Digest

This episode of 2020 True Crime Vault delves into the chilling case of Aiton Pates, a six-year-old boy who vanished in New York City in 1979. The episode begins by outlining the circumstances of Aiton's disappearance, highlighting the lack of leads and the fear that gripped the community. It then explores the investigation, focusing on the involvement of Jose Antonio Ramos, a homeless man with a history of sexual offenses against children. Ramos was initially suspected due to his connection to the Pates family and his history of luring young boys. The episode details the investigation's progress, including the involvement of federal prosecutor Stewart Grabwha, who took over the case in 1985. Grabwha's tenacity and determination led to a crucial moment in 1988 when Ramos confessed to being 90% sure he had taken Aiton for sexual purposes. The episode then introduces FBI agent Mary Galligan, who joined Grabwha in utilizing jailhouse informants to gather information from Ramos. These informants provided valuable insights, including a detailed account of the abuse and a possible explanation for the missing body, leading to the "furnace theory." This theory suggests that Ramos burned Aiton's body in a furnace in his apartment building, offering a possible explanation for the lack of remains. The episode concludes by exploring the aftermath of the investigation, highlighting the Pates family's ongoing struggle for justice. It reveals that Ramos was released from prison in 2012 and subsequently re-arrested for failing to register as a sex offender. The episode also introduces Pedro Hernandez, another man who confessed to killing Aiton Pates in 2012. Hernandez's confession, though initially deemed unreliable, led to his conviction for kidnapping and murder in 2017. Despite the convictions of both Ramos and Hernandez, the Aiton Pates case remains unsolved, leaving the Pates family seeking justice and the mystery surrounding his disappearance persisting.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Disappearance of Aiton Pates

This episode of 2020 True Crime Vault revisits the heart-stopping case of Aiton Pates, a six-year-old boy who vanished in New York City in 1979. The episode will provide updates on the people involved and explore the enduring mystery surrounding his disappearance.

00:00:22

The Investigation Begins

The episode delves into the details of Aiton Pates' disappearance on a spring morning in 1979. He vanished seemingly into thin air, leaving no leads or crime scene. The episode highlights the fear and uncertainty surrounding the case, emphasizing the impact it had on the community and the Pates family. It also introduces Jose Antonio Ramos, a homeless man arrested for attempting to lure young boys, and the potential connection to the case.

00:19:27

The Rainbows and Jose Ramos

The episode delves into the counterculture group known as the Rainbows and their connection to Jose Ramos. It reveals how Ramos' involvement with the group led to his arrest for statutory rape and indecent assault, providing a crucial link to the Aiton Pates case. It also highlights the investigation's progress, including the involvement of federal prosecutor Stewart Grabwha, who took over the case in 1985.

00:29:48

The 90% Confession

The episode recounts Grabwha's encounter with Jose Ramos in 1988, where he confronted Ramos about the Aiton Pates case. Ramos, initially denying involvement, eventually confessed to being 90% sure he had taken the boy for sexual purposes. This confession, though not a full admission, provided a crucial link between Ramos and the case.

00:33:37

New Evidence and Informants

The episode introduces FBI agent Mary Galligan, who joins Grabwha in the investigation. They utilize jailhouse informants to gather information from Ramos, leading to new revelations about the case, including a detailed account of the abuse and a possible explanation for the missing body.

00:39:30

The Furnace Theory

The episode focuses on the "furnace theory," a crucial piece of evidence provided by an informant. Ramos allegedly confessed to burning Aiton's body in a furnace in his apartment building, offering a possible explanation for the lack of remains.

00:45:12

The Aftermath and Pedro Hernandez

The episode explores the aftermath of the investigation, highlighting the Pates family's ongoing struggle for justice. It reveals that Ramos was released from prison in 2012 and subsequently re-arrested for failing to register as a sex offender. It also introduces Pedro Hernandez, another man who confessed to killing Aiton Pates in 2012. Hernandez's confession, though initially deemed unreliable, led to his conviction for kidnapping and murder in 2017.

00:48:33

The Unsolved Mystery

The episode concludes by highlighting the enduring mystery surrounding Aiton Pates' disappearance. Despite the convictions of both Jose Ramos and Pedro Hernandez, the case remains unsolved, leaving the Pates family seeking justice and the mystery surrounding his disappearance persisting.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the circumstances surrounding Aiton Pates' disappearance?

  Aiton Pates vanished on a spring morning in 1979, seemingly into thin air. He was last seen walking to his school bus stop, leaving no leads or crime scene. His disappearance sparked fear and uncertainty in the community and left his family devastated.

• Who is Jose Antonio Ramos and what is his connection to the Aiton Pates case?

  Jose Antonio Ramos was a homeless man arrested for attempting to lure young boys into a drain pipe. He was found to be a collector of photographs of young boys, and his former girlfriend had worked as a babysitter for the Pates family. This connection, though not conclusive, raised suspicions about his possible involvement in Aiton's disappearance.

• How did Stewart Grabwha become involved in the Aiton Pates case?

  Stewart Grabwha, a federal prosecutor, took over the Aiton Pates case in 1985. He was known for his tenacity and determination to bring justice to the Pates family, despite the numerous obstacles and dead ends encountered.

• What was the significance of the "90% confession" made by Jose Ramos?

  In 1988, Grabwha confronted Ramos about the Aiton Pates case. Ramos initially denied involvement but eventually confessed to being 90% sure he had taken the boy for sexual purposes. This confession, though not a full admission, provided a crucial link between Ramos and the case.

• How did the use of jailhouse informants contribute to the investigation?

  FBI agent Mary Galligan and Grabwha utilized jailhouse informants to gather information from Ramos. These informants, despite their questionable credibility, provided valuable insights, including a detailed account of the abuse and a possible explanation for the missing body.

• What is the "furnace theory" and why is it significant?

  The "furnace theory" suggests that Ramos burned Aiton's body in a furnace in his apartment building. This theory, provided by an informant, offers a possible explanation for the lack of remains and could be crucial in securing a murder conviction.

• What happened to Jose Ramos after his release from prison?

  Ramos was released from prison in 2012 after serving his sentence for molesting a child. He was immediately re-arrested for failing to register as a sex offender and sent back to prison for another six to twenty years.

• Who is Pedro Hernandez and what is his role in the case?

  Pedro Hernandez, a man who worked near Aiton's bus stop in 1979, confessed to killing the boy in 2012. His confession, though initially deemed unreliable, led to his conviction for kidnapping and murder in 2017.

• What is the current status of the Aiton Pates case?

  The Aiton Pates case remains unsolved, despite the convictions of both Jose Ramos and Pedro Hernandez. The Pates family continues to seek justice for their son, and the mystery surrounding his disappearance persists.

Show Notes