Human remains were discovered beneath the residence of a neighboring individual who is believed to be responsible for the tragic demise of a couple at a nudist ranch in the Inland Empire.
Authorities in Redlands have discovered human remains within the residence of Michael Royce Sparks, who has been apprehended in connection with the homicide of a couple residing on a nudist ranch in the IE.
The couple was last seen at a nudist ranch over the weekend. The remains were discovered beneath the home of the couple’s neighbor in the Redlands-area. Authorities now suspect that the neighbor in question may be responsible for the tragic murder of the couple.
On Thursday night, the Redlands Police Department apprehended a 62-year-old man named Michael Royce Sparks. Officials made an announcement on Friday afternoon regarding the discovery of human remains found in a “bunker” beneath Sparks’ residence. However, they did not confirm the identity of the remains as Stephanie and Daniel Menard.
Sparks’ arrest followed a significant police presence at his residence on the nudist ranch last Thursday, where SWAT teams were observed dismantling the front of the house. Officers discovered Sparks hiding beneath the house, in what was described as an underground shelter, according to Redlands Public Information Officer Carl Baker.
Stephanie and Dan Menard are presumed deceased, as authorities have discovered human remains beneath their neighbor’s residence. Authorities have apprehended Michael Sparks, the neighbor, in connection with the tragic incident.
“We made several attempts to reach the suspect,” Baker said, mentioning that officers even attempted to use a drone to search for Sparks through a broken window. “Ensuring the safety of our officers was our top priority, as we had received information that the suspect may be armed and barricaded.” That’s the reason the front of the house was taken down. The suspect was barricaded and armed, in fact.
During a press conference on Friday, Baker revealed that investigators had discovered several bags of evidence, including human remains, in the bunker beneath Sparks’ residence. Authorities are still in the process of identifying the remains.
According to officials, the incident began on Thursday morning when officers arrived at the nudist resort to proceed with their investigation. During their investigation, Baker received information from a reliable source indicating that an individual connected to the couple’s disappearance was present at the property.
“We immediately secured the property and initiated an investigation to locate and reach out to him,” Baker explained.
Arrest made in the mysterious disappearance of a couple from a nudist ranch in California.
As part of the investigation, certain residents in the vicinity of the suspect’s and victims’ residences were temporarily asked to evacuate. They have managed to come back.
Baker mentioned that Sparks’ residence suffered considerable damage during the search. The area was secured overnight to ensure the safety of the personnel before entering.
Authorities have announced that a suspect has been apprehended in the investigation of a disappearance involving a couple from the Inland Empire. The couple went missing after departing from their residence located on a nudist ranch.
On Sunday, Aug. 25, Stephanie and Daniel Menard, a couple in their 70s, were reported missing by their concerned neighbor, Irene Ingkref.
Investigators were informed that Ingkref was last seen at their residence on Keissel Road on Saturday morning.
According to FOX 11, the couple had been residing at the property for a long time. They were reported missing after failing to attend church.
Authorities discovered that the couple’s vehicle had been left unlocked, with the keys still inside, a short distance away from their residence on the day they were reported as missing. The purse of Mrs. Menard was discovered inside the residence, along with the cell phones of both her and Mr. Menard.
According to Redlands PD, Daniel Menard has been diagnosed with dementia and is also diabetic.
Ingkref portrayed Sparks as an introverted individual who preferred solitude.
The investigation is still ongoing and the police have yet to disclose a motive in the case.
