'Chopped up my neighbors': Nudist accused of murdering couple over $1 hot dog
A Redlands, California, man who lived in a reputed nudist resort is accused of killing and dismembering two of his neighbors because he felt they mocked him with a $1 hot dog, according to Fox News.
Michael Sparks, 62, was arrested five days after an elderly couple were reported missing in August. He appeared in court for a preliminary hearing this week, at which a judge ruled there was enough evidence for trial.
"They found the suspect at his home in Olive Dell Ranch, billed as a 'family friendly' RV park and a reputed Southern California nudist resort," according to the report. "A cadaver dog alerted police to a bunker underneath the home, where they recovered two bodies, dismembered, mutilated and stored in plastic bags."
Sparks appeared for his preliminary hearing this week, charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of 79-year-old Daniel Menard, who suffered from dementia, and his 73-year-old wife, Stephanie.
Sparks was also charged with animal cruelty regarding the couple's dog, Cuddles, who was never found.
During the hearing, a police detective told the court about a conversation he had with a jailhouse snitch.
"He said Mr. Sparks told him the incident started over a hot dog that Daniel Menard had purchased for him. He said Mr. Sparks felt that the hot dog was a jab at him, making him feel like he was worth only a dollar hot dog, and that’s what set him off that day."
Police believe Sparks used "a rake, a garden hoe, and a hammer to beat his neighbors to death before dismembering them and hiding the bodies in plastic bags in his bunker. The informant also claimed [Sparks] admitted to drowning Cuddles and leaving her remains for coyotes to eat," Fox News reported.
Eleven witnesses testified at the hearing about alleged disputes Sparks had with the Menards over a noisy backup generator, as well as tree trimming, in addition to the hot dog.
One photograph presented in court included a text message Sparks allegedly wrote to a friend, "Chopped up my neighbors. Didn't know I had it in me. SNAPPED."
Sparks pleaded not guilty and was being held without bail.