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 Department thanks jury for guilty verdict in Morales case

ANSONIA - Chief Williams and the entire Ansonia Police Department would like to thank the jury in the Morales case for their service and verdict in finding Jose Morales guilty. 

We would also like to thank the Ansonia/Milford Judicial District led by State’s Attorney Margaret Kelley, in particular Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard Stein, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Marc Durso, Inspector Butch Hyatt, Inspector Herb Johnson, Inspector Robert Winkler, Paralegal Chelsea Meehan and all the staff for their dedication and commitment to presenting this case to the jury and securing a conviction. 

Finally, thank you to the residents of Ansonia for their support and belief in the Ansonia Police Department to protect and serve our City.

While the conviction of Jose Morales closes one part of this case, we continue to investigate the disappearance of Vanessa Morales.

This is a press release from Lt. Patrick Lynch.