A resident of a California nudist resort where two neighbors disappeared last month has been charged with murder after he attempted to hurt himself with a rifle and was taken into custody during a dramatic standoff with police.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office announced in a press conference on Tuesday that Michael Royce Sparks, 62, has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Daniel Menard, 79, and Stephanie Menard, 73, who were last seen on Aug. 25.
Sparks was arrested Thursday at his Olive Dell Ranch home in Colton, the same day two bodies were found beneath his property next to the Menards' resort, located in the 26000 block of Kiesel Road off Reche Canyon Road, about 13 miles southeast of downtown San Bernardino.
California nudist resort neighbor charged with murder after couple disappears
Michael Sparks, 62, is charged with the murders of Daniel Menard, 79, and Stephanie Menard, 73. (Redlands Police Department)
Police said the remains are being examined by the local medical examiner's office and are believed to be those of Dan and Stephanie Menard. Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolver said at a news conference that there is no reason to believe the remains belong to anyone else.
The cause of death has not been released.Police say they also recovered a bag of evidence from the scene during a search completed on Monday.
The couple's dog, Cuddles, is also missing.
Sparks' arrest was dramatic and came after multiple attempts to contact him.
Redlands police obtained a search warrant and used a drone to enter Sparks' property while SWAT teams breached the front of Sparks' home, causing extensive damage and forcing a temporary halt to the investigation when the building showed signs of collapse, police said.
Searchers eventually found Sparks hiding a rifle in the basement of his home and attempting to harm himself, but the gun misfired and he was eventually taken into custody that evening, Tolver said.
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The entrance to Olive Dell Ranch in Colton, where the couple disappeared. (Google Maps)
Sparks became a suspect after family members told police he was involved in the couple's disappearance and confessed to killing them, Tolver said. The family also reported Sparks had threatened to kill himself.
Sparks was also charged with two special circumstance charges of multiple murder in the first or second degree.
“We know they are deceased, we know there are two victims, so the special charges that we've filed are for multiple victims in a homicide case,” District Attorney Jason Anderson said.
“Murder doesn't happen easily, and we are confident that in this case we will be able to prove that Mr. Sparks is responsible for both crimes.”
Police say the Menards were last seen on Saturday, August 24th. (Redlands Police Department)
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The neighbors say Fox 11 Sparks reportedly repeatedly said he “hated” the couple, who had lived on the property for decades.
One neighbor said a feud had developed between Sparks and the couple after some of their trees began growing on Sparks' property.
The Redlands Police Department said the Menards' dog, Cuddles, has never been found. (Redlands Police Department)
Sparks' arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday.
