66 years ago, an entire family mysteriously disappeared in the United States: mystery finally solved

The car found in the Columbia River (Oregon, USA) may well have belonged to the Martin family. By extracting the vehicle, authorities hope to unravel a mystery that's 66 years old. 

The Martin family disappeared in December 1958, after a trip in the forest to find a Christmas tree, according to The Oregonian. Ken and Barbara Martin, the parents, were accompanied by their daughters Barbara (14), Virginia (13), and Sue (11) at the time. All five had set out in their Ford Station Wagon... They never reappeared after the outing in question. 

A few months after their disappearance, the bodies of the two youngest, Virginia and Sue, were found lifeless in the Columbia River, several kilometres apart. The bodies of the eldest and the parents were been found.

Understanding the tragedy

Last Thursday, it was the sheriff's office of the Hood River County that confirmed a vehicle had been spotted underwater by an amateur diver, Archer Mayo, who had been searching for it for seven years, reports 20 Minutes. “This vehicle is believed to be linked to the Martin family disappearance case of 1958,” stated a press release from the sheriff's office. Sheriff Matt English highlighted the significance of the discovery: “Even though this dates back 66 years, it's a tragedy. We must understand, as much as possible, what happened to this family.”

While caution is still advised, everything suggests that the wreck could be the answer to a puzzle that has unsettled the region for over 60 years. 

(MH with AsD - Source: 20 Minutes - Illustration: ©Unsplash)