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This photo courtesy of Sunshine State Sonar shows the recovered van
Photograph:
Sunshine State Sonar / AP
In the US state of Florida, a missing person case has allegedly been solved after twelve years. Volunteer divers found a minivan in a catch basin near Disney World in the city of Kissimmee – and inside the body of a woman.
The dead woman is said to be Sandra Lemire. In May 2012, she disappeared after a visit to a restaurant in Kissimmee – and with her the minivan that was recovered on December 31.
The fact that they were still looking for her at all is due to the organization Sunshine State Sonar. This is a group of volunteers who, according to their website, use sonar technology to search for missing persons, vehicles or ships.
According to the group, 63 bodies of water have been searched together with authorities in the past 17 months. According to Lemire's son, a cell phone survey helped narrow down the search area to the catch basin off Interstate 4. At a depth of just over four meters, the divers found what they were looking for.
There is little doubt that the body is that of the missing Lemire. Even if there is no confirmation from the authorities yet. On Tuesday, Orlando police said they were still waiting for Lemire's family to identify the body, according to CNN.
Son is sure
Her son already told CNN that the body was wearing the clothes Lemire was wearing on the day of her disappearance. Her cell phone and wallet with her ID were found in a purse in the car. "She was the only one who drove the car that night. And she's the only one found in the van."
He had mixed feelings, the son said, in view of a probable accident. "I'm glad she wasn't murdered, kidnapped, or mugged. I never knew what happened."
hba/AP