Human remains found under home of neighbor suspected of murdering IE couple at nudist ranch
REDLANDS, Calif. - Hours after announcing the arrest of a neighbor following Stephanie and Daniel Menard's disappearance, who were last seen leaving their home at Olive Dell Nudist Ranch in Redlands on Aug. 24, authorities said they discovered human remains underneath the suspect's home.
Officials with the Redlands Police Department confirmed they arrested 62-year-old Michael Royce Sparks Thursday night. Friday afternoon, officials announced they'd discovered human remains in a "bunker" underneath Sparks' home, but were unable to confirm if the remains were those of the missing couple, Stephanie and Daniel Menard.
Sparks' arrest came after a massive police presence at his home on the nudist ranch Thursday, with SWAT teams seen tearing down the front of the home. According to Redlands Public Information Officer Carl Baker, officers found Sparks underneath the home, in what he described as a bunker.
"We did attempt to contact the suspect for a great deal of time," Baker said, adding that officers even tried to send in a drone through a broken window to try and find Sparks. "We had reason to believe that the suspect was barricaded and armed, and we wanted to protect the safety of our officers. That's why the front of the house was removed. In fact, the suspect was barricaded, and he was armed."
In a press conference Friday afternoon, Baker said that investigators had removed multiple bags of evidence from that same bunker underneath Sparks' home which included the human remains. Coroners are still working to identify the remains.
Michael Royce Sparks was arrested and booked for murder following his neighbors' disappearance. (Redlands PD)
Officials said this all started Thursday morning when officers were at the nudist resort to continue their investigation. While at the scene, Baker said they received information from a source that a person who was involved in the couple’s disappearance was at the property.
"At that point, we locked down the property, and we began the investigation and the attempt to locate and contact him," Baker explained.
After several attempts to contact Sparks, they brought in equipment from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, including remote video to search the area.
Baker said Sparks surrendered voluntarily after negotiations around 9:30 p.m.
During the search, some residents in the immediate area of the suspect’s and victims’ homes were temporarily evacuated. They have since been able to return.
Baker said Sparks' home sustained "significant damage" during the search and that the scene was secured overnight to make sure it was safe for personnel to enter.
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- Missing California couple last seen at home that doubles as nudist resort
- Beloved elderly Inland Empire couple, dog seemingly vanish after leaving nudist ranch
Inland Empire Couple Vanishes
Stephanie and Daniel Menard, both in their 70s, were reported missing by their neighbor, Irene Ingkref, on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Ingkref told investigators they were last seen at their home in the 26000 block of Keissel Road, located off Reche Canyon Rd., on Saturday around 10 a.m.
She told FOX 11 the couple had lived at the property for decades and reported them missing when they didn't show up for church.
Their Shih Tzu named Cuddles, was also missing. Cuddles' whereabouts remain unknown.
Investigators said the couple's vehicle was found unlocked, with the keys inside, down the road from their home the same day they were reported missing. Mrs. Menard’s purse was found inside the home along with her and Mr. Menard’s cell phones.
Daniel Menard suffered from dementia and is diabetic, Redlands PD added.
Loved ones said they are active in their community and were members of New Life Baptist Church in Moreno Valley.
Friends of the couple said they were involved in some type of lawsuit against the nudist ranch. They had also recently complained that they were being harassed by someone about that lawsuit.
Ingkref described Sparks as a quiet person who mostly kept to himself.
The investigation is ongoing and so far, police have not released a motive in the case.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story said Sparks had been charged with murder. He is expected to be booked sometime next week.
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