On Monday, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Investigators received information concerning a vehicle submerged in Lake Norman’s Mountain Creek. The information came from a fisherman who saw an image consistent with the shape of a vehicle on a sonar device.
Investigators confirmed the presence of the vehicle by using a submersible robot operated by Sherrills Ford-Terrell Fire & Rescue. A diver confirmed that the vehicle matched the description of a vehicle connected to a missing persons investigation.
That investigation began in 2008 when family members reported Tina Martin missing. Martin was last seen at her Newton residence in February of 2008. She and her vehicle, a white 1996 Ford Thunderbird, have been missing since that time. Ms. Martin was 43 years old at the time of her disappearance.
On Tuesday, Investigators worked with salvage companies to raise the vehicle. Investigators then confirmed that the vehicle was Ms. Martin’s Thunderbird. Investigators have also confirmed the presence of human remains in the vehicle. Ms. Martin’s next of kin have been notified.
The Sheriff’s Office is in contact with the medical examiners office and will seek to have a D.N.A. analysis completed. The circumstances surrounding Ms. Martin’s disappearance remain under investigation.
Ralph Mangum-WHKY contributed to this article