Authorities in Glynn County, alongside the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, are meticulously examining human remains discovered in a submerged vehicle that may unlock the mystery of a 43-year-old missing persons case.
What We Know:
• A Lincoln Continental was retrieved from a pond near the Royal Inn Hotel and Interstate 95 on New Jesup Highway in Glynn County on Friday.
• The discovery was made by the Sunshine State Sonar Team, a Florida-based search organization.
• This vehicle matches the description of the car driven by Charles and Catherine Romer, reported missing in April 1980.
• A single human bone was found inside the vehicle. Investigators are draining the pond to search for more remains.
• The Camden County Dive Team is assisting with the investigation, using specialized equipment to ensure thoroughness.
The Case: In April 1980, Charles and Catherine Romer, a retired couple from Scarsdale, New York, vanished under mysterious circumstances while traveling from their winter residence in Miami, Florida, back to New York. On April 8, they checked into a Holiday Inn in Brunswick, Georgia, at 3:51 p.m. Later that day, a Georgia Highway Patrol officer reportedly saw their black 1979 Lincoln Continental near local restaurants. However, neither the Romers nor their vehicle were seen again.
Hotel staff became concerned on April 11 when the couple had not checked out, and their room appeared unoccupied since their arrival. Inside, authorities found the Romers’ luggage, personal items, and financial documents, but no signs of struggle or foul play. Notably, some of Catherine’s expensive jewelry, valued between $81,000 and $170,000, was missing, suggesting she may have been wearing it at the time of their disappearance.
Despite extensive searches and investigations, no trace of the Romers or their vehicle was found, and the case remained unsolved for over four decades. The recent discovery of a submerged Lincoln Continental in a Glynn County pond has reignited interest in this cold case, offering a potential breakthrough in uncovering the fate of Charles and Catherine Romer.
The Investigation So Far: Authorities are cautioning against speculation, stating that the identity of the remains has not yet been determined. The focus remains on uncovering additional evidence and identifying the remains to provide answers to families and the community.
How You Can Help: Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Glynn County Police Department’s nonemergency line at (912) 554-3645. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via Silent Witness at (912) 264-1333.
This ongoing investigation has reignited interest in one of the area’s oldest cold cases, potentially providing closure for loved ones who have waited decades for answers.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
