Current:Home > ScamsHuman remains, artificial hip recovered after YouTuber helps find missing man's car in Missouri pond -Wealth Empowerment Zone
Human remains, artificial hip recovered after YouTuber helps find missing man's car in Missouri pond
View
Date:2025-04-16 07:47:39
Detectives and cadaver dogs discovered human remains in a Missouri pond Sunday, days after a missing man's car was found submerged in the water.
Investigators believe the remains belong to Donnie Erwin, a man who went missing 10 years ago on Dec. 29, 2013 in Camden County, located in the Ozarks, officials said Monday. He was last seen driving a silver 2002 Hyundai Elantra, which was pulled from Southern Camden County pond after a YouTuber contacted police on Dec. 16.
On Saturday morning, cadaver dogs alerted detectives to the presence of human remains in the pond, the Camden County Sheriff's Office said. Detectives returned with divers on Christmas Eve and recovered human remains and an artificial hip consistent with the one Erwin had.
Investigators said they're confident that the remains and artificial hip belong to Erwin, but a forensic pathologist will examine them to make a final determination.
The YouTuber, James Hinkle, had taken an interest in the Erwin missing person case and was independently investigating it, authorities said. Hinkle contacted the owner of the property where the pond is located earlier this month, hoping to investigate after his drone spotted a submerged car in the water. Authorities said Hinkle had received permission from the property owner to search the area on foot and by kayak. The YouTuber shared a video of the search and discovery on his YouTube channel, Echo Divers.
Hinkle called the Camden County Sheriff's Office on Dec. 16 and reported what he'd found. Investigators were able to remove Erwin's submerged Hyundai from the pond and continued searching the pond and the surrounding area after the car was found.
Erwin was 59 years old when he disappeared, according to a missing person bulletin. Authorities described him as being 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with brown eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue coat, blue jeans and gray loafers. Erwin was missing his left leg above the knee and had a scar on his left arm running from his elbow to his wrist. The missing person bulletin for Erwin noted that he might be using crutches.
The sheriff's office said Erwin's family was notified of the development.
"All of us at the Camden County Sheriff's Office who have investigated this case for ten years are elated at the recovery and overjoyed with the closure we know this brings to the family," the department said in a rnews elease. "This development would not have been possible without the assistance of countless volunteers throughout the years. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you all."
— Emily Mae Czachor contributed reporting.
- In:
- Missouri
Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.
TwitterveryGood! (775)
Related
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- California governor defends progressive values, says they’re an ‘antidote’ to populism on the right
- Nashville’s Covenant School was once clouded by a shooting. It’s now brightened by rainbows.
- Illinois man accused in mass shooting at Fourth of July parade expected to change not-guilty plea
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Texas man set for execution turns to God, says he's a changed man and 'deeply sorry'
- Why are the Texas Rangers the only MLB team without a Pride Night?
- Lyles and Snoop help NBC post best track trials ratings in 12 years
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Arizona authorities are investigating theft of device that allows access to vote tabulators
Ranking
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Georgia Supreme Court removes county probate judge over ethics charges
- Maui leaders target vacation rentals in proposal to house more locals
- 5 people fatally shot, teen injured near Las Vegas, and a suspect has been arrested, police say
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- US journalist’s closed trial for espionage set to begin in Russia, with a conviction all but certain
- Rodeo Star Spencer Wright Remembers Late Son Levi, 3, at Heartbreaking Funeral Service
- Kevin Federline Shares Update on Britney Spears’ “Reconciliation” With Sons Sean and Jayden
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
No evidence new COVID variant LB.1 causes more severe disease, CDC says
Woman accused of killing friend's newborn, abusing child's twin in Pittsburgh: Police
Crazy Town Lead Singer Shifty Shellshock Dead at 49
Travis Hunter, the 2
Jury awards $700k to Seattle protesters jailed for writing anti-police slogans in chalk on barricade
Totally Cool recalls over 60 ice cream products because they could contain listeria
Athing Mu, reigning 800-meter gold medalist, will miss Paris Olympics after falling during U.S. trials