Press Article
Historic Discovery: Divers Recover Part of 1954 Station Wagon Linked to Missing Oregon Family
In a groundbreaking development, divers have salvaged part of a 1954 station wagon from the depths of Oregon’s Columbia River, believed to be connected to the Martin family, who vanished in 1958. The family, consisting of parents Kenneth and Barbara and their three daughters, disappeared shortly before Christmas while searching for holiday greenery in the Columbia River Gorge.
Reports by The Oregonian indicate that extensive searches were conducted at the time of their disappearance, sparking speculation of foul play and drawing national media attention. Tragedy struck months later when the bodies of the Martins’ two youngest daughters, Virginia, 13, and Susan, 11, were recovered from the river; the remains of Kenneth, Barbara, and their eldest daughter, Barbara Lee, 14, have never been located.
The station wagon’s wreckage was found by local diver Archer Mayo in February, in a massive underwater pit he had been investigating for years. On Friday, officials successfully lifted a section of the corroded vehicle from the river. Unfortunately, no human remains were uncovered, and the car was primarily filled with rocks.
While the recovered chassis and motor are believed to belong to the Martin family, identification will await confirmation through the vehicle’s VIN number. Mayo’s interest in the case was sparked in 2018, leading him to explore the depths of the river for clues to the decades-old mystery.
Authorities have yet to announce plans for further recovery efforts. As hope for closure grows, this discovery reignites interest in the unresolved fate of the Martin family, serving as a poignant reminder of a tragic chapter in Oregon’s history.
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