AMBER Alert VANESSA MORALES: Missing from Ansonia, CT - 29 Nov 2019 - Age 1 *TRIAL IN PROGRESS*

‘We live with the nightmare every day:’ Aunt of missing Ansonia child Vanessa Morales reflects on 5 year anniversary of her disappearance​

It’s been five years since one-year-old Vanessa Morales went missing, after her mother, Christine Holloway, was found dead in their Ansonia home.

“We live with the nightmare every day,” Christine Holloway’s sister-in-law and Vanessa’s Aunt Jodi Jacobellis said. “It’s heartbreaking because we’ve missed so many milestones with Vanessa.”

Investigators came to the conclusion the 14-month-old was kidnapped back in December of 2019. She’s been missing ever since.

Two months later, Vanessa’s father, Jose Morales, was charged with murder and is awaiting trial after rejecting a plea deal in July.


“I don’t care if you have her or if you know someone who has her,” Jacobellis said. “There’s an anonymous tipline with Ansonia Police and FBI. Just come forward at this point, enough is enough. We’re hurting. Our whole family is hurting and we just need that last piece that is Vanessa.”

Jacobellis said on Monday both lawyers and the judge will select a start date for Morales’ murder trial. She said it’s taken a long time to get to this point and they are ready to move forward and fight for Christine.

Trial date set for man in 2019 killing of Ansonia mom​

The trial of the man accused of killing the mother of his 14-month-old daughter inside her Ansonia home in 2019 is slated to begin March, 18, 2025, according to Christine Holloway’s family.

Jose Morales was charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence in the Dec. 2, 2019, death of Holloway.

He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against him and is being held in lieu of more than a $5 million bond. He rejected a plea deal in July.

Morales has not been formally charged in the disappearance of his daughter, Vanessa, who went missing the day her mother was found dead.

Ansonia police said they are still actively investigating Vanessa’s disappearance.

POS.

This is five yrs ago already, He was charged in 2019. The system needs serious help. Just another case taking way, way too long.

Every time I see this little girls' picture...

I pretty much doubt she's alive or was long after but then who knows. That's part of it, NO ONE KNOWS. I can't imagine living with that as any family member remaining.

I mean at the age she was (now would be six or seven right), she'd certainly be recognizable. Big beautiful eyes, chubby cheeks and I mean that in a complimentary way, a pretty child imo. It's one reason I think her unlikely alive. Been then who knows how widely pics get circulated.

On the other hand he killed the mom but daughter was missing so I don't have no hope she is alive as she wasn't found dead there. It just seems unlikely.

I think I may be due for a break from crime. Not the first time but feel I might not be recognizing it.

Because right now I want to say how I think they should handle perps who won't tell where the child is, etc. I did, however, stop myself from going there. And that in turn makes me think of Mel who I'm sure would likely agree lol. And now I'm worried about her.

Anyhow.... It's TIME they try this man for God's sake.

I don't get how anyone can think it okay for cases to go this many years. It's just been happening and seems to be accepted.

Better stop there too.

Accused Ansonia killer: Don't mention missing daughter Vanessa Morales at murder trial​

The 2019 homicide of Christine Holloway of Ansonia remains linked to the still-unsolved disappearance of the woman's infant daughter, Vanessa Morales, at the time of her death.

But the lawyer representing Jose Morales, the man accused of Holloway's Dec. 2, 2019, killing, doesn't see it that way, and is hoping a judge will agree to bar prosecutors from introducing any testimony about Vanessa at Morales' upcoming murder trial.

In a three-page motion filed last week, the attorney, Edward Gavin, asked a judge to "preclude any testimony or other evidence from any witnesses on direct or cross-examination ... of any and all evidence concerning the alleged disappearance of the defendant's daughter, Vanessa Morales."

In the motion, Gavin notes, in bold type, that Morales has not been charged in Vanessa's disappearance, and argues that any mention of Vanessa could "mislead and confuse the jury."

In addition to the motion concerning Vanessa Morales, Gavin also filed a motion to suppress any evidence police seized from Morales and any statements he made to police in the early morning hours of Dec. 3, 2019, hours after Holloway's bloodied body was found inside her Myrtle Avenue home.

Is there any emoticon here where someone blows steam or their top off???

I am sick to death of all being about the defendants.

There is a woman dead here and a baby (can figure). Of course the same person did BOTH at the same general time. For God's sakes, laws are one thing but use some darned common sense and LOGIC. IMHO such should play in in such decisions. And be allowed to. DUH. I think I should stick to getting angry with people who make chili with macaroni and ketchup... While our systems go to total heck...

Vanessa Morales disappearance will be allowed at father's CT murder trial, judge rules​

A judge on Monday denied a request from lawyers representing Jose Morales in advance of his upcoming murder trial in the 2019 killing of Ansonia mother Christine Holloway.

Morales' defense team had asked Judge Shari Murphy to prohibit prosecutors from introducing any evidence regarding Morales' and Holloway's daughter, Vanessa, who disappeared without a trace following the homicide.

In a motion, defense attorney Edward Gavin argued that any mention of his daughter could "mislead and confuse the jury."

But after a hearing Monday, the judge ruled that evidence concerning Vanessa's disappearance is "highly probative and relevant" — but did mandate certain limitations.

"We will see how the evidence goes in, but the court is not inclined at this point to restrict fully the state's ability to introduce evidence of the missing child," Murphy said.

While Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Howard Stein told the judge he does not intend to introduce any evidence Vanessa is dead or has been harmed during the trial, scheduled to begin next month, the judge ordered that if he does, he must first inform the court outside the jury's presence beforehand.

"I will remind counsel this includes any testimony or evidence the child remains missing," the judge said.

Jury selection in the case is now scheduled for Tuesday morning. But before attorneys begin to question potential panelists, the judge said she'd hand down a ruling on a request from Morales' defense to suppress DNA and cellphone evidence at the upcoming trial.

One juror seated on 1st day of jury selection for Jose Morales; judge allows DNA, cellphone evidence at trial​

One juror was chosen Tuesday as jury selection began in Jose Morale’s upcoming murder trial at Milford Superior Court. Morales is accused of killing his girlfriend, Christine Holloway. The two shared a 1-year-old daughter, Vanessa Morales, who disappeared at the time of the homicide and remains missing today. A panel of 12 jurors and four alternates will hear the case when it goes to trial March 18, over five years later.

On Tuesday, before jury selection started, Judge Shari Murphy made another decision about what evidence will be allowed at trial. Murphy denied a motion from the defense to exclude anything recovered from Morales’ two cellphones or clothing, which Ansonia police seized after finding Holloway beaten to death in her home Dec. 2, 2019. Data from Morales’ phones put him in Holloway’s neighborhood, despite Morales telling police otherwise, according to his arrest warrant. Tissue-like material and a reddish-brown stain on Morales’ shoes came back as Holloway’s DNA, the warrant said.


Morales’ mental state is expected to be a big part of the defense. According to his arrest warrant, Morales told police he was using PCP the weekend of Holloway’s death and Vanessa’s disappearance and doesn’t remember anything. But Morales said he would have never hurt them.


Jury selection continues at the Milford courthouse Wednesday.

Jury selected in trial of man accused of killing Ansonia mother​

The jury is now set in the murder trial of Jose Morales, the man accused of killing an Ansonia mother five years ago.

Testimony is expected to start in the murder trial in early April.

It is like court and attys and judges don't work until April and then all trials put off forever commence. Seriously.

Praying for justice for this little girl and her mom, pretty obvious in this one who did what. A "man" with regret would tell where the child's body is. Yeah, never. And yeah, I could not be an unprejudiced juror in this one.

Man up? Not this guy. Not Harmony's dad. Not so very many... SAD. And SICK.

More than five years after Christine Holloway was found dead in her Myrtle Avenue home, the man accused of her murder is scheduled to go on trial on April 7.

Officials release new age-enhanced photo of Vanessa Morales, girl missing since 2019​

Ansonia police and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have released an age-enhanced photo of Vanessa Morales, a child who has been missing since December 2019 when her mother was found dead in their home.

Forensic examiners provide insight during testimony in Jose Morales trial​

On the fourth day of Jose Morales’ trial, the state introduced three witnesses, as they continue to build the connection between Morales and Christine Holloway to the jury.


On Thursday, the first witness was Michael Morganti, a forensic science examiner with the Connecticut Division of Scientific Services, Forensic Laboratory.

Morganti provided a brief description of the process of DNA extraction to the jury.

He also testified that he conducted DNA tests on two samples and from there, was able to obtain a single source of a female profile.

Morganti was on the stand for about 10 minutes before being dismissed.

The second testimony was provided by Kristen Madel, forensic science examiner with the CT Division of Scientific Services.

Madel testified to having worked with the state for 21 years and has given more than 40 testimonies in court as a DNA analysis expert.

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Marc Durso introduced state exhibits of Madel’s DNA reports.

Madel testified to finding Christine Holloway’s, and Morales’ DNA being found on the black contractor bag that was in the trunk of Morales’ gold Mazda protégé.

Madel also testified to a black Nike sneaker having Holloway’s and Morales’ DNA.

Madel also testified to multiple other objects that had Holloway’s DNA on them including the bottom of a children’s puzzle, a Sydney Shark book, Bath time book, Bible Reader book, a pink Croc shoe, a diaper pail and bone fragments.

Defense Attorney Howard Stein also questioned Madel about her report findings.

He established that Morales’ DNA was eliminated as a source in most of the items that had Holloway’s DNA, except for two.

The third witness of the day was CT FBI Agent David Carney, an agent with the cellular analysis survey team (CAST).

The state introduced a report generated by Carney detailing the call details record of Morales’ and Holloway’s cellphones.

Carney testified that he was only assigned to the case this year. He said was instructed to analyze the calls made between Nov. 29, 2019 and Dec 2, 2019.

Carney testified to multiple instances on Nov. 29, 2019 where Morales and Holloway’s cellphone appear to be at Morales’ home address in New Haven.

On the morning of Dec. 2, 2019 at around 4:25 a.m., both cellphones were moving towards Orange, Connecticut.

On that same day, between 4:45 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., both devices were in downtown New Haven.

Then from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., Morales’ phone was at 6 ½ Myrtle Ave in Ansonia, but there is no record of Holloway’s phone.

At 9:37 a.m., phone records showed Morales called Holloway’s cellphone for three seconds before ending the call.

Between the hours of 12 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2019, Holloway’s phone was north of Ansonia in the area of the Naugatuck State Forest.

Defense Attorney Stein questioned Carney on the accuracy of the phone locations.

Carney said he could not testify to the cellphones being inside of the homes, but rather that they were in the areas of the home addresses.

Jurors see video of Jose Morales talking about missing daughter during police interview​

On the sixth day of Jose Morales’ trial, the jury was shown a nearly hour-long video interview from Dec. 3, 2019.

Lt. Frolish testified that he went to pick up Morales from his mother’s home in New Haven during the early hours of Dec. 3, 2019 to bring him to the Ansonia Police Dept. so Morales could help police try and figure out where his daughter Vanessa was.

At the time of the video interview, Morales had not been arrested or detained, Lt. Frolish added.

The detectives begin asking Morales about his girlfriend Christine Holloway’s whereabouts and where he thought Vanessa could be.

Morales told the investigators the two of them had stayed with him in New Haven to celebrate Thanksgiving and left back to Ansonia by 6 p.m. on Friday.

The detectives continued to ask Morales if there's anywhere or anyone he could think of who would have Vanessa.

Morales continued to respond that he figured Vanessa was with Christine and had no idea who else she could be with.

At one point Morales is heard saying, “we have a baby but it’s not like we’re that close,” as he referred to Holloway.

During that interview, Morales also told the detectives that he returned to his home in New Haven on Dec. 2, 2019 after staying with his friend in East Haven over the weekend.

Detective Adcox was heard sounding frustrated with Morales’ lack of concern or worry for his daughter Vanessa.

Detective Adcox asked Morales if he he had any idea of Vanessa’s location and if he didn’t then how could he be so sure that Vanessa was still with Holloway, to which Morales responded, “I don’t know,” before he rhetorically said, “do you want me to cry for Christine, cry for my daughter?”

SheWhoMustNotBeNamed said:

https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/jurors-see-video-of-jose-morales-talking-about-missing-daughter-during-police-interview/3543777/

Jurors see video of Jose Morales talking about missing daughter during police interview​

On the sixth day of Jose Morales’ trial, the jury was shown a nearly hour-long video interview from Dec. 3, 2019.

Lt. Frolish testified that he went to pick up Morales from his mother’s home in New Haven during the early hours of Dec. 3, 2019 to bring him to the Ansonia Police Dept. so Morales could help police try and figure out where his daughter Vanessa was.

At the time of the video interview, Morales had not been arrested or detained, Lt. Frolish added.

The detectives begin asking Morales about his girlfriend Christine Holloway’s whereabouts and where he thought Vanessa could be.

Morales told the investigators the two of them had stayed with him in New Haven to celebrate Thanksgiving and left back to Ansonia by 6 p.m. on Friday.

The detectives continued to ask Morales if there's anywhere or anyone he could think of who would have Vanessa.

Morales continued to respond that he figured Vanessa was with Christine and had no idea who else she could be with.

At one point Morales is heard saying, “we have a baby but it’s not like we’re that close,” as he referred to Holloway.

During that interview, Morales also told the detectives that he returned to his home in New Haven on Dec. 2, 2019 after staying with his friend in East Haven over the weekend.

Detective Adcox was heard sounding frustrated with Morales’ lack of concern or worry for his daughter Vanessa.

Detective Adcox asked Morales if he he had any idea of Vanessa’s location and if he didn’t then how could he be so sure that Vanessa was still with Holloway, to which Morales responded, “I don’t know,” before he rhetorically said, “do you want me to cry for Christine, cry for my daughter?”

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So typical of these baby killers! They act like the children deserved to die and how dare someone question them about it.

Couldn't agree more. And the mother too quite often.

‘I did not kill Christine Holloway': Morales concludes testimony in murder trial​

A man who is accused of killing his girlfriend, the mother of his missing daughter, in her Ansonia home in December 2019 took the stand in his own defense and told the jury he saw the attack but could not do anything because he was on PCP and he explained how he cleaned up the house after she was attacked.

Jose Morales has been charged with the murder of Christine Holloway and tampering with evidence.

The defense rested its case on Thursday afternoon.


The dramatic turn in the case came on Wednesday when Morales first took the stand after the state rested its case and a criminal psychologist testified as a defense witness.

Before he testified, the judge asked Morales if he was sure he wanted to take the stand and Morales responded, "I am sure."

During cross-examination on Thursday, prosecutors asked Morales if he ever recalled calling Holloway “a pig,” and Morales responded that he did.

The prosecution also asked Morales if he had accused Holloway of being unfaithful and Morales responded, “probably.”

Prosecutors also showed a series of text messages between Morales and Holloway where he was asking where she was, bringing up money and raising concerns that she was seeing someone else.

Holloway responded to those messages by saying she loved him, there was no one else and not to give up on her, prosecutors said.

Hmm, took the stand, fairly rare but what does he have to lose I guess....