Ep 1. The Mcstay Family Mystery

In season 2 of the true crime series Killer Motive, episode 1 titled "The McStay Family Mystery" unravels the tragic and unsolved disappearance and murder of the McStay family. The family of four, Joseph and Summer McStay and their two young sons, vanished from their home in Fallbrook, California, in February 2010. Their family and friends were left bewildered and baffled by their sudden disappearance without any trace, leaving behind unwashed dishes, unopened packages, and food on the table.

The episode starts with the introduction of the McStay family and their tranquil life in Fallbrook. The family moved there from Orange County in search of peace and tranquility. Their friends and neighbors describe them as a happy family who loved each other deeply, and there were no signs of any conflicts or problems in their marriage.

Shortly after their disappearance, the local authorities launched a massive search operation to find them but to their dismay found no evidence, leading them to assume they left voluntarily and fled to Mexico, as their car was found near the Mexican border. However, private investigator Michael McStay, Joseph McStay's brother, believes otherwise and thinks his brother's family was abducted and murdered.

The episode explores the leads and the theories that surfaced during the investigation, including the revelation that Joseph had business dealings in Mexico before his disappearance. Police also uncovered a surveillance footage of a family resembling the McStay family walking across the border into Mexico, but none of the footage was conclusive.

The case got complicated as people with dubious intentions started popping up, making it difficult to identify the actual culprit. The authorities were perplexed when Joseph's business partner Dan Kavanuagh was identified as a suspect and arrested in connection with the McStay family's disappearance. However, the charges were dropped later due to lack of evidence.

The episode portrays the frustration of the authorities and the family as the leads fail to lead them to the missing family or their killer. Meanwhile, rumors and speculations began circulating in the media, casting doubts and aspersions on the family. Private investigator Michael, who had been investigating the case from day one, didn't give up and kept on exploring every possible angle that could lead him to the killer.

As the investigation progressed, Michael became convinced that the Mexican drug cartels were involved in the McStay family's disappearance. The local authorities rebuffed his theory and suggested that the family left voluntarily.

In the end, the episode leaves the audience with more questions than answers, with the McStay family's killer still at large and the case remaining unsolved to this day. The episode ends on a somber note with the family and friends expressing their grief and frustration at not being able to find their loved ones and the authorities still searching for the truth.

Overall, the season 2 premiere of Killer Motive is a gripping and haunting account of the tragedy that befell the McStay family. The episode portrays the quest for justice and the determination of the family and friends to find the truth behind their loved ones' disappearance. The show is a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts who want to know more about this perplexing and baffling case.