Neighbor arrested after California couple disappears from nudist ranch
Daniel and Stephanie Menard. Photo: Redlands police
REDLANDS, Calif. - Police on Friday announced the arrest of a man in connection with the disappearance of an elderly couple from their home, which doubles as a nudist ranch, in California.
The Redlands Police Department posted that they booked Michael Royce Sparks, 62, on suspicion of murder at the West Valley Detention Center.
They said he was connected to the Aug. 24 disappearance of Daniel and Stephanie Menard, and their dog, Cuddles, from the Olive Dell Ranch. The ranch touts itself as a family-friendly nudist resort in San Bernardino County.
Fox 11 reported that Sparks is the Menard's neighbor.
Authorities added Sparks surrendered voluntarily after he was found hiding under a home. Police told Fox 11 they are "confident" that their bodies are somewhere on his property, though it appears at this point that they haven't been found.
Police used a tank-like Tac Cat from Riverside County to smash into Spark's home to look for the couple, but officials said they couldn't immediately go inside because they had to shore up the home to make it safe.
Online jail records showed he was ineligible for bail and was scheduled for a Tuesday court appearance.
Their dog also hasn't been found.
Cadaver dogs were dispatched to find them, officials said.
MIchael Royce Sparks. Photo: Redlands police
Speaking at a news conference Friday, Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said police went to the couple's ranch on Thursday, and while they were there, learned that someone involved in their 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.
Following several attempts to contact Sparks, they brought in equipment from the Riverside Sheriff’s Office, including remote video to search the area.
Baker said Sparks' home sustained "significant damage" during the search and that the scene was secured overnight.
The couple's disappearance made police believe that there was indeed some foul play at hand.
A friend reported the couple missing Sunday and said they were last seen at their home Saturday morning. Their pet dog, a shih tzu named Cuddles, was also missing.
The couple’s unlocked car was found later Sunday, not far from their residence, and both their phones, along with Stephanie Menard’s purse, were still inside their home. Daniel Menard was described as a diabetic with dementia.
Loved ones said they are active in their church and community.
Friends of the couple say they were involved in some type of lawsuit against the nudist ranch, where they lived for decades. They had also recently complained that they were being harassed by someone about that lawsuit.
Fox 11 contributed to this report.