TradeEdge|Man charged with murder in connection to elderly couple missing from nudist ranch: Police

2025-05-06 18:31:54source:James Caldwellcategory:My

A California couple is TradeEdgemaking headlines after vanishing from a nudist ranch last weekend.

Amid their days-long search, police announced the arrest of a 62-year-old man, Michael Royce Sparks, on Friday. He was charged and booked with murder in connection to the disappearance of 79-year-old Daniel Menard − who is diabetic and has dementia −and Stephanie Menard, 73, according to the Redlands Police Department.

The couple was last spotted leaving their residence at Olive Dell Ranch, a family-friendly nudist resort in Colton, a city in San Bernadino County.

A friend reported the couple missing at around 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 24. During their investigation, police learned that their dog, a white Shih Tzu named Cuddles, had also vanished.

The Menards' unlocked car was located down the road from their home, where their cellphones and Stephanie's purse were also found.

"There's no way that Stephanie or Dan could have walked away from that car," the couple's friend, Tammie Wilkerson, told KABC. "She has a cane. It was at home, her purse, their cellphones - things they would never have left at home."

Disappearances:Body found in Hilton Head, South Carolina believed to be Massachusetts man who vanished

Redlands Police announced suspected foul play

Due to being unable to contact Sparks, who was initially considered a person of interest, police breached his home on Thursday evening and conducted "a search using remote video equipment."

Footage taken by KABC shows authorities conducting a search in the neighborhood and an armored vehicle with a ram that ripped through Sparks' home. The suspect is reportedly the couple's neighbor.

According to ABC News, Sparks was located under his home before he surrendered to law enforcement. He is being housed at the West Valley Detention Center, police said.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].

More:My

Recommend

Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested

A motorcyclist was taken to hospital following an accident involving a car and his motorcycle at the

Kate Middleton Shares Royally Sweet Photo of Prince George in Honor of His 11th Birthday

Prince George’s latest celebration is fit for a prince. After all, Prince William and Kate Middleton

No prison for a nursing home owner who sent 800 residents to ride out a hurricane in squalor

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A Louisiana businessman who sent more than 800 elderly residents from his seven n