Human remains discovered nearly 17 years ago have been identified as Ernest Joe Manzanares, a man who vanished after leaving home in 1988.
Manzanares was 23 when he was last seen on July 28, 1988, after leaving his family’s home and never returning. “His family has lived for four decades without answers,” retired Ocoee Police Detective Michelle Grogan said at a news conference on Friday, Feb. 13. “They didn’t know where he was, what happened to him or if they would ever see him again.”
In July 2009, a work crew clearing heavy overgrowth found human remains on property now known as Lake Hiawatha Preserve, according to the Clermont Police Department. Investigators consulted forensic specialists at the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida and the Fifth District Medical Examiner, who confirmed the remains were human and belonged to an adult male. Evidence was submitted for DNA and forensic analysis that year.
Despite what police described as an extensive investigation, the case eventually went cold.
In June of last year, the medical examiner’s office received approval for a genetic genealogy grant through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, police said. With permission from Clermont police, the medical examiner’s office sent the case evidence to Othram, a company that uses advanced DNA technology to help identify unknown remains and solve cold cases.
On Dec. 29, investigators were notified that the remains belonged to Manzanares.
“This identification reflects years of persistence and collaboration,” Clermont Police Captain Malcolm Draper said in a statement. “Although the case grew cold, it was never forgotten. Advances in forensic science, combined with the dedication of our investigative partners, produced answers that were not possible in 2009.”
Ocoee Police Chief Vincent Ogburn said the identification offers the family a chance to find some closure and lay their loved one to rest.
Grogan described informing Manzanares’ daughter as a bittersweet moment. She said the daughter was grateful to finally have answers and to bring her father home, but had also held onto hope that he might return one day.
Grogan also shared additional context that was not known to investigators at the time of Manzanares’ disappearance. She said that in 2022 she spoke with Manzanares’ mother, who wanted to provide more information about what the family was experiencing before he vanished.
According to Grogan, the family had been dealing with domestic violence. Manzanares had moved from Colorado to be with his family and had persuaded his father — who has since died — to move out.
Grogan said Manzanares’ mother also reported that her son had allegedly heard that his father and another now-deceased relative planned to sell his sister and niece, then ages 7 and 8, to a motorcycle gang they were involved with. Grogan said the allegation would today be considered human trafficking.
Manzanares’ mother told investigators that he left to confront them, saying he would return later that night. He left behind his wallet and jacket.
When asked about what may have happened to Manzanares, Grogan said investigators do not yet have additional answers. The investigation remains ongoing.
