The Disappearance of Tracy Ocasio
For this case, I watched an episode of Disappeared. It’s season 6 episode 12, titled ‘The Final Season.’
A 27-year-old woman disappears after a night out at a bar.
Background
Tracy Ocasio lived with her parents, Joe and Liz Ocasio in Ocoee, Florida. The family had moved from Virginia to Florida for Joe’s job. The move was hard on Tracy, so she left school and decided to work odd part time jobs. She eventually did get her GED, and was looking into taking classes at a local community college.
At the time of her disappearance, Tracy was 27. She was figuring out what she wanted in life. She was working, but also making and selling jewelry online.
Tracy Ocasio
Tracy’s Last Movements
On Tuesday, May 26, 2009, the Orlando Magic were playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Championship game. Tracy was a huge Magic fan, and was watching the game at the Florida Tap Room.
The Florida Tap Room, located at 6409 Raleigh Street in Orlando
Tracy spent the evening having a few drinks, and floating from table to table. The Magic won the game after a missed shot at the buzzer by Lebron James. Tracy stayed at the bar until about 1am, and left with an acquaintance of hers named James Hataway.
Liz and Joe woke up later that morning on May 27, and discovered that Tracy was not in her bed. Liz thought that maybe Tracy just didn’t want to drive home after drinking, and was with some friends. However, Tracy’s friends hadn’t seen her.
The Missing Car
Liz also contacted local jails and hospitals, but there was no sign of her daughter.
Around 7pm on May 27, the police contacted the Ocasio’s to tell them that Tracy’s car, a yellow Chevrolet Cobalt, had been found. A homeowner had found the car on their property and wanted it moved. The home was just a few miles away from the Ocasio home.
The seats in the car were moved all the way forward. Liz and Joe officially reported Tracy missing with the Ocoee police.
Detective Chris Olson went to the Florida Tap Room to obtain the surveillance footage. On the footage, Tracy can be seen leaving the bar with James Hatway. James was well known to the police, and had been charged with criminal mischief just a few months prior.
The Prime Suspect
The police asked James to come to the station for an interview. James told the police that he had met Tracy at the bar on another occasion, and asked her for ride. He said they talked for a few minutes in his driveway, and she left.
The police found it odd that Tracy’s car had been found so close to where James lived. James lived in a very rundown part of town. He had very minor run ins with the law.
Tracy’s friends and family either thought that James had something to her, or that she had met with foul play in the area.
On May 29, James was interviewed again. He also took a polygraph test, and failed. He never changed his story, and asked for a lawyer.
Another Suspect
Liz contacted the police after she found a letter in her mail. The letter was from the state attorneys office. Tracy had filed charges against a man named Paul Huddo. The charge was a misdemeanor battery charge.
Tracy had come into contact with Paul and his girlfriend at the Florida Tap Room. The girlfriend was giving Tracy dirty looks, so she walked over and poured beer on her. Paul then became involved, and shoved Tracy on the ground.
Paul was questioned, but he had an airtight alibi. Paul did have a connection to James Hatway. The two had once worked together clearing weeds near the lakes.
The police looked into Paul and James’ phone records, but they hadn’t been in contact. They did find something suspicious though. James’ phone records did show that he was leaving the bar in the direction of his home. But, Tracy’s phone pinged near James’ house even after the time that James said she left.
A Violent History
On June 1, 2009, the police obtained a search warrant for James’ home. They were looking for any clothing belonging to Tracy, her missing cell phone and car keys. The police didn’t find anything.
James’ computers and hard drivers were confiscated. James was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after the police found a bong.
After the news of James’ arrest spread all over the media, a woman came forward with a story about him. Rachel Clark contacted Det. Olson, and said she was the victim of a battery at the hands of James.
Rachel’s story was eerily familiar to what could have happened to Tracy. Rachel had given James a ride home from a bar. James then choked Rachel in her car until she was able to escape. He didn’t give up, and ran after her. He tackled her, and continued to choke her. Rachel’s cries were heard by some neighbors, so when they came outside, James ran away. Rachel also told the police that James told her that he had to kill her now.
Rachel’s case was transferred to the Seminole County police. James was extradited to the correct county, and charged with attempted murder.
The results from James’ hard drive also came back. James had made numerous searches about how to commit suicide.
Where is Tracy?
In June 2009, a massive search was done for Tracy. They were search dogs, dive teams, people searching on foot and horses. The Florida terrain made it hard for the police to continue. Sadly, nothing was found in the lakes either.
On June 29, 2009, the results came back from Tracy’s car. The DNA that was found was inconclusive.
In August 2009, another search was done at the request of Liz and Joe. They had found an area where James was known to get rid of debris from his job.
A black high heeled boot was found by police on horses. The police showed the boot to the Ocasio’s. Joe said he believed it was Tracy’s because it was the same size that she wore. Joe also said that Tracy didn’t normally take off the size labels on her shoes. Joe had one of Tracy’s friends named Taryn look at it. Taryn said she also believed it was Tracy’s. The boot was tested, but the results came back as inconclusive.
Another Missing Person
Liz and Joe continued to put up missing persons posters of their daughter. While Liz was putting up posters one day, she saw a missing persons poster for a man named Christopher George.
Christopher had disappeared on February 11, 2009. Christopher had been doing drugs on the day he disappeared, and ran into the woods. Christopher’s friend and James Hataway, yes the same James, cleaned out Christopher’s car. They also attempted to leave it near the wooded area where Christopher had fled. An officer from the Apopka police department had stopped them, but didn’t have any reason to hold them. The friend and James never told the police about Christopher’s disappearance.
In February 2011, Christopher’s remains were found. The police ruled his death as drug related.
Christopher George
Other
The police also looked into a connection between Tracy and Jennifer Kesse, who disappeared from the same area. However, they weren’t able to find any.
James Hataway did go on trial for attempted murder, and was found guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison.
James Hataway at trial
Sadly, Tracy has never been found. But, it seems like James more than likely had something to do with her disappearance.
FINAL THOUGHTS
My heart truly goes out to the Ocasio family. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to lose a loved one, and not know anything about their whereabouts. I really hope we will get some answers for Tracy and her family someday soon. It’s tragic that so many young people have gone missing in the Orlando and Ocoee area, and that their families don’t have answers.
Sources
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/05/26/tracy-ocasio-disappeared-11-years-ago/
https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/tracy-ocasio-case-remains-open
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/13-years-have-passed-since-disappearance-of-tracy-ocasio
