Potential Closure in the Martin Family Case: Car Recovered from Columbia River
A dive team successfully recovered a car frame and tires from the Columbia River, believed to be linked to the missing Martin family since 1958. Kenneth and Barbara Martin, along with their three daughters, disappeared while collecting Christmas greenery. This development may provide critical resolution to the family’s long-unsolved case.
On March 6 and 7, divers from Advanced American Construction conducted recovery operations in the Columbia River, focusing on an area near Cascade Locks. This endeavor might provide closure regarding the Martin family, who disappeared in 1958. The dive team successfully retrieved a car frame and tires, which are believed to potentially link to the Martin family’s vehicle.
Kenneth and Barbara Martin took their three daughters to the Columbia River Gorge on December 7, 1958, to collect Christmas wreath greenery, but they never returned. The bodies of two daughters, Virginia and Susan, were discovered months later in the Columbia River, leading authorities to believe that the family’s vehicle may have entered the river. JB Fisher, the author of “Echo of Distant Water,” expressed that the discovery of the vehicle offers a sense of closure to a long-standing mystery.
During the recovery, it was noted that the vehicle was heavily encased in debris due to its lengthy submersion in the river, placed at a depth of approximately 50 feet. The recovery team successfully detached the chassis from the car body and transported it for examination. Investigators hope to confirm if it indeed belongs to the Martin family by examining identification numbers on the components.
The search for the Martin family drew considerable national attention and speculation regarding their fate, with a reward of $1,000 offered for information. The family’s last known movements included a gas purchase near Cascade Locks and a sighting at a local snack bar, just before sunset on the day they vanished. The remaining family members were never found, and extensive search efforts were undertaken afterward.
Archie Mayo, a diver who had spent years searching for the vehicle, reported finding it upside down in the river. Following his lead, Mayo, along with officials, has been continually pursuing the case of the Martin family’s disappearance. Considered a significant development by Deputy Pete Hughes, it appears that the recovered car matches the characteristics of the Martin vehicle, inciting renewed hope for resolving this long-unresolved case.
In summary, a significant recovery operation has been conducted in the Columbia River, unearthing a car possibly linked to the missing Martin family last seen in 1958. This discovery may lead to confirmation of the family’s vehicle, providing closure to a heartbreaking mystery. Ongoing investigations aim to identify the car and ascertain its connection to the case, which has captivated public interest for over six decades.
Original Source: katu.com
