Who is Ernest Manzanares? Human remains in 1988 Ocoee missing persons case identified
For nearly 40 years, a daughter was left wondering why her father never came home.
Ernest Joe Manzanares' family once thought he abandoned them. The father left his Ocoee home on July 28, 1988, and was never heard from again. However, this entire time, Manzanares was about 20 miles west, dead in Clermont.
Now, decades after her father went missing, Manzanares' daughter, Kristina Cree – who now lives in Colorado – had always thought her father might come back into her life one day. Now, she has certainty about what happened to him.
What we know:
Remains belonging to Ernest Manzanares were found in Clermont in 2009 – 21 years after he went missing.
Who is Ernest Manzanares?
Ernest Joe Manzanares was last seen on Sand Dollar Key Drive in Ocoee on July 28, 1988. He was 23 years old.
According to Michelle Grogan, a retired detective from the Ocoee Police Department, who closely investigated Manzanares' missing persons case throughout her career, said Ernest received a call from his mother telling them that she and Manzanares' siblings were experiencing domestic violence at home.
Manzanares moved from Colorado to Ocoee to be near his family. He convinced his father to move to Winter Garden, Grogan said.
Manzanares learned that his father and uncle planned to sell his sister and niece – who were seven and eight years old – to a motorcycle gang, Grogan said. He left his Ocoee home in his red 1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo to confront his father and uncle. He left with his keys – leaving his wallet behind – telling his mom he'd be back later that night and had a dental appointment for his wisdom teeth the next day, Grogan said.
Watch: Press conference
DNA evidence links 2009 remains found in Clermont to 1998 missing father case
Press Conference | A 2009 cold case of found human remains in Clermont is solved. After receiving technology to conduct a DNA genealogy analysis, investigators uncovered in 2025 that the 2009 remains belonged to a missing Ocoee father, Ernest Manzanares, who went missing in 1988.
Grogan described Manzanares as the protector of the family.
Manzanares and his vehicle were never seen again, Grogan said.
He became the Ocoee Police Department's oldest missing persons case.
Where was Ernest Manzanares found?
It wasn't until over 20 years later – in 2009 – that Ernest Manzanares would be found. However, he wouldn't be identified until nearly two decades later.
In 2009, city work crews were clearing off a newly acquired piece of land – which is now Lake Hiawatha Preserve – and found apparent human remains. Bone fragments, about 27 teeth and clothing were found, Capt. Malcom Draper of the Clermont Police Department said in a Feb. 13 news conference.
The anthropology division of the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida confirmed that human remains were discovered. Investigators tried to identify the bone fragments in 2009, but weren't able to. The case went cold.
How did Ernest Manzanares die?
Investigators found a spent bullet in the area where Manzanares' remains were found.
It's not known how Manzanares ended up at the current Lake Hiawatha Preserve site or how he died.
His father and uncle have since died, Grogan said. They weren't questioned in connection to the missing persons case in 1988.
Retired Ocoee Detective Michelle Grogan speaks at a Feb. 13 press conference.
What is DNA geology analysis?
In June 2025, Clermont Police submitted bone fragments to the medical examiner's office for a DNA genecology analysis – also known as genetic genealogy.
"Using advanced technology – such as genealogy and DNA analysis – to really provide closure," Draper said.
The analysis – which utilized Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing from Othram – uncovered relatives of John Doe, Othram said in its investigation. Othram then compared DNA for John Doe with DNA of potential relatives – leading them to determine that John Doe was Manzanares.
On Feb. 6, Ocoee Police received confirmation that the remains were Manzanares.
A file on Ernest Joe Manzanares, the oldest missing persons case the Ocoee Police Department.
Closure for Manzanares' family
Now, nearly four decades later, Manzanares' has answers.
"Making the call to Ernest's daughter, Kristina, was bittersweet," Grogan said. "She was grateful to finally have answers and to finally bring her father home. But, like any child, she had always held onto hope that her dad might walk back into her life one day."
Ernest Joe Manzanares is no longer a missing person or a painful memory of desertion. He is a father who has finally been found, bringing a restless family the peace they deserve.
The Source: Information in this story was gathered from Clermont and Ocoee Police Departments.