In December 1958, the Martin family—comprising parents Kenneth and Barbara, and their three daughters, Barbie (14), Virginia (13), and Susan (11)—embarked on a day trip from their Portland, Oregon home to gather greenery for Christmas decorations. Tragically, they never returned, leading to one of Oregon’s most perplexing missing persons cases.
The Disappearance:
On December 7, 1958, the Martins left their residence in their 1954 cream and red Ford Country Squire station wagon. Their journey took them eastward into the Columbia River Gorge. They were last seen purchasing gasoline in Cascade Locks around 4 p.m., and later at the Paradise Snack Bar in Hood River. After these sightings, the family vanished without a trace.
Initial Investigations:
The disappearance prompted extensive searches by authorities and volunteers. Despite exhaustive efforts, no immediate evidence was found to explain the family’s sudden vanishing. The case grew more complex with the discovery of a stolen handgun and the arrest of two ex-convicts in the area the day after the Martins disappeared, though no direct connections were established.
Discovery of Bodies:
Months later, in May 1959, the bodies of Susan and Virginia were discovered downstream on the shores of the Columbia River, approximately 30 miles apart. Autopsies indicated drowning as the cause of death, but the circumstances leading to their immersion remained unclear. The whereabouts of Kenneth, Barbara, and Barbie, as well as their vehicle, remained unknown.
2024 Vehicle Discovery:
In late 2024, independent diver Archer Mayo located a vehicle submerged in the Columbia River near Cascade Locks. The car, buried under silt and debris approximately 50 feet below the surface, matched the description of the Martins’ 1954 Ford station wagon. Recovery efforts commenced on March 6, 2025, with portions of the vehicle, including the chassis and motor, extracted and sent to the Oregon State crime laboratory for examination.
Potential Implications:
The retrieval of the Martins’ vehicle after more than six decades offers a significant breakthrough in this cold case. Forensic analysis of the car may provide insights into the circumstances surrounding the family’s disappearance, such as evidence of foul play or an accidental plunge into the river. Additionally, the discovery may lead to locating the remains of Kenneth, Barbara, and Barbie, potentially bringing closure to surviving family members and the community.
Ongoing Investigations:
Authorities continue to analyze the recovered vehicle for any evidence that could shed light on the events of December 7, 1958. The case remains open, with investigators hopeful that modern forensic techniques can uncover new information from the decades-old evidence.
The Martin family’s disappearance has haunted Oregon for over sixty years. The recent discovery of their vehicle in the Columbia River marks a pivotal moment in the case, offering renewed hope that the mystery of what happened to the family of five may finally be solved.
