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2/9/12: Woman Accused of Murdering Nursing Student Enters Not Guilty Plea

Giselle Esteban, 27, plead not guilty for the murder of Michelle Le, 26, a nursing student who went missing on May 27, 2011. Esteban returns to court on February 17, 2012 where a trial data may be announced. The Silicon Valley RCFL is providing digital forensics expertise to investigators.

On May 27, 2011, Michelle Le was completing a clinical rotation at a San Francisco area hospital. During a work break at approximately 7:00pm, Michelle told a classmate she was going to her car, but never returned. Videotape retrieved from the hospital's surveillance cameras captured Michelle and Esteban around the time she disappeared. Press reports stated that cell phone records showed both women were in the same vicinity after Michelle's disappearance from work, and DNA found on the bottom of Esteban's sneaker was Michelle's.

Michelle's remains were found three months later in a remote area of Alameda, and Esteban was charged 11 days later for her murder.

According to the transcript of the grand jury's hearing, and Esteban herself — who called a local TV news station two days after Michelle's disappearance — blaming her for the demise of her relationship with the father of her five-year old daughter. Esteban reportedly gave birth to the same man's child shortly before Thanksgiving. Pprosecutors believe this was the reason Esteban stalked and murdered Michelle.

Esteban remains at the Alameda County Jail without bail as the investigation continues.

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