For more than six decades, the disappearance of an Oregon family of five remained a mystery. Now, a major breakthrough may bring long-awaited answers. A car, believed to be the one they had driven, was pulled from the Columbia River, raising new hope in solving the case.
After two days of dredging, a crane finally lifted a Ford station wagon from the river’s depths. Authorities believe it belonged to the Martin family, who vanished 66 years ago during a trip to gather Christmas greenery. The recovery took place on a Friday afternoon and lasted only ten minutes. However, the car’s body detached during the process, leaving only the frame and wheels visible as they emerged from the water.
No human remains were found inside. The vehicle was taken to a warehouse, where forensic experts will examine it for further clues. Deputy Pete Hughes of the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office stated that all signs indicate this is the car investigators had been searching for.
“Everything matches,” he confirmed. “It appears to be the color, make, and model of the Martin vehicle.”
In 1959, just months after the Martins went missing, an Associated Press report questioned, “Where do you search if you’ve already searched every place logic and fragmentary clues would suggest?” The case left law enforcement puzzled, with little evidence to follow.
Later that year, two of the Martin children’s bodies were discovered in the Columbia River. The rest of the family was never found, leading to speculation and various theories about what might have happened to them.
The recovery operation had to be halted Thursday night due to darkness. It resumed early Friday, with teams working to remove mud and debris that had buried the vehicle for decades. Experts believe that shifting currents and sediment buildup kept the car hidden all these years.
The Ford station wagon was first detected last fall by diver Archer Mayo. He had spent seven years searching for it. After extensive effort, he finally pinpointed its location. Ian Costello, a representative for Mayo, said the vehicle was found upside-down, roughly 50 feet underwater, buried under mud, silt, and debris.
“This is a very big development in a case that’s been on the back of Portland’s mind for 66 years,” Costello said.
Back in 1958, the Martins’ disappearance became a national news story. Many theories emerged, ranging from a tragic accident to foul play. Authorities even offered a $1,000 reward for information.
Some believed the family simply lost control of their car and crashed into the river. Others suspected something more sinister, such as robbery or murder. However, no solid evidence ever surfaced to support those theories. Some even wondered if the family had staged their disappearance, though no proof supported that idea either.
During his search, Mayo found other cars submerged nearby. According to Costello, one vehicle had already been identified, but another—a Volkswagen—remained a mystery. Investigators plan to examine the engine and chassis numbers of the recovered Ford to confirm it was indeed the Martins’ car. For now, the rest of the car body will stay underwater.
The family’s last known trip happened on December 7, 1958. Ken and Barbara Martin took their daughters—Barbara, 14; Virginia, 13; and Sue, 11—on a drive to the mountains to gather Christmas greenery. Reports from that time describe their home as untouched. The Sunday comics lay scattered on the floor. Dishes remained in the sink. A load of laundry sat unfinished in the washing machine. It seemed they had only planned to be gone for a short while.
Authorities later traced their last known location to a gas station near Cascade Locks, about 40 miles east of Portland. Ken Martin had used his credit card there, providing a critical clue.
“Police have speculated that Martin’s red and white station wagon might have plunged into an isolated canyon or river,” the Associated Press reported at the time. “The credit card purchase was the only thing to pinpoint the family’s movements.”
A waitress later reported seeing a family matching their description at the Paradise Snack Bar, just east of Cascade Locks. She said they had stopped for a meal—hamburgers, fries, milk, and dessert. The total bill was $4.15.
Five months later, the tragic discovery of their youngest daughter’s body was made. It was found floating in a Columbia River slough.
“The body of Susan apparently floated free of the wreckage in the spring current and was washed to a backwater slough near Camas, Washington,” a report from that time stated.
The very next day, Virginia Martin’s body was found about 25 miles upstream from where Susan’s was recovered. The rest of the family was never located, though the search continued.
The Martins’ oldest son, Don, was 28 years old at the time. A graduate student at Columbia University in New York, he spoke to the press and said he believed his family had died.
“It’s been a high public interest case,” Deputy Hughes said.
The major breakthrough in the case came when Mayo discovered part of a license plate number and other key vehicle details. With that information, the sheriff’s office, the Columbia Gorge major crimes team, and the Oregon State Crime Lab coordinated the vehicle’s recovery.
Mayo specializes in underwater searches. His work usually involves finding lost valuables like watches and rings, but he also assists in recovering drowning victims. Costello shared that Mayo had been looking for a research vessel that sank in 2017 when he first learned about the Martin case.
Fascinated by the mystery, Mayo began researching the family’s disappearance. He used underwater mapping techniques and historical records to determine the most likely location of their vehicle. After years of searching, his persistence finally paid off.
While the car’s discovery is a significant development, the mystery is not completely solved. Investigators will now closely examine the vehicle, hoping to uncover more evidence that could reveal what really happened that day in 1958.
For now, authorities and the public alike hope that this long-lost vehicle will finally provide long-awaited answers. This discovery is a major step forward, but many questions remain. How did the car end up in the river? Was it a tragic accident, or did something more sinister take place? Investigators will continue working to uncover the truth, bringing closure to a mystery that has lasted for more than six decades.
