IE nudist ranch murders: Charges announced against Redlands man accused in couple’s killing

REDLANDS, Calif. - The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office Tuesday announced charges against Michael Royce Sparks, the 62-year-old man accused of killing his neighbors after they vanished from their home at the Olive Dell Nudist Ranch in Redlands in late August. 

Sparks’ arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday and the DA’s office said he faces two felony counts of murder, along with two counts of allegations of special circumstances of more than one murder in the first or second degree.

"We know they’re dead and we know there’s two victims and so the special allegation that we filed is multiple victims in a murder case," DA Jason Anderson explained. "You don't get a free murder. We believe in this case we can go forward and prove that Mr. Sparks is responsible for both." 

The announcement comes after officials said they found human remains they believe were of Stephanie and Daniel Menard, who were reported missing on Sunday, Aug. 25. The coroner's office is working to determine whether the remains discovered were those of the missing Redlands couple.

The couple's dog, named Cuddles, is also missing and the pet's whereabouts remain unknown.

Neighbors told FOX 11 that on multiple occasions, Sparks said he "hated" the couple. 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Human remains found under home of neighbor suspected of murdering IE couple at nudist ranch
• Elderly Inland Empire couple, dog seemingly vanish after leaving nudist ranch
• Man suspected of killing couple at Redlands nudist ranch 'hated them,' neighbors say

Another neighbor, Irene Ingkref, told investigators the couple was last seen at their home in the 26000 block of Keissel Road, located off Reche Canyon Rd., on Saturday, Aug. 24, 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. 

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.

Redlands Chief of Police Rachel Tolber explained during Tuesday's press conference that the case began when the Menards were reported missing and that officers followed up with an extensive search around the hills and canyons surrounding the area. 

On Thursday, Aug. 29, the investigation took a turn when an individual, identified as a family member, informed them that Sparks confessed to being involved in the couple’s disappearance and also killing the couple. The family member also reported Sparks was threatening suicide, Tolber explained. 

Authorities immediately began to lock down the property in their search for Sparks, which was narrowed down to his home located next to the Menards’.

Following multiple unsuccessful attempts to contact Sparks, Redlands PD then obtained a search warrant and the use of a drone to enter Sparks’ property. Additional resources were then used from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in which Sparks’ home suffered significant damage with SWAT teams seen tearing down the front of the home.

Eventually, search teams located Sparks in a subterranean basement of his home and he was armed with a rifle. Sparks attempted to harm himself. However, the weapon misfired and eventually, he was taken into custody that evening. 

Law enforcement continued their investigation in the days following Sparks’ arrest and ultimately located the remains of two people as well as other evidence. 

If you're in distress due to recent incidents of violence, please know that there is help is available. Talk to experienced counselors at the Disaster Distress Helpline for 24/7 emotional support. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. Click here for additional resources.