SoCal man arrested after elderly neighbors, dog disappear from nudist ranch

REDLANDS, Calif. (TCN) — A 62-year-old man was arrested several days after an elderly couple and their dog disappeared from a nudist resort where they all lived.

Daniel Menard and Stephanie Menard’s friend reported them missing to the Redlands Police Department on Aug. 25, saying they had not been seen since the morning prior. The couple’s vehicle was reportedly found unlocked, and their cellphones and wallets were still in their residence. Their Shih Tzu, Cuddles, was also nowhere to be found. Redlands Police said Daniel Menard was diabetic and had dementia.

On the afternoon of Aug. 29, Redlands Police were on scene at Olive Dell Ranch, a self-described “family nudist ranch,” after receiving information about “a person who may have been involved” in Daniel Menard and Stephanie Menard’s disappearance. Police said they “tried unsuccessfully” to make contact with the person in the residence, so they deployed a tactical vehicle known as a Tac Cat to try and locate him. Later that evening, police arrested Michael Sparks and took him into custody.

Redlands Public Information Officer Carl Baker said in a news conference Friday morning that investigators are continuing to search for the Menards’ bodies. According to Baker, the Tac Cat made “significant damage” on Sparks’ home when they broke in to search it, so officials were waiting to make sure everything was safe before they continued.

Baker said he is “confident” that Stephanie Menard, 73, and Daniel Menard, 79, are deceased and that they are somewhere on Sparks’ property. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department will reportedly bring in cadaver dogs to assist with the recovery.

Sparks was reportedly found hiding under his home. He “surrendered voluntarily after lengthy negotiations,” but Baker added, “I won’t say he’s been cooperative.”

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