Update – Friday, November 15, 2013

The skeletal remains have been confirmed to be 2 adults and 2 children.

Thanks to the motorcyclist who discovered the eery desert gravesite this past Monday, living members of the McStay family will now be able to properly respect the remains of their loved ones.

Using dental records, the coroner has identified the adults to be Summer and Joseph McStay. The  two children discovered at the gravesite are believed to be the couple’s children, Gianni and Joseph McStay.

The family was reported missing in February of 2010, to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Their home was in Fallbrook, the unincorporated area of San Diego County. The missing person investigation was handled by San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detail is now conducting a homicide investigation. Investigators are working with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.

“Every available resource will be utilized in this investigation to identify the suspects involved in this heinous crime and bring them to justice,” stated Sheriff John McMahon.

The autopsies began on Thursday, November 14th, and are expected to be completed today. The manner of death has been determined to be homicide; the cause of death will not be released to protect the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing; anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Detail, Detective Armando Avila at (909)387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.

*********    RECAP  **********
Update – Wednesday, November 13, 2013 4:35 p.m.
Investigators have completed the scene examination; there were two graves where remains were located as well as additional skeletel remains that were located near the graves. A grave site recovery is a very meticulous process in efforts to preserve all possible evidence. A third site was excavated however, no evidence was found and the location was determined to be unrelated to the grave site.

Investigators have recovered the remains of four persons. Autopsies will be conducted with the assistance of a forensic anthropologist to determine causes of death, ages and gender.

********************************
On Monday, November 11, 2013 at approximately 10:00 a.m., deputies from the Victorville Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the desert area between Quarry Road and I15, north of Stoddard Wells Road in the county area of Victorville, following the report of possible skeletal remains being located by a motorcyclist.

Deputies responded to the location. Coroner investigators were requested and confirmed the remains were human.

On Tuesday, November 12th, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detail and Coroner personnel responded to the location to continue the investigation.

Investigators believe they have located the remains of more than one person. It appears the remains have been there for an extended period of time. Age and gender are unknown pending examination by a forensic anthropologist.

A grave site was located and is currently being excavated.

JOHN MCMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

SBCS Headquarter– For immediate release.