Missing Family's Friend Not Sure It Was Them on Video

Officials who are trying to confirm whether the missing McStay family was caught on tape have shown the footage to at least one friend of the missing family.

Joseph McStay, 40; his wife, Summer, 43; and their two young children, Gianni and Joey Jr., were last seen Feb. 4.

Last week, investigators said they found video that they believe may have captured the North County couple and their two young children crossing the border into Mexico not far from where their SUV was found. Officials said the video was taken the same day the Isuzu Trooper was left near the San Ysidro border crossing. That vehicle was later believed to have been abandoned and towed away.

Alex A., who said he has been a friend of Joseph for 20 years, was shown the surveillance video. He said he was unable to confirm that it was his friend and his family: "I would say, at best, a resemblance, but, for me, nothing definitive, nothing. Especially, the 'Joey' -- or the male figure in the video -- it doesn't give me any confidence."

Officials have not yet released the video to any media outlet in San Diego County, but a county sheriff's department spokesman did say a copy is being provided to the "America's Most Wanted" program and may air on Saturday. He would not say why local media outlets were not being given a copy of the same footage.

Alex said he had no knowledge of any reason the McStay family would have to go to Mexico.

"Especially with the two kids  -- I mean, you know, if that is the case -- my answer would be no," he said.

He also said he had no firm ideas where or why the family might have disappeared.

"Just like a lot of people, you know, just grasping into air; it's just a lot of speculation," Alex said "You know, we have our theories, but nothing to really justify, or, you know, to solidify thinking. Just thinking -- there's not a whole lot there to suggest where what or why, you know, so our faith is pretty much in law enforcement."

Alex said he and other friends and family members of the McStay family are just trying to keep the profile of the case high to encourage the authorities to stick with the case.

Anyone with information about the case is being urged to call deputies at 858-974-2321 or 858-565-5200 after-hours. Tips can also be called in anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 888-580-TIPS(8477). A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered by CrimeStoppers for information leading to an arrest.

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