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Artwork for What Happened to the McStays?

What Happened to the McStays?

ABC News
Chase Merritt
Mcstays
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
Fallbrook
Mcstay Family Case
Joseph Mcstay
Mcstay Family Murders
Fallbrook, United States
San Diego County
Mcstay Family Disappearance
Earth Inspired Products
Quickbooks
ABC / 20/20
Earth-Inspired Products
Mexico
Desert
Kathy Jarvis
San Diego
California Court Case / Trial

In a quiet suburb of San Diego County, a family of four seemingly vanishes into thin air. When investigators search their home, they find the family’s two beloved dogs unattended outside, rotting food left around the house and clothes strewn across the floor. Did the McStays leave of their own accord, or did something far more sinister happen? A six-part series from 20/20 and ABC Audio, hosted by ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes8Founded3 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for What Happened to the McStays?

Latest Episodes

Ashan Singh and Start Here host Brad Mielke reflect on the McStay murders and dive deeper into the individuals close to the case. Plus, an ABC News-exclusive interview with Chase Merritt from prison.

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The McStay case goes to trial, with a man's life hanging in the balance.

Subscribe to 20/20 True Crime+ for ad-free listening, early access to new series, exclusive bonus content, and hundreds of episodes from the 20/20 true crime vault. Visit apple... more

Without a smoking gun, detectives try to piece together what may have happened to the McStays after they disappeared.

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Scouring new and old clues, police close in on one suspect.

Subscribe to 20/20 True Crime+ for ad-free listening, early access to new series, exclusive bonus content, and hundreds of episodes from the 20/20 true crime vault. Visit apple.co/2020truec... more

A motorcyclist finds something startling in the Mojave Desert.

Subscribe to 20/20 True Crime+ for ad-free listening, early access to new series, exclusive bonus content, and hundreds of episodes from the 20/20 true crime vault. Visit apple.co/2020tr... more

Weeks into the search for the McStay family, investigators find a promising clue. Family and friends aren't convinced.

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The McStay family home is found frozen in time — and spurs a yearslong mystery.

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In a quiet suburb of San Diego County, a family of four seemingly vanishes into thin air. Did the McStays leave of their own accord, or did something far more sinister happen?

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Britt Himes
Prosecutor involved in the case
Prosecutor (San Bernardino County)
Episode: Life or Death
Raj Malin
Defense attorney for Chase Merritt
Merritt defense team
Episode: Life or Death
Michael McStay
Brother of Joseph McStay
McStay family
Episode: Life or Death
Kathy Jarvis
Former partner of Chase Merritt, who provides personal recollections and insights about their relationship and the McStay case
Former partner of Chase Merritt
Episode: The Best Friend
Patrick McStay
Father of Joseph McStay
McStay family
Episode: Missing?
Gina Watson
Friend of Joseph McStay, worked in decorative fountain industry
Earth-inspired products partner
Episode: 11 Days
Jessie Silveria
Friend of Summer McStay
Friend from Laguna Beach
Episode: 11 Days
Lieutenant Dennis Brugos
Lieutenant, San Diego Sheriff's Department
San Diego Sheriff's Department
Episode: 11 Days
Detective Troy Dugal
Detective, Homicide Unit
San Diego Sheriff's Department
Episode: 11 Days

Host

Ashan Singh
Host of the episode, presenting the investigation and narrative across the series; serves as guide through complex case material.

Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars from 233 ratings
  • Too many ads!!

    Good podcast but marred by the constant ads. Shame.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Ditsy Print
    United Kingdom20 days ago
  • Too many ads

    I’m enjoying this podcast so far but the amount of ads is truly ridiculous!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Westme10
    Australia21 days ago
  • Meh

    I hate writing bad reviews but wow so drawn out and %50 adds…. Not enjoyable

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    nicoladarns1991
    Canada22 days ago
  • Not my style

    I’ve heard the mcstay story before and it’s incredibly horrific and sad. I didn’t think you could tell this story poorly but this podcast proved me wrong. It’s incredibly drab and boring. I actually find it icky to describe true crime as “boring” but I’m not sure how to state it aside from the storytelling wasn’t captivating and the narration had me zoning out.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Grummlinds
    Canada22 days ago
  • Music issues

    Interesting so far, but the background music is so loud at times it’s really off putting!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    MrsO84
    Australiaa month ago
  • Too many ads

    I’m not paying $40 USD/ yr for yet another podcast platform. The story is intriguing but the ad to content ratio is not enough to keep me listening. Especially if I have to wait a week for the next episode. I’ll just check Reddit to get the full story.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Lauradicjzx
    Canadaa month ago
  • So good!

    One episode in and I’m hooked! Looking forward to new episodes to see what happens next.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LinKymShaz
    Australia2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners note strong storytelling but feel the episode length and ad breaks disrupt rhythm.
Many praise balanced narration with competing viewpoints from prosecutors and defense.
Fans appreciate the in-depth look at evidence and timeline, with emotional context from families.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#42
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#110
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#26
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#56
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#247
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#47
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#212
Italy/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#242
France/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#203
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#213
New Zealand/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#33
Ireland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#37
New Zealand/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#62
Norway/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#75
Netherlands/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#75
Saudi Arabia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#83
Finland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#90
South Korea/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#98
Sweden/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#102
Belgium/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#108
Indonesia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#111
South Africa/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#116
Japan/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#127
Denmark/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#127
Philippines/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#143
Israel/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#165
Hong Kong/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#166
United Arab Emirates/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#187
Singapore/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#191
Switzerland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#198
Poland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#202
Mexico/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#225
Taiwan/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#232
Ukraine/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#234
Brazil/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#244
Argentina/True Crime

Top True Crime Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Questions and Answers
Q: Where were you on February 4th and the days immediately after?
Merritt provided varying accounts about his whereabouts, but detectives showed timelines from phone records and surveillance that placed him near the desert site and in other locations that contradicted his statements.
Questions and Answers
Q: Did you kill the McStays' family?
Chase Merritt repeatedly denied involvement during the interview, but investigators highlighted inconsistencies in his timeline and confronted him with evidence they had gathered, including financial and forensic findings.
11 Days
Q: Was there any sign of foul play when investigators entered the home?
Officers found no forced entry or obvious signs of violence inside, but the overall scene and the unattended dogs created a cryptic image that kept investigators concerned.
11 Days
Q: What was the last time anyone heard from Joseph McStay before he disappeared?
Family and colleagues note his last interactions were around February 4-5, with no contact afterwards, prompting concern and the eventual welfare check.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About What Happened to the McStays?

What is What Happened to the McStays? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A six-part true crime series delves into the disappearance and murders surrounding a California family, weaving together investigative chronology, courtroom proceedings, and forensic discussion. Across episodes, listeners hear from prosecutors, defense counsel, family members, and law enforcement, offering a multi-faceted view of motive, evidence, and the pursuit of truth in a high-profile case. The storytelling emphasizes how digital trails, financial records, and alibis converge to shape public understanding and legal outcomes, making it a gripping blend of narrative journalism and legal analysis. Noteworthy is the consistent use of multiple perspectives to unpack contested narratives and the tight focus on procedural detail and emotional... more

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What Happened to the McStays? launched 3 months ago and published 8 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on What Happened to the McStays??

Recent guests on What Happened to the McStays? include:

1. Britt Himes
2. Raj Malin
3. Michael McStay
4. Kathy Jarvis
5. Patrick McStay
6. Gina Watson
7. Jessie Silveria
8. Lieutenant Dennis Brugos

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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