Oregon Family Missing Since 1958 Identified Nearly 70 Years Later in Shocking Case

In a case that once shocked the nation, a Portland family who went out to gather Christmas decorations mysteriously disappeared in the Columbia River Gorge in December1958.

Now, nearly 70 years later, the remains of Kenneth Martin, Barbara Martin, and Barbie Martin have been identified after being recovered from the Columbia River within the wreckage of the family’s car.

“The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the remains of Kenneth Martin, Barbara Martin, and Barbie Martin following DNA analysis by Othram, Inc., of remains located in the Columbia River within the wreckage of the Martin family car,” the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.

“The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigation, having found no evidence of a crime.”

The Martin family disappeared in December 1958 while reportedly visiting the Columbia River Gorge to collect Christmas greenery.

Months later, the remains of 13-year-old Virginia Martin and 11-year-old Susan Martin were discovered downstream. However, Kenneth and Barbara Martin, along with their oldest daughter, 14-year-old Barbara “Barbie” Martin, were never located despite extensive search and dive efforts.

In 2024, a private diver discovered what he believed to be the Martin family car in a catch-basin area within the original locks in Cascade Locks, Oregon.

In early 2025, authorities used a crane in an attempt to recover the vehicle. However, because of heavy sediment encasing it, only the frame and some attached components could be retrieved.

Investigators analyzed those items, along with other materials recovered by the diver, and confirmed the vehicle was indeed the Martin family car.

Later in 2025, the diver located human remains, which were turned over to the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office and then to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office. To aid in identification, officials partnered with Othram Inc., a forensic genetics laboratory specializing in advanced DNA analysis.

Othram uses an identity inference method that allows scientists to identify individuals from DNA evidence even without an initial direct comparison sample. Evidence from the case was sent to the company’s lab in The Woodlands, Texas.

Scientists developed DNA extracts from the remains and generated a comprehensive Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) profile for one individual. SNPs are the most common type of genetic variation and are widely used in forensic genetic genealogy. The other two DNA samples, however, were too degraded to be fully sequenced.

The completed DNA profile was compared with reference samples from known relatives of the Martin family, allowing investigators to confirm biological relationships with a high degree of accuracy.

Through this process, Kenneth Martin was positively identified. Based on the circumstances of the recovery and anthropological analysis, Barbara Martin and Barbie Martin were also identified.

“This identification reflects a sustained, coordinated effort, scientific partnership, and continued advancements in forensic genetic genealogy. We appreciate the work of Othram Inc. in conducting the specialized testing, and the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) for supporting the analyses,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

Following the identifications, authorities notified next of kin, who have requested privacy and no media contact.