SWAT raids nudist park in search for person of interest in couple’s disappearance

Foul play suspected as search intensifies for missing couple from Olive Dell Ranch

The search for Stephanie and Daniel Menard, the elderly couple who went missing from Olive Dell Ranch on August 24, took a dramatic turn yesterday as SWAT teams raided the home of their next-door neighbor, who is considered a person of interest in the case. Acting on a tip, law enforcement officers surrounded the mobile home located within the Olive Dell Ranch nudist resort and used an armored vehicle equipped with a hydraulic battering ram to breach the residence. Despite the extensive operation, which included the use of drones, K-9 units, and remote cameras, the person of interest was not found inside the home.

Redlands Police Department spokesperson Carl Baker confirmed that foul play is now suspected in the couple’s disappearance, though the motive remains unclear. The ranch, where both the Menards and the person of interest reside, was placed on lockdown during the search. Authorities continue to investigate the whereabouts of both the missing couple and the neighbor, who remains unidentified.

Recap of the Menards' Disappearance

Stephanie Menard, 73, and her husband, Daniel Menard, 79, were last seen on the morning of August 24, 2024, at their home within the Olive Dell Ranch. The couple’s unlocked vehicle was later found parked down the road from their home, and several personal items, including Stephanie’s purse and their cellphones, were left inside the house. Their dog, a small white Shih Tzu named Cuddles, is also missing.

Friends of the couple reported them missing on August 25 after they failed to attend their usual church service. Concerns have been heightened by the fact that both Stephanie and Daniel suffer from health issues—Daniel has dementia and diabetes, while Stephanie requires a cane to walk—making it unlikely that they could have wandered far from their home on foot.

Authorities continue to urge anyone with information about the Menards' disappearance or the location of the person of interest to contact the Redlands Police Department at 909-798-7681. As the investigation intensifies, the community remains on edge, hoping for a resolution that will bring Stephanie and Daniel Menard home safely. 🪐