Neighbor of California nudist ranch charged with murder in connection with disappearance of couple

A resident of a California nudist resort where two of his neighbors disappeared last month has been charged with murder after he was taken into custody during a dramatic standoff with police and attempted to injure himself with a rifle.

Michael Royce Sparks, 62, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The two men are charged in connection with the deaths of 79-year-old Daniel Menard and 73-year-old Stephanie Menard. The two were last seen on August 25, the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Sparks was arrested Thursday at his home at Olive Dell Ranch in Colton. The same day, the remains of two people were found beneath his property, which is adjacent to the Menards' home. The resort is located in the 26000 block of Keissel Road, off Reche Canyon Road, about 13 miles southeast of downtown San Bernardino.

NEIGHBOR OF CALIFORNIA NUDIST RESORT CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER COUPLE DISAPPEARS

Police say the remains are currently being examined by the local medical examiner and are believed to be those of Dan and Stephanie Menard. Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber said at the press conference there was no reason to believe the bodies belonged to anyone else.

The cause of death has not yet been released. Police said they also took bags of evidence from the crime scene during a search that concluded Monday.

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The couple's dog, named Cuddles, is also missing.

Sparks' arrest was dramatic and followed numerous attempts to contact him.

Redlands police obtained a search warrant to enter Sparks' property using a drone while SWAT teams demolished the facade of his home, causing significant damage and temporarily halting work as the room showed signs of possible collapse, police said.

Eventually, search crews found Sparks armed with a rifle in a basement of his home and he attempted to hurt himself. However, the gun misfired and he was eventually taken into custody that same evening, Tolber said.

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Sparks became a suspect after a family member reportedly told police he confessed to being involved in the couple's disappearance and to killing them, Tolber said. The family member also said Sparks threatened to commit suicide.

Sparks was also charged with two special circumstance counts of multiple first- or second-degree murder.

“We know they're dead, and we know there are two victims. That's why we're making the special allegation that this is a multiple-victim homicide case,” said District Attorney Jason Anderson.

“There's a reason for murder. We believe we can move forward in this case and prove that Mr. Sparks is responsible for both.”

Neighbors told Fox 11 that Sparks repeatedly said he “hates” the couple, who have lived on the property for decades.

A neighbor said hostility arose between Sparks and the couple after parts of their tree grew on Sparks' property.

Sparks' arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday.

Source of the original article: Neighbor of California nudist ranch charged with murder in connection with disappearance of couple