Neighbor arrested in deaths of missing couple at nudist resort, police say
Dan and Stephanie Menard were reported missing.
(CNN) — Police have arrested a man at a nudist resort and are holding him on charges of murder in the deaths of a couple missing all week, authorities in Redlands, California, said Friday morning.
Police tore into the suspect’s home earlier Thursday using a battering ram and searched for him using video equipment.
He was found under the home about 9:30 p.m., said Carl Baker, a public information officer for the Redlands Police Department.
“He surrendered voluntarily – I won’t say he’s been cooperative – after lengthy negotiations,” Baker said.
Police have not found bodies, but “we believe the bodies are on the site of his home,” Baker said.
Daniel and Stephanie Menard were last seen on Saturday and reported missing on Sunday, police say. Their car was found near their house.
Police say they got a tip alleging the neighbor was involved when they were following up on the missing person’s report.
“We obtained a search warrant to try to locate and contact the suspect. That’s his home,” Baker said Thursday. “He was not responding to our efforts to have him come out.”
Redlands police locked down the area of Olive Dell Ranch RV Park, about 65 miles east of Los Angeles. Baker said they used a battering ram to get into the neighbor’s home.
They used tactical equipment to “breach the subject’s home and conduct a search using remote video equipment,” according to a Facebook post by Redlands police.
Redlands police locked down the area of Olive Dell Ranch RV Park, about 65 miles east of Los Angeles.
Affiliate KCAL reported that Baker said SWAT teams used armored vehicles to tear down walls instead of entering the home “for the officer’s safety.”
He said police had “reason enough to investigate the possibility of foul play,” with the Menards missing for several days and the information about someone possibly being involved.
KCAL reported that Daniel Menard was 79 and his wife 73.
The Menards’ dog, a white Shih Tzu named Cuddles, was also missing and has not been found, Baker said.
The Olive Dell Ranch website says it is “Southern California’s favorite nudist resort for families and couples… It’s the ideal spot to enjoy the nudist/naturist lifestyle whether visiting for the day or an overnight stay.”
The property boasts five miles of hiking trails and “plenty of privacy as we are on 100 acres surrounded by beautiful mountain views.”
CNN’s Zoe Sottile contributed to this report.
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