NEW YORK. – What seemed like a deeper underwater search ended with a shocking discovery off the coast of Cedar Beach. A team of volunteer divers located a submerged PT Cruiser with human remains inside, reactivating a case that had been unresolved for over a decade.
Suffolk County authorities confirmed that the vehicle was recovered at about 17 feet (5 meters) deep, near a boat ramp frequented by fishermen and boaters. Everything indicates that it could be Robert Long, a 62-year-old resident of Miller Place, last seen in December 2010 and reported missing in January 2011.
The discovery was made by two underwater rescue and investigation organizations: Exploring with a Mission and Adventures with Purpose, who arrived at the area of Mount Sinai motivated by intuition and sonar technology. The volunteer known as “Diver Dan” was the one who confirmed the discovery with a shocking revelation: “I put my hand in the car, felt the bones and brought one to the surface. We immediately called 911”.
The police went to the scene and, after an initial inspection, suspended the operation for the night. The next day, official divers returned to the water, located more remains and used a crane to completely extract the vehicle. The car was only 55 feet (about 17 meters) from the coast, in an area frequented by hundreds of boats a year, which makes it even more surprising that it had not been detected before.
Long’s widow, Joanne, confirmed the discovery through a message posted in a Facebook group that for years kept alive the hope of finding answers. “My husband’s remains have been recovered. I am grateful to every person who accompanied us on this long journey of anguish and hope.”
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According to Lieutenant Detective Kevin Beyrer, several objects found inside the vehicle match the descriptions of the original case, and the car model also matches the disappearance records. However, it will be the county coroner who officially confirms the identity of the remains found.
The authorities do not suspect a criminal act and consider that the case points more to a tragic accident that was kept hidden for years.
“This is the kind of case that most people forget, but we don’t. We’re here to find answers and to show that there are still those who care,” said Bill McIntosh, the sonar operator who detected the submerged vehicle.
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Neighbors in the area were shocked. “You would think that with the amount of people fishing here someone would have seen it. It’s incredible that it’s been there all this time,” said Gerard Matlock, a local resident.
