Morales sentenced; Ansonia Police continue to probe child's disappearance

Vanessa Morales

Vanessa Morales age progression image

ANSONIA - This morning Judge Murphy sentenced Jose Morales to 65 years in jail, 60 years for his conviction in the homicide of Christine Holloway and 5 years for tampering with evidence in the case.

Chief Wayne Williams and the entire Ansonia Police Department offer our condolences to the family and friends of Christine and hope that this brings them some closure in the senseless death of Christine, Lt. Patrick Lynch said in a release.

We would also like to recognize the careful and conscientious deliberation of the jury in reaching their verdict, along with the hard work of Senior Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howie Stein, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Marc Durso, Inspector Hyatt, Inspector Winkler and the entire staff of the Ansonia/Milford State’s Attorney Office.

The Ansonia Police Department continues to investigate the disappearance of Vanessa Morales, Lynch said.

The homicide of Christine Holloway was only one aspect of the investigation and with that resolved our next goal is to determine what happened to Vanessa. The Detective Bureau continually reviews the case and will now begin to review the court transcripts for any new information.

The two photos with this release are pictures of Vanessa from 2019 and an age progressed photo to 2025.

We encourage anyone with information to contact the police department at 203-735-1885 or anonymous tips can be left at Tip411 at the link below.

https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=21553

This is a press release from Lt. Patrick Lynch.

Ansonia Police continue to probe disappearance of Vanessa Morales

The late Christine Holloway and her daughter, Vanessa Morales, who disappeared 4 years ago.

ANSONA - On Dec. 2, 2019, while our community was preparing for the upcoming holiday season, the Ansonia Police Department began our investigation into the homicide of Christine Holloway and disappearance of Christine’s 15-month-old daughter, Vanessa Morales. 

Police said while the investigation led to the arrest of the father of Vanessa, Jose Morales, for Christine’s homicide, Vanessa has not been located. 

We have continued to investigate the disappearance of Vanessa and the investigation will continue until we can determine what happened to her. 

It has been four years, Vanessa’s family and those that love her deserve answers.

 

We encourage anyone with information regarding Vanessa’s disappearance to contact the police department at 203-735-1885 or anonymous tips can be left at Tip411 at the link below.

https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=21553

This is a press release from Lt. Patrick Lynch.

Ansonia Police continue to seek assistance in locating Vanessa Morales

Vanessa Morales

Age progressed photo of Vanessa

ANSONIA - Three years ago the Ansonia Police Department began an investigation into the disappearance of Vanessa Morales after her mother, Christine Holloway, was found murdered in their home.

The homicide investigation resulted in an arrest of Jose Morales but Vanessa has still not been located, Lt. Patrick Lynch said in a written release Friday afternoon.

The disappearance is still an active investigation, and we continue to ask the public for assistance in locating Vanessa or any information that will lead to determining what happened to Vanessa.

The photos attached are an age progressed photo of Vanessa along with the photo of Vanessa around the time of her disappearance.

The Ansonia Police Department is determined to find the answers as to Vanessa's whereabouts. Please keep Vanessa, Christine, and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this holiday season.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the police department at 203-735-1885 or anonymous tips can be left at Tip411 at the link below.

https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=21553

This is a press release from Lt. Patrick Lynch.

Ansonia Police release age-enhanced photo of Vanessa Morales

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Police Department with the assistance of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children today is releasing an age-enhanced photograph of Vanessa Morales. 

Police said Vanessa has been missing since December 2, 2019. At the time of her disappearance she was one years old and she is now almost two and half years old.

The department is asking anyone with information to please contact 203-735-1885 or tips can be left anonymously through TIP 411 at the link below.

https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=21553

This is a press release from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch.

Ansonia Police: Toddler found in California not Vanessa Morales

Vanessa Morales

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Police Department received information today regarding a child found wandering around an apartment complex in San Diego, Calif., Lt. Patrick Lynch said in a written release.

A photo of the child posted online by local authorities and the media had a strong resemblance to Vanessa Morales, he said. 

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department was contacted but the child was not Vanessa Morales, Lynch said.

This is a press release from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch. 

 

A year later, Ansonia Police continue to investigate disappearance of toddler

Vanessa Morales

ANSONIA - One year ago today [Wednesday], the Ansonia Police Department began an investigation into the homicide of Christine Holloway and disappearance of Holloway’s daughter, Vanessa Morales.

While we were able to make an arrest for the homicide, we have not been able to locate Vanessa.

We continue to investigate the case and have received hundreds of tips in the case; unfortunately, none of the tips has led to Vanessa. The Graco car seat, polka dot blanket, grey Eddie Bauer backpack/diaper bag and multicolored teething key ring are all still missing items that could assist in finding the whereabouts of Vanessa.

Our main objective since the beginning of this investigation is to bring closure to the family, friends and loved ones of Christine and Vanessa and we will continue to work to reach that goal.

This was posted Wednesday on the Ansonia Police Department's Facebook page.

Ansonia Police continue to investigate toddler's disappearance

Vanessa Morales

ANSONIA - On December 2, 2019 the Ansonia Police Department began our investigation into the disappearance of Vanessa Morales. We continue to investigate the disappearance and would like to thank all of people who have provided information and tips regarding Vanessa. Our investigation remains active and we encourage anyone with information to please contact us. 

The Graco car seat, polka-dot blanket, Eddie Bauer backpack, and teething key ring are still items of interest in this case and have not been located. [see photos below]

Anyone with information is asked to call 203-735-1885 or the information can be forwarded to the department through Tip411 at https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=21553.

This is a press release from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch.

Ansonia Police thank public for continued help in missing child case

Vanessa Morales

Sharing from the Ansonia Police Facebook page:

"Three months ago today the Ansonia Police Department began our investigation into the disappearance of one year old Vanessa Morales. We continue to follow leads and information provided by the public. 
"The department would like to thank everyone for their assistance and ask that they continue to keep Vanessa's picture and story in the public eye and on social media. The items posted in December by the press and on social media have still not been located, pictures are attached to this post. 
"As we have stated in the past, if the person who has Vanessa is afraid of being arrested, the circumstances of how she came to be in their custody are irrelevant. Our only goal is to locate Vanessa safe and unharmed so she can be reunited with her family. Thank for your continued assistance and support. 
"Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ansonia Police at 203-735-1885 or through TIP411 at https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=21553

Possible sighting of Baby Vanessa today at Bridgeport Hospital

Sharing from Ansonia 06401~In the Know Facebook page:

Vanessa Morales

DoingItLocal.com

1 hr

(Possible Sighting Of Vanessa Morales) - #Bridgeport CT– UPDATE: Police sources have told me that the child was seen in Bridgeport Hospital around 10am this morning. Ansonia Police Detectives have been sent to Bridgeport Hospital to view the security video.

#Bridgeport CT--We are working on leads that the missing baby from Ansonia Vanessa Morales was sighted in Bridgeport this afternoon. I will keep you updated with any updates if any of these leads become credible or verification from police.

*A big thank you goes to Darlene Bomba Zawisza for bringing this to the attention of all of us in the community who have been praying the baby is safe.

Ansonia Police: FBI offering $10K reward for info in missing child search

From Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch: 

The following is a timeline of the Christine Holloway homicide and Vanessa Morales missing person investigation to this point.

November 29 – Last confirmed contact with Christine Holloway

December 2, 1 p.m. – Christine’s employer requests welfare check, no contact

December 2, 7:30 p.m. – Christine’s family requests welfare check, Christine found deceased in the home, Vanessa Morales missing

December 2 – Vanessa Morales listed as missing, silver alert issued

December 3 – Search warrant executed at Jose Morales’ New Haven residence, Jose arrested by New Haven PD for possessing two stun guns and held on a $250,000 bond

December 4 – Amber alert issued for Vanessa Morales

December 4 – State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner rules Christine Holloway’s death a homicide by blunt force trauma

December 17 – Jose Morales identified as suspect in the death of Christine Holloway and disappearance of Vanessa Morales

"The Ansonia Police Department in conjunction with the F.B.I. and Connecticut State Police are looking for the public’s help in our continuing search for Vanessa Morales," Lynch said in a press conference late Thursday afternoon. 

"In addition to searching for Vanessa, we are looking for the following items that Christine Holloway used in taking care of Vanessa and we have been unable to locate them. A Graco(unknown model) car seat with base and possible attached teething keyring. A multi-colored polka dot comforter. An Eddie Bauer First Adventure backpack diaper bag color heather grey. 
"These items may be with Vanessa or may have been discarded. If any of the items are located, they should not be touched and a phone call should be made to the Ansonia Police Department 203-735-1885 or the F.B.I. tip line 203-503-5555 or 800-225-5324.

"The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward to any individual who provides information that directly leads to the recovery of the missing child, Vanessa Morales, date of birth September 7, 2018. 
"The reward will be given to anyone in the community that has Vanessa in their possession and returns her unharmed, or has specific information about where Vanessa is located that leads to her recovery."

Ansonia Police: Press conference today at City Hall

From Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch:

There will be a press conference at 5 p.m. today in the Aldermanic Chambers at Ansonia City Hall, 253 Main Street Ansonia, CT. 
There will be a release of new information in the missing child / homicide investigation.

Ansonia Police: Investigation continues into murder, missing child

Vanessa Morales

From Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch:

"There will be no press conference today [Friday]. We are not at the point where we will be releasing any suspect or person of interest information. 
"The investigation is continuing and we are building a strong case to bring the investigation to a successful conclusion.

"Thank you to all the members of the community and surrounding cities and towns who have provided information and support in our efforts to arrest the person who murdered Christine and bring baby Vanessa home."