A man accused of murdering his neighbors at a California nudist resort has been charged, prosecutors announced.
Michael Royce Sparks, 62, is facing two counts of murder in connection with the slayings of Daniel and Stephanie Menard, who were 79 and 73, KABC reported. The elderly couple lived at Olive Dell Ranch, described on its website as the state’s “premier family-friendly nudist resort.” The residential RV park is in Redlands, about an hour’s drive east of Los Angeles. They were last seen alive at their home there nearly two weeks ago on August 24.
A friend, identified as Irene Engkraf, grew concerned when the Menards did not show up for Sunday church service as usual. Her worry only increased when she saw their car sitting “abandoned” down the road from their home, she told reporters. Engkraf ultimately decided to use a spare key to gain access to the couple’s residence, and called 911 when she saw Stephanie’s purse and both of the Menards’ phones still there and the couple nowhere in sight.
The nudist resort was put on lockdown Thursday after Sparks’ family told police he had confessed to being involved in the couple’s disappearance, CNN reported. Officers found Sparks underneath his mobile home and armed with a rifle, which misfired in a suicide attempt, said Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber. After several failed attempts to communicate with the suspect, law enforcement used an armored SWAT vehicle to rip through the residence and Sparks was taken into custody.
Redlands Police Department spokesman Carl Baker described Sparks’ hiding spot as a 5-foot deep concrete space under the home. Cadaver dogs and firefighters searching the same bunker area uncovered human remains the following day, and spent the rest of the weekend scouring the site, police said.
The remains have not yet been identified by the local coroner, but authorities say it is likely they belong to the Menards. The couple’s dog, Cuddles, meanwhile, remains missing.
Sparks, who is due to be arraigned on Wednesday, is also facing a special circumstance allegation of multiple murder, which makes him eligible for a sentence of life without parole.