Remains of couple who went missing from California nudist resort positively identified

The remains of a Redlands couple believed killed by their nudist camp neighbor have been positively identified, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

The bodies of Stephanie Menard, 73, and Daniel Menard, 79, were officially identified Thursday, Sept. 5, according to Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Mara Rodriguez.

According to the Redlands Police Department, the Menards’ bodies were discovered Aug. 29 beneath the home of neighbor Michael Royce Sparks, 62. He was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, including a special circumstance allegation of committing multiple homicides. Sparks is being held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. Police have not disclosed a motive for the alleged killings.

Sparks has yet to enter a plea in the case. His arraignment has been twice delayed, first on Wednesday and again Thursday.

The Menards and Sparks lived in the Olive Dell Ranch nudist resort, located in Reche Canyon on the border of Redlands and Colton.

The Menards’ car was found abandoned on a road inside the resort on Aug. 24, the keys still in the ignition. Stephanie Menard’s purse and her husband’s cellphone were found inside their mobile home nearby.

A friend reported the couple missing the next day, police said. Residents of the resort grew concerned about the couple’ disappearance, telling police Daniel Menard suffered from dementia. The couple’s white shih tzu, Cuddles, is missing and has not been found.