OR OR – Martin Family Ken 54, Barbara 48, Barbie 15, Columbia River Gorge, Dec 7 1958

[tealrose]

While I don't doubt for one minute that the diver knows what skeletal remains look like, and likely clothed at that, LE isn't confirming the find (understandable, that info will come from them when they feel the time is right) but I love that they said the case was still under investigation.

From your link: The Hood River Sheriff’s Office would not confirm Friday that human remains had been found. It said the case was still under investigation

Oh, that's Hood River County for ya. (my hometown)
I'm reasonably sure the whole thing went, after they tried and failed to pull up the car, something along the lines of... well, we don't have the budget to keep trying to pull this car up, but if you find anything, let us know... and sooner or later it'll get through the state lab backlog, and we'll let people know if we find out anything interesting. Maybe.

IMO, of course...

 

[Warwick1991]

IMO, this was probably an accident. I think the suspicions surrounding the son are probably unfounded. That said, the Martins could have been robbed and killed.

Unfortunately, the lack of interest by the County has shifted the work to Archer Mayo. The tremendous effort he's made is commendable and is certainly responsible for the progress made to date

 

[Gemmie]

Diver Archer Mayo holds a camera with Ken Martin’s name and address carved into the bottom of the camera case.

He also found the father's shoe.

Artifacts from the car:

After market seat belts. The one at the top was still fastened.

Gas pedal:

Camping mess kit:

A nylon sock:

Human remains recovered from car in Columbia River, diver says; mystery obsessed investigators for decades

The remains, which diver Archer Mayo believes belong to Ken and Barbara Martin, are now in the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office custody.

www.oregonlive.com

 

[Gemmie]

I just got the book, 'Echo of Distant water' and haven't finished it yet. So far a couple of things Stand out to me:

Both Mr and Mrs Martin were on meds for heart issues. It wasn't specific what they were. Also, at about the same time the bodies of the two younger girls tuned up, two other bodies reportedly were seen floating down the river, reportedly two women. The author concludes they were all murdered. I am not yet convinced.

It appears they were Virginia, 13, and Sue, 11, that were the two "women" found floating in the Columbia a year later.

The bodies of the two youngest daughters — Virginia, 13, and Sue, 11 — were found floating in the Columbia River the following year.

Human remains recovered from car in Columbia River, diver says; mystery obsessed investigators for decades

The remains, which diver Archer Mayo believes belong to Ken and Barbara Martin, are now in the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office custody.

www.oregonlive.com

 

[Richard]

It is amazing how well preserved artifacts are after being immersed in cold fresh water for almost 70 years, especially leather items.

 

[tara83]

I think this was a sad accident. I feel really sad for the son who had his personal life outed and faced hate in an era where there was zero tolerance for people like him.

 

[steff13]

I think this was a sad accident. I feel really sad for the son who had his personal life outed and faced hate in an era where there was zero tolerance for people like him.

I missed this - what was up with the son? Was he gay?

 

[Bluebear15]

I think this was a sad accident. I feel really sad for the son who had his personal life outed and faced hate in an era where there was zero tolerance for people like him.

The son, Donald, was married with 3 children.

HM1 Donald Kenneth “Don” Martin (1930-2004) - Find...

DONALD KENNETH MARTIN, 73, of Kapolei, died Oct. 8, 2004. Born in Portland, Ore.He retired from the U.S. Navy.Retired teacher at Campbell High School. Survived by son, Donald II; daughters, Lisa and Sarah Martin, and Heather Beal; friend, William Vannatta; caregivers, Elena Brans-field and Kelly...

www.findagrave.com

 

[steff13]

The son, Donald, was married with 3 children.

HM1 Donald Kenneth “Don” Martin (1930-2004) - Find...

DONALD KENNETH MARTIN, 73, of Kapolei, died Oct. 8, 2004. Born in Portland, Ore.He retired from the U.S. Navy.Retired teacher at Campbell High School. Survived by son, Donald II; daughters, Lisa and Sarah Martin, and Heather Beal; friend, William Vannatta; caregivers, Elena Brans-field and Kelly...

www.findagrave.com

Hmm. So why did he face hated about having his personal life outed?

 

[Bluebear15]

Hmm. So why did he face hated about having his personal life outed?

I don't know. Honestly, it's the first I've heard of it.

 

[Warwick1991]

I don't know. Honestly, it's the first I've heard of it.

The book "Echo of Distant Water" implied that son Donald had gay relationships at one point, and that he and his father did not get along for this reason. This narrative provided a motive for disappearing the family. The theory in the book comes from a detective working on the case, but there was no proof, and Donald later married and had children. IMO, the detective's theory about Donald lacks proof, and says more about the detective than it does about Donald. The detective's thinking reflects the societal attitudes of the time, but he had absolutely no evidence of any problems between Donald and his family. Donald was out of state when the family disappeared.

The book is very flawed, IMO, due to its uncritical acceptance of the detective's theory.

 

[Austin023]

I'm amazed at just how much was actually recovered from the wreck site. One thing in particular stood out, aside from the human remains of course: the camera still inside its leather carry case; that case has the name "Martin" scratched in, with either his first initial K or "Ken", plus the (correct) address where the Martins lived. I think this pretty much clears any remaining doubt as to the identity of the cars owner.

The leather shoes found, presumably Ken Martin's, are in excellent condition, far beyond what I'd imagined. Hopefully enough human remains are recovered so a forensic analysis can be performed that'll give an idea of what happened (that is, either no signs of criminal trauma, like gun shot wounds and such, or a positive result for that); hopefully there is enough remains present to yield important clues.

I still am unsure if this was an accident or a result of foul play. Given the cars (found) location, I think one could still make a case either way. Donald Martin's behavior after the fact was very odd on a number of accounts. It's understandable why some investigators felt he had some hand in the disappearance, but that's by no means a "smoking gun". Hopefully the bones will provide enough clues now as to what actually happened.

 

[Warwick1991]

I'm amazed at just how much was actually recovered from the wreck site. One thing in particular stood out, aside from the human remains of course: the camera still inside its leather carry case; that case has the name "Martin" scratched in, with either his first initial K or "Ken", plus the (correct) address where the Martins lived. I think this pretty much clears any remaining doubt as to the identity of the cars owner.

The leather shoes found, presumably Ken Martin's, are in excellent condition, far beyond what I'd imagined. Hopefully enough human remains are recovered so a forensic analysis can be performed that'll give an idea of what happened (that is, either no signs of criminal trauma, like gun shot wounds and such, or a positive result for that); hopefully there is enough remains present to yield important clues.

I still am unsure if this was an accident or a result of foul play. Given the cars (found) location, I think one could still make a case either way. Donald Martin's behavior after the fact was very odd on a number of accounts. It's understandable why some investigators felt he had some hand in the disappearance, but that's by no means a "smoking gun". Hopefully the bones will provide enough clues now as to what actually happened.

The leather tanning chemicals can preserve leather under extraordinary conditions. Leather has survived in the wreck of the Titanic and in other wrecks. Water temperature and the type of marine organisms present also play a role in preservation. But like you, I'm amazed at the condition of the camera case and the shoes.

 

[Bounceycat]

The book "Echo of Distant Water" implied that son Donald had gay relationships at one point, and that he and his father did not get along for this reason. This narrative provided a motive for disappearing the family. The theory in the book comes from a detective working on the case, but there was no proof, and Donald later married and had children. IMO, the detective's theory about Donald lacks proof, and says more about the detective than it does about Donald. The detective's thinking reflects the societal attitudes of the time, but he had absolutely no evidence of any problems between Donald and his family. Donald was out of state when the family disappeared.

The book is very flawed, IMO, due to its uncritical acceptance of the detective's theory.

According to Donald's Findagrave linked a few posts up, he was married with children but his wife died at age 50 in 1990. His 2004 obituary lists a "friend" with the initials WV (using initials here, it's spelled out in the obit), in addition to his surviving family. Even as recently as 2004, that was the somewhat acceptable way to list a same sex partner for people of his generation.

 

[MelmothTheLost]

The leather tanning chemicals can preserve leather under extraordinary conditions. Leather has survived in the wreck of the Titanic and in other wrecks. Water temperature and the type of marine organisms present also play a role in preservation. But like you, I'm amazed at the condition of the camera case and the shoes.

Leather artefacts were found during the excavations of Jorvik, having survived in waterlogged ground for more than 1,000 years.

 

[Richard]

Photo of a Cream and Red 1954 Ford Station Wagon, similar to the one driven by the Martin family when they went missing on 7 December 1958.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

The son, Donald, was married with 3 children.

HM1 Donald Kenneth “Don” Martin (1930-2004) - Find...

DONALD KENNETH MARTIN, 73, of Kapolei, died Oct. 8, 2004. Born in Portland, Ore.He retired from the U.S. Navy.Retired teacher at Campbell High School. Survived by son, Donald II; daughters, Lisa and Sarah Martin, and Heather Beal; friend, William Vannatta; caregivers, Elena Brans-field and Kelly...

www.findagrave.com

It appears Donald had 4 living children at the time of his death: Donald II, Lisa, Sarah, and Heather. The obituary mentions 2 grandchildren also. They would all be direct descendants of Ken and Barbara Martin.

I wonder if any of them have an interest in the fate of the Martins? If the human remains can be confirmed, those remains are usually given to the nearest living relatives. Even if the remains are limited, it would be nice if they could finally be laid to rest.

 

[Richard]

Ken Martin, age 54, went missing 7 December 1958
LINK:

Ensign Kenneth “Ken” Martin (1904-1958) - Find a...

Ken and his family went missing on December 7, 1958 after leaving their home to go cut Christmas greenery near the Columbia Gorge. His wife, Barbara, and daughters, Barbie, Virginia, and Susan, are believed to have drowned in the Columbia River after their car was accidentally driven into the...

www.findagrave.com

Barbara Martin, age 48, missing since 7 December 1958
LINK:

Barbara Aileen Cable Martin (1910-1958) - Find a...

Barbara and her family went missing on December 7, 1958 after leaving their home to go cut Christmas greenery near the Columbia Gorge. Her husband, Kenneth and daughters, Barbie, Virginia, and Susan, are believed to have drowned in the Columbia River after their car was accidentally driven into...

www.findagrave.com

Barbara Lee Martin, age 15, Missing since 7 December 1958
LINK:

Barbara Lee “Barbie” Martin (1944-1958) - Find a...

Barbie and her family went missing on December 7, 1958 after leaving their home to go cut Christmas greenery near the Columbia Gorge. Her parents, Kenneth and Barbara Martin, and her sisters, Virginia and Susan, are believed to have drowned in the Columbia River after their car was accidentally...

www.findagrave.com

Susan Margaret Martin (1944-1958)
LINK:

Ensign Kenneth “Ken” Martin (1904-1958) - Find a...

Ken and his family went missing on December 7, 1958 after leaving their home to go cut Christmas greenery near the Columbia Gorge. His wife, Barbara, and daughters, Barbie, Virginia, and Susan, are believed to have drowned in the Columbia River after their car was accidentally driven into the...

www.findagrave.com

Virginia Ann Martin (1946-1958)
LINK:

Virginia Ann “Gina” Martin (1946-1958) - Find a...

The 1954 Ford station wagon they were riding in was discovered in Cascade Locks in Nov 2024, and recovered on 7 Mar 2025.

www.findagrave.com

 

[Richard]

The Martin Family a few years before the fateful December 1958 car drive.

 

[chart75]

The book "Echo of Distant Water" implied that son Donald had gay relationships at one point, and that he and his father did not get along for this reason. This narrative provided a motive for disappearing the family. The theory in the book comes from a detective working on the case, but there was no proof, and Donald later married and had children. IMO, the detective's theory about Donald lacks proof, and says more about the detective than it does about Donald. The detective's thinking reflects the societal attitudes of the time, but he had absolutely no evidence of any problems between Donald and his family. Donald was out of state when the family disappeared.

The book is very flawed, IMO, due to its uncritical acceptance of the detective's theory.

I disagree. Graven was really the only one in LE that really investigated the case and was actually told to stand down with his investigation. There are too many so called "coincidences" for this to have been an accident IMO.

• There were two convicts (stole a car to drive to Oregon) spotted at the same restaurant as the Martins on Sunday afternoon; both left immediately after the Martins did.
• Shortly after, witnesses reported seeing the Martin car parked next to the stolen car along the side of the road with two men outside talking to them
• Donald was fired from Meier and Frank for stealing a gun (and other items), and that same gun is found bloodied and in close proximity to where the Martin car went in the river. Donald said he didn't like guns, but his friend Wayne did. Wayne worked at M&F with Donald and knew one of the before-mentioned convicts.
• Susan and Virginia both appeared to have "clean" bullet holes in their heads (reported by LE and an autopsy technician) but the coroner said it was just "decomposition" and did not investigate
• The morning after the Martin disappearance (Monday, December 8th), a black taxi pulled up in front of the Martin house (7:20 am) and stayed there for an hour. The Martins had not been reported missing yet, but someone obviously knew they weren't home, went inside, took something and eventually left. LE doesn't investigate who the cab driver was until it was too late (logs gone).
• Donald told Graven he suspected foul play with his family's disappearance. Why would he say that given the general theory was that a terrible accident had occurred? Gut feeling? Perhaps, but still an odd thing to say.
• Donald made no attempt to come home and help with the search (said his aunt told him not to but his aunt said she encouraged him to go back to Oregon and thought it odd that he did not), nor does he come back for the memorial service of his two sisters that were found the next year (said he mixed up the dates).
• Did Donald know something? Was he afraid to go back to Portland, or afraid of someone in Portland? Had someone threatened to harm his family? Maybe the human remains will help answer some questions.