Google Earth search solves cold case of man who went missing in 1997

In August, a previous resident was looking at the Grand Isles neighborhood in Wellington, Florida, on Google Earth when they zoomed in on a pond and noticed something strange. It looked like a car was submerged not too far from the shoreline and just beneath the surface.

Google Maps

CBS News reported that the previous resident contacted the owner of the home near the car. The homeowner used a neighbor’s personal drone and confirmed their suspicions. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office was notified on August 28 and pulled the vehicle out of the water that evening.

“The vehicle’s exterior was heavily calcified and was obviously in the water for a significant amount of time,” officials said in a statement.

Google Maps

When they removed the white sedan from the water they discovered skeletal remains. On September 10, officials were able to confirm the remains belonged to William Moldt.

“Never did I believe there would be a 22-year-old dead body,” Barry Fay told The Palm Beach Post.

At the time the victim went missing the community was built, so there were no guardrails or home around the pond.

According to the Charley Project, a database of cold cases, the vehicle had been visible since 2007, but wasn’t discovered until 2019.

I’m so glad this discovery should give William’s family some closure after two decades of unanswered questions.

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