Esteban David Salazar

Born 8/29/1985 ----------------- Abducted 1/4/2003 and Murdered ??/??/2003

Reproduction in part or whole of this publication without written permission is strictly prohibited.  We welcome any and all comments, any inaccurate information contained herein will be corrected immediately by sending us your corresponding supporting evidence in writing signed and notarized.

Esteban's Memorial at Breckenridge Park-City of Richardson, TX. donated by members of the Canyon Creek Country Club Women's Tennis League.

(Press thumb for full photo)

Daily Update

Any comments or statements about the Garland police criminal cover-up are intended specially to the attention of City of Garland leadership, all collaborating law enforcement agencies who conspired or were mislead into and the principal Investigators: Captain Jody Lynn Lay (#1708), Lt. Stephen K. "Keith" Thompson (#1586) and Lead Detective Matt John Myers (#1582-retired September 2005) all who were involved on Esteban's search/abduction and homicide investigation case.  Criminal and civil complaints against these city employees were timely filed and ignored by their supervisors and City of Garland.  This failure to uphold the law and blatant non-responsive wrongful investigative actions to a citizen's criminal complaints are in violation of state and federal laws; and the constitution of the United States.

Somewhat unusual, law enforcement individuals & agencies had stated having investigated this Garland Police investigation at their own request.  The information which they followed was limited to what the Garland police provided them, they never investigated the criminal evidence the Salazar family provided.  They included- Special agent in charged FBI/Dallas Guadalupe Gonzalez (retired in 2006) and Assistant Dallas County District Attorney Pat Batchelor (terminated in 2006 by new elected DA Craig Watkins).  All these obvious reported factual criminal wrongdoings including the documented calculated fabrications of evidence became a matter of knowledge and ignored.  It raises serious questions about political favoritism and their respective agencies' integrity and competency to uphold the law. We have and will continue to respect and fully support all the honorable men and women in law enforcement whose efforts and sacrifices serve for the indiscriminate welfare, protection and safety of others. 

Esteban's grandparents served in law enforcement during their most of their professional careers.  Colonel Guillermo Salazar, was Director of Judicial Investigations/National Security (affiliated with the InternationalPolice aka Interpol) and later served as Ambassador (photo-Havana, Cuba in 1959 w/Prime Minister Fidel Castro) for the Republic of Costa Rica. (photo-meeting with a young United States Senator Ted Kennedy)  .  His others grandparents, Harold & Terry Arter, were with state of Florida law enforcement in Fort Lauderdale as Homicide and Fingerprinting experts.  A few months after the discovery Esteban's remains in 2003, grandfather Harold ("Pop Pop") suddenly became seriously ill and passed away.

Time Line:

1.  Prior to Disappearance.

2.  Disappearance

3.  Reported Discovery of Remains.

Friday, July 17, 2008:  Congressman Sam Johnson remitted to the Salazar family a copy of a letter sent to his office by Acting Assistant US Attorney General Grace Chung Baker regarding their criminal complaint.  In this letter she omits all the facts that composed these complaints that were of a criminal nature and also fail to include any mention of the Dallas County Medical Examiner (DCME).  Her interpretation of this last complaint is limited to that of a police department failing to adequately investigate the death of Esteban; and there is absolutely no mention about the documented deliberate fabrications and tampering of evidence-obstruction of justice - etc. and of the alleged complicity of the DCME.

Thursday, May 13, 2008: Criminal complaint is filed with the FBI against the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office for their discriminate criminal behavior in this case.  They failed to respond to a reported death scene.  All collection and transportation of physical evidence was performed by the Garland police.  The "DCME"  have preserved and protected autopsy records which they know to be inaccurate and contain false information used to close this case.

Thursday, May 1, 2008:  Letters are sent to our Congress representatives - Mr. Sam Johnson and Kay Bailey Hutchison regarding this outrageous impropriety by this administration's Department Of Justice-Civil Rights Division to ignore a criminal complaint.  We expect that they will follow-up and rectify this serious matter in our behalf and uphold the constitution.  Previous request to assist sent to Ms. Hutchison in 2003 were ignored.

Thursday, April 24, 2008:  A response letter postmarked 4/22/08 is received from the Department of Justice (DOJ)-Civil Rights Division.  The letter received is dated August 3, 2006 and directed to another individual (a Doctor).  Obviously this complaint was not handled properly.  Negligence or Malice?

Thursday, April 10, 2008:  Following the latest non-response to criminal and civil complaints from the City of Garland and their decision to continue discriminating against us by denying our rights to petition - procedural due process thus violating our civil rights afforded to all citizens.   At the advise from the Texas Attorney General and the Dallas County District Attorney a complaint is sent to the US Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008:  A complaint letter is sent to our new District#8 Council Representative - Darren Lathen and to Garland City attorney Brad Neighbors informed them that the city of Garland has denied us our civil rights and the right of due complaint process as outlined by Texas law and the United States Constitution.

Saturday, March 23, 2008:  Received from the Dallas County DA's Office copy of Open Records request made to the DCME.  It was learned from these reports that prior information which the Garland police related to the Salazar was false and inaccurate.  Included but not limited to the caliber of the ammo and number of bullets in the alleged recovered weapon.  Also Lt. Keith Thompson provided false and inaccurate information to the DCME Field Agent George regarding Esteban "leaving his home with a weapon".

Thursday, January 31, 2008:  A complaint letter is sent to Garland City manager Bill Dollar to inform him that our civil rights and right to complain is being denied by Garland Police Chief Mitchell Bates and his Internal Affairs department.  No response.

Thursday, January 31, 2008:  A complaint letter is sent to the Greg Abbott-  Texas Attorney General against city of Garland officials who have willfully ignored Texas law and conspired to cover-up an abduction and homicide investigation.  They have failed to uphold Texas law and advised to direct the complaint to US Department of Justice and the FBI.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008:  A personal items recovered list became available to the Salazar family in late November 2007.  This inadvertent report is the first time they have had knowledge of all items recovered in this case.  But they to date they have not been allowed to identify any of them.  Of personal interest is that the alleged missing pistol is not included here and reported shoes recovered do not match Esteban's.  Also listed were additional clothing and a backpack.  Esteban's parents notice to authorities to correct these errors were sent to: the Garland police - Dallas County Medical Examiner. No acknowledgement regarding these reported errors in their property inventory report on this case was received. 

Saturday, January 26, 2008:  A complaint letter is sent to Texas Governor Rick Perry.  It outlines the manipulation of Texas law and law enforcement agencies by the city of Garland.  No response.

Thursday, January 24, 2008:  A complaint letter is sent to Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins against City of Garland officials for willfully violating the law in ignoring and discriminating in the complaint process-a Texas statue 614.022.  They advised to contact the FBI and US Department of Justice.

Sunday, January 20, 2008:  A letter is sent to the Dallas County Medical Examiner with a copy of: 1-police report of inventory of Esteban's personal items recovered at the alleged crime scene-included were a backpack with extra clothing- this was new information to the family since they were never permitted to identify any of these items.  2- an eight (8) page analysis supporting the non-suicide death of Esteban.

Sunday, January 13, 2008:  Complaint letter is sent to Garland police Internal Affairs regarding the earlier complaint sent to Chief Mitchell Bates on 9/5/07 which was non-responsive. No Response.

Sunday, January 6, 2008: A letter is sent to the Dallas County Judge-Jim Foster and Dallas County Commissioners requesting information as to why the Dallas County Medical Examiner reportedly failed to answer the Garland police call to Esteban's homicide investigation and recovery.  A police report recently received indicated this reported failure.  Requests for information to the Medical Examiners office for records of that request - their activity on that day - reasons why the ignored to respond have been not been received.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007:  Since no response to the complaint filed on 9/6/07 was received from the City of Garland, a letter is sent to newly elected Mayor Ronald Jones requesting that he looked into this blatant action by the Garland police Chief Bates and City Manager Dollar to ignore our complaint thus violating Texas and Federal laws.  We also recently discovered from redacted records sent by the Garland City attorney that none of the new information on the case which has been discovered by the Salazar family's investigation has been included in the case records.  The number of pages included in this file were the same or less than what they were previously in 2004.  Copies of the letter sent to Mayor Jones were also sent to the City Council members. No response.

Monday, September 10, 2007:  A letter is sent to the Texas Attorney General regarding the wrongful withholding of records (interview of Esteban's father by Garland police) by the City of Garland under the Texas Open records act.

Thursday, September 6, 2007:  Complaint is sent to the Mitch Bates-Garland Police Chief following the receipt of material evidence, from a witness, indicating that the Garland police investigators had manufactured events and false statements from interviews with William Salazar.  Another witness testimony was enclosed.  These were outrageous misrepresentations used as circumstantial evidence in the case; a formal complaint is filed against the investigators-Lay-Thompson and Myers for manufacturing false evidence, tampering with material evidence and obstruction of justice.  Included but not limited evidence was that Esteban's father had stated "that he thought his son had gone into the woods and shot himself."  No Response.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007: Letter is sent by the Garland City Attorney, Mark Mann, informing the requestor that they the City will withhold copies of all interview recordings of William Salazar.   Mr. Salazar is the requestor under the Texas Open Records Act.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007: Letter is sent to Craig Watkins-Dallas County District Attorney and to the FBI special Agent in Charge-Robert E. Casey Jr.  The letter is a follow-up of an earlier complaint letter dated 1/19/07 and received that has gone unanswered.  Additional information relating to the new evidence and organized criminal activities is sent.  No response.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007: A letter is sent to newly elected Mayor Ronald Jones and all elected Council Representative members including our new District#8 representative Mr. Darren Lathen.  This letter is to make all these new elected officials aware of past City of Garland business which included but not limited to: conspiracy to cover-up a murder and civil rights violations, city officials violating Federal and Texas law by ignoring formal complaints and our determination to find justice.  Mayor Jones acknowledged receiving the letter.

Saturday, March 31, 2007: An anonymous phone call was received detailing information on the identity of the subscriber of telephone line (972) 745-0662 during 1/4/03.  This line was traced to be the one who sent the "block call" into Esteban's home and precipitated his quick departure.  The identity of the subscriber will be kept confidential until we confirm who employed them.  They resided in Coppell, 1.5 miles from a restaurant owned by a Garland family who were "persons of interest" in the case.

Friday, January 19, 2007:  A letter is sent to the newly elected Dallas County District Attorney, Craig Watkins, informing them of the Garland police cover-up and former DA Bill Hill administration's past collaboration in it.  New discoveries of fabrications were sent along with a long list of procedural investigation wrongdoings, criminal behavior and not following formal complaints procedures.

Saturday, December 16, 2006:  We learn that an audio CD including an interview of Captain Bob Barber and depicting wrongful behavior by Garland police sent to Mr. Randall Dunning/City Council Representative of our District #8 on 6/14/05 was never shared with fellow Council members.  Mr. Dunning was contacted numerous times and was requested to bring this wrong doing issues to the Council and City Manager.  Mr. Dunning has been non-responsive to this issue.

Monday, November 27, 2006:  In 2005 a letter was sent to Verizon's CEO requesting the company's cooperation in listing and identifying phone records.  A representative called providing assistance.  Recently requests for identifying the subscriber of the phone who generated the "blocked call"  were sent to Mr. Seidenberg/CEO Verizon.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006: Following the D magazine article (NOV-2006 "Man Undone") and statement from the Garland police regarding the primary circumstantial evidence used to close the investigation not being in their case files (2003R00499) a letter is sent to the Salazar family by Mr. Bob Schell, Assistant. Dallas County District Attorney-Chief Civil Division requesting that all future correspondence on the case be sent to his office.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006: Following the report from District#8 Representative Randall Dunning and non-response by Officer Harn or police leadership to the 11/03/06 letter, a complaint is sent to Mr. Bill Dollar-City Manager regarding to the old and the new fabrications by the Garland police contained in Esteban's case file (2003R00499) that were used to close his homicide investigation. No response from the City Manager or Police Department.

Friday, November 03, 2006: Following statements made and published in D Magazine - November 2006 issue - "Man Undone" a letter is sent to spokesperson Officer Joe Harn regarding inaccurate and misleading information reportedly made by him regarding Esteban's case.  No response was received from Officer Harn, instead a swift and unexpected response was made by Council Representative Dunning stating that there is no record of Officer Harn making those false statements.  A copy of a information release (2006-42) was sent to us by Mr. Dunning.  This release contains additional new fabrications made by the Garland police.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006: A complaint letter is sent to Mr. Bill Dollar-City Manager of Garland regarding specific recent officials complaints which the Chief of Police and the Manager of the City of Garland have ignored.  This is a violation of Texas Law. No response

Thursday, April 20, 2006: Following the report received from the Dallas Co. Medical Examiner a letter is sent to Chief Bates/Garland Police by Esteban's mother demanding an investigation of the allegations of child abuse which the Garland Police attribute to being the primary circumstantial reason for the death of Esteban Salazar.   This primary circumstantial evidence closed the homicide investigation.  No investigation or charges have been reported filed to date.  The letter sent has not been acknowledged.  No response.

Thursday, April 13, 2006: As a matter of record, a complaint is filed with the State of Texas Bar against Assistant District Attorney-Christine O'Neil for making false statements intended to mislead the Texas Attorney General regarding our Open Records requests of the Dallas County District Attorney review of the investigation.

Friday, April 7, 2006: Responding to the mandate by the Texas Attorney General a letter from Assistant District Attorney-Christine O'Neil is received in which includes sending only the two pages of the Garland Police report filed by Esteban's mother.  None of their records of the "so called investigation" of the Garland Police are produced.  We reasonably suspect there was never an investigation by the DA's office as announced and only a political Republican Party favor by DA Bill Hill was rendered to the City of Garland and its republican party officials.

Thursday, March 30, 2006: A letter is sent to the Dallas County District Attorney's Office by the Texas Attorney General-Michael A. Lehmann mandating that they release types of information.  A request under the Texas Open records Act was made by the Salazar family for the specific records of the "so called investigation/review"  mis-conduct of the Garland Police by the DA's office.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006: A complaint letter including evidence is sent to the United States Department of Justice- Mark Kappelhoff / Chief Criminal Section-Civil Rights Division against the City of Garland.  Included in the complaint are the Dallas County  District Attorney and the Dallas County Medical Examiners Offices as conspirators in the cover-up.

Thursday, February 23, 2006: A letter is sent to Mr. Bill Dollar-Garland City Manager and Dr. Bob Day-City of Garland Mayor informing them once again that the Garland Police have not notified us regarding our criminal complaints against the investigators and our request for the limited and specific information which was used to determine Esteban's case to be a "suicide". No response.

Thursday, January 26, 2006: A letter is sent to the Texas Attorney General citing violation of the Texas Open records Act by the Dallas County District Attorney.  In addition the Dallas County District Attorney has misreported on a letter dated 1/24/06 to the Texas Attorney General that they never received a request for the "review".  US Postal Service records indicate otherwise; they first received the request for records of the "review" on 7/27/05. 

Tuesday, January 24, 2006: The Dallas County District Attorney sent a letter to the Texas Attorney General and to the Salazar family citing that they will not release their reported "review" records of the Garland Police handling of Esteban's case citing the law enforcement exception.

Thursday, January 19, 2006: A complaint and request for information  letter is sent to Mr. Gregg Abbott-Attorney General of Texas regarding the non-response from the Dallas County District Attorney to produce requested records of the "review" of the Garland Police investigation under the Texas Open Records Act.  Our first request was on 7/26/05.  This was a violation of the Texas Open Records Act.

Wednesday, January 9, 2006: A letter is sent to Dr. Jeffrey Barnard-Chief Medical Examiner Dallas County requesting that his office perform a new manner of death determination on Esteban's death.  New factual evidence was sent to their office on 9/27/05 which disproved the primary fabricated false evidence used to determine the case. No response.

Sunday, January 8, 2006: A letter is sent to Mr. Pat Batchelor-Dallas County Distinct Attorneys Office requesting a copy of the "review" performed by their office, at the request of the Garland Police, of Esteban's case investigation.  An earlier request under the Texas Open Records Act was made on 7/26/05 and never acknowledged.  No response

Tuesday, January 3, 2006:  A request is made to Mr. Gregg Abbott-Attorney General of Texas to look into the reasons behind why the Dallas County District Attorney is refusing to prosecute our reported criminal complaints against the Garland Police Department.  We ask that he take the appropriate action.  We receive a response that Texas law allows the DA discretion to select the cases which they wish to prosecute.

Thursday, November 3, 2005: The Assistant Dallas County District Attorney-Pat Batchelor responds to the criminal complaint- and opines that it is not a prosecutable complaint under State jurisdiction.  He states that he reviewed the evidence sent; and advises that we contact the U.S. Department of Justice and request an investigation under federal law and seek civil remedy against the City of Garland. 

Sunday, October 30, 2005 : A follow-up letter is sent to the Dallas County District Attorney/Mr. Pat Batchelor.  Additional documented evidence, affidavits and reports are included indicating a cover-up by the Garland police.

Friday, October 7, 2005: A letter is sent to the Garland Police requesting that they share the complete physical evidence and reports of Esteban's case with the Dallas County Medical Examiner-Jill Urban, MD. and Dr. Anthony Falsetti so they may be able to make a more intelligent determination on Esteban's case. The reported evidence received by the ME was reported to be limited to the recovered bones and the circumstantial primary evidence which were verified to be outright lies.  No cooperation by the Garland police was reported by the Medical Examiner.

Friday, September 16, 2005: A criminal complaint is sent to the Dallas County District Attorney for the reported fabrications and planting of false evidence in Esteban's case which influenced the final determination and the closure of the homicide investigation. Included is initial evidence, information, reports and affidavits.  The DA refuses to investigate and prosecute the criminal complaint.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005: A request is made to the Dallas County District Attorney requesting a copy of their reported investigation "review" of the Garland Police's handling of case 2003R00499-Esteban David Salazar.  The GPD spokesman told they News media that the Garland Police requested to be investigated by the Dallas County District Attorney.  There was no response to our request by the DA's office.

Wednesday, July 6, 2005:  A follow-up letter is sent to Mr. Randall Dunning-our Council District #8 Representative and all Council Members addressing a number of improprieties including but not limited to law enforcement misconduct and abuse of authority: misuse of public resources, dishonesty, prejudice, false statements, fabrication of evidence, ignored evidence and leads as documented from an earlier recorded audio-tape interview of Captain Bob Barber which was provided to the Council Members on 6/14/05.  The Salazar family again requests that the City Council take the proper actions against culpable individuals and direct the Garland Police to request assistance from the United States Department of Justice for the investigation of Esteban David Salazar's abduction and murder.  Non responsive.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005: A Complaint Letter is sent to Mr. Randall Dunning, our District #8 Representative and all City of Garland Council Members. Included is an audio CD with false and slanderous statements made by a Captain Bob Barber alleging but no limited to child abuse and criminal activities by Esteban's father.  No Response.

Tuesday, January 04, 2005:  Two years since Esteban was last seen alive by his family.

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Sunday, December 19, 2004: A complaint is sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Dallas Office - Dallas County District Attorney and Texas Attorney General in regards to the Garland Police Department fabricating and planting false information in the records of their homicide investigation to influence the outcome of an investigation.  Information at this time is based on hearsay and rumors.  This unlawful and deliberate action was to steer and make final the outcome of a criminal investigation.  The City of Garland attorneys and Police Department continue their efforts of sealing the investigative records from the public for their self-interest/cover-up.

Wednesday, November 24, 2004: Additional rumors are collected, by a third party, from the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office and the Garland Police Department whom have characterize Esteban's parents as child abusers and  Esteban's father as a "drug lord" and violent person. We now have more suspicion that these false accusations and fabrications are what the Garland Police Department calls reasons for Esteban to commit suicide and satisfy their outrageous final determination.  A complaint against the Investigators for defamation is sent by Esteban's Parents to the Chief of Police, Mitch Bates.  No acknowledgment or response is received.

Wednesday, November 03, 2004: Following an open records request, a letter dated 11/03/04 from the Garland City Attorney's Office is received stating that they have been informed by the Garland Police Department that there is no record of the requested missing firearm report filed by Esteban's father.

Thursday, October 07, 2004:  The Salazar family write to Chief Bates-Garland Police Department and Mayor Bob Day urging them for their support and requesting that the Police Department produce to the Salazar family the facts which were used to determine Esteban's manner of death as a "suicide" and labeling him as his own killer.  No acknowledgement or response is received.

Tuesday, October 05, 2004:  The Salazar family received official notice from the City of Garland/Garland Police Department of their denial to allow Mr. Salazar, the owner of the alleged pistol found at the recovery site to identify his reported personal property.  In 2006 a spokesman for the Garland police misinformed the media that Esteban's father was shown the personal items recovered.  

Per the advise of the Texas Attorney General, an official complaint is filed with the Dallas County District Attorney against the City of Garland/Police Department-Violation of Texas Open Records Act.  No action is taken.

Wednesday, September 29, 2004: We receive notice from the The City of Garland that they will challenge the Attorney General of Texas's ruling in Court and not provide the requested records.  This notice was followed after the requestor, Mr. Salazar, sent (9/27/04) a fax to the City Attorney informing that they had expired their deadline (9/23/04) to make the requested records available or to serve notice of their intention to file suit.

Monday, September 13, 2004:  The Office of the Texas Attorney General ruled against the Garland Police Department on the wrongful withholding of requested information.  Based on the statue, the attorney general expects that, within 10 calendar days of this ruling the governmental body will do one of the following three things: 1) release the public records  2)  notify the requestor of the exact day, time, and place that copies of the records will be provided or that records can be inspected; or 3)  notify the requestor of the governmental body's intent to challenge this ruling in court.

Friday, August 27, 2004:  A complaint is sent to the Dallas County Commissioners Court / Commissioner Mike Cantrell regarding the wrongful behavior by the Dallas County Chief Medical Examiner-Jeffrey Barnard, MD of ignoring the Salazar family's requests for information regarding Esteban's autopsy.  All records are all of the sudden sealed.

Saturday, July 24, 2004: Dallas News article reads " Hispanic family files Federal complaint after death ruled suicide."  This headline is inaccurate; complaint was filed by the Salazar family before they were informed of the Garland Police determination and their announcement to the media.   The Salazar family was never told of the Garland Police Department determination; only unofficially that the case was closed. The Salazar family learned that the Garland Police final determination on their investigation to be "suicide" from the news media.

Friday, July 23, 2004: We learned today from the Dallas County District Attorney's Office (Pat Batchelor-Asst. DA-Chief Public Integrity Division) that there is no penal offense in Texas for reckless endangerment and depraved indifference to human life to a person older than 14 years of age.  Esteban is 17 YO and does not fit the criteria in Texas. We are advised to file a civil complaint in this specific matter.

Friday, July 23, 2004:  A complaint is filed with the City of Garland regarding recent reported misconduct and wrongdoings by their Police Department.  No acknowledgement or response is received.

Wednesday, July 21, 2004:  Local TV networks NBC5i and T39/Telemundo aired a report this evening on Esteban's parents official complaints to the US Department of Justice and the Dallas District Attorney against the Garland Police Department.  The Garland Police Department make a public announcement; their late "press release"  states that their conclusion on Esteban's homicide investigation indicates "suicide".  They add that they have over 100 entries in their records to support this opinion.  The case was closed March 18, 2004.  The parents of Esteban were never officially notified on the final determination or how it was reached.  The investigative records on this closed case continue to be sealed to the Salazar family and the public.

Monday, July 12, 2004: A criminal complaint is filed by the parents of Esteban with the Dallas County District Attorney against the Garland Police Department/Lt. Keith Thompson  for reckless endangerment and depraved in difference of human life (Esteban Salazar).

Tuesday, June 22, 2004: We received notice today from the United States Department of Justice informing us they will begin to look into Esteban's case.  We learn that the City of Garland is already under US Department of Justice investigation and that they will add Esteban's complaint to their investigation in progress.

Friday, May 28, 2004: The Salazar family contacts, Jeffrey Bernard, MD, the Chief Medical Examiner-Dallas County requesting clarification and copy of this "new" autopsy report.  After receiving a copy of a letter from the Garland City Attorney to the Attorney General of Texas and reading "Early in 2004, The Medical Examiner ruled the death to be suicide, and the murder suicide investigation was closed".  The only report that the Salazar family received was on the examination dated April 2003.  At this time most of the evidence forensic sent for analysis to other laboratories by the police were not concluded. The Medical Examiner responded on October 2004 and clarified that there was only one autopsy/report in 2003 and the Garland Police must have made a typographical error in their letter.

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Thursday, May 20, 2004: The City of Garland Attorney continues to appeal to the Texas Attorney General to grant them power to except the investigative records/Texas Open Records Act from the Salazar family.  In it he includes some misleading statements and also this following supporting argument; " The status of this case is currently "closed", however, the murder investigation could resume in the future if additional evidence were to come to light.  The withheld information deals with the detection and investigation of an alleged offense, the possible murder of Esteban Salazar.  This investigation did not result in conviction or deferred adjudication."

Friday, April 30, 2004: We receive information from residents on Century Park Drive that Esteban was sighted, in front of their home that afternoon of his disappearance, in the company of three much shorter youths. The caller/informant described making eye contact with Esteban.  This lead has not been verified.

Monday, April 12, 2004: Records indicate Esteban's case was closed/cleared on this date.

Friday, April 2, 2004: A letter is sent to the United States Department of Justice regarding official wrongdoings in Esteban's case and a plea for federal authorities to investigate Esteban's abduction and murder..

Friday, April 2, 2004: We learned from a lead that there was a large group of male Asian looking young men escorting a tall white male, fitting Esteban's description, on that warm and sunny Saturday afternoon (at about 16:30) of 1/4/03.  They were traveling on foot across the street, from Webb Middle School side to the opposite (Verizon) side of the sidewalk and headed South on North Garland Rd.  The individuals wore their hair spiked and wore baggy pants.  The last people in the group were identified as heavy set individual holding his baggy pants up.  This lead is not verified.

Thursday, March 18, 2004:  Today we received notice from the Garland Police Department on the results of the DNA comparison tests done by Orchid Cellmark with the unidentified DNA found on the pistol and Esteban's father's DNA.  A letter to Esteban's father read; "you have been excluded as being the contributor to the DNA profile obtained from the revolver handle."  Strangely, Esteban's father's DNA or fingerprints are nowhere to be found on his pistol reasonably suggesting that the pistol was wiped down.

Tuesday, March 16, 2004:  An unexpected phone is received at 2:am from a former Naaman Forest HS student.  It is learned from the caller, that following Esteban's death his parents moved him out of Texas to New Mexico to attend school.  Additional information is shared with the Salazar family.  It includes knowledge of drug and weapons sales in Garland, TX.  Information is forwarded to the Garland police.  The caller is a schoolmate of Esteban's and also knows people that the Salazar family had been suspicious of. 

Saturday, March 13, 2004:  Salazar family is invited and attended the "Vigil of Hope" in Modesto, California sponsored by the Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation.  Participants, victims families and law enforcement from around the United States attended.  The most noted participants were Sharon Rocha, Lacie Peterson's mother and her husband Ron Grantski.

Wednesday, February 17, 2004:  Having reached an agreement with the Garland Police Department for protecting Esteban's father's privacy rights/personal information; a DNA sample was provided.  Father learns that no investigative work has been done by the police on the case since April 2003.  He is told that the Investigators did not find any criminal elements surrounding Esteban's associates - this is contrary as what the Salazar's investigation had been finding.  The worst of a possible cover-up is now suspected and feared.

Wednesday, January 21, 2004: Esteban's father is asked by the Garland Police Department / Detective Myers to donate a DNA sample for their data base.  The release offered by GPD does not provide protection for privacy rights.  Esteban's father requests that his DNA sample be used specifically for only this test and destroyed.  The police are complacent to accommodate the request.  We are told that the pistol found near Esteban's remains continues to undergo testing and there is also some unidentifiable DNA other than Esteban's present.

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Monday, November 10, 2003: A letter from City of Garland Assistant City Attorney Mark G. Mann is sent to the Salazar family.  It states: "I personally made contact with the officers who are conducting the investigation.  I was again informed that the investigation is not closed and that certain matters remain pending".

Monday, June 23, 2003: This date represents the last contact the family had with the Garland Police Department regarding a family's inquiry.  Captain Jody Lay indicated that the investigation was still ongoing.  He wrote to the family, " when we are finished with the investigation, we will meet with you and your wife to inform you of our findings."  The Salazar family's own private investigation into Esteban's kidnapping and murder continues.

Saturday, June 21, 2003: The toxicology report on Esteban's remains indicate negative presence for drugs, cannabinoid and alcohol.

Thursday, June 18, 2003: The final autopsy report is completed by Dr. Jill Urban.  A final manner of death determination of "suicide" is made.  But records indicate the case remains open almost another year until April 4, 2004 until all the lab work is completed.

Friday, May 30, 2003:  We are contacted by Dr. Jill Urban/Dallas Co. Medical Examiner informing us that all of Esteban's remains are in order and ready to be picked-up following their return from the C.A. Pound Laboratory in Florida.  She also notes and informs us that she has now retained a piece of Esteban's femur bone for DNA purposes.

Wednesday, May 7, 2003: Records indicate that the Garland police at this date filed an order to access the phone records of in and out going calls from telephone line (972) 530-0429 which included the "blocked call" telephone.  Esteban answered this call and departed his home minutes later.  We reasonably suspect this call may be responsible for his disappearance.  WE can not understand why the police misinformed us in this records gathering and waited four months.

Tuesday, April 8, 2003:  Against the Salazar family's wishes and instructions, Esteban's remains are withheld and sent to the C.A. Pound Laboratory at the University of Florida.  These remains had been released to the family earlier.

Monday, April 7, 2003:  The Salazar family contacts the Dallas Medical Examiner's Office and the Garland Police Department to inform them of Dr. Gill-King's involvement and transferring Esteban's remains to his facility.  Later that afternoon the Dallas Medical Examiners Office informs the Salazar family that they are sending Esteban's remains to their own forensic anthropologist consultant, Dr. Falsetti, at the University of Florida.  The remains had been already been released to the Salazar family on 3/5/03.

Sunday, April 6, 2003:  Dr. Gill-King responds to the Salazar family and agrees to perform the anthropology forensic examination at his facility (UNT) in Denton, TX .  He awaits for the remains to arrive.

Friday, April 4, 2003:  After the remains are released to the family, The Salazar Family contacts Dr. Harrell Gill-King/Forensic Anthropologist at the University of North Texas-Denton to assist them conclude the examination on Esteban's remains since no Forensic Anthropology examination was performed by the Dallas Co. Medical Examiners Office.  Dr. Harrell-King is a well known and only one of two licensed forensic anthropologist in the state of Texas.

Thursday, April 3, 2003:  The Dallas Medical Examiners Office calls Restland Cemetery to request them to retrieve Esteban's remains to their facility for cremation.  Restland did not acknowledge since they were under instructions from the Salazar family to wait for their own  instructions before any cremation is performed.  It is noted at this time that no DNA sample of Esteban was ever collected by the Dallas County Medical Examiner for file / any future investigation.  A sample was collected later following the anthropology examination by Dr. Falsetti a month later.

Thursday, March 20, 2003: Mayor Dr. Bob Day responds to our complaint and states "

Tuesday, March 18, 2003:  Detective Bill Brown asks Esteban's father to come to the GPD station for a brief meeting.  The father requests that his brother-in law be permitted to seat in.  The request is denied and this brief meeting lasts four hours.  The course of this meeting was to convince Esteban's father that Esteban had killed himself.  Detective Brown did not have any evidence in this regard to present his case; instead Detective Bill Brown asks Esteban's father as to why the GPD should treat Esteban's death as a homicide.  The father provides GPD a six page fact -sheet.

While at the station, Esteban's father requests a copy of the organizational chart of the Garland Police Department, as the one that was seen posted in the lobby.  They are denied and the chart is quickly taken down from the reception area wall. 

The Salazar family complains and expresses their displeasure to City of Garland Mayor Bob Day, and City Manager Jeff Muzzy concerning the police misconduct, dishonesty and the lackluster work done by the Garland Police Department's Investigators assigned to Esteban's case.  Complaints were ignored, no investigation was ever conducted.

Sunday, March 16, 2003:  The search was continued this afternoon by some of the family and volunteers from Texas EquuSearch during which time, several areas were excavated.  Again, our thanks to those who helped this afternoon specially Dr. James Lake.

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Saturday, March 15, 2003:  Today, over 100 volunteers participated in the search at the suspected crime scene area.  It was conducted by Texas EquuSearch and directed by Tim Miller.  The search was not supported or assisted by the Garland Police Department.  The family extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who so graciously participated and showed that they cared.  The search found Esteban's missing shoe at a remote area far away from his other shoe and near a residential service alley; which we believe is an an important piece of physical evidence.  Without police presence Texas EquuSearch plotted GPS points and photographed the evidence/surroundings for the Garland Police, who were directed by their leadership not to be in attendance.

Esteban's father writes a complaint to Captain Lay expressing his displeasure that the Garland Police was not involved in some way in this search.  At this point in time it became quite evident that the GPD had no intention of looking any further into Esteban's case.

Friday, March 14, 2003:  Friends and family gathered together this afternoon at a memorial service to celebrate Esteban's young life and to mourn his passing.  The crime scene search led by EquuSearch is scheduled to kick off at 8:30 Saturday morning.  

Wednesday, March 12, 2003:  The family continues to prepare for Esteban's memorial service this Friday.  Relatives and friends from out of town and state begin arriving tomorrow.  Since we were told by the GPD that they would not have an officer present, our private investigator is scheduled to be there to monitor/document the guests.

Tuesday, March 11, 2003:  In an attempt to establish knowledge of the facts regarding Esteban's remains, Esteban's father and uncle visit the Dallas County Medical Examiner to confirm their findings to date.  They speak with the Dr. Jill Urban-Medical Examiner and are told that she is unable to determine the "manner of death".  She further states that if a determination can not be made by her, that she would have to rely on the Garland Police Department information she has or will be provided with.  The family is informed that a forensic anthropology study was never ordered/considered and conducted by the Dallas County ME.  Despite earlier reports, 40% or more of his skeletal remains and other personal belongings are yet to be found.  We believe that only about 20% of his body will be recovered and are disheartened by the small amount of physical evidence recovered.  Plans for Saturday's Volunteer search are going forward.  High school students distribute reward flyers at several area shopping centers.

Sunday, March 9, 2003:  Volunteers are needed to assist Texas EquuSearch who will be conducting a thorough search of the entire crime scene area.  It is scheduled for Saturday March 15 at 8:30am.

Saturday, March 8, 2003:  Family and volunteers gathered this morning near the reported crime scene and canvassed all the homes and apartments in the surrounding neighborhood searching for leads or clues that might assist the police in solving the case.  It was reported and documented from all the nearby recovery area neighbors visited that the Garland Police did not interview any of them.  The family met late this afternoon with Texas Equusearch to plan a thorough foot search of the crime scene area.  The search is postponed until the following week until we receive proper protocol from the Garland Police Department on how to collect and deliver evidence.  We are informed later that they will not assist.  The Search Committee was told by Lt. Keith Thompson/GPD to simply put all findings in a box and call a squad car to retrieve them.  This seemed completely out of procedure but the directive was followed.  When the call was made, three patrol car and a forensic unit responded to collect the one shoe.

Thursday, March 6, 2003:  The family has scheduled a memorial service for Esteban on Friday March 14, 2003  at 4:00pm at the Restland Cemetery in Dallas.  

Wednesday, March 5, 2003:  This afternoon, the family was informed by the Garland Police that the remains found last Friday have been positively identified as Esteban David Salazar.  Dr. Urban/DCME and the Garland police advised the Salazar family to recover Esteban's remains for burial.  We are told that the Garland Police are continuing to treat the case as a homicide. GPD spokesperson Lt. Martin stated that "any unexplained death is categorized as a homicide until the medical examiner determines otherwise."

Tuesday, March 4, 2003:   The family has been gathered together for three days waiting for news.  However, we learned late this afternoon that the Dallas County forensic dental expert, Dr. Williams, was out with the flu and no work had been done. 

Monday, March 3, 2003:  The Garland Police met with the Salazar family this afternoon.  We are told that they have completed searching the area and have recovered additional remains as well as articles of clothing.  Everything collected is being forwarded to various different laboratories throughout Texas for forensic analysis.  We are puzzled as to why the evidence is not being sent to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences along with Esteban's remains.  Captain Lay responded that the GPD does not use them because they are not reliable.  After some confusion by the GPD, Esteban's dental records were unsuccessfully transmitted from Austin to Dallas for comparison.  The GPD subsequently had them "over-nighted" to the Dallas lab and we expect to have an answer back tomorrow. There are no findings nor has an identification been made.  It was reported by local residents that the crime scene was left unprotected over the weekend by the police while they searched.

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Saturday, March 1, 2003:  The Garland Police Department informed the family on Saturday March 1, about the skeletal human remains (reported as hip bone) found by Lt. Thompson yesterday near a residential service alley off  N. Garland and Apollo Roads in Garland.  They were identified as animal remains by their forensic team and the Dallas Co. ME's office-field agent Richard George, they were later submitted to the Medical Examiner-Jill Urban, MD who certified that they were not animal but human remains.  While at the police station for a scheduled meeting with the new assigned investigating officer, Detective Bill Brown, Esteban's parents were told that they just received a phone call and upon further examination by an anthropologist found that the remains were human.  The Police Department had not been able to identify these human remains at this time.  Detective Brown stated to Esteban's father that he was asked to look at Esteban's case in a different manner since it was leading nowhere and that he found a lot of mistakes in the investigation by the previous investigators.  We are told by the Garland Police that they will follow all the trail evidence to where it leads and only make their final conclusions from it and that they would fully represent Esteban's interests in this case.

A new search team, other than Search One who was previously used and found Esteban's scent trail, is called in to assist (Mark9 Search and Rescue).  The Garland police also reported that the Dallas Medical Examiners' Office was notified of the discovery of skeletal remains but the Field Agents failed to respond (info in 2007).  Therefore all evidence was collected by the Garland Police and the "rookie" forensic investigator.  Basic reporting of evidence was later found to be inaccurate (i.e.- Esteban's age - personal property listed) and the evidence recovered very limited.

Later that evening, after recovering most remains, the family met with Captain Lay at their home following the GPD search for evidence at the crime scene.  In the course of learning about the police investigation, when the Salazar family asked about any blood trace being present at the recovery area they were told that was negative and none was found.  Asking for an explanation on this important missing physical evidence  Captain Lay responded that there was no blood because " Well you know what the Bible reads, "Dust to Dust-Ashes to Ashes ".  No scientific explanation was given.  Esteban's father requests to identify all the personal items and the pistol that were reported recovered by the police.  He is denied.

Friday, February 28, 2003:  Volunteers in the San Francisco bay area distribute flyers and contact the San Francisco PD for assistance.