Friend reports couple missing, California cops say. Then their car is found abandoned

UPDATE: On Aug. 30, the couple’s neighbor, Michael Royce Sparks, 62, was arrested and booked on a murder charge, McClatchy News reported.

The original story is below.

A missing couple’s car was found abandoned as the search for them continues, California officials said.

A friend of Stephanie Menard and Daniel Menard reported them missing Aug. 25, according to a Facebook post by the Redlands Police Department.

The two were last seen at their home Aug. 24, police said.

Their car was found unlocked down the road from their home on the same day, police said.

The woman’s purse and both of their cellphones were found inside the home, officers said.

Their white Shiz Tzu named Cuddles is also missing, police said.

Officers said the man has dementia and is diabetic.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 909-798-7681 or contact Detective Thomas Williams at twilliams@redlandspolice.org.

Redlands is about a 60-mile drive east of downtown Los Angeles.

This story was originally published August 27, 2024 at 2:51 PM.