Authorities and local reporting claim that a California nudist killed, chopped up, and drowned his neighbours’ Shih Tzu after they allegedly made fun of him with a $1 hot dog.
Michael Sparks, 62, was arrested by Redlands Police in August of last year, five days after his neighbours vanished.
The suspect was discovered at his residence in Olive Dell Ranch, a reputed nudist resort in Southern California and a “family friendly” RV park. Police found two dismembered, mutilated, and plastic bagged bodies in a bunker beneath the house after being notified by a cadaver dog.
The victims were Stephanie, his 73-year-old wife, and Daniel Menard, 79, who had dementia.
Fearing it might collapse, investigators had to leave the scene. They came back with large machinery to dig and gather more proof.
Before being apprehended, Sparks attempted to shoot himself, but the gun failed, Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber told reporters last year.
Cuddles, the dog, is still missing.
According to the Press Telegram, Redlands Detective Thomas Williams testified at Sparks’ preliminary hearing this week that he gave a jailhouse snitch information about the killings, and the snitch informed the authorities.
“He said Mr. Sparks told him the incident started over a hot dog that Daniel Menard had purchased for him,” Williams stated to the court. “He said Mr. Sparks felt that the hot dog was a jab at him, making him feel like he was worth only a dollar hot dog, and that’s what set him off that day.”
Sparks is charged with beating his neighbours to death with a rake, garden hoe, and hammer, then dismembering them and concealing their remains in his bunker in plastic bags. According to the informant, he also acknowledged that he drowned Cuddles and left her body for coyotes to consume.
According to court documents, eleven witnesses testified during the hearing, and evidence included texts between Sparks and three witnesses and photographs taken at the crime scene.
In one image, which the Press Telegram captured in court, Sparks is said to have written to a friend, “Chopped up my neighbours.” I was unaware that I possessed it. SNAPPED.
According to the paper, Sparks was asked where the Menards were and if they needed assistance by responding officers during a standoff prior to his arrest.
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“He replied back that they were in pieces,” Detective Williams said in his testimony.
According to other witnesses, Sparks and the Menards did not get along. They had allegedly argued about the hot dog, tree trimming, and a noisy backup generator.
Sparks is charged with animal cruelty in addition to two counts of murder. He is being held without bail after entering a not guilty plea in a previous proceeding.
A defence motion to bar cameras from the courtroom was turned down by Judge Alexander Martinez. Sparks is scheduled to return to court for his arraignment on June 27.
