A significant development has emerged in a 66-year-old unsolved case involving the disappearance of a Portland family. Authorities are set to retrieve several vehicles from the Columbia River, including one believed to belong to Ken and Barbara Martin, who vanished along with their three daughters during a drive in December 1958. The station wagon was discovered by diver Archer Mayo after seven years of searching. Despite being submerged upside down and covered in debris, officials are nearly certain it is the Martins' car. This discovery marks a pivotal moment in a mystery that has captivated Portland for decades. Investigators now hope to uncover crucial evidence that could finally shed light on what happened to the family.

The tragic disappearance of the Martin family has long been a subject of public interest and speculation. In December 1958, the couple took their three daughters on a trip to gather Christmas greenery in the mountains. They never returned, leaving behind a community in shock. The following year, the bodies of two of the daughters were found near Bonneville Dam, but the rest of the family remained missing. Over the years, various theories have circulated, ranging from accidents to foul play. However, no definitive answers were ever found until now.

Archer Mayo, a professional diver specializing in recovering lost items from rivers, became involved in the case after learning about the Martin family's story. He used advanced modeling techniques to pinpoint the likely location of the vehicle. After multiple dives, Mayo located the station wagon buried under mud and debris at a depth of about 50 feet. Partial license plate numbers and other identifiers confirmed that this was likely the vehicle belonging to the Martins. The discovery has reignited hopes of solving this long-standing mystery.

The recovery operation is set to commence soon, with a specialized barge equipped with a crane ready to lift the vehicle from the river. Officials anticipate that the condition of the car, despite its prolonged submersion, may provide valuable clues. Investigators are also exploring the possibility that other vehicles found nearby might yield additional information. The community, which has waited over six decades for closure, now eagerly awaits the outcome of this critical operation. The potential discovery of the Martin family's vehicle represents a monumental step toward unraveling one of Portland's most enduring enigmas.