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McStay murder case on the cover of People magazine

The story of the McStay family disappearance has been making national headlines since their bodies were discovered earlier this month. Now, the family is on the cover of People magazine.
McStay murder case on the cover of People magazine

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - The story of the McStay family disappearance has been making national headlines since their bodies were discovered earlier this month. Now, the family is on the cover of People magazine.

With the caption, "Mystery in the Desert," next week's People magazine cover shows the McStays as they were -- a happy and loving family.

Patrick McStay, the childrens' grandfather, is quoted in the article. Last week he spent two and a half hours talking to its writer about everything from his feelings regarding the case to theories about what may have happened.

"Look, two and a half hours, when you really get down to it, is nothing. I could probably talk to you about eight hours about this thing," Patrick McStay said.

Joseph, Summer and their two sons disappeared from their Fallbrook home in February 2010. Investigators later determined the family left willingly, saying a surveillance video showed them crossing the border. That all changed two weeks ago after a motorcycle rider came across their remains in the Mohave Desert.

Patrick has made no secret about his disappointment with the initial investigation conducted by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Online, People writes "…he's complained for years they were not treating the case seriously."

"Quit this game of oh well, you know we did everything. When will people take responsibility? Be a man and say you screwed up," Patrick McStay said.

Sheriff's officials meanwhile defend their work, saying a team of detectives spent countless hours on the case.

"We looked at bank records, phone records ...we never stopped investigating the case, never," sheriff's office spokeswoman Jan Caldwell said.

While the entire People magazine article has not been released, it does look to answer the question: why was this family murdered? Patrick hopes having the story on a national platform such as this will help find that answer, or at the very least draw attention to what he says are flaws in the case.

"This is about hoping this never happens again," he said.

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