http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x85...nearly-a-decadeFSC student missing for nearly a decadeBy John Hilliard/Daily News staff
The MetroWest Daily News
Posted Sep 18, 2008 @ 10:00 AM
FRAMINGHAM Nearly a decade after a Framingham State College student disappeared in Maine early one morning, loved ones and police investigators remain no closer to learning his fate.
Angel Antonio "Tony" Torres, a junior in the school's business administration department, was 21 years old when he disappeared on May, 21, 1999, in Biddeford, Maine.
"It's been very difficult, but we've come to the realization that he's dead, he's gone," said Narciso Torres, Angel's father, in a phone call from his Maine home.
His family and police suspect he was murdered, but Torres' disappearance officially remains a missing person case because no one found his body, said Stephen McCausland, public information officer for the Maine State Police.
"We think he likely met with foul play," he said, and noted police have not gotten many calls or leads in the case.
"There's been little activity on it in recent years. It's hard to believe it's been a decade," said McCausland.
Torres came to Framingham to study business administration, and wanted to open his own business - possibly selling sporting goods - after he graduated.
Ramona Torres said her son was a very social young man, one who loved girls and playing sports like soccer, baseball and basketball. Pictures of Torres show a clean-cut young man with a wide, easy smile.
Although on his own, he called his family on a regular basis, said Ramona Torres.
Narciso and Ramona Torres last heard from their son on May 19, 1999, when he called home to wish them a happy wedding anniversary. Two days after, he called his girlfriend in Barre.
He was last seen at about 2 a.m. in downtown Biddeford. He was possibly headed to North Conway, N.H., and was wearing a gold chain with a large gold crucifix-type pendant.
On May 24, Torres' girlfriend called and told his parents he didn't come to his first day of work at a restaurant near Barre. Later that day, his parents filed a missing person report with police.
At the college in fall 1999, students held a vigil and Catholic Mass for Torres, while family members hoped he would be found safe.
But Torres was never seen again.
His mother said it hasn't been easy for her family, including her two sons, Luis, 34, and Jamel, 21. Jamel was in sixth grade when his brother vanished, but has fond memories of Torres taking him out when he was home from college, said Ramona Torres.
Jamel's graduation next year will be a bittersweet moment - it coincides with the 10-year anniversary of Torres' disappearance, she said.
"Every day, I get up and hope someone comes forward," she said.
A reward of $5,000 has been offered since Torres vanished. That figure may go up after their youngest son completes college, she said.
The family was issued a death certificate for Torres about five years ago, and created a memorial garden for him. They also set up a scholarship in his name at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish, Maine, where he attended school.
Narciso Torres said those who may know something are unwilling to come forward because they are afraid, he said.
"It's frustrating, but I understand it," he said.
Narciso Torres said his son's death could be linked to his knowledge of people in the Saco, Maine, area who were involved in criminal activity at the time. He was not friends with them, but ran into those people at parties in the area.
"I think Tony knew them through other people. Tony may have been aware of crimes these people committed," he said, possibly including the unsolved murder of a Maine teenager earlier that year.
"He was murdered and disposed of, but it's not going to be solved unless someone comes forward," he said.
McCausland, the police spokesman, said he has no evidence the two cases are connected, but police still look for clues.
Torres' mother said she would "give anything" to know what happened.
"We need closure. We need to put it to rest," she said.
Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Angel Antonio Torres is encouraged to call the Maine State Police Criminal Investigation Division at 207-657-3030.
