Investigators Step Up Search For Missing Southern California Family

KESQ.com News Services

SAN DIEGO -Sheriff’s deputies today put out a flier showing a Fallbrook couple and their 3- and 4-year-old sons who apparently abandoned their home and left a vehicle in San Ysidro.

The flier, describing the family as “endangered missing,” is being distributed by sheriff’s deputies and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Joseph McStay, 40, his Colombian wife Summer McStay, 40, and their sons, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, have not been seen since a family member asked deputies to do a welfare check at their Avocado Vista Lane home on Feb. 4, according to deputies.

The family’s white 1996 Isuzu Trooper was found four days later, abandoned in San Ysidro.

Sheriff’s Lt. Dennis Brugos called the disappearance “out of character.”

Two dogs were left at the house, he said. No signs of a struggle were found at the home, Brugos said.

Joseph Jr. has a noticeable birthmark on his forehead, according to the flier, which was made public by the sheriff’s deputies.

McStay has tattoos on both shoulders, according to the flier.

“We’re still recovering phone records and financial records, both personal and business,” he said. “We’re reviewing border-crossing tapes and following leads from the public and family,” Brugos said.

Brugos, who has 30 years in law enforcement, said the case was unusual.

“Generally we find out the family went to Palm Springs for the weekend, or tragically was involved in murder-suicide,” Brugos said. “I don’t remember a case where a family of four has disappeared.”

Relatives of the missing family have created a Web site — www.McStayFamily.com — to keep their story before the public.

San Diego County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case.

Anyone with more information on the McStays’ whereabouts was asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at (858) 974-2321.