A YouTuber, James Hinkle, discovered the human remains of Donald Erwin from 13 years ago in a submerged vehicle in a private pond on December 16.
Hinkle runs a YouTube account named Echo Divers and sets out on a mission to find answers about Erwin's disappearance.
Hinkle Discovers Erwin's Remains From 13 Years Ago
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: A vehicle sits submerged after it got stuck in high water on the Prospect Expressway during heavy rain and flooding on September 29, 2023 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. Much of the Northeast is experiencing severe flooding after heavy rains swept through the area this morning.
Hinkle has been investigating the case of Erwin, a former Marine, who vanished on December 29, 2013, after leaving his home to go to a store for cigarettes. His family claimed that he disappeared without a trace.
He contacted the property owner where the pond was located earlier this month after one of Echo Divers' drone cameras had noticed the vehicle scraped out of the pond. The authorities said Hinkle had received permission from the property owner to search the area on foot and by kayak.
The search and discovery were posted on his YouTube channel and immediately reported Erwin's remains to the Camden County Sheriff's Office.
Hinkle told Daily Mail Online that the Marines were all heroes who deserved the best treatment and must be brought home. He added that Erwin had served people, so he wanted to serve him.
He took a particular interest in the case after realizing he lived just 90 minutes from where Erwin was last seen. The clue was discovered in Erwin's car on a private property close to his home.
Divers and cadaver dogs were dispatched to the Camden County scene to retrieve human remains, among which was an artificial hip that appeared to match Erwin's.
"While a forensic pathologist will have to examine the remains to determine for certain if they are indeed those of Mr. Erwin, investigators are confident the hip and remains belong to him," the sheriff's office said.
Erwin lost his left leg above the knee and was primarily wheelchair-dependent.
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Hinkle Mourns With Erwin's Family
Erwin lived in central Missouri with his wife and drove a silver Hyundai Elantra on the day that he disappeared.
His family has been seeking answers about his disappearance to no end for ten years. The police reported that there had not been any arrests and said the current homeowners were cooperative with the search.
Erwin's family said he randomly disappeared in December 2013. But now, Hinkle said he hoped Erwin's family would finally get closure.
He expressed that he was happy for Erwin's family and sad at the same time as they were now going through the actual grieving process. However, Hinkle said that after spending time with them, the family was grieving, but they were happy to know they finally had the answers.
"You can't put into words what that means and what that feels like," he added.
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