Foul play suspected in disappearance of elderly Redlands couple

Authorities confirmed foul play is suspected in the disappearance of an elderly couple from Redlands after law enforcement raided a suspect’s home amid the ongoing search.

Stephanie and Daniel Menard, both in their 70s, were last seen on Saturday, Aug. 24 , and reported missing by a friend on Sunday.

The couple’s personal items like their cell phones and Stephanie’s purse were still inside their home. Their vehicle was found unlocked with the keys still inside, parked just down the road from their house.

On Thursday afternoon, investigators were searching for a suspect at a home next door to the missing couple’s house in the 26000 block of Keissel Road, which is located at the Olive Dell Ranch nudist resort.

SWAT officers and law enforcement agents surrounded the suspect’s mobile home as an armored vehicle was seen tearing down a portion of the property’s exterior.

“We received a phone call and they did indicate that an individual who was involved in the disappearance of the Menards was on the property,” said Carl Baker from the Redlands Police Department of the tip they received from an unnamed person.

However, nobody was found inside the destroyed residence and investigators have not released any more details on the suspect.

“We are using remote equipment to conduct a search,” Baker explained. “We have not yet located anyone. We don’t know where the subject is. He may still be inside or he may be somewhere else on the grounds.”

Friends and loved ones of the missing couple told KTLA their disappearance is out of character and they knew something was wrong when they failed to show up for church on Sunday. The couple’s dog, a small white Shih Tzu named Cuddles, is also missing, Redlands Police confirmed.

Both husband and wife suffer from health issues — Daniel has dementia and diabetes and his wife, Stephanie, needs a cane to walk. Police said the woman’s cane was also found inside her home which sparked concern when their friends first reported them missing.

Some neighbors who know the suspect said they were surprised to hear he was under investigation.

“I don’t really know him a whole lot, but he’s a very soft-spoken guy, said Jim Hynd, a neighbor. “He would probably be the last person that you would think would do something like this.”

No further details, including a possible motive, were released. The nudist resort where the homes are located has been placed under lockdown as the search for the suspect and the missing couple continues.

“We believe he is still on the property,” Baker said. “There are quite a few residences so we are expanding our search to include the entire park.”

Anyone with information about their disappearance or whereabouts is asked to call the Redlands Police Department at 909-798-7681 and connect with Detective Williams.

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