CLERMONT, Fla. – Clermont police announced a “significant development” in a cold case dating back to 1988 with the identification of human remains found in 2009.
In a joint news conference with the Ocoee Police Department on Friday, officials said the remains were identified as 23-year-old Ernest Joe Manzanares
The remains were originally uncovered by city workers clearing land for Lake Hiawatha Preserve. Despite efforts at the time from the Clermont police and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the case went cold.
In June 2025, advances in DNA genealogy technology allowed the medical examiner’s office to reexamine the remains.
“Our Clermont Police Department evidence team was contacted by the medical examiner’s office,” said Clermont Police Department Captain Malcolm Draper. “They had the opportunity with advanced technology and some grant opportunities. They asked us to submit some of the bones for analysis."
The remains were positively identified as those of Manzanares in December 2025. The identification was confirmed through a DNA match with Manzanares’ daughter.
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Retired Ocoee Police Detective Michelle Grogan provided insight into Manzanares’ disappearance.
In 1988, he left his Ocoee home in his 1976 red Monte Carlo after learning that his father and uncle—both involved in a motorcycle gang—were allegedly planning to sell his sister and niece into the gang.
“He said he was going to his uncle’s house to confront his father and his uncle about selling his sister and his niece, and he was never seen again. And nor has his car been found,” said Grogan.
While the exact cause of Ernest’s death remains unknown due to limited remains, investigators are still open to any new leads and encourage family members or anyone with information to come forward.