Page 22 - voices-2025-04

On March 6, 2025, the Hood River Sheriffs’ Office announced the finding of the vehicle which
could possibly belong to the Martins in Cascade Locks canal. On March 7, 2025, a barge and
crane brought up the carriage of the vehicle to the surface from a pit in the canal. The vehicle
was found upside down with debris on it. Law enforcement currently examining the station
wagon carriage at a secure location.

I was there when they brought up the car. As District 7 Toastmasters historian I have had a
long time desire to know the fate of these Toastmasters who had disappeared so suddenly. I
discussed this case with Archer Mayo the diver that found the Martin vehicle and the author
Joshua Fisher who wrote a book about the mystery at the media area on March 7, 2025 at
Cascade Locks. I also met one of Mrs. Barbara Martin’s relatives Elizabeth Cable and listened
to her interview with the press.

This seems to be the final piece to the Martin family mystery but it gives us an unsatisfying
lack of resolution. The sheriff’s office state that this is most likely the family’s missing car but
due to corrision and lack of vin records it is impossible to say with 100% certainity, They have
no plans to further explore the area since after 60 years the most meanful evidence would
have faded away.

There has been no details to prove whether the Martins just met a tragic accident or more
sinister elements were involved. Donald the eldest child who was not with the family on
that day died in October 2004, at the age of 73. It seems time for the whole family to rest in
peace.

22 Voices!