Six-year-old Duke Josehyah Flores, a boy with autism, was last seen on April 14, 2019, in Apple Valley, California. He lived with his mother, Jackee Raquel Contreras, her twin sister, Jennifer Rachel Contreras, and his father. Concerns for Duke's welfare arose when his mother and aunt provided suspicious and conflicting stories about his whereabouts, including a claim that he had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital. When family members pressed for more information and could not get clear answers, they confronted the sisters at their home on Cherokee Avenue on April 25, 2019, leading to a physical altercation and police involvement.
Following the confrontation, Duke's mother, Jackee Contreras, was arrested for child neglect after admitting to an officer that her son had been missing for nearly a week and she had not reported it. Shortly after, on April 27, both Jackee and her twin sister, Jennifer Contreras, were arrested and charged with Duke's murder. Homicide detectives took over the investigation, and a search of the family's property was conducted, with two vehicles being towed away.
During a preliminary hearing in July 2019, disturbing testimony revealed the details of Duke's death. Detective Narcie Sousa testified that Jackee Contreras confessed to killing her son on April 14, the day he was last seen. The confession detailed that after Duke allegedly tried to smother his infant cousin with a pillow, Jennifer Contreras stated, "I've got to kill him." The sisters then allegedly placed a plastic bag over Duke's head, wrapped a power cord around his neck, and strangled him.
According to the confession, the sisters initially buried Duke's body in their backyard. However, days later, on Easter Sunday, they unearthed his remains because the family's dogs were digging at the grave. They then placed his body in a wagon and, accompanied by Jennifer's two young children, walked through the neighborhood searching for an unlocked dumpster to dispose of the body. Evidence supporting this account included over 100 internet searches on Duke's iPad about trash pickup times in the area and surveillance footage from a nearby home showing two adults with a stroller and a wagon. Despite extensive search efforts at the Victorville landfill, which lasted for weeks, Duke Flores's body was never recovered. As a result, he is still officially listed as missing by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. His mother and aunt are awaiting trial for his murder.
Last Seen: Apr 18, 2019
