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.

Silver Alert issued today for missing Shelton teen

This is shared from the Valley Independent Sentinel 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 seek public's help in locating teen

From Ansonia Police Department March 15 at 11:48 PM 
UPDATE -- CAROLINE WINEK RETURNED HOME SAFELY, THANK YOU FOR SHARING

Caroline Winek

From Ansonia Police Department Facebook page:

RUNAWAY / MISSING JUVENILE

Caroline Winek, age 15, was last seen in the area of Savelle Road today [Sunday] around 7:30 P.M. 

Caroline is 5'6" tall, 125 pounds with blonde hair and brown eyes wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants. 

The Ansonia Police Department is looking for the public's assistance in locating Caroline. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at 203-735-1885.

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

Ansonia Police: Missing toddler not child in Bridgeport Hospital video

ANSONIA - Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch reported today that approximately 8 p.m. Jan. 1 the Bridgeport Police Department contacted the Ansonia Police Department regarding a possible sighting of Vanessa Morales at Bridgeport Hospital. 

Ansonia detectives responded to Bridgeport Hospital and reviewed surveillance video that showed a female child, which resembled Vanessa Morales with several other people. Detectives were able to identify and make contact with the people in the video. 

The child in the video was not Vanessa Morales.

The Ansonia Police Department continues to investigate the homicide of Christine Holloway and disappearance of Vanessa. 

We are following up on all information and leads received and encourage people to report any information they have regarding the investigation. 

Anyone with information can contact the FBI at 203-503-5555, the Ansonia Police Department 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: No press conference scheduled today

ANSONIA - Police Lt. Patrick Lynch said this afternoon there will be no press conference today, referring to the search for baby Vanessa Morales, 1, who has been missing since Dec. 3. 

Ansonia Police: Vanessa Morales' father a suspect in her disappearance

ANSONIA - As the investigation into the homicide of Christine Holloway and disappearance of Vanessa Morales enters its third week, the Ansonia Police Department is again requesting the public’s assistance in the investigation. 

The suspect in both the homicide of Christine and disappearance of Vanessa is Jose Morales, age 43, of New Haven. 

Jose Morales is the father of Vanessa Morales and the boyfriend of Christine Holloway. Jose is currently incarcerated and has been since Dec. 3, 2019. 

Finding Vanessa and bringing her home safely is our main priority. We are not looking to arrest or start criminal proceedings against whoever has Vanessa; we just want her returned to her family. It is imperative that we find Vanessa, a one-year old child who is wholly dependent on others for her care and well-being and we know locating Vanessa would bring a sense of relief to her family.

Anyone who had contact or saw Jose Morales on Saturday, Nov. 30, Sunday, Dec. 1, or Monday, Dec. 2, is asked to contact the FBI tip line at 203-503-5555 or the Ansonia Police Department at 203-735-1885 or through Tip411.

Jose Morales is currently incarcerated for an arrest on 12/3/19 in New Haven on a weapons charge; the arrest is not related to our investigation.

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

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."

FBI, Police seeking any information about missing Ansonia child

Ansonia Police: No press conference scheduled today

Email at 1:30 p.m. today from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch:

"There will be no press conference today. I would like to thank you all for your continued commitment to this investigation [into missing 1-year old Vanessa Morales]."

Ansonia detectives, state police return to Myrtle Avenue home

From Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch:

"No press conference today.

"Ansonia Detectives and Connecticut State Police were back at 6 ½ Myrtle Ave. today doing follow-ups for the investigation into the homicide of Christine Holloway and missing person, Vanessa Morales. 

"There is no other information to release at this time."

Ansonia Police: No information is too small in search for 1-year old

Sharing message from Sunday afternoon from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch:

"The Ansonia Police Department and our law enforcement partners continue to follow leads and interview potential witnesses in our efforts to identify the person who killed Christine Holloway and locate our missing one-year old child, Vanessa Morales. 

"We would like to thank all the members of the community who have reached out to us and continue to reach out to us with information. No piece of information is too small or insignificant, so please continue to contact the FBI tip line at 203-503-5555.

"Last night at about around 10 p.m. the New Haven Police Department responded to the 1200 block of Ella Grasso Boulevard on a report of a child seat left in a parking lot. Members of the Ansonia Police Department and FBI also responded and determined the car seat had no connection to our investigation. The seat was from a car that had been reported stolen in Hamden several days earlier.

"There has been information circulating on social media encouraging people to place a red light outside their home if they were willing to take in our missing child from whomever has her. 

"We believe the symbol of red light outside a home is great way to show community support for Vanessa and her family until she is brought home. However the red light should be a reminder to whoever may have baby Vanessa to bring her to a local hospital, fire department, or police department.

"We are asking all the people who have shared the red light message to please add to their message that Vanessa should be brought to a local hospital, fire department, or police department.

"Anyone with information can contact the FBI at 203-503-5555, or leave a tip through www.tip411.com."

Followup to previous post on Saturday's prayer vigil in Ansonia

ANSONIA - I attended the solemn vigil in Veterans Park Saturday both as a concerned resident and a journalist.
Like everyone who was there I fervently hope little 1-year old Vanessa Morales will soon be returned safe to her family. 


Here is a link to today's special issue of The Valley Voice newsletter:

https://3d62a228-eb5f-443c-a1ec-b9ff5c58ad34.filesusr.com/ugd/329bf6_963262738dc44c95a078cfe49d84c027.pdf

Vigil held in Ansonia to pray for baby's safe return

Residents attend a vigil Saturday evening in Veterans Park in Ansonia to pray for Vanessa Morales, 1, who is believed to have been abducted from her home in Ansonia. 

Please see more coverage of the event in the next issue of the Valley Voice newsletter.

Ansonia Police: No new developments in missing child investigation

Sharing email from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch Saturday afternoon regarding the search for 1-year old Vanessa Morales:


"There will be no press conference today. We continue to investigate leads and do follow ups and would like to thank the community for all their support in our efforts to bring baby Vanessa home to her family."