With Connecticut father now convicted of murdering girlfriend, police continue to investigate the disappearance of the couple’s daughter

(Milford, CT) – Margaret Kelley, Ansonia/Milford Judicial District State’s Attorney, announced that the Honorable Shari Murphy Monday sentenced 48-year-old Jose Morales of New Haven, to 60 years in prison for the December 2019 murder of his girlfriend, Christine Holloway in Ansonia, and five consecutive years in prison for tampering with evidence in the case.

On April 22, 2025, a Superior Court jury in Milford found Morales guilty of Murder, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a, and Tampering with Evidence, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-155.

Evidence at trial showed that the defendant struck the 43-year-old Holloway in the head not less than eight times with an instrument that caused severe fractures of her skull and other blunt force trauma that resulted in her death. The attack occurred in the early morning hours of December 1, 2019, in the Ansonia home of Holloway.  The evidence presented during trial also focused on the extensive clean-up and destruction of physical evidence that the accused engaged in over a 37-hour period of time until he finally fled the scene, leaving the body of Holloway naked in a bathtub.

Morales presented alternate defenses of third-party culpability and intoxication which were summarily disregarded by the jury which delivered a verdict in less than four hours of deliberations following a two-week trial.

State’s Attorney Kelley wishes to extend her gratitude to the Ansonia Police Department and state and federal law enforcement authorities for their dedicated and detailed investigation of this case, as well as to the members of the Ansonia/Milford State’s Attorney’s Office for their extraordinary efforts in preparing and presenting this case for trial. In addition, Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard S. Stein publicly expressed his gratitude to the multiple law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly on this case, the jurors for “committing themselves to this important civic function” and members of the Ansonia-Milford State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance.

The Ansonia Police Department continues to investigate the disappearance of Vanessa Morales who parents were Holloway and Morales.

“It is the hope of the Ansonia/Milford State’s Attorney’s Office that the family and friends of Christine Holloway receive some measure of justice with this disposition today,” State’s Attorney Kelley said. “The investigation into the disappearance of Vanessa Morales is ongoing.”

In addition to searching for Vanessa, police are looking for the following items that Christine Holloway used in taking care of her. A Graco (unknown model) car seat with base and possible attached teething key ring, a multi-colored polka dot comforter, and an Eddie Bauer First Adventure backpack diaper bag color heather grey. These items may be with Vanessa or may have been discarded. If any of the items are located, they should not be touched and a phone call should be made to the Ansonia Police Department 203-735-1885 or the F.B.I. tip line 203-503-5555 or 800-225-5324.

Vanessa turned 6 in September of 2024. She was last seen at the end of November in 2019.

The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward to any individual who provides information that directly leads to the recovery of Vanessa Morales

The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard S. Stein and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Marc R. Durso, with the assistance of Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Kalthoff, Inspector Warren “Butch” Hyatt, Inspector Robert Winkler and Paralegal Specialist Chelsea Meehan.