On Thursday, authorities revealed plans to retrieve a station wagon from the depths of the Columbia River. This vehicle is believed to have belonged to an Oregon family that vanished nearly seven decades ago while gathering Christmas decorations. The disappearance of the Martin family became a regional sensation and fueled speculations about foul play. Salvage operations are ongoing, with divers having located the submerged car last autumn after years of searching. This development has reignited interest in a case that has puzzled Portland for 66 years.

The station wagon, thought to belong to Ken and Barbara Martin, was discovered by diver Archer Mayo following a seven-year search. Mayo's representative, Ian Costello, announced the find on Wednesday. The vehicle was found upside down at a depth of approximately 50 feet, buried under layers of mud, organic matter, and mussel shells. The discovery marks a significant breakthrough in a long-standing mystery that has captured public attention for decades.

Salvage efforts were carried out throughout Thursday afternoon, with officials uncertain if they would manage to extract the vehicle before nightfall. Additional cars were also found nearby, complicating the retrieval process. One of these vehicles had already been identified, while another was an unknown Volkswagen. Authorities emphasized that it remains unclear what they might find inside the cars, including any potential human remains.

The Martin family—Ken, Barbara, and their three daughters, Barbara, Virginia, and Sue—embarked on a trip to gather Christmas greenery on December 7, 1958. They never returned. Initial searches were guided by information that Ken Martin had used a credit card to purchase gas near Cascade Locks, a small community along the Columbia River. This led investigators to narrow down their search area. Now, as the recovery operation continues, the hope is that this discovery will finally provide closure to a tragic chapter in Oregon's history.

This latest development could offer answers to a mystery that has haunted the region for over six decades. The retrieval of the station wagon may shed light on the fate of the Martin family, bringing resolution to a story that has remained unsolved for so long. As the investigation proceeds, the community waits with bated breath for any new information that could emerge from the depths of the Columbia River.