Mystery of family who vanished in 1958 has finally been solved
From left, Barbara, Ken, Barbara, Sue, Donald and Virginia in December 1952 (Picture: AP)
The mystery surrounding a family who vanished in their car almost 70 years ago has finally been solved.
The Martin’s, which included parents Kenneth and Barbara, and daughters Barbie, 14, Virginia, 13, and 11-year-old Susan, went missing in December 1958 in Oregon.
They were reported missing after Kenneth and Barbara failed to show up to work.
Virginia and Susan were found dead months after the family disappeared, but the other members had not turned up.
And Barbie and her parents have not been seen since – until a diver found their car.
A Ford station wagon was found in the Columbia River in 2024 by Archer Mayo, and it was pulled from the water with human remains inside last year.
Virginia and Susan were discovered floating in the river months after the family disappeared. Eldest daughter Barbara was missing, alongside their parents, for years – until now (Picture: KOIN)
Kenneth (second right) and Barbara Martin disappeared with their three daughters, Barbara, Virginia and Susan, in 1958. Their eldest child, Donald, was not with them in the car (Picture: KOIN)
DNA was tested, and they were confirmed to be the remaining Martin family.
Kristen Mittelman, chief development officer of genetics lab Ortham Inc, told KATU: ‘So many people worked for years to find and identify the Martin family and we are proud to have helped.
‘A mystery like this doesn’t just weigh on the family, it weighs on the entire community and hopefully this gives a lot of people the resolution they deserve.’
Their oldest son Donald, 28, who was living in New York at the time, said their deaths could not have been an accident and suspected foul play.
Despite this, the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office say there is no evidence of any crime being committed.
A Ford station wagon was found in the Columbia River in 2024 by Archer Mayo (Picture: Getty Images)
They said: ‘The Martin family originally disappeared in December of 1958 while reportedly visiting the Columbia River Gorge to collect Christmas greenery.
‘The remains of Virginia and Susan Martin were found downstream months later, but the parents, Kenneth and Barbara, and oldest daughter Barbara (Barbie) were never found despite extensive searching and diving.’
Diver Archer Mayo, who had spent years searching for the family, said he believes their disappearance was a result of a tragic accident.
He said: ‘I think that they turned around in such a way that they kind of got stuck against a curb, put the car in reverse, and it wouldn’t move, it wouldn’t move, it wouldn’t move.
‘And then all of a sudden jolted and it went backwards in an uncontrollable way into the water, and that’s what they all do.
‘So, yeah, I have a theory. I mean, no one’s ever going to know if it’s right or not.’
DNA proves remains in a car found in the Columbia River are of an Oregon family missing since 1958 News CASCADE LOCKS, Ore. (AP) — DNA analysis has identified the remains found in a car in the Columbia River as those of an Oregon family that went missing in 1958 while on a trip to find Christmas greenery, authorities said Thursday. Related Articles China urges travelers to avoid Seattle airport…
Victoria Beckham finally speaks out about son Brooklyn amid messy family feud Entertainment Victoria Beckham has finally spoken out about her feud with son Brooklyn (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Victoria Beckham has finally spoken out after months of speculation over the family feud with eldest son Brooklyn Beckham. In January, the aspiring chef launched a brutal takedown of his parents in a statement shared…
The Apprentice legends Nick and Margaret are finally returning to BBC series after 13 years Entertainment Look who’s back in business (Picture: PA) For the first time in 13 years, Lord Alan Sugar will be joined in the boardroom by both Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford. The dynamic duo served as Lord Sugar’s eyes and ears on the first few seasons of The Apprentice. Sadly, in…
Victoria Beckham Finally Speaks Out on Brooklyn’s Accusations, Claims: ‘We … Entertainment Reading Time: 3 minutes After ages of clear signs of a Beckham family feud, we finally know what tore apart the UK’s (other) royal family. Brooklyn spoke out earlier this year, accusing mom Victoria of hijacking his wedding and humiliating him. This mirrored other accounts of the wedding, which many…
D4vd Finally Arrested, Charged with the Murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez Entertainment <p id="par-1_79">D4vd, an R&B musician who rose to fame on TikTok, has been arrested. The music artist, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been <a href="https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/new-court-documents-list-d4vd-as-the-target-of-a-murder-investigation-list-disturbing-details-of-the-crime.html/">at the center of a murder investigation </a>since September 2025, when the body of a teenage girl was found inside a trunk registered…
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
