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Remains Believed to Be Mary Lou Combs Recovered From Submerged Car 22 Years After Disappearance

Investigators say the evidence points to an accidental plunge into the Intracoastal Waterway.

Overview

  • A three-day operation beginning Feb. 3 recovered a red 1996 Plymouth Neon from 14–17 feet of water near 18th Road in Palm Coast.
  • FBI USERT Miami, FBI ERT Jacksonville, and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office used dredging to retrieve contents from the upside-down vehicle.
  • Recovered items included a Florida driver’s license, a bone with an ankle plate consistent with her prior surgery, a size 7 shoe, children’s toys, and vehicle parts.
  • The remains are with the District 23 medical examiner as DNA testing and medical‑device serial checks proceed to confirm identity and evaluate cause of death.
  • The recovery followed a volunteer dive team’s 2025 discovery of a matching bumper, and Sheriff Rick Staly said the findings offer long-sought answers for the family.