In Ocoee, a city in Orange County, Florida, the family of Ernest Joe Manzanaresand 23 year old young manwaited for answers since they last saw him almost four decades ago. He left home on July 28, 1988he told his mother that he would return later, but never came back.
They did the report of his disappearance and a search was launched, but the case did not progress. «Until today, his family did not know where he was, what had happened to him or if they would ever see him again,» lamented retired Detective Michelle Grogan, at a press conference held on Friday, February 13 on behalf of the Ocoee police.
When Ernest had already been missing for 17 years, in July 2009, A crew of workers clearing brush near a main road in Clermont, the most populous city in Lake County, found human remains on property now known as Lake Hiawatha Preserve.
Investigators arrived at the scene and they started the investigation. It was determined that The skeletal remains probably belonged to a man between 21 and 35 years old. Due to the state of the remains, the forensic experts indicated that He had probably died several years earlier.
They also found a blanket, men’s underwear, and remains of a bullet, but there was no certainty that the items were related to the case. Despite a long investigation, At that time the man could not be identified.
The case was registered in the National System for Missing and Unidentified Persons (NamUs). Meanwhile, in parallel, the Ocoee Police Department and Detective Grogan were investigating the disappearance of the young man from Ocoee, in nearby Orange County.
Although the report dated back to 1988, the investigation into his disappearance was still active in missing persons databases, including NamUs, and his DNA profile was preserved.
In July 2025 they went to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas, which specializes in the use of DNA technology for cold cases.
The scientists determined that advanced DNA testing could help identify the DNA found in 2009. Using the skeletal remains provided, they developed a complete DNA profile using Forensic Grade Genomic Sequencing, and on December 29, 2025, they notified investigators of a genetic match.
The DNA profile provided by a relative of Manzanares was compared and they determined that the skeletal remains were indeed those of Ernest «Ernie» Manzanares, born February 2, 1965.
“This identification reflects years of perseverance and collaboration between departments,” Clermont Police Capt. Malcolm Draper proudly stated in a news release.
«Although the case had not been solved, it was never forgotten. Advances in forensic sciencecombined with the dedication of our research collaborators, produced answers that were not possible in 2009,» Draper said.
Suspicions of a crime after learning about the last night alive of Ernest Manzanares
«We appreciate that this identification brings some comfort to the Manzanares family,» said Ocoee Police Chief Vincent Ogburn. And he added: «Now you have the opportunity to bury your loved one.».
Detective Grogan, for her part, said at Friday’s news conference that notifying Manzanares’ daughter After 37 years to tell him that they had found the remains of his father’s body, it was a complex experience.
The woman was a baby when her father disappeared and all her life she wondered what had happened to him. «She was grateful to finally get answers and bring her father home, but like any girl, He always hoped that his father would return to his life one day.«Grogan explained.
Grogan said during the press conference that when he spoke with Manzanares’ mother in 2022 told him that before her son disappeared the family was «suffering domestic violence»
«They had moved from Colorado to live with their family, and Ernest, who was the oldest son and protector of the family, convinced his father, who has since passed away, to also move with them,» the researcher said.
«Manzanares heard that his father and another now-deceased relative were planning to sell his sister and niece, then ages 7 and 8, to a motorcycle gang of which they were members. Today we would call it human trafficking.«Grogan revealed.
Manzanares told his mother that last night they saw him that he was going to go find his father to confront him. He got into the red 1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo he was driving, a vehicle that was never found.
Since there were never any clues about his whereabouts nor had an autopsy been performed to determine the cause of death, the hypothesis of a homicide had no way of being supported.
«At this point in the investigation the family no longer has any more answers about what may have happened to Manzanares, but it will continue its course until it is resolved,» said Detective Grogan.
