Significant Break in the Case of the Missing Martin Family as Car is Recovered from Columbia River

Dive teams have recovered a car frame and tires from the Columbia River, potentially linked to the Martin family who disappeared in 1958. The recovery process, initiated by a diver’s prior discovery, aims to ascertain if the vehicle belongs to the missing family. The case has remained unsolved for decades, drawing national attention and speculation. Investigators are now analyzing the vehicle for identification to provide closure to the ongoing mystery.

The ongoing investigation into the disappearance of the Martin family has taken a significant turn with the recovery of a car frame and tires from the Columbia River near Cascade Locks. The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that these artifacts may potentially be linked to the Martin family, who went missing in 1958. Dive teams worked over two days to extract the vehicle from a location known as “the pit,” where it was initially discovered by a diver last November.

On December 7, 1958, Kenneth and Barbara Martin, along with their daughters aged 11, 13, and 14, set out to collect Christmas greenery but never returned home. Speculation regarding their disappearance has persisted for decades, especially after the bodies of two daughters were found in the river, while the fate of the remainder of the family remained a mystery.

The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office detailed the recovery operation conducted on March 6 and 7, during which divers from Advanced American Construction dredged the vehicle from a depth of approximately 50 feet. Post-recovery, the chassis became separated from the vehicle due to its extensive debris and rocky encasement. The chassis and engine were transported for examination while many parts of the vehicle were left submerged.

Investigators will now work on identifying numbers on the chassis and engine to confirm ownership. Pete Hughes, a Hood River County Sheriff’s deputy, expressed optimism about the identification, stating, “Everything matches. It appears to be the color, make, and model of the Martin vehicle.”

The disappearance of the Martin family garnered national attention and led to a variety of theories, including possible foul play. A diver, Archer Mayo, had located the old station wagon after years of searching, encountering it upside-down and covered in river debris.

Further historical accounts indicate that the Martians’ last known movements were traced to a gas station near Cascade Locks. The family was reportedly seen at a nearby snack bar, and months after their disappearance, two daughters were discovered deceased in different locations along the Columbia River. Efforts to identify the remaining family members continue as the investigation unfolds.

The recovery of the car frame and tires is a crucial development in the long-standing case of the Martin family’s disappearance. As investigators work to confirm whether the salvaged vehicle belongs to the Martins, the endeavor brings fresh hope for closure to their tragic saga. With the passage of over six decades, the search continues to resonate deeply within the local community, reminding us of the unresolved mysteries surrounding the family’s fate. Determining the vehicle’s ownership could lead to additional insights about this historical case.

Original Source: katu.com