Case Details

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This person was missing Missing Since 12/13/1988

Missing Since:

Missing Since 12/13/1988

Missing From:

Missing From San Jose, California

Classification:

Classification Endangered Missing

Gender:

Male

Race:

Race White

Date of Birth:

Date of Birth 03/22/1924 (100)

Age:

Age 64 years old

Height and Weight:

Height and Weight 5’11, 170 pounds

Clothing/Jewelry Description:

Clothing/Jewelry Description A striped shirt with a collar, a beige heavy cardigan sweater with orange and white horizontal stripes, dark-colored slacks, dark-colored shoes, a gold ring emblematic of the five wounds of Christ, a gold Seiko watch and leather driving gloves.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Brown hair, brown eyes. Esteves has a one-inch scar on his right index finger. He speaks Portuguese and is originally from the Azores Islands, an island chain in the mid-Atlantic off the coast of southern Europe; he emigrated to the United States as a child. Esteves wears gold-rimmed eyeglasses. He has a widow’s peak.

Details of Disappearance:

On December 13, 1988, Jose Esteves left his San Jose home at 8:20 a.m. He went to his real estate office, but his office was unlocked and his wallet was left behind. He was last seen at 11:30 a.m. driving away. He never came home, which was unusual because he was very reliable and followed a strict schedule.

Esteves was a well-known figure in the community—he had radio and TV shows and owned apartment buildings. He was married with six children. Police immediately suspected foul play.

His car, a mauve 1989 Buick, was missing. It was found in January 1989 with Orlando Vasquez driving it. Vasquez claimed he bought it for $150 a few days before, but neighbors said he had the car much sooner. Esteves’s sweater, watch, and ring were found with Vasquez. The car’s trunk showed signs of tampering.

Vasquez was charged with murder, even though police believed he may have had accomplices (one possible accomplice committed suicide before police could question him). Vasquez’s lawyers claimed Esteves faked his own disappearance. After two trials, Vasquez was convicted of murder, kidnapping, and robbery and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Esteves’s body was never found.

Agency:

San Jose Police Department 408-277-4141

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