Redlands police in Southern California are searching for the bodies of Daniel and Stephanie Menard at the home of their next-door neighbor at the Olive Dell Ranch nudist park on Aug. 30 after a suspect was arrested in connection with the disappearance.
“We’re confident that the Menards are deceased, and we believe they are on the property the suspect lived,” police spokesman Carl Baker told The Epoch Times Friday.
![Michael Royce Sparks, 62, was arrested for murder in connection with the disappearance of Daniel and Stephanie Menard. (Courtesy of Redlands Police)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F08%2F30%2Fid5715894-457105828_918660380304439_3200538694981864781_n-copy.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
According to court records, Stephanie Menard filed three restraining orders in June in San Bernardino County. Police were not able to confirm whether the orders were connected to the case.
A police SWAT team used a battering ram owned by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to break down and ultimately destroy part of the house Thursday afternoon.
“Due to extensive damage, the structure will need to be made safe before searchers can enter,” police wrote in the post, adding that detectives were not able to contact the owner and breached the home to conduct a search using remote video equipment. No one was located at the residence.
The Menards, both in their 70s and permanent residents of the park, were last seen Aug. 24 and were reported missing the next day by a friend.
The couple’s dog, a small white Shih Tzu named Cuddles, was also missing, according to police.
Police used a helicopter and drones to search nearby ravines and park grounds this week before focusing on the suspect’s home on Thursday.
![The Menards' dog Cuddles was also missing, according to Redlands Police. (Redlands Police Department)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F08%2F29%2Fid5715128-456907763_916610423842768_4705869488523052280_n.jpeg&w=1200&q=75)
Neighbors and family described the Menards as a sweet couple who attended church.
Stacey Menard of Maine, a relative of Daniel Menard, said she spoke with other family members about the disappearance. She said they had not heard from the couple this week.
“We’re all praying they’re found safe,” Stacey Menard told The Epoch Times.