California Nudist Accused Of Killing Neighbors And Drowning Their Dog Over Hot Dog 'jab'

A California nudist is accused of sidesplitting his neighbors, chopping them up and drowning their Shih Tzu aft they allegedly mocked him pinch a $1 basking dog, according to authorities and section reporting.

Redlands Police announced nan apprehension of Michael Sparks, 62, past August – 5 days aft his neighbors went missing.

They recovered nan fishy astatine his location successful Olive Dell Ranch, billed arsenic a "family friendly" RV parkland and a reputed Southern California nudist resort. A cadaver canine alerted constabulary to a bunker underneath nan home, wherever they recovered 2 bodies, dismembered, mutilated and stored successful integrative bags.

The victims were Daniel Menard, 79, who suffered from dementia, and his 73-year-old wife, Stephanie.

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Michael Sparks, 62, left, has been charged pinch nan execution of Daniel Menard, 79, and Stephanie Menard, 73. (Redlands Police Department)

Investigators had to evacuate nan segment because they feared it mightiness cave in. They returned pinch dense instrumentality to excavate and cod much evidence.

Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber told reporters last year that Sparks tried to sprout himself earlier his capture, but nan weapon misfired.

The dog, Cuddles, remains unaccounted for.

Police and forensics teams analyse nan spot of Michael Sparks, who was arrested successful relationship pinch nan disappearance of Stephanie Menard and Daniel Menard. (Dean Musgrove /The Orange County Register via AP)

At Sparks' preliminary proceeding this week, Redlands Detective Thomas Williams testified that he shared specifications astir the slayings pinch a jailhouse snitch, who alerted authorities, according to nan Press Telegram.

"He said Mr. Sparks told him nan incident started complete a basking canine that Daniel Menard had purchased for him," Williams told nan court, according to nan paper. "He said Mr. Sparks felt that nan basking canine was a jab astatine him, making him consciousness for illustration he was worthy only a dollar basking dog, and that’s what group him disconnected that day."

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The Menards were past seen connected Saturday, Aug. 24, earlier their bodies were found, constabulary say. Daniel was 79, and Stephanie was 73, according to nan Los Angeles Times. (Redlands Police Department)

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Sparks is accused of utilizing a rake, a plot hoe and a hammer to hit his neighbors to decease earlier dismembering them and hiding nan bodies successful integrative bags successful his bunker. The informant besides claimed he admitted to drowning Cuddles and leaving her remains for coyotes to eat.

Eleven witnesses testified astatine nan hearing, according to tribunal documents, and grounds included crime segment photos arsenic good arsenic texts betwixt Sparks and 3 witnesses.

In 1 photo, photographed successful tribunal by nan Press Telegram, Sparks allegedly wrote to a friend, "Chopped up my neighbors. Didn't cognize I had it successful me. SNAPPED."

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The Redlands Police Department says nan Menards' dog, Cuddles, has not been found. (Redlands Police Department)

During a standoff earlier Sparks' arrest, responding officers asked him wherever nan Menards were and if they needed help, according to nan paper.

"He replied backmost that they were successful pieces," Detective Williams testified.

Other witnesses said that Sparks did not get on pinch nan Menards.

They had alleged disputes complete a noisy backup generator, character trimming and nan basking dog.

This booking image provided by nan Redlands Police Department shows Michael Royce Sparks, who was booked into jailhouse for investigation of homicide successful relationship pinch nan disappearance of a mates surviving successful a nudist colony successful Redlands, California. (Redlands Police Department via AP, File)

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Sparks faces 2 counts of execution and an animal cruelty charge. He pleaded not blameworthy astatine an earlier proceeding and is being held without bail.

Judge Alexander Martinez denied a defense mobility to support cameras retired of nan courtroom. Sparks is owed backmost successful tribunal connected June 27 for an arraignment.