Mystery of family who disappeared more than 60 years ago ‘solved’ as shocking discovery made
The mystery of an American family who went missing over 60 years ago may be edging closer to being solved after a shocking discovery.
Portland couple Kenneth, 54, and Barbara Martin, 48, set off on the road with their three daughters, 11, 13, and 14, on 7 December 1958, but never returned home.
In their cream-and-red 1954 Ford Country Squire station wagon, they headed to the Columbia River Gorge to pick up some greenery and Christmas wreaths.
That afternoon, they were seen by eyewitnesses purchasing some fuel in Cascade Locks, and making a stop at Paradise Snack Bar in Hood River.
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Weeks later, however, the bodies of the two younger daughters Susan and Virginia washed up in the Columbia River.
Meanwhile, Kenneth, Barbara, and their eldest daughter Barbie remained missing.
It remained one of Oregon's most enduring cold mysteries until late 2024 when independent diver Archer Mayo located what he believed to be the family’s station wagon, submerged about 50 feet deep in the Columbia River, near Cascade Locks.
In March 2025, portions of the vehicle, such as its chassis and engine, were recovered for forensic examination, while personal items including a camera, toys, and possibly a firearm were also retrieved.
But now, Mayo says he has managed to recover remains of two adults from inside the car.
As reported by Oregon Live, he said 'nothing more can be done' after handing the remains over to the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office told the outlet that they wouldn't confirm or deny the claims.
After months of getting all of the necessary permits, as well as diving 60 times to clear debris with a dredge, Mayo finally found an upside-down 1950s Ford station wagon, buried about 60 feet below the surface.
He informed the Sheriff’s Office, and they hired contractors to pull the car out of the water back in March.
It seems contractors were only able to pull out the undercarriage and the engine of the car, but couldn’t seem to budge the body and its contents from the pit.
“I was disappointed,” Mayo said.
“I’ve been dreaming, thinking and obsessing about this for seven years.”
In July, Mayo went back in the river to clear the car wreck, and by August, he recovered artifacts and human remains believed to belong to two, possibly three, missing family members.
“I feel like I got them out to be restored with their families,” he said. “And that was the dream.”
LADbible Group has contacted Hood River County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
Anish Vij