A New York Woman’s 44-Year-Old Mystery May Soon Be Solved
A New York woman whose grandparents went missing 44 years ago said on Friday that their disappearance haunted her for decades, but the recent discovery of what could be their car submerged in a Georgia pond has her family believing the mystery may soon be solved, according to NBC News.
The Disappearance
Christine Heller Seaman, 60, of Manhattan, said about her grandmother Catherine Romer, who was married to Charles Romer. The couple was reported missing in April 1980. "I never went a day without worrying or thinking about if they had a terrible ending to their life," Seaman said.
Charles Romer, a retired oil executive, and his wife, vanished along with their 1978 Lincoln Continental while traveling home from Miami Beach, Florida. At the time, law enforcement expressed concerns about potential foul play against the couple from Scarsdale, New York, partly because Catherine Romer was wearing approximately $81,000 worth of jewelry.
The Discovery
But decades later, answers appear to be emerging from a Georgia pond. One human bone was discovered in the submerged Lincoln Continental on November 22, according to a Saturday statement from the Glynn County Police Department. "The vehicle is similar to the description of a vehicle that Charles and Catherine Romer were believed to be driving," the police department said in the statement posted to Facebook.
The car was found in a pond between the Royal Inn Hotel and Interstate 95 on New Jesup Highway in southeast Georgia, police said, adding that the agency is collaborating with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Personal Belongings Found
Seaman said a detective informed her family that along with a femur found in the Continental, personal belongings such as jewelry and a license plate bearing the couple’s initials were also discovered in the car.
The Family’s Reaction
Although a positive identification or identifications are not expected for months, Seaman said the developments have led her family to believe the couple died in some kind of accident rather than falling victim to a vicious crime.
Seaman, who spoke from Scotland, said she and her family enjoyed Thanksgiving and reminisced about their missing relatives. "The whole family just shared stories about them. It was a happy time because of this resolve we’re feeling," Seaman said. "It sort of gave us permission to celebrate their lives and talk about the fun memories without the feeling of dread, sorrow and sadness."
Conclusion
The discovery of the submerged car and personal belongings has brought a sense of closure and resolution to the Seaman family, who have been searching for answers for decades. While the identity of the remains has not been confirmed, the family is hopeful that the mystery will soon be solved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the missing individuals?
A: Charles Romer, a retired oil executive, and his wife, Catherine Romer, were reported missing in April 1980.
Q: Where was the car found?
A: The 1978 Lincoln Continental was found submerged in a pond in southeast Georgia.
Q: What personal belongings were found in the car?
A: Jewelry and a license plate bearing the couple’s initials were discovered in the car.
Q: Has the identity of the remains been confirmed?
A: No, the identity of the remains has not been confirmed, but the family is hopeful that it will be soon.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The Glynn County Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are collaborating on the investigation.
