Rusted Car Discovery May Solve 15-Year-Old Cold Case on Long Island

A rusting, barnacle-covered car pulled from a Long Island lake may hold the key to solving a 15-year-old cold case. Specialist divers Dan Pritchard and Bill McIntosh made the chilling discovery when they unearthed a submerged Chrysler at Cedar Beach. The vehicle is believed to contain the remains of Robert Long, a local resident who disappeared in December 2010 at the age of 62.

Long was last seen heading to a nearby liquor store, and his mysterious disappearance has baffled authorities and haunted his family for over a decade. The discovery on Monday has prompted an urgent investigation by the Suffolk County Police, who have sent the remains for an autopsy to confirm the identity and determine the cause of death.

Unraveling a Decade-Old Mystery

The dive team, equipped with kayaks and side-scan sonar devices, identified the vehicle after several hours of scanning the lakebed. These sonar systems are crucial for mapping large underwater areas and identifying objects of interest. Upon finding what appeared to be human bones inside the rusting Chrysler PT Cruiser, the divers immediately notified the police.

Detective Lt. Kevin Beyrer commented on the ongoing investigation, stating, “There is a missing person who we suspect this driver to be. We made a courtesy notification to the family, but we have not definitively made any sort of identification.”

“We started this morning with the Marine Bureau divers going into the water at low tide. They examined the interior of the vehicle and tried to recover whatever they could from within the vehicle,” a police spokesperson told the New York Post.

Comparisons to Recent Discoveries

This discovery follows another recent find in Rhode Island, where a suspected human bone washed ashore near Taylor Swift’s beachside mansion. The Westerly Police Department responded to the call, transferring the remains to the Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s Office.

Local resident Taylor Day described the scene, “It was probably a couple football fields away from Taylor Swift’s house and the Ocean House. I would never expect anything like that — especially not in Watch Hill.”

While police do not suspect foul play in the Rhode Island case, Day expressed her concerns, stating she would “definitely disagree with that” assessment.

Implications and Next Steps

The discovery of the car and potential remains of Robert Long could bring closure to his family after years of uncertainty. It also underscores the importance of technological advancements in solving long-standing mysteries. The use of sonar technology by the divers highlights how modern techniques can aid in uncovering hidden truths beneath the water’s surface.

As the investigation continues, authorities will focus on confirming the identity of the remains and understanding the circumstances surrounding Long’s disappearance. The outcome could provide critical insights into not only this case but also inform future investigations involving missing persons and submerged vehicles.

With the autopsy results pending, the Suffolk County Police remain committed to resolving this cold case, offering a glimmer of hope to those affected by Long’s disappearance. The community and Long’s family await further developments, hoping that this discovery will finally provide the answers they have sought for so long.

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