719,0,4422796.story
Gail
July 25, 2012 at 6:37 am | Permalink

Just watched this on Disappeared and one thing that was brushed over were the renovations that were being done on the house. Have the police been able to question any possible carpenters or painters that may have come to the house to give estimates or do work? Do any of them have ties to Mexico?
Lizzie
July 27, 2012 at 5:34 pm | Permalink

I just saw this in a program and it is very surprising and shocking that a family disappears in such a way, really looking at the faces of the 2 children moved me very much and the thought of how they will be them and the rest of the family was very sad, do not lose hope! I’m sure you will find them, but do not give up, somehow or other have to return.
God bless you, make prayer for them to return very many must have faith. If the brother refuses to stop the search has is that he has to return preciente faith, intuition tells you not to stop the search. McStay family would not stop, do not collapse, stay united, dense mutual support, forces, they must return, love of family can all, wherever they are they also must think about how many things will be and are such that his family and very much, have much faith.
time may pass, but encourage them to return with you, many will pray for his return.

Lizzie
Jesus
July 29, 2012 at 10:00 pm | Permalink

We recently watched the Discovery Channel show about your family and we were very moved, we would like to offer you our help should you need it, we live in Mexico in the city of Culiacan.
Eric
August 21, 2012 at 12:11 pm | Permalink

Mike, I posted comments on another article on your website. I was deeply moved by what has happened to your brother and his family. I pray they will eventually be located and returned safely. Please let me know if you decide to conduct a public search near San Diego or elsewhere. I live in the midwest but would fly to the search area to provide assistance. God bless Joey, Summer and the kids.
candy
September 5, 2012 at 9:37 pm | Permalink

im speechless i just seen dissapeared last night ive kinda heard of this case before and i just cant stop thinking about it. so many questions but no answers its horrible and must be hard to be going trough somethin like this my prayers go out to the mc stay family