A breakthrough discovery by volunteer divers at Cedar Beach in Mt. Sinai has sparked new hope in solving a 15-year-old missing persons case that has haunted Long Island for over a decade. The find involves a submerged vehicle containing human remains that may finally provide answers to a family's long search for closure.

According to the New York Post, diving experts Dan Pritchard and Bill McIntosh located a barnacle-covered Chrysler PT Cruiser underwater at Cedar Beach, containing what appears to be human remains. The vehicle matches the description of the car driven by Robert Long, a 62-year-old Long Island native who vanished in December 2010 during a routine trip to a local liquor store.

The discovery represents a significant development in the cold case, as investigators have struggled for years to determine Long's whereabouts. The volunteer diving team, equipped with specialized side-scan sonar devices mounted on kayaks, made the discovery during their first search attempt at Cedar Beach, one of four locations they had planned to investigate.

Professional Divers Lead Breakthrough Search

The experienced diving duo employed advanced technology and methodical search techniques to locate the submerged vehicle. Their dedication to solving missing persons cases has led them to travel extensively, searching waterways for similar evidence that might bring closure to families.

Suffolk County Police quickly responded to the scene after being notified by the divers. The department's Marine Bureau conducted their own diving search to verify the finding and subsequently used a crane to extract the vehicle from the water, ensuring the preservation of potential evidence.

Detective Lt. Kevin Beyrer of Suffolk County Police expressed cautious optimism about the discovery, noting that while they suspect the remains belong to Robert Long, definitive identification is pending. The department has made a courtesy notification to Long's family while awaiting official confirmation.

Extensive Investigation Underway

The Suffolk County medical examiner's office has taken charge of examining the recovered remains. Their investigation will focus on both identifying the deceased and determining the cause of death, crucial steps in potentially closing this long-standing case.

The discovery marks the third vehicle these volunteer divers have recovered during their current search mission. For McIntosh, who began this work in 2020, it represents his 16th successful vehicle recovery, demonstrating the value of their specialized search efforts.

The team's success rate highlights the importance of continued searches for missing persons, even years after their disappearance. Their work has provided crucial answers to numerous families seeking closure.

Expanded Search Efforts Show Promise

Pritchard and McIntosh have announced plans to continue their mission along the East Coast, with several targeted locations on Long Island. Their ambitious project could potentially help recover up to 50 missing persons through similar underwater searches.

The team's use of specialized equipment, including side-scan sonar devices, has proven invaluable in locating submerged vehicles that might otherwise remain hidden. Their systematic approach to searching waterways has revolutionized how missing persons cases are investigated.

The volunteer divers' dedication to this cause has created a new pathway for solving cold cases, particularly those involving missing vehicles. Their work has already provided numerous families with long-awaited answers about their loved ones' fate.

Why This Story Matters

This developing case illustrates the importance of dedicated volunteer efforts in solving long-standing mysteries. It also reveals how public spaces may still harbor evidence of the past, lurking undetected for years. Ultimately, it highlights the value of closure to families who have spent years searching for answers.

Conclusion

On Monday, a sunken PT Cruiser was discovered by expert divers at Cedar Beach in Mt. Sinai, Long Island. Human remains were found inside, and although they have not yet been identified, the scene matches details from the Robert Long disappearance in 2010.

The vehicle was recovered by Suffolk County officials and is now under investigation by the medical examiner to determine the origin and cause of death. The divers, who have helped recover 16 total vehicles since 2020, remain committed to bringing closure to more families as they continue their work along the East Coast