Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the disappearance of an elderly California couple who vanished from a nudist community.
Michael Sparks, 62, was arrested on murder charges Thursday night, days after Stephanie Menard, 73, and Daniel Menard, 79, were reported missing Sunday.
At a press conference following the arrest, officers said Sparks was the couple’s neighbor. Foul play was suspected after a tip from a neighbor in Redlands, California.
Authorities are still searching for the couple, who were last seen leaving their home at Olive Dell nudist ranch around 10 a.m. Saturday, near where their unlocked car was later found.
Stephanie Menard, 73, and Daniel Menard, 79, were reported missing on Sunday
Footage of the arrest showed a SWAT-style vehicle with a hydraulic battering ram smashing through the side of Sparks’ property, where police believe the Menards’ bodies are located.
According to Redland police, Sparks was found hiding under his home during his arrest and was only captured after a lengthy standoff with police.
Authorities approached his home with remote cameras. Footage of the arrest showed a SWAT vehicle carrying a hydraulic battering ram driving through the side of Sparks’ home.
Police are treating the Menards’ disappearance as a homicide and are searching for their bodies, suspecting they may be on Sparks’ property.
Cadaver dogs and search parties were found at the home. Police say Menard’s dog is also believed to be dead nearby.
ABC News reported that police raided the home after receiving a tip from the public that a person involved in their disappearance was present.
During the dramatic arrest, Sparks’ home was badly damaged, and police are now combing through the rubble in hopes of finding the couple’s bodies.
Police say they are treating the Menards’ disappearance as a homicide and are searching for their bodies
Police photos at the scene of Sparks’ arrest, where he was reportedly found hiding under his home and only taken into custody after a lengthy standoff with police
On the day the Menards disappeared, investigators say the couple’s car was found unlocked not far from their home in the Olive Dell Ranch nudist community.
According to police, Stephanie’s purse was found in the house, as well as her and Daniel’s cell phones.
Authorities say Daniel has diabetes and dementia, complicating the case and adding a sense of urgency to the search since their bodies have not yet been found.
As the search for the Menards continues, friends and neighbors say they are concerned about the couple’s disappearance.
“Every day is getting longer and longer, and I’m getting more and more worried,” said Sandy Marinelli, a friend of the couple, ABC.
“There’s just nothing to go on right now.”
Tammie Wilkerson, another friend, pointed out that it would have made no sense for the Menards to leave their car behind.
“There’s no way Stephanie or Dan could have walked away from that car. She has a cane. It was at home.”
The Menards’ beloved dog, a tiny Shih Tzu named Cuddles, is also missing
Authorities said Daniel has been diagnosed with diabetes and suffers from dementia, complicating matters and adding a sense of urgency to the search.
The Menards, who are very active in their church and in the Olive Dell community, were described as friendly people.
“They’re very sweet,” Wilkerson said through tears. “There’s not a mean bone in their body, which makes it confusing.”
Friends of the Menards told ABC the couple have been harassed and they fear it is related to their disappearance.
Anyone with information regarding the disappearance is asked to contact the Redlands Police Department at (909) 798-7681 or Detective Thomas Williams at twilliams@redlandspolice.org.