Silver Alert CA - Stephanie Menard, 73, Daniel Menard, 79, & Cuddles, white Shih Tzu, unlocked car found, Redlands, 24 Aug 2024 *arrest*

[TravelingBug]

(from the bullet point list above)
I'm wondering what the tipster could possibly have told them to convince them to just run in and thoroughly demolish his home - with him in it! (or so they thought)

The impression I got from one of the long pressers was that LE knew or suspected Sparks already.

It sounded to me like the tip was just that he was there on site at that point and that's how they were able to move in so quickly on him.

The one thing that he was very clear about was that LE was already there doing follow up when they got the tip.

 

[truthfinder2019]

REDLANDS, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities have concluded their search for a missing Redlands couple at their neighbor's home after recovering human remains from the property.

Police had returned to the home on Monday but by the afternoon reported that all personnel have cleared the search scene. The site is now fenced off for public safety and code enforcement is expected to red-tag the property Tuesday.

Search for missing Redlands couple concluded after more remains discovered

Redlands police have cleared the scene at a demolished Redlands home after recovering human remains likely linked to the disappearance of Stephanie and Daniel Menard.

abc7.com

The suspect is expected to make his first court appearance today, I suppose there will be news later on…

 

[truthfinder2019]

I don’t think I can stay here’: Neighbor of alleged killer in Southern California nudist resort​

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/i-dont-think-i-can-stay-here-neighbor-of-alleged-killer-in-southern-california-nudist-resort/

A neighbor of 62-year-old Michael Sparks, the man accused of killing an elderly couple and hiding their remains in a bunker beneath his Redlands home, told KTLA the trauma of the whole ordeal has left her shaken and unsure if she can remain in her own home.

A fenced in pile of rubble is now all that’s left of Sparks’ house, which sits directly next door to where the Menards, his presumed victims, lived.

“I look out my window or open my door, I can see it and it’s still traumatizing,” Tammie Wilkerson, who lives on the other side of Sparks and was a friend of the Menards, said. “I could see inside his house and to know that they had to have been there somewhere and not found was even worse.”

Investigators with the Redlands Police Department conducted an extensive search of the 62-year-old’s property over four days, finding additional human remains on Sunday.

Carl Baker, Redlands PD Spokesperson, told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson they do not believe the additional remains are a new victim.

“As far as we know, the remains that we’ve recovered are those of Dan and Stephanie and there are no others,” he said.

The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office is working to positively identify the remains recovered on Sparks’ property.

As for Wilkerson, who has been staying in a hotel for much of the investigation, the harrowing experience has taken a heavy emotional toll.

“I still get nauseous. My hands shake, my heart races,” she explained. “I don’t think I can stay here.”

 

[truthfinder2019]

 

[Soulmagent]

The impression I got from one of the long pressers was that LE knew or suspected Sparks already.

It sounded to me like the tip was just that he was there on site at that point and that's how they were able to move in so quickly on him.

The one thing that he was very clear about was that LE was already there doing follow up when they got the tip.

It was wild to watch.
I thought at any minute ,it was about to be Waco.
Wild.

 

[Kemug]

One lady at least thinks she can't stay there, and I don't blame her. But how easy would it be for her to leave? Whether she would be selling, or giving up a lease it will be tricky. It will be difficult to find a buyer, and giving up a lease may involve a hefty penalty.

 

[Soulmagent]

One lady at least thinks she can't stay there, and I don't blame her. But how easy would it be for her to leave? Whether she would be selling, or giving up a lease it will be tricky. It will be difficult to find a buyer, and giving up a lease may involve a hefty penalty.

I cant even image the damage the the home values have suffered ! They had to use a 9 million dollar machine!
I jest but it was an expensive machine! I forget the exact monitory value ,but it was way more than I got vested in equality ,even with my risky return.

 

[SophieRose]

One lady at least thinks she can't stay there, and I don't blame her. But how easy would it be for her to leave? Whether she would be selling, or giving up a lease it will be tricky. It will be difficult to find a buyer, and giving up a lease may involve a hefty penalty.

If you look at the residence next to MS it's an RV. I think the problem in leaving the ranch is that the rents are relatively cheap for Southern California.

Redlands nudist resort reeling from resident’s arrest on suspicion of killing 2 neighbors

“Ever since I’ve been here, everyone has been so nice and welcoming, so I never expected anything like this to happen,” one resident says.

www.whittierdailynews.com

The resort sits atop a hill at the end of a long and winding rural dirt road, inside a gate. Sixty of the 70 spaces are designated for RVs, and the other 10 are for mobile homes, according to documents filed in Superior Court in San Bernardino County. There are about 150 residents, the documents say.

 

[Inthedetails]

If you look at the residence next to MS it's an RV. I think the problem in leaving the ranch is that the rents are relatively cheap for Southern California.

Redlands nudist resort reeling from resident’s arrest on suspicion of killing 2 neighbors

“Ever since I’ve been here, everyone has been so nice and welcoming, so I never expected anything like this to happen,” one resident says.

www.whittierdailynews.com

The resort sits atop a hill at the end of a long and winding rural dirt road, inside a gate. Sixty of the 70 spaces are designated for RVs, and the other 10 are for mobile homes, according to documents filed in Superior Court in San Bernardino County. There are about 150 residents, the documents say.

Exactly. The residents don't own the land, but lease it. Some own their homes (like RVs, mobile homes), but it also seems they have some rental cottages too. All of it is very affordable, which makes it hard to leave because they simply cannot afford other locations to live.

The crime didn't lower their property values as they don't own the property, but, rather, the crime made it an comfortable place to live but difficult to financially leave.

jmo

 

[Leilei]

But still no Cuddles? Maybe he was so terrified that he ran away, and is still out there somewhere.

There are coyotes all over that area, too. Poor pup

 

[nhmemorymaker]

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VC5W-11G

Name	Michael Royce Sparks
	Parents Margaret Louise Mathewson, Ronald Royce Sparks
Event Type	Birth
Event Date	05 Aug 1962
Event Place	Olmsted, Minnesota, United States
File Number	1962-MN-021782

"Minnesota Birth Index, 1935-2002," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VC5W-11G : 6 May 2014), Michael Royce Sparks, 05 Aug 1962; from "Minnesota Birth Index, 1935-2002," database, Ancestry(Ancestry® | Family Tree, Genealogy & Family History Records : 2004); citing Olmsted, Minnesota, United States, Minnesota Department of Health, Minneapolis.

Edit to add his mother’s and father’s obituaries that shed some light into the places where they stayed

https://www.kramerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Margaret-Peggy-Louise-Sparks?obId=28584257

Ronald "Ron" R. Sparks Obituary 2024 - Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center

View Ronald "Ron" R. Sparks's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

www.sinnfuneralhome.com

What a thorough obit. What a great guy

 

[PommyMommy]

SEP 3, 2023

Remains of elderly couple missing from nudist resort believed to be found in neighbor’s basement

The Redlands Police Department paid for neighbors to stay at a nearby hotel while they searched for the remains and evidence in the deaths of Stephanie Menard, 73, and her husband Daniel, 79.

www.kktv.com

Wilkerson said the dispute started over a tree that the suspect in this case, 62-year-old Michael Royce Sparks wouldn’t trim, so the Menards did.

Wilkerson said it started a feud that lasted more than a decade.

 

[Inthedetails]

SEP 3, 2023

Remains of elderly couple missing from nudist resort believed to be found in neighbor’s basement

The Redlands Police Department paid for neighbors to stay at a nearby hotel while they searched for the remains and evidence in the deaths of Stephanie Menard, 73, and her husband Daniel, 79.

www.kktv.com

Wilkerson said the dispute started over a tree that the suspect in this case, 62-year-old Michael Royce Sparks wouldn’t trim, so the Menards did.

Wilkerson said it started a feud that lasted more than a decade.

I'm not quite ready to think the tree incident is what the murders were about. Could be!

But my hunch is there was something more recent or more ongoing - or a different motivation completely irrational - than tree trimming 10 years ago. (And I do understand holding a grudge about tree branches for 10 years is also irrational.)

jmo

 

[PommyMommy]

SEP 3, 2024

Man accused of killing missing Inland Empire couple due in court​

• The coroner is expected to complete an autopsy and identify the remains later on this week.
• Sparks is set to appear in court at 8:30 this morning.

 

[Molly's Mom]

SEP 3, 2024

Man accused of killing missing Inland Empire couple due in court​

• The coroner is expected to complete an autopsy and identify the remains later on this week.
• Sparks is set to appear in court at 8:30 this morning.

Have we heard if the suspect is cooperating/talking? I know he wasn't when I last read the thread. I had to take a break. This is a horrible case.

 

[PommyMommy]

Have we heard if the suspect is cooperating/talking? I know he wasn't when I last read the thread. I had to take a break. This is a horrible case.

As of Friday, he was not cooperating. I don't think there's been any update on that AFAIK. MOO

 

[Really?]

Tree trimming can make a 20 degree or more difference in temperature in arid climates. Moo. May have been an annual event.

 

[Boots38]

One lady at least thinks she can't stay there, and I don't blame her. But how easy would it be for her to leave? Whether she would be selling, or giving up a lease it will be tricky. It will be difficult to find a buyer, and giving up a lease may involve a hefty penalty.

I'm sure anyone that wants to leave is free to do so.

 

[Boots38]

I'm not quite ready to think the tree incident is what the murders were about. Could be!

But my hunch is there was something more recent or more ongoing - or a different motivation completely irrational - than tree trimming 10 years ago. (And I do understand holding a grudge about tree branches for 10 years is also irrational.)

jmo

There is no good reason for murder, no rational reason for murder. So the tree issue was enough for this person to murder his neighbors. MOO

 

[Inthedetails]

There is no good reason for murder, no rational reason for murder. So the tree issue was enough for this person to murder his neighbors. MOO

Yes, I know there is no good reason for murder. I'm not justifying or looking for excuses, but motivation in crimes is something that interests me and I'm likely to discuss on WS, always with the hope that others assume I know there is no good reason for murder.

jmo