Crane Works to Recover Family's Station Wagon from Columbia River 70 Years After Mysterious Disappearance

A crane resumes efforts to recover a car connected to the 1958 disappearance of the Martin family, believed buried in the Columbia River.

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Diver finds submerged vehicle possibly linked to family's mysterious 1958 disappearance

USA TODAY

Vehicle possibly tied to Oregon family who vanished nearly 70 years ago found at bottom of river

NBC News

Car being pulled from Columbia River might have belonged to Oregon family that vanished in 1958

Associated Press

Overview

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Efforts are underway to recover a vehicle believed to belong to the Martin family, who vanished in the Columbia River Gorge in 1958. Diver Archer Mayo located the suspected 1954 Ford station wagon, leading authorities to resume salvage operations. The family, missing for over six decades, sparked national interest and multiple theories of foul play after they disappeared while searching for Christmas greenery. Their daughters' bodies were found shortly after their disappearance, but the search for the rest of the family continued. Recovery operations are complicated due to debris and mud, with authorities awaiting further developments.

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Diver finds submerged vehicle possibly linked to family's mysterious 1958 disappearance

USA TODAY·4M·

Center

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Diver finds submerged vehicle possibly linked to family's mysterious 1958 disappearance

No highlight available for this article.

Vehicle possibly tied to Oregon family who vanished nearly 70 years ago found at bottom of river

NBC News·4M·

Center

This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

Reliable

This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.

Vehicle possibly tied to Oregon family who vanished nearly 70 years ago found at bottom of river

No highlight available for this article.

Car being pulled from Columbia River might have belonged to Oregon family that vanished in 1958

Associated Press·4M·

Center

This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

Reliable

This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.

Car being pulled from Columbia River might have belonged to Oregon family that vanished in 1958

FAQ

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: The Martin family disappeared while on a day trip to gather greenery for Christmas decorations in the Columbia River Gorge.
Wikipedia, CBS News
: The suspected vehicle, a 1954 Ford station wagon, was discovered by diver Archer Mayo after he had been searching for it for seven years. The car was found upside down about 50 feet deep in the Columbia River.
CBS News, OPB
: Recovery efforts involve using a crane to pull the vehicle from the river. The process is complicated by debris and mud, and authorities are working with forensic teams to analyze the vehicle once it is recovered.
CBS News, OPB
: The bodies of two daughters, Virginia and Susan, were found in the Columbia River several months after the family's disappearance. The rest of the family, including Kenneth, Barbara, and their daughter Barbara, were never located.
Wikipedia, CBS News

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