The Martin Family: The Mystery of Disappearance Solved After 66 Years

A 66-year-old mystery: the car of the missing Martin family found in the USA

Oregon, USA - 2024. A mystery that began on a cold December evening in 1958 has finally found a new lead. The Martin family from Portland, Oregon, disappeared under mysterious circumstances during a Christmas trip. For decades, their disappearance was considered one of the strangest and unsolved tragedies of the 20th century.

📅 Chronology of the disappearance

On December 22, 1958, Kenneth and Barbara Martin, along with their three daughters - 11-year-old Susan, 13-year-old Virginia, and 14-year-old Barbara - left Portland in a 1950s Chevrolet to buy a Christmas tree and go for a short drive.

They never returned.

Several months later, the bodies of the two younger girls were found in the Columbia River. Despite extensive searches involving police, military, and volunteers, no traces of the remaining family members or the car were found.

🧩 Breakthrough after decades

In June 2024, divers exploring a section of the Columbia River stumbled upon the remains of an old car hidden under silt and rocks at a depth of more than 12 meters. The license plates and structure of the vehicle matched the description of the missing Chevrolet belonging to the Martin family.

"Fragments of fabric, bone fragments, and personal items corresponding to the 1950s period were found inside the car," reported the authorities of Hood River County.

The discovery of the car raised a wave of new questions:

• Why didn't the bodies of the parents and the eldest daughter surface?

• Was it an accident or a deliberate disappearance?

• Why was the car found so deep, although this area had been previously examined?

👥 Versions and assumptions

Over the years, various theories have emerged: from family tragedy to kidnapping or even an attempt to fake death. Some researchers believe the family may have been victims of a robbery, while others point to a possible conspiracy or an accident involving third parties.

📚 Legacy of the mystery

The story of the Martin family has become a symbol of unsolved cases in the USA. Books have been written on this topic, documentaries have been filmed, and internet forums continue discussions for decades.

Now, after finding the car, investigators hope for new results: DNA samples have been sent to laboratories, and the found evidence will become part of a renewed investigation.

"Some mysteries take decades to be heard. But the truth will still find its way to the surface", said the medical examiner of Multnomah County.