According to news reports, human remains found in a pond in Camdenton, Missouri on December 24, 2023 are believed to belong to Donnie Erwin, who has been missing since 2013.
The remains were found in the same pond where Erwin’s car was recovered a week earlier. The Camden County Sheriff’s Office suspects the remains and an artificial hip found by cadaver dogs and recovered by divers are those of Erwin.
A tip from a YouTuber helped launch a police investigation into the pond earlier this month. Erwin was 59 years old when he went missing in December 2013. He left his home to get cigarettes at a nearby gas station, but never returned.
“All of us at the Camden County Sheriff’s Office who have investigated this case for ten years are elated at the recovery and overjoyed with the closure we know this brings to the family,” Sgt. Scott Hines, Camden County Sheriff’s Office, said.
“This development would not have been possible without the assistance of countless volunteers throughout the years. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you all.”
Echo Divers YouTube channel owner James Hinkle has been interested in this missing person case for years. He found a submerged vehicle in a small pond on private property in December by using his drone to fly over a portion of Camden County.
Hinkle spoke with the property owner and they contacted police on December 16 about the potential discovery. Deputies and detectives from the Camden County Sheriff’s Office met with Hinkle and the property owner. Divers went into the pond and found that the vehicle’s license plate matched the missing vehicle.
Investigators and search dogs returned to the pond on Saturday, December 23. They were able to find human remains and an artificial hip in the pond. It matches the artificial hip that Erwin had.
They immediately contacted Erwin’s family about the new developments in the case. A forensic pathologist will examine the remains to determine if they are a match. Police say that they believe that the human remains belong to Erwin.
