Down to the Bone: A Missing Familys Murder and the Elusive Quest for Justice

For investigative journalist and bestselling author Caitlin Rother, publication of Down to the Bone was a personal victory achieved following extraordinary effort on her part to tell the story of the brutal and mystifying murders of a young family. Specifically, she spent twelve years researching and writing the book and publication was delayed three times before it finally made its way into bookstores and the hands of eager readers.Rother began following the case from the very beginning when she saw news reports about the disappearance of the McStay family. She notes that every day in the United States an average of 600,000 people – usually a single child or adult – go missing. However, it is extremely “rare for a family of four, especially with two young children” to simply vanish. But that’s what happened sometime prior to February 15, 2010, in San Diego County.Eleven days of no contact elapsed before Michael McStay alerted the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department that his brother, Joseph, and Joseph’s wife, Summer, as well as their two sons, aged three and four, were unaccounted for. The deputy who responded to the McStay’s home testified, “It appeared that whoever was there, in my mind, had just got up and left.” Although the front door was locked, the family’s truck was parked in the driveway with a newspaper dated February 5, 2010, lodged under one of the tires. In the kitchen, food, dirty dishes, and Summer’s prescription glasses were left on the counters, and mold was floating in the coffee pot. It appeared that someone had been interrupted while painting the kitchen without an opportunity to clean up because doors and drawers were laid out on newspaper on the floor, and a roller was caked with dried paint and stuck to the tray into which paint had been poured. The family’s two dogs were abandoned in the backyard of the residence with no food or water. Because the McStays were in the process of remodeling the house, it was impossible to discern whether other areas were equally unkempt because of the ongoing renovation or if the family routinely maintained the home in that manner.Investigators found no blood or any signs of a struggle in or around the home. They discovered no evidence pointing to why the McStays seemingly left their residence abruptly and unexpectedly. There were no clues left behind as to their whereabouts, whether someone else was involved in their disappearance and, if so, the identity of that person or persons.From its inception, the case was mishandled by law enforcement. Since the San Diego Sheriff’s Department had no missing persons team, the responding deputy referred the matter to homicide detectives who also immediately recognized that something was very wrong. They began conducting interviews, asking detailed questions about the McStays and their relationships with family members and business associates, and delving into the McStays’ finances. They also issued a news release concerning the McStays’ disappearance.But they failed to secure the McStay residence as a possible crime scene. McStay’s mother, Susan, proceeded to the home, gained access, and commenced cleaning the kitchen, potentially destroying evidence in the process. Four days later, investigators, who were in the process of obtaining a search warrant, returned to the scene to find it permanently and irretrievably altered. Susan insisted she had been given permission to clean up, a claim detectives denied. But at that juncture the detectives were viewing the matter as a missing persons case, not an active homicide investigation, so they didn’t feel they “could tell the McStays what to do or not to do, especially when they didn’t believe Joseph’s family had been murdered.”Joseph owned and operated a waterfall manufacturing business which lacked formal structure. Apparently, sans any written agreements outlining each party’s duties and responsibilities, Joseph had two business associates. Charles “Chase” Merritt worked on installation of the projects Joseph designed, while Dan Kavanaugh created and maintained the company website. Joseph was increasingly pursuing custom projects with Merritt which they considered separate and apart from the main business, maintaining separate financial records documenting their efforts. Joseph had become embroiled in a dispute with Kavanaugh, known as “Hacker Dan” and “Dan the Hacker,” that resulted in Kavanaugh threatening in January 2009 to disable the business website and destroy the business. Joseph felt he had no choice but to capitulate to Kavanaugh’s demands that Joseph buy him out of what he asserted was his share of the business. Kavanaugh made those threats in writing via instant messages. But mentioned none of those details when he contacted the authorities on February 10, 2010, concerning his inability to reach Joseph or posted on Facebook a day earlier that Joseph was “AWOL.” Investigators failed to deem that information relevant. As far as Michael knew, Kavanaugh...

Bob GilbergFinished it last night. Great job telling the story of this sordid mess; no one comes off covered with glory. I'd love to hear the author's feelings in digging through it all; seems like you'd want to wear gloves and a mask...

Cast of many in a complex case. Author offered little cohesion.

Another great book from Caitlin! Once I start reading her true crime books, I am not able to put them down. She writes as though you are involved in the story. She tells true stories written like a thriller. I highly recommend you read all of her books as you will not be disappointed. This is an amazing case that shocked me…

Joseph and Summer McStay and their two young sons disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, in February 2010. Video footage of a family resembling the McStays crossing the border led sheriff’s deputies to initially conclude they had left voluntarily and gone to live in Mexico.I admit, I have been reading true crime for decades. When I worked in public libraries in the 1980s and 90s, my favorite section was always 364.1523…and although at times these days it seems the public obsession with true crime has made it somewhat challenging to find stories that grab the reader, are well-written, and tell a good story, there are some authors that true crime fans view as reliable and whose books are gobbled up as soon as they come out. Caitlin Rother is one of my favorites (if you know the story of Rebecca Zahau who was murdered and found hanging from the balcony of a mansion on Coronado Island, CA, you HAVE to read Ms Rother’s book on the subject!) So I was happy to dive in to Down To The Bone (thanks to Kensington Publishing/Citadel and NetGalley) which tells the true story of the McStay family.In 2010, the McStays (parents and two sons) vanished from their home in Fallbrook (northern San Diego County in CA). Fallbrook isn’t all that far from the border, so when a video turned up that showed a family that supposedly looked a lot like the McStays crossing into Mexico, the sheriffs’ deputies who were investigating the disappearance concluded the family had left voluntarily (never mind the eggs and fruit they left rotting on their kitchen counter).Fast forward a few years, and the remains of the McStays were found in the desert by a motorcyclist, along with the sledgehammer that was used to kill them. In 2019, Joseph McStay’s business partner, Charles “Chase” Merritt, was convicted of the crime, and after a long trial, he is apparently still on Death Row at San Quentin Prison.There is so much in this story to pack into a book! The family disappeared from San Diego County, and the remains were found in the desert in San Bernardino County, so there were two law enforcement agencies involved, along with two crime scenes to investigate, a LONG and sometimes bizarre trial, and a ton of theories shared by journalists, witnesses, suspects, and true crime buffs. Ms Rother does a great job of capturing all these disparate pieces of this puzzle and making the story entertaining and readable along the way. Four stars, highly recommended for true crime fans in particular.

I thought I knew a lot about the McStay disappearance and murders. Boy, was I wrong. Rother shows so much evidence, cross references, and technical findings that was not available to casual observers. By the time I finished the book, I had very strong doubts about the eventual outcome of a very long trial.

WARNING: SPOILER AHEAD.Not a happy ending.Talented author Caitlin Rother lands another hit, telling the story of a terrible miscarriage of justice and possible case(s) of misconduct in the justice system. Usually, in true crime stories, a tragedy happens, the authorities do a thorough, professional investigation, the bad guy goes to jail, justice is served, and everyone lives happily ever after. In this story, remains are found, then the victims are described, the investigation is shockingly sub-standard, the - seemingly unjust - arrest is made, the trial takes place, and the guy who is NOT proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt gets found guilty and sentenced to death. It’s a really frustrating one to read.Rother’s extensive research and dedication to covering the case comes through, and that is impressive. The only thing I wasn’t crazy about was how drawn out the part about the trial is - it takes up about 50% of the book, contains a fair amount of detail I felt wasn’t critical to the story, and could’ve benefitted from some consolidation. That said, I appreciated her descriptions of the victims and their family members, along with the convict’s. (I especially liked how, according to what she reported, one of the victims was a real crackpot and an obnoxious, possibly borderline, personality - usually victims are described as complete saints and any faults they have or bad things they do are omitted or glossed over.)It’s hard to read about the justice system, which we often think of as near-infallible, failing. It’s especially surprising when the person that appears to be wrongly charged and convicted is white and when they’re smart and want to represent themself in court. Rother does an excellent job of pulling all these unique, disparate, and often frustrating details together.

I highly recommend reading Down To The Bone. I'm not sure if Chase Merritt is guilty or not. But this author delineated all the inconsistencies in the case against him. She did so in enough detail that everyone, even the San Bernardino DA, should reconsider their conclusions. Even if Chase Merritt did this horrible deed, he must have had help, given the awkwardness of hiding 4 bodies by himself. And yet the DA went no further than just Chase Merritt. Thank you for this book, Ms Rother.

In February 2010, the McStay family--Joseph, Summer, and their two boys--disappeared without a trace from their San Diego home. With no blood and no signs of a struggle, they left behind no clues to their whereabouts.Nearly four years passed before a motorcyclist discovered the family's remains in the Mojave Desert. Authorities focus their investigation on Charles "Chase" Merritt, Joseph's friend and a subcontractor for his business. In June 2019, Merritt was convicted and subsequently sentenced to death. Lack of physical evidence and numerous unanswered questions left some wondering if another person got away with murder.Rother has been one of my favorite authors for the last ten years. Her writing style, in-depth research, and balanced reporting consistently offer a look into some of our country's most riveting cases. Down to the Bone is the heartbreaking story of the McStay family, who disappeared without a trace. Originally considered a missing person's case, the detectives find their hands tied in the process. Upon discovery of their remains nearly four years later, the passing of time, controversial decisions on the part of investigators, and challenges during the judicial process make it appear possible that the wrong man might have been convicted of murdering the McStays.The author spends time in the courtroom. She interviews as many people involved in the case as will agree to take part in her research. She pours over case documents. At the end of Down to the Bone, the reader will come to their own conclusions, which is what I truly appreciate about Rother's work. She provides the facts of a case and leaves the reader to decide.I highly recommend Down to the Bone by Caitlin Rother to those interested in true crime stories and investigative journalism, those curious about the McStay family case, and anyone interested in an engaging account of how the justice system played out for those involved.I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Very good book and I am strongly convinced they got it wrong, and an innocent man is sitting in prison. There is NOTHING that shows Merritt murdered this beautiful family. There is a lot that shows the other "partner' not even a partner because Joseph Mcstay bought him out (how was DK able to sell the business if he was bought out?). Too much shows the other guy did this, heck even his friend said he admitted to murdering the family.

I bought this book after watching the documentary Two Shallow Graves. I was hoping for a comprehensive examination of a very fascinating case but instead found the author very biased. She is downplaying and excusing all the evidence against the man convicted of killing the family to strengthen her theory that it was the other business associate. I began to be frustrated by how many times she glossed over glaring facts to support her theory. There were so many theories, suspects, and red herrings with this case that I was surprised that she focused so heavily on one person, who was not convicted or even charged with anything. I really wish there was just an honest account of the case, but maybe that would not have sold her book.

If you enjoy true crime, this is a book that gives it all. Was justice served? You will have to decide for yourself. What a job of research the author did to give us all and I mean all the facts.At first, we learn about Joseph and Summer, their relationship, and their past relationships.This little family, Dad, Mom, and two little boys ages 3 and 4. Then you realize that this family no longer exists. Murdering not only the adults but two innocent babies, sick!There are two prime candidates that come to the attention of the justice system. We are given a lot of information about each of them, and whom we think did this horrific crime! The McStay family goes missing in 2010, from their San Diego, CA home, and it took four years for the bodies to be found. Four years of hoping for another outcome!The author has spent a lot of time researching this read, and I felt like I was watching the news or reading the paper as the years progressed, more information comes, but for four long years no bodies. Then an arrest!As we go through the trial, and testimony, I had the feeling justice was missing here! You will wonder even when the trial is done if we really know what happened!Thank you Caitlin Rother, for such a thorough job of research!I received this book through the Kensington Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

I would call this book a police procedural, not my type of true crime. I prefer those which involve in depth analysis psychopathic individuals. None of the principles in this book approached that level. Thus, I found the story tedious.

This is the author’s finest work yet I believe. It’s haunting and heartbreaking all at once. I thought that I had followed this case of the missing McStay family fairly well, but this book was an eye-opener that I read in one day. The arrest, trail, and sentencing still leaves too many unanswered questions about who all were involved. They only took the low-hanging fruit Hoping for updates.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This case was always overwhelming for me to follow in the news so I really appreciated how well written this book was. It was easy to follow and had so much detail. While the author stuck to the facts, it still offered insight into the impact these murders and the case has had on so many lives.

In 2010, the McStay family was just settling into a new home in the San Diego area and life seemed to be good for Joseph, Summer and their two boys, ages 3 and 4.Evidence at the house showed they left in a hurry, with food out in the kitchen and the dogs outside in the back yard. Their Isuzu Trooper was found in a parking lot close to the Mexico border, and a picture taken at the border showed a family of four walking into Mexico. But the discovery of their bodies in shallow graves in 2013, the arrest of Charles Merritt in 2014 and the resulting trial in 2019 revealed the horrific story.Caitlin Rother extensively researched the case, reading search warrants, 1,200 trial exhibits, the four-volume court file and interviewing anyone who would talk with her. Her dedication is commendable and in a case where much of the evidence is financial transactions and improprieties, is essential. Much of the book reads like a concise summary of complex details. However, with a family at the heart of the story, I miss the emotional connection with the victims, the simple human element.Where this book works is in the research and Rother's commendable focus on remaining neutral and presenting all sides of the case (especially given that there is someone that many people feel might actually be the murderer). It's not a page turner and could have used more of a cohesive narrative, but overall it's focused, detailed and neutral. 3.5 stars.

Joseph McStay, his wife Summer and two young sons disappeared from their San Diego County home in early February of 2010. There seemed to be no sign of a struggle, but there was eggs and fruit left on the counter and their dogs were left out in the backyard with no food. Four years later, their skeletons were found in the Mojave Desert and law enforcement announced that the family was victims of foul play. But who was the culprit and why was the family targeted?This true crime book, written by Caitlin Rother, investigates the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the McStay family, the suspects in the case and the courtroom drama that follows after an arrest. I give the author credit, this case is meticulously researched. However, there is ALOT of information to be consumed with this case, which sometimes made the story feel overwhelming. There were times I had to step away from it because it was just too much to digest at one time. I think a reader who is detail-oriented would like this book. I would rate it 3.5 stars.*I received an ARC from NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing | Citadel, and Tantor Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this true crime book by Caitlin Rother, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Christina Delaine. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!A Southern California family of four seemed to just disappear without a trace in 2010. Everything at home looked normal with no signs of a crime, but the family was just gone. Almost four years later, a motorcyclist found the McStays' remains in the desert, showing signs of murder. A suspect was found, put on trial, and sentenced to death. But is that the end of the story?This was a very well-researched account of this crime, with questionable actions by the investigators, and a controversial trial. The author did a great job of walking through the suspects, the crime scene and investigation, and trial. It's such a sad story and leaves you questioning the system. Pick this one up if you like a true crime mystery ripped out of the headlines.

In her latest novel, Down To The Bone, investigative journalist / author Caitlin Rother takes the reader behind the scenes of a riveting true crime for an in depth look at a highly publicized and traumatic murder case set in San Diego County, California.On February 15, 2010, The McStay family (husband Joseph, wife Summer, and their sons Gianni and Joseph Jr) were reported missing by their family members. The family was last heard from on February 4th, and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department began an investigation that provided no leads. Four years later on November 11, 2013, a motorcyclist found the remains of the McStay family in two shallow graves located on a trail in the Mojave Desert. What ensues is a murder case with a shoddy investigation by the San Diego Sheriff's Department and the San Bernadino County Sherriff's Department, who focused their attention solely on Joseph's friend and business associate, Charles "Chase" Merritt, and a trial that led to his death row conviction, even though the investigation and trial was fraught with a lack of physical evidence, misconduct, and a lot of unanswered questions, which showed obvious flaws in the criminal justice system.Down To The Bone is a riveting true crime story that easily draws the reader in from the start, keeping them captivated as the author weaves a thoroughly intriguing and intricate recounting of a traumatic murder case and trial that was filled with unanswered questions, leaving an elusive quest for justice.The author provides the reader with a fascinating and richly detailed and in depth look into the back stories and lives of each participant, and extensive research of the investigative and legal aspects of the case.You can't help but get drawn into this complicated, fascinating, and multi-layered story, it is a gripping dark account of the traumatic murders of the McStay family. It is shocking and mind boggling that this murder case was fraught with so many flaws and misconduct within the criminal justice system. The author provides the reader with a thought-provoking tale of the heinous murders of the McStay family, that leaves a lot of questions of whether the quest for justice was really served.I would be remiss if I didn't mention that this was one of the most disturbing true crime stories that I have ever read. It was mind boggling to follow the shoddy investigation and flawed trial. I really don't believe that justice was truly served, unfortunately I don't believe that we will ever find out the truth behind the tragic murders of the McStay family.Down To The Bone is a gripping and chilling account of a traumatic murder case that is a must read for all true crime fans.