Authorities have identified the remains of an Oregon family that disappeared in 1958 while on a Christmas greenery hunting trip. DNA analysis confirmed the remains belonged to Kenneth and Barbara Martin and their daughter Barbie, who vanished during their outing that December.
The family's Ford station wagon, which had been submerged in the Columbia River for decades, was discovered in 2024 by a diver who had spent years searching for it. Portions of the vehicle were pulled from the water in 2025, along with human remains that were sent to the state medical examiner's office for analysis.
Scientists extracted DNA from the remains and generated profiles that matched genetic samples from the Martin family's relatives, according to the Hood River County Sheriff's Office. The medical examiner's office made the final identifications Thursday.
The Martins' disappearance captivated national attention at the time. Two of their children were found months after they went missing, but the other family members remained lost for more than six decades. The case prompted a $1,000 reward for information and intense media coverage, with journalists questioning where investigators should even begin their search in 1959.
The vehicle had been heavily encased in river sediment, leaving only the frame and a few attached components intact when it was retrieved. Despite the deteriorated condition, analysis of those parts allowed authorities to confirm it was indeed the Martin family's car.
The sheriff's office concluded its investigation and found no evidence of criminal activity in connection with the disappearance.
Author James Rodriguez: "After nearly seven decades underwater, DNA has finally given this family closure and a place to rest, ending one of Oregon's most haunting cold cases."
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