McStay Family of Four Still Missing, Cops Searching

By: Carlin DeGuerin Miller
Topics: Missing

(Personal Photo)

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) The McStays, a middle-class family of four, vanished over two weeks ago; they left food rotting in the kitchen and their two dogs without food or water.

Photo: Joseph McStay and sons Gianni, 4, and Joey,3.

PICTURES: McStay Family Missing

Joseph McStay's brother, Michael, says he went to the home on Feb. 4 to check on the family, but only found the dogs. He called authorities the next day, but investigators found no signs of a struggle.

Photo: Summer McStay.

PICTURES: McStay Family Missing

Four days later the family car, an Isuzu Trooper, was found abandoned in a shopping mall in San Ysidro, a bordertown outside of San Diego.

Still, Michael McStay said he fears for the lives of his family members and feels helpless. He and the rest of the family do not believe the McStays would ever disappear willingly.

San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Dennis Brugos said the case has stumped his detectives.

"It's all a mystery," Brugos said. "Is the vehicle down by the border a ploy? Were they voluntarily missing? Were they taken against their will? ... Just for a family of four to disappear, I've never seen anything like it."

Neighbors said they had been feeding the animals but had heard nothing from the family. Acquaintances told investigators the McStays never would have left on vacation or for any other reason without telling someone.

Joseph McStay worked out of his home, designing and installing indoor water fountains. Investigators were checking the family's phone and financial records and have spoken to acquaintances, but so far have
found nothing to explain why they vanished or indicate they ran afoul of criminals.

Neighbors didn't recall any major marital disputes.

The Sheriff's Department also is working with authorities in Mexico and has contacted Interpol to ask for help. They also were checking border-crossing surveillance tapes.

San Diego County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case.

If you have information on any crime listed below, call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
February 24, 2010 - McStay Family of Four Vanishes Near Mexican Border

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by lisa750 March 31, 2010 11:18 AM EDT: Why isn't anyone curious as to why they purchased the home in November 2009 for $330,000 and it's now for sale at $295,900?; Reply to this comment


by Wildwood1966 March 26, 2010 9:20 AM EDT: a whole family? How sad - I live no where near Mexico - have never been there but always thought of going to Cablo San Lucas - have no desire anymore thoughts and prayres for the McStays; Reply to this comment


by Num1lkrfan March 8, 2010 2:43 PM EST: Earlier stories said he would go to Mexico to pick up "materials" for his landscaping company...sounds kind of fishy to me...maybe he was transporting drugs back and forth...either way it doesnt matter if he is Mexican or not...he was going back and forth to Mexico and his car was found by the border...probably not a coincidence.; Reply to this comment


by jnt7 March 4, 2010 8:19 PM EST: Why when it comes to bad things are mexicans involved, check it out the chelsea king's case, just to mention one; but they are a lot more and no mexican involved.; Reply to this comment


by LoCoDe March 3, 2010 10:29 PM EST: "Joseph McStay's brother, Michael, says he went to the home on Feb. 4 to check on the family, but only found the dogs. He called authorities the next day, but investigators found no signs of a struggle. "

That information is very incorrect. Michael first went to the house on the 13th, noticed nothing wrong, and went back on the 15th when he then contacted law enforcement.

"Not a lot of info of how long they have lived in the US or if they were suppose to be here in the first place. It could be that they just don't want to live in the US anymore and moved back home. It does sound very strange that they would just get up and walk away!"

They're Americans. Born and raised.; Reply to this comment

by jt92202 March 3, 2010 5:13 PM EST

could be the drug cartels or it could be that they still owed money to someone that brought them up from Mexico. Not a lot of info of how long they have lived in the US or if they were suppose to be here in the first place. It could be that they just don't want to live in the US anymore and moved back home. It does sound very strange that they would just get up and walk away!

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