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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

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.

Similar Podcasts

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Recent Guests

Chase Merritt
Former business associate of the McStays' suspect; incarcerated for murders
Incarcerated in California
Episode: Bonus: The Call
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
Kathy Jarvis
Merritt's former partner/spouse of related testimony
Former spouse of Chase Merritt
Episode: Life or Death
Michael McStay
Brother of Joseph McStay
McStay family
Episode: Life or Death
Gina Watson
Friend of Joseph McStay and family ally
McStay circle
Episode: Missing?
Patrick McStay
Father of Joseph McStay
McStay family
Episode: Missing?
Dan Kavanaugh
Business associate of Joseph McStay
Earth Inspired Products
Episode: Missing?
Jessie Silveria
Friend of Summer McStay
Friend from Laguna Beach
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

3.8 out of 5 stars from 332 ratings
  • AI?

    I think this is narrated with AI. The phrasing and I’ll-fitting emotion surrounding words or phrases is very odd.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Boorabbitbonkers
    United States14 days ago
  • Good

    Ashan's deep captivating voice immediately got my attention. Good story, not more ads than any other channel. True crime lovers should give it a go.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joy T
    Canada15 days ago
  • Narration

    Why is the host slurring all his words? It sounds like he took a sleeping pill , it’s hard to pay attention to the story

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    cosifannituttiscousin
    Canada19 days ago
  • Difficult listen

    This story is difficult not only for the subject matter but because the style of the narrator is so odd. Many pauses and emphases in the wrong spots of his sentences. Which can actually change the meaning of the sentence.

    You couldn’t just listen and absorb the information you had to try to figure out what the narrator was saying and meaning. Very uncomfortable and I hope to never listen to this narrator again.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Riddld W. Bullitz
    United States19 days ago
  • Not great

    Poorly written, poorly presented. Largely recycled material from others, few interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    John in Toms River
    United States21 days 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
#230
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#40
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#132
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#32
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#44
United Kingdom/True Crime
Spotify
#165
Australia/Trending

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. Chase Merritt
2. Britt Himes
3. Raj Malin
4. Kathy Jarvis
5. Michael McStay
6. Gina Watson
7. Patrick McStay
8. Dan Kavanaugh

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