Last updated:Sunday, August 03, 2008
Facts Page:
10. Events Before.
11. Events After.
The Reported Alleged Crime Scene Location - Search & the Investigation: (as reported by Garland Police Department)
The Garland Police Search - (records indicate it being very limited and selective to only a recovery operation for the purpose of finding Esteban's cadaver - it was never considered to be that of a rescue operation).
1. Aerial (helicopter) search by the Texas Department of Public Safety- hovered over the open recovery area- began three days following Esteban's reported disappearance; this search failed to locate Esteban's body.
2. Garland Police foot search (using the Garland police dominant hand theory?) conducted by the Garland Police Department- This reported approach to the search by the police investigators was allegedly guided by the Garland police's early predetermined assumption that Esteban was suicidal when he departed his home. One of the first facts they inquired about was which was Esteban's dominant hand. Note-All leading search professionals later contacted have never utilized or heard about this reported search approach method that was utilized by the Garland Police. Cadaver dogs (SORT) from Search One Rescue Team were selected and initially used. Initially, a bloodhound had been reasonably requested by the Salazar family to locate Esteban alive and SORT had one available. An interview with the SORT Director Mr. Paul Lake revealed that Captain Lay misinformed the Salazar family that a hound was not available; and police records later revealed that the hound search was not requested until several weeks after.
The wooded and creek areas previously searched by family, near Esteban's home, were selected to be searched again by the Garland Police. In addition, the few and only reported sightings of Esteban had been in a complete opposite direction or in a Southerly direction from his home and placed him away from all these initial police search areas; nevertheless these facts were completely ignored by the Garland Police for about two months.
Instead of reasonably following the obvious leads/sightings, the Garland Police reported to the Salazar family that since Esteban was right handed the Police search would be concentrated in a different and opposite direction from the sightings and toward the North East or Esteban's right side starting at Brand Rd/Queenswood Lane. Notwithstanding, Esteban's partial skeletal remains were reportedly found by the police, two months later, in an open/wooded area (South and West from his home), located in the complete opposite direction of their searches and much further away from his home. Again, the only reported sightings were toward this recovery area but the Garland police completely ignored them. When the physical evidence was recovered by the police, at this late time, it was very minimal with little or no trace evidence. It included a few bones and a skull.
This police recovery site area was then and is now mainly used as a dump site (2008), and is located farther away from other more nearby woods; and it was not familiar to Esteban. There was no reported scent of Esteban leading to this location.
There were many other wooded and creek areas and much closer to Esteban's home, all of which he was more familiar with. The Salazar family first searches were focused in these areas thinking he may had gone for jog; fallen and seriously hurt himself. This was an area were Esteban would frequently walk/jog and play since early childhood. He would return home covered with mud.
Psychology experts have cited that if this manner of death had been a suicide; a nearby area or his home, which was available exclusively to Esteban for (4+) four hours, would have presented a more likeable location for it.
3. Cadaver Dog Recovery-search conducted during the first days came within less than half mile of the recovery area and did not pick up any cadaver scent.
4. Following their reported recovery on 3/1/03 Garland police questioned the property owner, Kenneth Duane Creek (dob:5/10/56). His house is 70 yards from the recovery site area @ 1302 Apollo Rd. He stated hearing a very loud gun shot on the day following Esteban's reported disappearance, two months later. But strangely he never reported it to anyone at the time or shortly after. He did not voluntarily reveal any of this information until questioned by the police and later by the Salazar family two months later. By these time Esteban's body had been consumed by wild life. Some of Esteban's skeletal remains were found inside his property a few feet across the creek. Esteban's father spoke with him later. He stated not being employed and to being retired early. The story that followed supposed to have been about the incident became other; very long and detailed. Relating details of events from that memorable weekend. He stated watching the birds fly away at the instance of the loud deafening gunshot sound and immediately identifying its emerging site location. He also stated having purchased some hunting gear on that same weekend/having proof with purchase receipt. Reported walking over and looking around the immediate area of the gunshot but saw and found nothing. This un-collaborated information from Mr. Creek came only after the recovery of Esteban's remains when this individual was reportedly questioned by the Garland police and later by the Salazar family. It became evidence to close the case.
In the course of his long conversation, he stated that the principals at the Vietnamese Buddhist Temple (next door to his property) have been repeatedly asking him to sell; but that he will not sell!! This temple was reported to have once been attended by Esteban's girlfriend and family prior to his disappearance. Later reports indicated they had stopped attending.
During 2003, Mr. Creek had two teenage sons that attended/attend Naaman Forest HS and his wife works as a safety officer/crossing guard at Webb Middle school, very near where Esteban's remains were found. Its bizarre that after knowing about Esteban's much publicized disappearance he delayed reporting this to the Garland Police until questioned two months later? It was reported that one of Mr. Creek's son's had a drug problem and was associated with Asian youths. In 2007 one of them was arrested by the Garland police on drug possession.
To confirm this important information, numerous other nearby local residents and construction workers were questioned by the Salazar's investigators; and the Garland police incident records for this area were reviewed for the periods during the time of Esteban's disappearance. All reported no gunshot sounds and do not collaborate with this man's story. This story is another part of the un-collaborated primary evidence which the Garland police used to make their suicide determination. **Of Note- During the volunteer search, Mr. Creek was very hostile and not too cooperative with the volunteer search group. He warned the search volunteers/Texas Eqquasearch not to step inside his property since "he could not be responsible for someone being shot accidentally."
5. A professional hound dog
search (SORT) was requested late by the Garland Police on 1/18/03; and only
after the
persistent insistence of the Salazar family. It found a very strong scent
trail which lead the police starting from Esteban's home (#1) to the entrance of a parking lot of an apartment complex-Brandon
Walk (#2)- (about 3/4 of a mile away from Esteban's home).
According to the Garland police report obtained, the bloodhound dog handler
- Mr. David Daniel
stated he was 99.9% sure
of a "hit". It was then surmised at that point in time by
the dog Handler and the Police Investigators at the scene that Esteban was
picked up and transported out from this parking lot area. But there was also a
slight possibility that Esteban may had gone into one of the immediate nearby
apartments that afternoon and it is where his captivity began and body was later
transported out. There was
absolutely no scent
trail leading from this location to the reported recovery area (#3) or anywhere
else. The handler attempted
to pick up Esteban's scent in the outskirt perimeter of the apartment complex with no
success.
With such an important new lead to
follow, there was no procedural follow-up investigation by
the Garland police on this very important factual discovery from their own selected Search/Rescue
team organization. This new lead follows and collaborates with the reported sighting
from two weeks before
by a next door neighbor. But these investigators still ignore
it.
The police stopped their foot search and investigation at the entrance of these apartments.
It is later reported by neighbors that Apollo Rd. is blocked by Garland police (four patrol cars) on 1/29/03-they are in the field in back/side of the Brandon Apartments. There are no police records indicating this witnessed event and what the purpose of their presence is here. Speculation is that they found Esteban's remains in this area (#4). Was Esteban's body dumped here and later moved to location #3? Some have gone as far to say that the a Garland police officer calculatedly shot Esteban in the head after his death to make it look as a suicide. Specially since the .38 is a favorite (detective special) carry or back-up pistol by investigators and .38 caliber was reported being used. No one knows where the .38 caliber rounds originated from.
Here, at the entrance of the Brandon Place Apartments(#2) is where Esteban was abducted. How else did his body reach the recovery area (3#) without leaving any scent trail??
When Esteban's remains were later recovered this important fact along with other reported physical and circumstantial evidence no longer became of interest or of any use to the Garland Police and went completely ignored and unreported. This important fact was kept a secret from all other law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Dallas County Medical Examiner (DCME). According to Open Records obtained in 2008- false information that Esteban was seen leaving his home with a weapon was reported to the DCME Field Agent R. George. This became their prime evidence in their determination- the fact that there was evidence indicating abduction was never mentioned. The Salazar family was asked not to disclose any of this information to the media at that time.
Volunteers working with the Salazar family went door to door and interviewed residents at the apartment complex and not one was reportedly interviewed by the Garland police. They only spoke briefly to the apartment assistant manager. Documented data of all these interviews was sent to the Garland Police.
6. There are no records in police file of other "not" reported foot searches by Garland Police in this case- But it was learned from nearby residents that on the afternoon of 1/29/03 the Garland Police Department blocked off Apollo Rd (900-1300 Block) near were Esteban's remains were found. At least four patrol cars were reported seen, as well as a canine unit. Captain Jody Lay-Intelligence Division who soon after became personally in-charged of Esteban's search and investigation has claimed that their police presence there was only to recover a fugitive who had escaped from one of their patrol cars. Strangely, there is no reported record in Garland police file about this strange occurrence. Given also that at this time, a canine unit was this close (100 yards) to Esteban's reported remains site and there was no scent reported, it may also be indicative of the possibility that his remains were not there at that time or not properly reported by the police. In 2005 after an Open Records request, the Garland Police/Records Division and Captain Lay / Director of Intelligence reported that there is no record of this police incident in their police files. Additional requests to confirm this unauthorized/undocumented use of city resources were made to the City Manager Mr. Dollar, Chief of Police Bates, our District #8 Representative-Randy Dunning and Mayor Bob Day. These complaints/requests went ignored.
Its reasonably suspected that the police presence there was related to having located Esteban's remains and planning on how to limit its evidence.
Another unusual event and misuse of city resources was reported by citizens of another undocumented Garland police action taking place at 2447 Richview Ct., Garland, Texas on the weekend of 8/14/05. A reported weekend gathering of many Asian people, more than thirty (30) motor vehicles were reported at this one home. The home occupants are associated to Mr. Lae Phoxayvong (charged at one time with illegal organized crime activities) who was linked to Paul Le and Esteban by way of the phone call made on 12/30/02. This group have associates who live in the apartment complex where Esteban's scent lead the search to. Some individuals at this home are known to have criminal records also. The police action reported by nearby residents involved a Department of Public Safety helicopter and numerous Garland police cars. According to a request for information made, the Garland police do not have any records of this incident. Mr. Randy Dunning was asked again to look into this clandestine misuse of city resources. Dunning chose to ignore looking into this serious matter.
The recovery site- The area alongside the road from Esteban's home to this recovery site at the time of his disappearance was heavily wooded on January of 2003. The reported recovery site was over a mile and a half away from Esteban's home and only about 3/4 of a mile where the bloodhound lost Esteban's scent at the entrance of the Brandon Rd. apartments (suspected kidnapping). This recovery site about 70 yards Southerly from Apollo Rd. consists of open fields with roads and trails. Its surrounded at one end by woods that go into the creek area. This area was/is a trash dump site, a meeting place, dirt bike and trail to the creek, and a lover's lane. There are three access roads into the reported recovery site. The first two roads are very drivable. The third access road may require the ground clearance of a truck. The outlined roads (yellow and orange) on the satellite photo converge and the trail ends about 10 yards were Esteban's skull was found. It is suspected this is and would be the most probable trail used to transport Esteban's body in. Residents have reported a lot of daily activity of: people driving in and out at all hours of the day- kids riding their bikes and going to the creek fishing and walking through to go to school. All pass the trail were Esteban's remains were found. No one reported sighting the remains. No particular attention to the in/out traffic is reportedly given by the residents.
Its suspected that Esteban's remains were placed there days before the Garland police reported their sudden unexplained discovery.
The following satellite photo describes the site-access ways; and the path of the scattered bones recovered/the other photos are looking out onto the road from the skull recovery/primary site-and access way to the primary site.
|
Looking out from location where Esteban's skull was found -primary site |
Road going in from the alleyway (1st. phase).
|
Road coming down open area (2nd.phase) |
Open Area-Road continues around & to the left(3rd. phase) photo taken from Apollo Rd. |
Road turning right to the primary site |
The Discovery and Forensic Investigation-
The first find (femur bone) was discovered and reported by Lt. Thompson to have been found by chance near a residential service alley and at the entrance of a walking trail to the field/wooded area. But police records indicate it was found 300 feet from this said reported location. Medical Examiner records report it to be 125 feet from the nearest home on 1200 Woodland Park, Garland, TX. Its original reported location by the police was about 500 feet from where Esteban's skull was later reported to have been found.
Garland Police Investigators-Thompson and Myers reported going to the site on 2/28/03 following on a previously ignored sighting/lead (report that a fellow classmate saw Esteban walking on Apollo Rd. and he had waved at her-the identity of this individual was never disclosed). That Garland police reported lead came in during the first days of the disappearance and ignored but to date is un-collaborated.
They found/recovered two bones and brought them back to their forensic expert to identify it. The Garland Police forensic expert and then Medical Examiner reported that the femur bone was identified as "animal". The bone reportedly was later sent to another Dallas Medical Examiner-Urban on Saturday 3/1/03 on that same day Esteban's parents had been called in to be at the police headquarters to meet with the investigators. At about 10:00 am the Medical Examiner-Jill Urban, MD reportedly called the Garland Police to informed them that the bone found was identified to be "human". Esteban's parents who had been summoned to appear a day earlier were at the Garland police headquarters when this reported phone call came in from the Dallas County Medical Examiner (DCME). They were told that this case was now a homicide investigation. Was it a coincidence or planned event? It is noted by police reports that no forensic investigators were summoned immediately and only appeared at the crime scene until about 16:30 or six (6)+ hours later on that day. The Dallas County Medical Examiner field agent was not included. Records indicated they waited until 16:00 to phone-call the DCME to report they would start to collect evidence. The DCME did not respond? The remains were exclusively collected by the Garland police beginning at noon and consisted of only a few scattered partial bones and a skull and personal items; the body was completely dismembered and soft tissue was almost non-existent. The personal items were never shared with the DCME. Garland police transported the remains to the DCME. This was done by Garland police out of the protocol established for this type of a death scene.
*Garland Police reported to the Salazar family that the first bone finding was as of result from an old lead/sighting generated the first week of the search by one of Esteban's classmates- this conflicts with the fact of this finding since it had been recently (2006) reported by a resident who claimed to have called it in. For some unknown reason the Garland Police created a lot of misinformation -false reports, events and evidence. This is another one of those that was passed on to Esteban's family.
Two weeks following the conclusion of the Garland police's recovery & search, a large group of volunteers from Texas Eqquasearch, a well known search team, found Esteban's missing/untied shoe in pristine condition about 40 feet from the first reported skeletal find and 500 feet from the other shoe that was reported to be in very poor condition (chewed-stained and weathered). A Garland police grid-search mark ribbon was found tied to a branch within a few feet from this recovered shoe. The GPD refused to assist in this search and with documenting and recording the finds of this search. The police leadership instructed the search team to place any find in a box and drop it off at the police headquarters. An audio recording of Lt. "Keith" Thompson relating to this unusual event was sent to Council person-Dunning.
The Medical Examiner-Jill Urban, MD reported that the some limited skeletal remains they were provided by the Garland police enclosed in paper bags had no (Global Positioning Satellite) "GPS" positioning information; some of the bags were unlabeled as to their contents. This consisted all of the physical evidence the Dallas County Medical Examiner was provided and allowed to examine to make a determination of manner of death.
Physical Evidence: (collection was very selected and limited; and done only by the Garland Police- the Dallas County Medical Examiner was excluded)
An un-redacted police report by Detective Myers, which was inadvertently sent to the Salazar family, indicates that the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office did not participate at all in the collection of evidence at the reported crime scene. This was strictly handled only by the Garland police team and their young and inexperienced forensic investigator Stephanie McCall #5817-
The Senior hand-picked evidence search group included: Captain J. L. Lay, Lt. K. Thompson and detectives: M J Myers#177, J S Martin#162, C M Shoemaker#76, M A Mendoza#213, S V Tooke#215, D P Colasanto#122, R A McLean#282, I C Hale#193, W H Brown#199 and B T Younger#87.
Reported physical evidence collected by the police included: one sock - two t-shirts - one back pack - one Nike tennis shoe - one shirt - running pants - boxer shorts. Missing were one sock and one shoe. The missing shoe was found later by Texas EquuaSearch a couple of feet from a police search grid marker two weeks later.
Collected evidence was reported to have been sent by the Garland Police to many different forensic laboratories throughout Texas and Florida for examinations and was not handled solely by the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas, Texas/Dallas County Medical Examiner. Reason stated by the Garland Police's Captain Lay was that this laboratory was very inadequate (but this lab is used by most law enforcement agencies in the area). Records indicated that the final determination in the manner of death was made, on June 2003, by the medical examiner before most of the forensic results and analysis of the other physical evidence from the other laboratories were completed. The basis of the Medical Examiner's manner of death determination was the circumstantial evidence provided by the Garland Police and it was not based on scientific evidence. Their own field agents were excluded from collecting evidence in this case. This is the reported accounting from the Medical Examiner-Dr. Jill Urban to Esteban's father in a letter received in August of 2005. The Medical Examiner was so overwhelmed and wrongfully influenced by this Garland police report that no initial forensic anthropology examination was conducted as would be the protocol in this type of a case. This situation was completely out of procedure for a medical examiner. An examination was later conducted but only after the Salazar family approached a forensic anthropologist-Dr. Gill King to investigate and perform the examination following the remains being released to the family on 3/5/03. According to Dr. Gil-King, the physical evidence of the remains were compromised by Dr. Urban for an anthropology examination.
Affidavit of Fact regarding the registered pistol owned by the Salazar family.
Physical Evidence that should have been present at the scene and was not were very good reasons for a new and more complete investigation by the Garland Police; and for the request of more experienced professional assistance to collect evidence.
1. A registered pistol reported to be from
the Salazar home was reportedly found at the recovery area. To date, the Salazar
family have never
been allowed to identify their own pistol by the Garland police. A.
The reported recovered pistol was property of Esteban's father and was found to
be absent of any fingerprints. Including that of his (visible or latent)
own fingerprints and DNA. It was evident from this report that this pistol had
been wiped down. B. An unidentified DNA was reported found
by Cell Mark Orchid on the
pistol by Detective Myers/Garland Police Department. Esteban's one sample
of DNA was reported found on the pistol grip area only. This
is a most common and very suitable area for someone to plant DNA on a pistol.
Fingerprint evidence from a dead body are very hard to plant since it lacks perspiration
and oils. The police
reported that the examination was performed by
Orchid Cellmark, a leading provider
of DNA testing. A year later in a letter dated 9/24/04 the Dallas County
Chief Medical Examiner/Dr. Jeffrey Barnard challenged this scientific result by
by stating "we consulted a DNA expert regarding the reported finding and we do
not agree with the conclusion". This new conclusion by Dr. Barnard was reached without an
examination of the DNA, and he has neglected to name his DNA expert. It
came only after a complaint was filed against his office. C. There were no
rounds for this pistol at the Salazar home;
this was reported to the Garland police on the first meeting.
Nevertheless, they went to the extreme to fabricate evidence around this pistol.
A pistol without rounds is useless for its main intended purpose. The
Investigators initially reported having recovered an odd number of .357 rounds and to be "special/custom"
reloads type which the Salazar family had no access to and are said to be harder to
trace. No latent fingerprints or DNA were reported to be present on
any of these
rounds. Later reports obtained from the DCME in 2008 indicated these
reported rounds to be
different; .38 caliber special rounds. This pistol was used twice
at the range and
never used .38 rounds. Where did these rounds come from- Esteban was a
minor and could not purchase them. The police never investigated for the origin
of this ammunition. Why? Captain Lay also misinform the DCME
that Esteban was 18 years old/ an adult in Texas.
Its suspected that
someone with firearm knowledge planted the .38 rounds or fabricated this report.
A .357 round would have blown off Esteban's skull and did not match the exit g/s
wound. C. The
pistol was purchased new and used by Esteban and his father at the target range
twice. Used last by Esteban's father. The pistol was stored in its original case and
reported last seen at the Salazar's home three months prior to
Esteban's disappearance when the house was being remodeled. D.
Esteban was not seen
or reported leaving his home
with a pistol as it was misreported by the Garland Police to the Medical Examiner and the
Dallas-FBI. Esteban's parents were the only people to witness
Esteban leave his home and they never reported seeing him leaving home with a pistol.
This is another of the many fabrications of primary evidence used by the Garland police. 
Many
critical and vital information reported by the Salazar family was later found to have been manipulated
and twisted by the Garland police
in its recording and
later reported to be the complete opposite and was made part of the Garland Police
investigative record. Other relating to criminal links was ignored. False information was provided by the Garland
police to the Dallas County District Attorney, Texas Rangers,
Dallas-FBI and other law enforcement agencies.
These and other highly influential
fabricated falsehoods were sealed
and buried
into Esteban's investigative records. E. The Salazar home was
empty and left unlocked for Esteban's return during 4+hours that afternoon and
evening while his parents were at the movies and restaurant. F. The
girlfriend stated she knew about the pistol and where it was stored. Days
later, for unknown reasons she stated that she had asked around and spoken to
people at Esteban's Kung Fu Academy and that they also knew about this
pistol. G. Given the unusual activities on the previous week, there is a very strong suspicion that the reported
missing pistol was out of
the Salazar home before Esteban disappeared. H. No one
saw or reported Esteban leaving his home carrying anything; including this
alleged reported pistol. Nevertheless, the Medical Examiner autopsy reports
"he
left his house with a revolver".
2. The Other Physical Evidence recovered or
missing.
A) There was no reported presence of blood at the recovery area as
per the police Investigators verbal report. The recorded large size of the
exit wound (about 2"-size of a lemon) in the skull would have produced a large
size pool of blood. The cool/warm weather during the week of
Esteban's disappearance should have had a very significant impact in preserving
and collecting blood
stains and blow-back material from the gunshot (leafs, brush, grass, soil, etc.) and
also facilitated for their collection of insects. But insects were reported not
to have been
collected by the Garland police. Blood should have been present if the gunshot wound occurred at this
site where the police reported that Esteban allegedly shot himself; or if Esteban was
shot there while alive when this
alleged gunshot occurred. The
Garland Police Forensic Investigator-Stephanie M. McCall (DOB:5/23/81) #5817 and #608 and V. Standley #616 collected very
limited physical evidence. Records indicate they were dispatched to the
crime scene on 3/1/02
and not until @ 3:45PM. The crime scene was left unprotected for
over 24 hrs. B)
Esteban's clothing was reported recovered near the skull- included his underwear
- one sock - two t-shirt - shirt - jogging pants - backpack and only one (1) very damaged and
chewed/soiled shoe. None of his
clothing were reported to have any gunpowder residue. C) Esteban's missing/untied shoe
was found two weeks after the Garland police recovery search
of his remains. It was found in pristine condition by search volunteers directed by Texas EquuaSearch
.
It was located 20 yards from the residential service alley to Woodland Park Dr.
and about 200
yards from where the skull and pistol/other shoe were reported found. It appeared to have been
placed there. This was an area were the Garland Police
had previously
searched. A police search grid marker was tied to a branch only a few feet away. D) The skeletal remains were discovered scattered in a direction toward the
residential area and away from the wooded area as you would have not expected
for wild animals to have behaved if carrying the bones for keeping. Owners of the few domestic animals in the
residential areas stated keeping their dogs confined in their yard unless they
are escorted into the field. Additionally, per the Osteological examination report received from the Medical Examiner-Dr.
Tony Falsetti, "the remains did not show any evidence
of domestic animal (dog) chewing but only that of a coyote."
Coyote are very timid animals and would
only carry to hide their food (bones) into the woods. Not near homes as was the
case here. These facts likely suggest that Esteban remains were
not moved there by a wild animal, dog or other domestic animal but calculatedly
placed at the recovery area later by a human after all of the soft tissue/physical evidence
from Esteban's body was consumed. Its suspected that this
same party returned Esteban's missing shoe into the area weeks following the police
foot search when they realized the other shoe had fallen off and left behind
either inside the motor vehicle or at the residence where he was held.
One of the residents of this immediate area, his house facing the field/wooded recovery area, reported seeing a car and a motorcycle with two suspicious male adults the week prior to the reported police discovery of the remains. The motorcycle would go into the woods and return to the driver of the car. This activity repeated and continued for a while. This information was reported to the Garland Police. There is no record they ever followed-up and investigated. E) With very limited physical evidence (bones) the determination of manner of death was made using false and unreliable circumstantial evidence provided by the Garland Police to the Medical Examiner. Some of this unreliable information which was knowingly passed on to the Dallas County Medical Examiner in 2003 was reported in 2006 by the police not to be in their case file.
The Garland Police and the Dallas County Medical Examiner have been provided with documented/certified witness evidence which completely challenges and disproves the primary evidence used to make the determination and close Esteban's homicide investigation. F) The Salazar family examined, photographed and catalogued Esteban's remains. These photographs were initially available to the family for a small monetary fee along with the autopsy report from the Dallas County Medical Examiner. Later on, the Medical Examiner's Office refused to release any of these photos and they are now sealed. G) No bullet was reportedly found. H) No bone fragments related to the gunshot wound were reportedly found in the recovery area. I) No gunpowder residue was reportedly found on the soil near or the skull. J) No "suicide note" from Esteban was ever reported found.
The Ballistics Evidence: (as reported by Garland Police Department & Medical Examiner).
Sketch tracing of Esteban's skull and gun shot entry wound from a photo taken by his parents.
a) There was no recorded evidence of flash / powder burns from the gunshot on the skull / metal tracings from the bullet. b) There was no blood/human matter on the pistol ("back spatter"); indicating the most probable the gun shot wound was not placed at contact with the skull but fired from a distance 3" or more away from the head. The greater the caliber the greater the spatter. c) Entrance wound (.625" diameter) in the skull was behind/above away from the temple area and according to our interview with the Medical Examiner can not be traced to the recovered pistol. An exit wound was reported and measured to be 1.75" in diameter. The location (toward back of head) of the gunshot wound indicates a very small probability (exhibit#1) that this could be a suicide but more likely indicates an even greater possibility that this was an execution style murder or made to look like one. d) The reported entrance gunshot wound is 75% larger than the caliber/nominal size bullet of the recovered pistol FIREARMS TUTORIAL. This large entry wound is consistent with the use of: a larger caliber bullet - bullet distorted before impact by: passing through another material surface or by the use of a silencer. From the reported evidence, we suspect that Esteban was already deceased when the gunshot was inflicted onto his skull to make it appear a suicide. The only ones at this point in the investigation who would benefit from this scenario was the Garland police investigators.
Exhibits follow:
exhibit #1
| Suicidal Firearms Deaths | |||
| Site | Handgun(%) | Rifle(%) | Shotgun(%) |
| Right temple | 50.0 | 22.9 | 9.3 |
| Left temple | 5.8 | 3.3 | 3.7 |
| Mouth | 14.5 | 24.3 | 31.7 |
| Forehead | 5.9 | 15.7 | 8.1 |
| Under chin | 2.4 | 9.1 | 10.6 |
| Back of head | 3.6 | 3.8 | 1.2 |
| Chest | 13.2 | 15.7 | 19.9 |
| Abdomen | 1.4 | 1.9 | 5.6 |
| Other | 3.2 | 3.3 | 9.9 |
(College of American Pathologists)
Other than the obvious gunshot wound to the head already mentioned there are many other unaccountable possibilities of committing this type of gunshot wound not mentioned.
Esteban's physical autopsy was limited to the head gunshot wound since there was very limited physical evidence (no soft tissue) and insects were not collected/recovered. Without soft tissue remaining on his body to examine, any other possible evident trauma went undetected. No accurate time of death was established since examination (entomology) was not conducted. Strangely insects were never attempted to be collected by the Garland police forensic team and a forensic anthropologist was not timely used.
There are other more reasonable possibilities that Esteban was murdered at a residential location since a gunshot sound would have attracted noticeable attention.
1) Other than an entry and exit wound, none of the physical evidence expected to be found from a reported self inflicted high power gun head shot wound was reported present. We suspect Esteban was shot following his death to mislead and make it appear as a "suicide" or an "execution" and not the type of hate/vindictive/retribution crime that it really was. In 2008 it was discovered by an independent investigation that other caliber type rounds were reported recovered and not the .357 the police reported to the family. Instead, .38 special rounds were found, the same type most the police use as their back-up pistols. We reasonably suspect the alleged recovered pistol was wiped down. Esteban's reported DNA on the pistol was planted/transferred to the grip and no fingerprints were present because it was not possible to plant/transfer them with the absence of perspiration and human oils of the deceased. No blood was reported present at the crime scene since Esteban was murdered at another location. There were multiple flesh wounds inflicted to his body and his death was attributed to asphyxia. There are also many other countless methods of murder (i.e.-suffocation-strangulation-knife wounds-etc.) which would not be identifiable by this general autopsy method conducted since there was no soft tissue present and a few skeletal remains. Additionally, the medical examiner was not looking for any other evidence or trauma as it was already established for them by the Garland police that Esteban's death was a "suicide". They did not respond to the crime scene and the limited evidence provided was transported by the Garland police to their facility.
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The Examination of the Body: (as reported by the Dallas County Medical Examiner-Jill Urban, MD).
a) Toxicology Report indicated no presence of drugs or alcohol in Esteban's remains.
b) As per the autopsy report, an entry gunshot wound to the head was reported in Esteban's skull- "3 1/2" below the top of the skull" and behind his ear -towards the back of his head-and not in the temple area. Exit wound was reported "1 inch below the top of the skull".
c) The Medical Examiner-Urban reported she could not establish: 1. Esteban's time of death 2. Place of death or confirm if his death occurred at the reported recovery site 3. Range of fire. 4. If the gunshot wound was inflicted while Esteban was alive or when he was deceased 5. Which/what type of weapon inflicted the gunshot wound 6. The caliber of the bullet that inflicted the gunshot wound 7. The type of bullet that inflicted the gunshot wound 8. If other parts/organs of his body were subject to a fatal injury / asphyxia 10. The undisputed cause of Esteban's death using only the physical evidence collected/examined. Lacking all this vital information, remarkably Dr. Urban was able to make a definite undisputed determination.
Interviews of persons known to the decedent: (none of his close family members or friends believed Esteban committed suicide)
Girlfriend-Huong Q. Nguyen: Her reports and statements have been very inconsistent. More important is the time in which phone calls on 1/4/02 were placed into the Salazar home by her family's phones. It shows a patter that they were made only made when they knew were Esteban or his parents were at home. This indicates they had full knowledge as to when and where Esteban disappeared from his home and implicate them in his abduction. Phone records follow her unusual demeanor on that day. She adamantly reported to have talked with Esteban before he left his home on 1/4/03 for a duration of about thirty minutes. Phone records indicate Esteban answered this phone call and hung up immediately (2 seconds). She reported that during this conversation Esteban appeared sad. This great initial deception gave serious cause to make her an immediate person of interest in this case. Why else would anyone set this misrepresentation to the police? And later when asked if she thought Esteban killed himself she replied- NO!! There is evidence that this girl became infuriated that Esteban stopped seeing her and severed all ties with her, associates and family. Her many letters to Esteban shows her possessiveness and jealousy. A motive for these people to kill Esteban. These are the only logical "girlfriend problems " he had, as reported by the Garland police in 2006.
1. Days following the disappearance she stated to the police that Esteban had told her on Christmas Day 2002:
a. "he had committed a great unforgivable sin" .
b. "he was not returning to school; he did not need an education"
c. "he was leaving for a while to a place far away where he was unknown but that they would see each other in 30 days." According to her and time of these statements, this information was known to her on 12/29/02 when Esteban's father had asked her if she knew what was troubling Esteban. She had remained silent. This deception is also evident and supported by the statements published on Esteban's Xanga web site on 1/2/03.
She chose not to disclose any of Esteban's problems at that time of need and waited until after after he was murdered to report it. Not the best friend one could ask for or but the worst enemy?
2. Furthermore, she also reported on many occasions that Esteban did not seemed distraught or calling for help when she spoke to him last on 1/4/03?
3. Reported she had asked Esteban to go with her on the night of 1/4/03 to listen a Vietnamese female singer. This is after:
a- he had severed their relationship and wrote her a letter on 1/1/03 to that effect.
b- he did not answer her phone calls
c- Esteban had no interest in going with her and family to this alleged event.
d- by his choice had no previous personal contact with her during the previous four days.
4. Later on she stated to different individuals that she thought Esteban was being blackmailed. This and more statements are audiotape in numerous of her phone conversations starting from her first call to the Salazar home. Her reported statement about Esteban's last words to her do not collaborate with the facts.
5. Reported that she talked to Esteban on the afternoon before he disappeared. And he sounded sad. But all phone records clearly dispute and refute this. According to phone records, last phone calls originating from her or family's phones were screened by Esteban and not answered/lasted 2 seconds.
6. Poem dated 12/31/02 written to Esteban indicated she was not pleased that he went skiing and did not stay with her during school winter break. She also wrote "My love for you can't be deny-wondering were you are". This was her warning to Esteban he could not deny her love and company. Esteban responded with a sarcastic poem to her about her betrayal in which he politely indicated breaking off his relationship with her and wishing her luck. Although the poem was written on 1/1/03, he never personally delivered it to her. He chose to tell her himself when she had called him, this immediately infuriated her and begun the wheels to turn. There were reports that shortly after she became very angry and distraught-cried every day after he severed their relationship. But tears from her were never observed following Esteban's reported disappearance and death.
7. Following the date (12/31/02) of this poem Esteban never contacted or visited socially with Huong again. Nevertheless, Huong relentlessly continued calling Esteban at his home.
8. She had told Esteban that if he severed their relationship she would have to participate in sexual activities with older men. Esteban confused had related this to his father to find if it could be possible. This was another leading sign that went ignored by his father during that earlier period. It was thought to have be nonsense from an enamored and sociopath girl to merely attract favor and sympathy.
Friend-Tai Nguyen
:
Esteban visited his home on the late
morning of 1/4/03. He has stated that Esteban came by to pick-up some money
($10.00) he was owed and watched cartoons for a while. He was the last person
outside Esteban's parents reported to have seen Esteban hours before his
kidnapping.
Esteban's visit was unannounced or planned- he did not phone before going over.
According to Tai,
Esteban's behavior was normal this day. He did not appear to be troubled when he left his
home. This conflicts with Huong's story that he was sad. Some of Tai's 
and Esteban's
friends have stated that they believe Esteban's visit there was for other
reasons. To severe his association with this group and activities. Tai's has referred to
Esteban on his MySpace page as his "my only best white friend I ever had."
Associate-"AJ
" Jackie Aaron
Anderson Jr.:
Reported having not seen Esteban since last day
of school before winter break. Drove to and from school in Esteban's vehicle.
In 2003, he stated that
there as no way Esteban committed suicide. That he was very upbeat and
frequently talked about attending the Coast Guard Academy. It
was reported by AJ's family that Esteban went by his house on Christmas Day looking for AJ and
instead spoke to his grandmother,
Ramona. But AJ had reported (2005) to Esteban's father that Esteban came by on
Christmas day to look at his presents? Nevertheless, AJ reported that
he never contacted Esteban again. AJ also had reported that students at his school
where holding him responsible for Esteban's death. He had once unconsciously
stated "It was my fault". Public records received in 2004
indicated that AJ had been charged with a drug related felony (F-0225042) and
filing a false report by the Garland police in January 2002. His g/f
during 2002/03 Siya Siv (dob: 5/19/84)
is linked to Jimmy Bui (dob:4/6/85) and Paul Le- Mr. Bui has reported gang
affiliation-
Esteban's father: Esteban behavior was cheerful and normal all morning until after he returned from the drug store on the morning of 1/4/03, this trip came following a phone call received from his girlfriend's father cell phone. Esteban was always upbeat and looking forward to an early graduation from high school, having time off and then attending to college. He was very enthusiastic with school and was making huge progress on his new hobby-weight training.
Family and Teachers: Esteban was involved with all his family's activities and at school was deemed and reported to be an exemplary student by his teachers. He very well liked by his peers; and seen as a role model.
Esteban's Dentist: Esteban had an appointment with his Dentist on 1/3/03. The Dentist described Esteban as being very upbeat and happy about his recent trip to Colorado and already looking forward to next year's return trip.
Thieu Phuoc Nguyen- DOB 6/8/1982: This young man became an unprecedented swimming guest at Esteban's home in the summer of 2002. He was brought by Esteban's girlfriend's older sister, Thu. He was partially paralyzed. Esteban stated to his parent's having no knowledge about this young man's tragedy. Later on through the Salazar family investigation it was learned that this individual was involved in a Dallas gang shooting where he received the aforementioned injury; another individual was murdered during this shooting incident. At the time, Thieu was a Junior-at Poteet High School in Mesquite and hanging out at a favorite Asian gang night club (Decibel Club) location on that memorable night in 1999. On that Christmas holiday week night a reported gang feud (CB-Chino Boys-ABZ-Azian boys-KB Korean boys) erupted and a shooting followed. *Thieu falsely reported to Texas DPS at the time his home address on his driver's license to be @ a home in Richardson, TX- when it was in Mesquite, TX.
Some time later Esteban's father spoke to Thieu about Esteban; his comments were: 1. Our Buddhist religion tells us not to be angry and to forgive those who hurt us. 2. That Esteban was a very nice person and he thought he was murdered because some people were jealous of him. 3. He stated not being related to Esteban's girlfriend's family but only being friends. 4. Reported that girlfriend/Huong was very distraught and cried after Esteban had broken off with her.
Esteban's father contacted Mr. Chi Phuoc Nguyen, the father, to speak with him. Mr.
Nguyen did not want to talk. An older live in guest, Mr. Paul To 
has resided with them
(2003-2006). Mr. To is associated with Paul Le's brother Long Le
and
many others including the Maydelle-Garland, TX connection 
Tuyet Van Nguyen
dob:8/30/84-Erin Jong Hong dob:1/17/86. The Nguyen family is in the nail salon business and
operate California Nails in Plano, TX.
Of Note: It was reported by AJ Anderson, the young man who rode to school with Esteban, that he was present at the Decibel Club/Dallas on the night of the shooting. He was in the company of an older Vietnamese male youth, Sam Nguyen.
Below is an excerpt of the Dallas Morning News by Tim Wyatt- news article. One of the many gangs present at the shooting was reported to be the ABZ-Asian boyz- The ABZ has a link to the Dallas metroplex largest Asian beauty products supplier and nail shops and Esteban's associates. Police also reported they are one of the main drug distributors in this area. Most youth gangs have no names but are affiliated to a major national gang such as the ABZ and conduct criminal activities for profit in their behalf. Involved in drug trafficking, auto theft, money laundering, gambling, insurance fraud, home invasions, prostitution, extortion, etc..
Esteban's friends and schoolmates: Everyone that was interviewed or contacted by the Salazar family stated that there was no indication of abnormal type behavior by Esteban associated with suicide. His attitude was always upbeat and caring. Had no attendance or disciplinary problems. Maintained good appetite, exercised and health/grooming habits. He was eagerly looking forward to an early graduation and going away to college. Was not involved in drugs. But was known to be associated with drug traffickers and gang members.
Unusual events occurring the previous week (this along with some other unusual events have been ignored by the Garland Police): It was reported that on 12/25/02 Esteban severed his relationship with his girlfriend. This was disclosed to us over a year later by a third party (psychologist-Lynne Hobby) who spoke with his girlfriend. Nevertheless, she continued calling Esteban on a daily basis.
Phone records indicate that, beginning on Friday-December 27, 2002 Esteban began to use his cell phone after not using it since May 10, 2002 when he began to date Huong- the new girlfriend introduced by his Kung Fu brother-Peter Wang. Very unusual for a teenager unless he was instructed not to by someone he highly respected.
On 12/27/02 Esteban was out with different friends most of the day and night (Tai Nguyen and Paul Le) On 12/28/02 Esteban remained in bed (his room) for most of the day. There was no alcohol or drugs involved. He had a, never seen before terrified look in his face. On 12/30/02 Esteban reported spending the night at Paul's home. This was unexpected and first time he had stayed out unannounced. Records indicate that calls on this cell phone on 12/30/02 have been linked to individuals labeled by law enforcement as organized crime and drug dealers (This information became available through the family's investigation after Esteban disappeared). The phone numbers are listed below with its subscriber. These call were suspected made by Paul Le-there is overwhelming documentation of Paul Le's association with individuals with criminal records. On his return home on the next morning Esteban's respectful character had changed- he offered no explanation as to his whereabouts and why he did not phone to merely alert his family he was not coming home that night- this was new and most unusual behavior!! He also reported speaking to Huong that night.
date time tel.# location duration subscriber
12/30/02 7:45PM (972) 494-6816 1113 Maydelle-Garland 20sec. Trung Nguyen
12/30/02 7:46PM (972) 675-3693 2867 N.Shiloh-Garland 10 sec. Kyung Hong
12/30/02 11:52PM (972) 276-6143 200 S. Jupiter-Garland 20 sec. Ninh Nguyen
12/31/02 12:01AM (469) 682-5080 3212 Lariat-Garland VMail Lae Phoxayvong
Information regarding the subscribers listed above-
1113 Maydelle, Garland, TX- this residence is a boarding house for many transients- reports have been sent to the Garland Police of motor vehicles at this address: stolen and others not confirmed with illegal license plates. Some of the occupants included: Van Thanh Nguyen-Elizabeth Q. Nguyen-Thuy Dung Nguyen (dob 8/7/86)-Vanna Truong-Vanha T Truong-- Some time later they relocated to Lakeway Dr., Garland, TX and Houston.
Kyung Hong, relocated to Paris, TX-
following Esteban's murder. Her
daughter Erin
Hong is seen in the company of documented criminals
and resided in Garland apartment on 2004.
Lived on Shiloh/Beltline Rd and later Jupiter/Buckingham Rd.
200 S. Jupiter, Garland, TX- this is a run-down tenement (registered to Ninh Nguyen) that was occupied by an Asian individual known to the Garland Police as a drug dealer. They later relocated to # 329 @ 3730 Buckingham, Garland, TX.
Lae Phoxayvong, public records indicate he was arrested for organized crime activities including dangerous drugs and gambling. He owns the Mekong Market-Buckingham Rd., Garland, TX along with numerous residential properties. His son Tony was Paul Le's contact.
Other Data indicating manner of Esteban's death other than "suicide":
Psychological-Suicide Warning Signs. The following is a questionnaire identifying individuals at risk for suicide (National Mental Health Institute). Conclusion: Esteban did not meet this "suicide" profile. This is another piece of vital information that was shared with the Garland police and ignored.
exhibit #2
Warning signs of Suicide – Adolescent (Esteban David Salazar - Hispanic male- 17 years old)
Information was provided by teachers, friends and family.
Yes No Undetermined
Observable Signs of Suicide Risk.
Classroom Behavior-
Marked decline in school performance and levels achieved. X
Skipping classes and opting out of school activities. X
Poor concentration, sleepiness, inattentiveness. X
Unusually disruptive or rebellious behavior. X
Death or suicide themes dominate written, artistic or creative work. X
Inability to tolerate praise or rewards. X
Interpersonal Behavior-
Giving away prized possessions. X
Sudden changes in relationships, for example, exhibiting disruptive behavior. X^!
Withdrawing from friends and social involvements. X
Other Behavioral Signs-
Apathy about dress and appearance. X
Sudden change in weight. X
Running away from home. X
Risk taking and careless behavior. X
Accident proneness. X
Sudden and striking personality changes and changes in mood. X^
Overt signs of mental illness. X
Loss of sense of humor or sudden compulsive joking. X
Sleeping pattern changes. X
Development of extreme dependency. X
Sudden happiness after a prolonged period of depression. X
Impulsive tendencies. X
Depressive tendencies. X
Unrealistic expectations held of self. X
Episodic Stressful Precipitants.
Verbal Expression of Suicidal Intent or Depression-
Direct statements, for example/’I wish I were dead’, ‘I am going to end it all’. X
Indirect statements, such as, ‘No one cares if I live or die’, ‘Does it hurt to die?’ X
School and Society-
In trouble with school authorities or police. X
Loss or disappointment in school. X
Change of school or home address. X
Strong demands from adults for show of strength, competence and effectiveness. X
Interpersonal and Physical Problems.
Loss of a person through death or divorce. X
Recent suicide of a friend or relative. X
Breaking up with boyfriend or girlfriend. X**
Exposure to violence, incest or rape. X***
Abusing drugs or alcohol. X
Feared pregnancy. X
Refusal by significant others= to provide anticipated help, support or love X
Major family dysfunction. X
*Stayed in his room most of the day on 12/28/03.
^Appeared nervous and scared on 12/28/03.
**Letters and phone records indicate that Esteban was severing contact and relationship with his girlfriend/associates.
***Family believes that Esteban witnessed a violent episode on 12/27/03 which change his demeanor.
Yes No Undetermined
Chronic Stressful Life Situations.
Home Life- X
Chronic depression or mental illness in parents. X
Incest or child abuse. X
Severe parental conflict. X
Family involvement with drugs or alcohol abuse. X
Poor communication with parents. X
Pressure for high achievements to gain parental approval or acceptance. X
Exposure to suicide, suicidal behavior or violent death of family member or friend. X
Interpersonal Relations-
Involvement in physical violence. X*
Inability to relate well with peers. X
Sexual promiscuity. X
Inability to enjoy or appreciate friendships or to express affection openly. X
Mood swings and occasional outbursts. X
Feelings of worthlessness, being a burden or having let parents or others down. X
Feelings of guilt, failure, or having no control over their life. X
*Family suspects of a violent incident on 12/27/03, which changed Esteban’s d