Human remains discovered in submerged car in Long Island harbor.
A team of independent divers made a significant discovery on Monday, locating a submerged vehicle in Mount Sinai Harbor on Long Island, which contained human remains. This find has prompted an active investigation by the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad.
The nonprofit organization Exploring With a Mission, which focuses on recovering missing individuals by locating submerged vehicles, reported the discovery via social media. This organization collaborated with divers from Adventures With Purpose, indicating they had found a vehicle linked to one of the missing persons they were searching for on Long Island.
According to a spokesperson from the Suffolk County police department, divers utilized side-scan sonar technology near the Cedar Beach boat ramp, uncovering a Chrysler PT Cruiser approximately 55 yards from the shore shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday. Following this initial discovery, divers entered the water around 7:30 p.m. and reported finding what appeared to be a human bone inside the vehicle, prompting them to alert emergency services by contacting 911.
Responding to the scene, divers from the Marine Bureau continued their search efforts; however, operations were halted around 9 p.m. due to adverse water conditions. The divers returned on Tuesday morning, where they located additional human remains within the vehicle. A crane from Murphy’s Marine Services in Port Jefferson was then employed to extract the car from the water.
The remains have since been forwarded to the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and to establish the cause of death. Law enforcement officials have yet to provide further specifics regarding the investigation; however, local reports highlight that the volunteer divers were searching for Robert Long, a 62-year-old man who has been missing for nearly 15 years.
Long’s disappearance dates back to December 2010, when he was last seen after leaving home to visit a wine store in his Chrysler PT Cruiser. His wife reported him missing when he did not return. Authorities have reportedly informed Long’s family about the potential discovery of his vehicle, though they have emphasized that a positive identification has not yet been confirmed.
As the investigation continues, the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad is expected to release more information as circumstances develop. This case underscores the persistent efforts of volunteer organizations in aiding law enforcement to uncover and resolve cases involving missing individuals.
