Michael Royce Sparks is arrested in connection with the suspected deaths of Stephanie, 73, and Daniel Menard, 79.
Michael Royce Sparks, a 62-year-old neighbor, was arrested on Thursday night in connection with the disappearance and suspected deaths of elderly couple Stephanie, 73, and Daniel Menard, 79, from their home at a nudist ranch in Redlands, California. The couple had been last seen on Saturday morning at their residence in Olive Dell Ranch, a nudist RV park, and were reported missing by a friend on Sunday.
Police discovered the couple’s unlocked vehicle several blocks away from their home, and found Stephanie’s purse and both their cellphones inside their house. Additionally, their dog, a white Shih Tzu named Cuddles, was also missing. Authorities noted that Daniel Menard suffered from dementia and diabetes, which raised concerns about his safety.
Sparks, the couple’s neighbor, was arrested on suspicion of murder and booked into the West Valley Detention Center on Thursday evening. The arrest followed an ongoing investigation into the couple’s disappearance, which has shocked the local community.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a clear motive for the crime, but the investigation is still in its early stages. The couple’s family and friends remain hopeful that more details will be uncovered soon, leading to answers about their whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.
As Sparks awaits further legal proceedings, investigators continue to piece together the case. They are urging anyone with information to come forward as they search for the Menards. The case has raised many questions, and law enforcement remains focused on uncovering the truth behind this unsettling crime.