Almost 70 years ago, a family of five went missing in Oregon while out on a drive for some winter greenery. Now, a diver thinks he may have identified their car located deep in a river. Efforts are underway to pull it to the surface and find out if the case can finally be closed.
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The Martins and their three children took a trip to see what they could find to decorate their house for Christmas. It was Dec. 7, 1958, and they were feeling festive. However, they were never seen again. An investigation was launched, but neither the family nor their car could be found.
Foul play was suspected, and their disappearance was broadcast on local news networks at the time. There was even a book written about the situation. A reward of $1000 was offered for anyone who could provide information about the family's whereabouts.
However, five months later, the body of the missing daughter was pulled from a Columbia River slough. Then, the next day, the son's body was also pulled from the river about 25 miles upstream. Using these two bodies, investigators have concluded that their vehicle had plunged into the river somewhere upstream.
Diver Discovered Possible Station Wagon Of Missing Family
A diver named Archer Mayo has discovered the wreck of a station wagon about 50 feet deep in a river upstream from the bodies' locations. He had carefully pinpointed a location and had to dive a number of times to find the station wagon.
The car had been there for a considerable amount of time. It was covered in muscles, grime, and other river detritus. As well as the possible missing family car, there are two other vehicles. One of them is already known by the authorities, but one is a new case. They will both need to be removed before the station wagon is pulled out.
Mayo has been able to provide a partial read of the number plate as well as a few other notable features of the vehicle. This was enough for local police to decide that it was worth pulling it from the river. "This is a very big development in a case that's been on the back of Portland's mind for 66 years," Mayo's representative told AP.
This could finally close the case of this family's disappearance almost 70 years after their mysterious trip to the mountains.
