how were the mcstay family killed

The McStay family was killed by blunt force trauma, specifically being viciously beaten to death with a sledgehammer. The murders took place in their home in Fallbrook, California, and the bodies of Joseph McStay, his wife Summer, and their two young sons were later found in shallow graves in the Mojave Desert near Victorville. The sledgehammer believed to be the murder weapon was found buried in one of the graves with the remains. Charles "Chase" Merritt, Joseph McStay's business partner, was convicted of the murders and sentenced to death. Prosecutors alleged that Merritt had a gambling problem and killed the family for financial gain after Joseph decided not to continue working with him. Merritt was found guilty of first-degree murder for all four victims.