Cause of death revealed in tragic RV park abduction and murder

A coroner’s report decidedly establishes murder in the case of a couple who vanished from their home in a California RV park. Daniel Menard, 79, and his wife, Stephanie Menard, 73, were reported missing on August 25.

Police arrested a suspect in what turned out to be an abduction after they had to use an armored vehicle to destroy the house he was hiding in. The Menards’ RV park abduction and murder case takes on one more layer of detail.

Couple vanishes, not of their own choice

The Menards lived at the Olive Dell Ranch RV Park in Redlands, California, 60 miles east of Los Angeles. The park bills itself as a “family friendly nudist resort.” Friends of the couple became alarmed when the pair wouldn’t answer calls at their home, and they found the car unlocked and abandoned nearby.

A friend entered the Menard’s home and found Stephanie’s purse and cane, which she needed to move about. Both Stephanie’s and Daniel’s cell phones were left behind. A computer and a television were found running.

The case took on even more alarming dimensions when a relative of Michael Sparks reported their conversation with Sparks. Michael Sparks was a neighbor of the Menards in the park. The witness said that Sparks confessed to them that he had killed two people, and that he was going to commit suicide.

The report came to police four days after authorities had been canvassing RV park residents for information, and actively searching for the Menards.

Suspected arrested in RV park abduction and murder

Police immediately converged on Sparks’ home. They tried to talk Michael Sparks, 62, into coming out, to no avail. Eventually, authorities used an armored vehicle to get access by tearing down walls. When police reached him, Sparks’ threats of suicide evaporated. He tried to use a rifle to end his life, but the gun misfired. Sparks was arrested.

Police discovered Sparks had built a concrete bunker under the house. A search eventually found the Menards’ remains in that bunker.

Cause of death revealed

Now, two weeks later, the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office released its findings as to the Menards’ cause of death. Both died from blunt force trauma to the head. Michael Sparks faces charges of two counts of murder and two special circumstance allegations.

“From the beginning of this case, what we were impressed by were the community members, the friends, and loved ones who learned about the Menards and came forward to indicate that things weren’t right,” said San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson during a news conference earlier this month. Under these charges, the District Attorney could seek the death penalty.

Sparks has pleaded not guilty.

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