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Photo by Eugene Driscoll
Lt. Patrick Lynch, standing behind a photo of Vanessa Morales, takes questions after police announced the arrest of Vanessa’s father for allegedly murdering her mother Dec. 2.
ANSONIA — Police Friday announced the arrest of Jose Morales in connection to the homicide of Christine Holloway.
Morales is scheduled to be arraigned in Derby court at 2 p.m.
He is charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence.
Police said Vanessa Morales, the 1‑year-old daughter of Morales and Holloway, is still missing.
Anyone with information about Vanessa’s whereabouts should call the Ansonia Police Department at 203 – 735-1885 or the F.B.I. tip line 203 – 503-5555, or 800 – 225-5324.
A $10,000 reward is being offered.
Holloway was found dead inside her Myrtle Avenue house Dec. 2, 2019. Vanessa was last seen a few days prior.
This story will be updated.
Video from the 12 p.m. press conference is embedded below. A statement from police is published under the video.
STATEMENT FROM ANSONIA POLICE:
Today, February 7, 2020, at approximately 11:30 A.M. Jose Morales was arrested and charged with Murder and Tampering with Evidence in the homicide of Christine Holloway. Morales is being held on a 5 million dollar bond and is set to be arraigned this afternoon at 2:00 P.M. in Derby Superior Court. The arrest of Jose Morales is the next step in presenting a case for prosecution in the homicide of Christine Holloway. The Ansonia Police Department continues to investigate the homicide, following leads, along with evaluating and testing evidence to add to the prosecution of Jose Morales. Anyone with information regarding the homicide of Christine Holloway should contact the Ansonia Police Department.
As you know, the homicide is only one part of the investigation. The Ansonia Police Department, along with our law enforcement partners continue to follow leads and tips in the disappearance of baby Vanessa. We hope that this arrest will lead to more information on the whereabouts of baby Vanessa. We encourage anyone with information regarding baby Vanessa, where she is or who she may be with to come forward. The circumstances of how baby Vanessa came into their custody is irrelevant at this point, our goal is to return baby Vanessa safely to her family.
At this time, on behalf of Chief Cota, the Ansonia Police Department would like to recognize and thank the following people for their work, commitment and assistance in this investigation:
All of the sworn and civilian members of the Ansonia Police Department, in particular:
Lt. Wayne Williams
Det. Sgt. James Frolish
Det. Stephen Adcox
Det. Kristen Hunt-Flynn
Det. Brian Harte
Det. Richard Esposito
& Det. Jon Troesser
The Derby Police Department, in particular:
Chief Gerald Narowski
Lieutenant Justin Stanko
Det. Sgt. John Netto
Det. Gino DiMauro
Det. Ben Bartone
Det. Edward Sullivan
Off. Joseph Massetti
All of the special agents, task force officers and civilian employees from the Federal Bureau of Investigation New Haven Office, in particular
Special Agent in Charge Brian Turner
Asst Special Agent in Charge Ari Papadacos
Special Agent Wendy Bowersox
Supervisory Special Agent Jeff Waterman
Supervisory Special Agent Kurt Siuzdak
The members of the FBI Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Unit and Behavior Analysis Unit
The Connecticut State Police, in particular:
Colonel Stavros Mellekas
Major Scott Smith
Lieutenant Shawn Corey
Sgt. Matt Gunsales
Sgt. Ralph Soda
Sgt. Anthony Juliano
The Central District Major Crimes Unit and The Emergency Services Unit
The following police departments:
Hamden PD
Naugatuck PD
New Haven PD
Stratford PD
Finally and most importantly, we would like to thank the citizens who have provided tips, information and their support throughout this investigation.
