Man suspected of killing couple at Redlands nudist ranch 'hated them,' neighbors say

REDLANDS, California. – Police have arrested a man suspected of killing his neighbors at a Redlands nudist camp after human remains were found under his home. While the medical examiner has not yet confirmed the remains are those of the missing couple, neighbors say the suspect repeatedly said he “hates them.”

Stephanie and Daniel Menard and their dog Cuddles were reported missing on Sunday, August 25. They were last seen leaving their home at the Olive Dell Nudist Ranch in Redlands.

Police arrested 62-year-old Michael Royce Sparks, a neighbor of the Menards, after a large-scale search of his home on the ranch on Thursday. Officials said Sparks was arrested in a bunker beneath his house.

In the same bunker, authorities said on Friday, they made a shocking discovery.

“We found human remains,” said Carl Baker, a PIO for the city of Redlands. “We believe Dan and Stephanie are dead.”

The coroner is still working to confirm whether the remains belong to the Menards.

Another neighbor, Irene Engkraf, was the one who reported the couple missing. She told FOX 11 that she saw the couple's vehicle parked on a street near the neighborhood on Sunday. Then she became concerned when they weren't at church. Then, Engkraf said, she went to their house to check on them.

“We went in and there was Stephanie's purse, and her phones were still there and everything,” Engkraf said. “That's when we knew this wasn't normal.”

Neighbors described Sparks as a quiet guy who kept to himself most of the time.

“Mike was very calm and relaxed. It's hard to believe he was involved in something like this,” said Chuck Harrison.

A neighbor recalled a feud between the Menards and Sparks over a tree between their properties.

“[Sparks] didn't like the Menards,” said Tammie Wilkerson, another neighbor. “He often said he hated them, but I never thought he would do something like this.”

Redlands police said Sparks attempted to shoot himself with a rifle shortly before his arrest, but the shot missed.

Now the Olive Dell community is mourning the loss of neighbors they once called friends.

“God, He has our strength,” said Engkraf.[The Menards] stand on holy ground and are now surrounded by angels everywhere.”

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