# Justice Served: Jose Morales Sentenced to 65 Years for Murder of Christine Holloway, Baby Vanessa Still Missing
In a heart-wrenching case that’s gripped Connecticut since 2019, Jose Morales has received a 65-year prison sentence for murdering his girlfriend, Christine Holloway, in Ansonia.
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The sentencing brings some closure, but the pain lingers. The couple’s baby daughter, Vanessa, is still missing nearly five years later, and that loss hangs over the community.
Law enforcement agencies from Stamford to Hartford remain involved as the search for Vanessa continues. The case has drawn attention far beyond Ansonia.
Maximum Sentence Delivered in Milford Superior Court
Jose Morales, now 48, stood before a judge in Milford Superior Court last week and got the maximum penalty. Sixty years for murder, plus five more for tampering with evidence.
His attorney pushed for just 35 years. The judge didn’t budge, refusing to show mercy for a crime that shocked people from New Haven to Waterbury.
Defense Claims Rejected by Jury
During the trial, Morales told a story that left many shaking their heads. He said he was high on PCP when two unknown men burst in, killed Holloway, and took baby Vanessa.
He admitted to cleaning up the scene, which led to the tampering charge. Prosecutors, though, convinced the jury that Morales himself committed the murder and likely knows what happened to his daughter.
Investigators from Bridgeport to Danbury worked together, gathering evidence piece by piece. The jury found Morales guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Ongoing Search for Vanessa Morales
The most painful part of this story is Vanessa’s continued absence. She’d be six now, turning seven in September.
The Ansonia Police Department and the FBI still haven’t given up. They’re out there, following leads, hoping for a break.
Age-Progressed Photo Released to Aid Investigation
Authorities recently put out an age-progressed photo of Vanessa, showing what she might look like today. That move sparked renewed interest, especially in Norwalk and nearby towns.
“We will never stop looking for Vanessa,” one investigator said. “Every lead matters, no matter how small.”
Family’s Emotional Plea for Closure
At the sentencing, Holloway’s family poured out their grief and anger. They described Morales as cruel, someone who shattered their lives.
But their focus is still on Vanessa. They just want her home.
“The family continues to experience two tragedies,” said a victim advocate from Greenwich who’s worked closely with them. “They’ve lost Christine forever, and each day without knowing where Vanessa is—it’s just more pain.”
Judge’s Strong Condemnation
The judge didn’t hold back when delivering the sentence. He called the crime “a cruel, intentional, senseless, violent act.”
Morales had a statement ready for court. On his attorney’s advice, though, he stayed silent—maybe his last chance to say anything about Vanessa’s whereabouts, now just gone.
Authorities are still urging anyone with information about Vanessa Morales to reach out:
The search for the little girl, who’s missed five birthdays, still goes on. For folks across Connecticut who’ve watched this unfold, the sentence brings justice for Christine Holloway, but the mystery of Vanessa Morales just won’t let go.
Here is the source article for this story: Jose Morales to be sentenced for girlfriend’s murder conviction
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