Redlands Couple Murdered; Neighbor Charged

Daniel and Stephanie Menard, a couple from Redlands, California, were found dead from blunt force trauma to the head, a ruling confirmed by San Bernardino County officials. The couple was reported missing from the Olive Dell Ranch nudist resort on August 25, 2024, with their remains discovered in a concrete bunker beneath their neighbor Michael Royce Sparks' home. Sparks, 62, has been charged with two counts of murder and pleaded not guilty, with police acting on a tip from a family member who stated Sparks had admitted to the killings. Their dog, Cuddles, is also missing, and the motive for the murders remains unclear despite reports of prior tensions between Sparks and the Menards. A candlelight vigil was held by friends and neighbors to honor the couple's memory, reflecting the community's shock over the incident. The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover more details surrounding the case.