Ernest Joe Manzanares, a 23-year-old man, was last seen on July 28, 1988, in Ocoee, Florida. He left his home that day, driving his red and primer-gray 1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, but never returned. His disappearance was reported by his mother on August 31, 1988. Ernest had recently moved to Florida from Colorado to reunite with his family after some legal troubles. At the time of his disappearance, he was last seen wearing a t-shirt and gym shorts, and he wore eyeglasses.
He also had a distinctive tattoo of the Grim Reaper on his upper left arm.
Over the years, investigators have followed numerous leads, but none have led to a breakthrough in the case. The search for his vehicle and the lack of any solid evidence have contributed to the long-running mystery. Investigators suspect foul play might be involved, but no concrete proof has emerged. Ernest’s family continues to hope for answers, even as detectives persist in their efforts to uncover what happened on that day over three decades ago.
The Ocoee Police Department continues to investigate this cold case, and DNA samples from Ernest's family have been submitted to national databases to aid in any potential identification efforts. Despite the challenges, the case remains open, with his family and authorities appealing for any new information that could help solve the case.Last Seen: Jul 28, 1988
