Human Remains Identified as Man Who Left Home Nearly 40 Years Ago — and Told His Mom He’d Be Back That Night

YOU NEED TO KNOW

• According to relatives, 23-year-old Ernest Joe Manzanares left home to confront two family members on July 28, 1988, and then never returned.

• In July 2009, human remains were found on land now known as the Lake Hiawatha Preserve, but despite an extensive investigation, the case was settled.

• After additional analysis years later, it was determined that the remains belonged to Manzanares.

It was determined that the human remains found approximately 17 years ago belonged to a man who left his home in 1988 and never returned.

Ernest Joe Manzanares23 years old, last seen leaving home on July 28, 1988.

“Ernest left his family’s home one night and never came back,” said retired Ocoee Police Detective. at Michelle Grogan a press conference Friday, February 13th. “His family has been living without answers for forty years. They didn’t know where he was, what happened to him, or if they would ever see him again.”

Years later, in July 2009, human remains were found by a work crew clearing excess vegetation on land now known as the Lake Hiawatha Preserve. Clermont Police Department he said in a statement.

“Forensic consultations with the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, and the Fifth District Medical Examiner confirmed that the remains were human and belonged to an adult male,” police continued. “The evidence was submitted for forensic and DNA analysis in 2009.”

But despite a thorough investigation, the case went cold, police said.

Never miss a story — sign up PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter To stay up to date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling juicy stories.

Clermont Police said in June of last year the medical examiner’s office received approval for the genetic genealogy donation through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

With the approval of the police, the forensic medicine office presented the evidence in the case to the court. otramspecializes in using DNA technology to solve cold cases – and on December 29, investigators were notified that the remains belonged to Manzanares.

“This identification reflects years of persistence and cooperation,” Clermont Police Capt. Malcolm Draper said in a press release. “Although the case went cold, it was never forgotten. Advances in forensic science, combined with the dedication of our investigative partners, have produced answers that were not possible in 2009.”

“We are grateful that this identification brings some closure to the Manzanares family,” added Ocoee Police Chief Vincent Ogburn. “They now have the opportunity to put their loved ones to rest.”

Grogan said at Friday’s news conference that the search for Manzanares’ daughter was bittersweet. “He was grateful to finally find answers and bring his father home,” Grogan said. “But like every child, he always had the hope that his father might come back into his life one day.”

Although unknown to investigators at the time of her disappearance, Grogan said at the press conference that in 2022, she spoke with Manzanares’ mother, who wanted to “clear the air.”

Grogan said that, according to his mother, the family was “experiencing domestic violence” before her son went missing, and in addition to moving from Colorado to live with Manzanares’ family, she convinced her father, who has since died, to move as well.

His mother also said she heard that Manzanares, his father and another deceased relative were planning to sell his sister and nephew, then ages 7 and 8, to a motorcycle gang of which they were members.

“I guess in this day and age you would call it human trafficking,” Grogan said.

As Manzanares left to confront them, he told his mother that he planned to return later that night, leaving his wallet and jacket behind.

When asked, Grogan said he did not have additional answers about what might have happened to Manzanares at this point in the investigation.

The investigation is still ongoing.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or go to: thehotline.org. All calls are free and confidential. The helpline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

Read the original article People