The McStays (Family Photo)
A Fallbrook, California family of four has been missing since February 4, 2010. Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43 and their two young boys, Gianni, 4, and Joseph, 3 had moved into their home on Avocado Vista Lane, during the 2009 Thanksgiving weekend. Joseph worked out of his home, designing and installing indoor water fountains and Summer was a stay-at-home mom. Joseph’s brother, Michael McStay had reported the family missing to authorities on February 5th, after checking on them the previous day.
Investigation
According to several news sources, the family’s two dogs were left at the home unattended, without food or water, perishable items were left on a kitchen counter and Summer McStay’s prescription sunglasses were also found on a counter. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department indicated that information gathered on the McStay’s home computer revealed that the couple was making travel inquires about Mexico on the internet a week before they were reported missing and that “there were no indications of violence or a struggle…but that the totality of the circumstances surrounding their disappearance was quite out of character for the family.” Furthermore, interviews with relatives and friends indicated no internal signs of marital trouble or conflict.
The family’s white 1996 Isuzu Trooper was found on February 8th, two blocks from the U.S.-Mexican border and 80 miles from their home. A dark surveillance video retrieved from the San Ysidro Port of Entry shows four individuals walking across the border that night and according to investigators the individuals on the security footage bear a striking resemblance to the McStay family.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the McStay family is urged to contact Sgt. Dave Martinez of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department at 858-565-5200. Anonymous calls can be made to 888-580-8477. At the time of their disappearance Gianni was 4-years old and 3′ tall, Joseph was 3-years old and 2′ 9″ tall with a raspberry-size birthmark on his forehead, Joseph, the father was 5′ 9″ and weighed 175 pounds and Summer was 5′ 5″ and weighed 115 pounds. All four family members have brown eyes and brown hair.