Body Found Saturday is Missing Nursing Student Michelle Le
Michelle Le, 26, of San Mateo, went missing May 27 from Kaiser Hospital in Hayward.
Hayward, Calif. -- Hayward police have announced that the human remains discovered Saturday near Pleasanton are those of nursing student Michelle Le, who went missing almost four months ago.
The Alameda County Coroner’s Office made the announcement late Monday night, almost 60 hours after a volunteer found the body in a wooded area just south of Pleasanton during a search organized by Le’s family.
Based on evidence found in Hayward, where she was last seen, it's believed she was slain, but the exact cause of death is still under investigation, Hayward police said.
Le’s family issued a press release shortly after the announcement, asking for "privacy and respect during this difficult time."
Krystine Dinh, Le's cousin, said, "The family is grieving and preparing a memorial service for Le — a proper goodbye."
Since Le’s disappearance, her family has remained hopeful and has kept Le's story in the media spotlight, holding numerous rallies, public events and search parties.
The story has made national headlines and compelled strangers to volunteer their time to help locate her.
According to a report on KTVU, the volunteer who found the remains during Saturday's search was Carrie McGonigle, the mother of Amber Du Bois, a 14-year-old San Diego area girl who was missing for a year before her remains were found in a remote area. She had been kidnapped and murdered.
"Thank you for your support and thoughts. Our family has greatly appreciated, and would be at a loss, without the help of so many people and volunteers," Dinh said Monday night.
Le, 26, a San Mateo resident who grew up in San Diego, was last seen May 27 at Kaiser Hospital in Hayward. She was at the hospital taking a class as part of a nursing course she was enrolled in at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland.
She told classmates she was planning to drive to Reno after class. She left during a break and didn't return, according to police.
Police found her car parked a few blocks from the hospital the next day with blood stains that were later determined to be from Le.
Earlier this month Hayward police arrested and charged a Union City woman with Le’s murder.
Giselle Esteban, 27, who has been a person of interest since Le’s disappearance, was arrested outside of her Union City home Sept. 7 on suspicion of murder. After her arrest, police revealed that a pair of athletic shoes taken in a May 29 search of her apartment contained Le's DNA.
Police said footage from security cameras at the Kaiser Permanente parking structure showed that Esteban, who is now seven months pregnant, was there around the time of Le's disappearance.
Additionally, evidence found inside Le's car indicated that Esteban had been inside the vehicle, investigators said.
Police also said cell phone records from Le and Esteban show their phones traveled along the same path, leaving the area just after Le's disappearance.
Esteban was originally scheduled to enter a plea Monday morning but that was postponed because she has not yet finalized who her lawyer will be.
Though no motive has been determined, Esteban told KGO-TV reporters shortly after Le went missing that she openly hated Le after the two had a falling out some years ago. She also accused Le of ruining her relationship with her child’s father. However, Esteban said she had nothing to do with Le's disappearance.
Esteban’s ex-boyfriend told Patch in a previous interview that he and Le have been close friends for nine years and that Esteban’s accusations are untrue.
The ex-boyfriend filed a restraining order against Esteban three days before Le went missing, citing increasingly bizarre behavior that included stalking him, threatening to shoot herself and entering his home uninvited.
Esteban is scheduled to appear in court at the Hayward Hall of Justice at 9 a.m. on Sept. 28.
Follow Union City Patch on Twitter and Facebook for more updates on this story.
Dublin Mom
10:58 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
God Bless this family to find comfort in finally knowing where Michelle is. This has been a nearly four-month nightmare for those who love Michelle. They have conducted themselves with dignity and strength throughout this entire time. They worked tirelessly and never gave up, spending sum totals of thousands of hours searching, advertising and fundraising for this most important cause.
May they have peace in knowing that Michelle is finally coming home.
God Bless Michelle, who will finally be able to be put to rest.
Jessica Steinman
9:40 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Very, Very sad.
Cameron Sullivan
11:06 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Beautifully stated.... We should all pray that this knowing, combined with the beautiful memories of their loved one, will one day provide some degree of solace to Michelle's friends and family members.
Cornell Davis
3:34 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Their is so much hatred in this world. This young woman died for know reason, other then a very sick person hated her, because of her relationship with her boyfriend, who she had known for nine years. What a jacka$$. This young lady had so much promise. I hope their seek the death penalty for this young lady.
William
4:41 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
This is something the family will never get over , They will learn to live with it but life will never be the same! They will find some kind of peace just having her home and knowing no one can ever hurt her again! My heart goes out to these people in this dark time of their lives and pray for them to have some peace!
Tyler P. Do
12:16 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
This is great that they finally found her. The entire ordeal has been so disheartening. I hope the family is at ease and justice be granted to this poor woman.
May she rest in peace and God bless her wonderful soul. ✞
P.S. - "Police found her car parked a few blocks from the hospital the next day with blood stains that were later determined to be from Le" needs a period (.)
Just a quick copyedit. =p Overall, great reporting Zoneil! =)
Ella Felix
5:58 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Praying that the Le Family find comfort and peace in the arms of God.
Thanks Zoneil for the great reporting and helping keep Michelle's story alive until its conclusion.
Megan Dinkins
7:41 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
How awful would it be to outlive your own kid? Her poor parents! I hope that they can find some peace in all of this, or at least answers.
lelia
8:11 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Speaking from experience, this is something you never get over, you just learn to live with it. There is always a knot of pain deep inside, while life must go on. May God comfort the loved ones. It's the only thing that helps. I hope for justice, for this may help in some small measure. For my son, there will never be justice, until we move into eternity. Then, someone will pay.
Sunil Sethi
8:14 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
A very sad outcome. I was hoping it wasn't her. I don't understand how people think they can get away with acts.
Jeramiah Johnson
11:39 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
They don't think about getting caught. That's the problem.
Marina Lepekhova
8:53 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Terrible story...Poor girl...It is not fair when people die at such a young age...
Anthony Nguyen
9:11 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Living in the world with turmoil , crimes ....Ladies ! Please take a martial art class to protect yourself ! Don'y buy gun ! I suggest ! Guns can lead you to another crime when you can't control yourself !
blkgalusa
9:13 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
What a beautiful girl and a very sad story. This woman should have just went on with her life and left this girl alone. Now she is facing jail and God knows who would want to spend their life in jail behind a man who apparently did now want you in the first place.
kathychristy
9:15 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Everyday as a society our toleration for murder seems to never end.Justice is never found for the rights of criminals have to be upheld and loved ones left behind are the true people that suffer and pay the ultimate price.Rest in peace because now you are in safe hands forever.May God bless all families that go through such a horrible loss...
Joe Papierz Jr
9:26 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I understand the sentiment that a Death Sentence always results in numerous appeals that end up costing taxpayers millions of dollars over years of action. The appeals provisions should be reviewed and denied unless NEW evidence is presented to the prosecutors office or improper trial procedures were followed and can be demonstrated to a judges panel before setting a new trial date. I realize that execution is forever and that mistakes have been made in the past. The system needs to be revised so the murderers don't live for thirty or forty years after they committed their horrid crime. That's just ridiculous and needs to be stopped for justice to be done.
Jeramiah Johnson
11:52 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The problem is that exonerating evidence sometimes doesn't turn up for years. For example, new ways to test and match minute samples of DNA that wrern't available 5-10-15-20 years ago.
Nicole Riggle
10:10 am on Monday, October 3, 2011
You say that with the assumption that everyone convicted of a crime is actually guilty - if you look back there have been so many proven innocent after conviction, sometimes years later. We cannot know how many of those executed were actually innocent, since the file is closed. While you cannot give back 20 years of someone's life , you CERTAINLY cannot give back someone's life the state has taken. This is the reason there are so many appeals allowed.
Furthermore, there are plenty of reasons besides new evidence to appeal a case - police misconduct, jury manipulation, corrupt judge, etc., etc.
When someone is actually guilty and is just trying to drag out the process then we can criticize this system and call it broken - but when someone who is innocent of the crime is saved from death then we see why it is this way. Rushing the convicted to the chair makes the state (and therefore all of us) a murderer.
Earl Skovsgard
9:31 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
There are a lot of 'nut cases' walking among us, when you see the flags go up, obsessive behavior, stalking, talks of violence ect --take heed, don't develop the attitude that violent act's happens to 'other people', all women who travel alone should own a small spray of pepper spray, it is amazing how a small amount of this legal veapon can change the outcome of a tragic situation to one of victory.
My thoughts and prayer go out to the Le family.
Eva
9:46 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
To be a parent and to out live one of your children has got to be the worst thing a parent could endure in life. The only thing worse for a parent in a situation like this is never knowing never being able to say a proper goodbye. But...A parent never really gets over the loss of a child. Life is hard enough without having to endure such things as this... This is very sad my heart goes out to these parents... I hope this woman is found guilty so she can spend the rest of her life missing the child she'll have taken away Justice will be truly served if that occurs!
JoAnna
9:49 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
My sympathy to the family of this lovely girl. I am SO tired of these predators hunting women and children. So very sad.
SGV
9:51 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Can we end killing on this earth or do we stay the apes we evolved from ?
SGV
9:52 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Can we end killing on this earth or do we stay the apes we evolvedd from ?
Jeramiah Johnson
11:43 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
To paraphrase a line from the Planet of the Ape series. Apes don't kill apes, humans do kill homans.
Geoff Burton
12:13 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
We are not going to stop killing each other any time soon unfortunately, so pass the bananas.
Rocketgirl
9:55 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
This is a very sad story. I have been following it from the begining so I hope they finish it with the trial and sentanceing of this kook. It isn't very often that a pregnant woman kills another woman. I would be most interested in the cause of death. I am very happy however that the child is NOT going to grow up with a loony for a mother. My thoughts go to this family. Rest in Peace Michelle Le
Natalie Marasco Kindrick
9:55 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
my heartfelt sympathies your in my thoughts and prayers.
Crimson
9:59 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
That hateful POS was probably jealous. Michelle Le is much better looking, no comparison actually. Sad that the nut is pregnant now. I hope the baby gets adopted out to a loving couple.
ED STEVENS
10:10 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Why Reno? What for? DId the boyfriend think up som scheme to get rid of both of them?
Maria Jose Dribben
10:12 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
God bless Michelle soul
Dr Lee Davis
10:14 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
This is really bad, man keep dominating man to his own injuries, what kind of bloody society is this we are living? I know that when a woman envy other over issue of relationship, there must be a killing that will follow. She was murdered and with all the evidence found on the other girl, I think the police should conduct a deeper search on the accurser and the truth will comes out. Michelle Le is a beautiful girl and what i hate most is America stupid society, a lawless country that has no control over hudlums, beast and more. People with brains are fewer than those who are animals with beastlike quality. How can one slain fellow human for love or stupid ideal of life? One thing i do know is what the Bible says, any that purls out fellow humans blood who God has created will face everlasting Jurdgement that means Death and there will be no resurrection for such. Michelle Le, May your lovely soul rest in perfect peace. I and my family love you
Geoff Burton
10:23 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I mean no offence to you, but your statement is over the top, not that there aren't some truths to be gleamed from it. Just hang around a disaster sight like 911 or the 1989 quake and you'll see who your fellow Americans are and the good that's out there.
Marie Spivey
10:29 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
You are a dr.? Frankestein, perhaps...
Brittany
11:44 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Wow, you must live in lollypop land, because last time I checked, murder was a universal thing. America may not be top rated crime wise, but our law is a lot more advanced then some of the places I've seen.
Ed
10:17 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
" it's believed she was slain" ???
grace campbell
10:25 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Esteban clearly is the prime suspect. My heart goes out to the family of Le. My advice to Esteban, get a hold of Jose Baez to represent her. Jose Baez can implicate Esteban's boyfriend as the murderer. If Casey Anthony could get away with murder, then Esteban has a chance too; providing she has the same jury as Casey's.
Dr. Dry watson
10:32 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Bible says Exodus 20:13: "You must not murder'. matthew 5:21 b part, "who ever murder will be accountable to court of Justic". Read also Matt. 15:19, Acts 8:1, James 2:1. My fellow Americans, is not only war and world power we need to tell the world we have, but to convince the entire world that we are living a safe society. For Michelle to get lost only to be slain, means no one is safe in our USA were we are living. She is such a good girl with pretty heart and i get so much hurt to see humans killing a living soul for jealous reasons. Is time to get together do the right things for the right reason. SHE WAS SLAIN and it shows in her, we should respect the human blood which God Jehovah gave to us, lets us not judge and kill ourselves but let God be our Judge.... the Bible says, lets God be found true. may Michelle Lee soul rest in Peace.
Faith
10:33 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Seems nothing new these days, The meaning of life has left the building. We see so much crime and dead people on tv people get immune to a death. Not me its something you can't get back. Its the end for that person who had so much life to live. I think we need more of a hard punishment, then maybe it will stop as much as it is now.
Jeramiah Johnson
11:59 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Supposidly serious crime is down in the US. What makes it seem like there is more crime today is the internet. Before the internet if there was a murder on the west coast, there might only be a short article in the newspapers, possibly no mention at all, in east coast papers. Today, virtually everycrime is blasted all over the internet.
Alexa Raye
10:57 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I'm beyond sickened by this story. If this was something that happened every decade I might be less affected by this story. It seems like every week another body is found, murdered. Are there really that many sick people out there, living their creepy lives waithing to spread their evil? Why? How? What the hells going on?
Paul
11:36 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I was thinking the same thing...when are we as a society finally going to get fed up with all this violence that seems to be permeating itself in our lives?
Geoff Burton
11:42 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Yes there are that many crazy individuals out their living sick little lives and sometimes those broken people have families thus perpetuating the problem, not to mention that some people are just born damaged. How is a complicated question and answering it would take too long and be incomplete at best.
Jeff
11:11 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I did not know Michelle, but this murder is so painful and sad to hear about. I want so bad to go back in time and be there as she walked out of the hospital that day, and instead take her back inside to safety. If anyone could have stopped that filthy animal Giselle. My own wife today is a Vietnamese immigrant who studied hard, and became a Medical Assistant. I see her same smile in Michelle's. Really sad. Never forget Michelle, and look to prevent this from ever happening again to anyone. Watch around you for any behavior that needs quick action taken. Someone must have seen her being followed, or that animal Giselle hiding in her car, or whatever took place. Act next time and save a life.
J
11:11 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Very sad end to this story. May she rest in peace. This woman must be a very mentally ill girl. To top off the whole sad scenario she's 7 months pregnant & has a 5 year old...thats a really sick situation to put two little babies in! I just hope there are father's in the kids lives because now they will grow up without a mother and even worse when they do learn about her, she will be a killer! Just an all around sad story.
Geoff Burton
11:33 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
On the bright side, we have two innocent babies who won't be raised by a nutcase.
Kajn
11:22 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
this is a sad story. ladies, we have to stop this behavior - this happens time and time again - these girls are fighting over this guy, now one is dead, the other is probably going to jail for life unable to raise her children and he is living free, available to marry a different girl and live happily ever after - women, get a clue!
Geoff Burton
11:32 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Kajn
Miss. Le was not in a romantic relationship with the ex boyfriend rather they have known each other for the last nine years as friends only. this seems to be another sad case of a crazy person fixating on their belief that they have been wronged and acting out violently against the person they believe has wronged them.
james
11:22 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Put on your bifocus. Le has a period after it.
KL
11:25 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
There is no way she did this alone. How can a pregnant tiny little girl drag a body in the woods??
Geoff Burton
11:51 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
To drag a body 15 feet in grass and brush it only takes adrenaline
Jeramiah Johnson
12:03 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The accused would have only been 3 months pregnant at the of the murder and what makes you think the she is tiny?
Paul
11:32 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I never knew this girl but this story made me want to cry. My prayers for her family and friends and I'll light a candle for Michelle.
heidi
11:41 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
This is a senesless killing. I hope they find who did it, whomever was resposbile and give them a lethal injection, they have no right to live after talking this beautiful womans young life away from her.
jeff
11:44 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
glad they found the body. now they have estaban by the tits and she'll be in prison for good. i hope the evil pig is beaten hard every day she's in there.
Caron Shapiro
11:47 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I am comforted by the fact that this was an acquaintance killing and that the Bay Area appears to still be safe for nursing students taking evening classes.
Val
11:53 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
My sincere sympathy for Michelle Le's family. In regards to the mention of women carrying a can of pepper spray with them, how about keeping a can of wasp spray under the seat of your car. It sprays much further, is very accurate, and give the victim more time to get away.
Geoff Burton
12:19 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Nice
Dublin Mom
5:01 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Val, my brother told me about that years ago when I wanted to get mace training! You have to be certified to carry mace, but wasp spray is available to everyone.
Ed Stegall
12:23 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
My condolences to the family and to those who will not be able to benefit from Michelle Le’s medical training.
There are many interesting points of view in the comments.
Let’s not forget that the accused is innocent until proven guilty.
I am also impressed that cell phone records are playing such a major role in this case.
Geoff Burton
12:49 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Thanks, I usually chime in with innocent till proven guilty, but I even find myself getting caught up in the lynch mob fervor. I hope it is Estaban otherwise the real killer is still on the lose. I really think it's her .
Zinn
12:32 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
All the more reason if you are ever in a situation where someone is attempting to abduct you, even at gunpoint in a public setting, fight the abduction to your last breath. The closer you get into an isolated situation the higher probability of a very bad outcome.
Question; has it been revealed yet who is the father of the accused, Giselle Estaban's unborn child?
Mary
12:56 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
This is tragic, sad and so unneccesary..
My heart goes out to the family. I mourn for you.
Zinn
1:05 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Innocent until proven guilty in a court of law yes. But it is fair to speculate. IMO Estaban acted alone and she is the murderer. The cell phone record, the DNA found on her shoes. Her being identified at Kaiser at the time Le disappeared, her hate for Le stealing her lover, although we hear the boyfriend claim the relationship between him and Le was totally platonic, is all pretty damming evidence. She had the motive, she is identified at the location and physical evidence links her to Le at the time she disappeared. The reason I state she acted alone is I think it would be highly unlikely to find a partner in crime for such an emotionally driven, insane like act.
Geoff Burton
1:53 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I agree. I am sure that it didn't matter that the relationship was platonic, the freak job either thought it was more or that the victim caused the breakup and that was all the reason this nut job needed.
Susan Norman
2:16 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
My deepest condolences to Michelle's family and friends. After living through this horrific ordeal, may you find some peace and closure. My heart goes out to you today.
Maria Pereira
5:31 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Skeptic, your comments could not have been more appropriate, thanks
Maria Pereira
5:45 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
How sad so many lives lost, a young woman with a great career ahead, a mother to be who will be in jail, an yet unborn child who will face an uncertain future without a mother.
SMRTNUP
9:48 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
We all have emotions ! . . Some moreso than others ! . . Some are unable to check their emotions and tempers quickly so as to restrain ones actions while in a state of anger or emotional upheaval ! . . . If you already know that you are a person with a hot temper or emotions that take you over at times of stress now is the time to do something to learn to control yourself during times of stress and anger ! . . Don't wait until you've made a big mistake that can't be un-done or corrected and your life is in ruins and when regret is all that's left to do ! . . . Just a thought ! . . . Jealousy is another human trait that should be brought under control ! . . . Your own life is too important to waste because of a lack of self control. . . . Just think about it ! . . .
min
3:47 pm on Thursday, September 22, 2011
I didn't know Michelle but her story made me cry. As I followed her story I found pictures of her and her families, about how she lost her mother at a young age from cancer and that she wanted to follow her mother footsteps, to be a nurse. Michelle is 6 mos away from graduating and her dreams would have been fulfilled. Reading the family and friends blog, one feels the overpowering love and affection to Michelle. Looking through pictures of Michelle with her beautiful smiles, you see a good person, caring and sensitive young woman so full of life and dreams, but that was taken so abruptly with this heinous crime. As I write this with tears and heavy heart, I realize that Michelle is now in a better place. I am so sorry Michelle that your time with us wasn't long enough, I am so sorry for not being able to be there when you needed us the most. Forgive us. Peace be with you, my angel.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
On angel wings you do fly
On angel wings into the sky
On angel wings i do cry
Because those angel wings took you away
On angel wings the heralds sing
Is there no such lovely thing?
On angel wings you fly away.
I will see these angel wings again someday
When i am old and my time has come
On angel wings I will fly
Until I'm holding you once again
Smiling on angel wings
- by Troy Nichols