For over two decades, the case of Mary Lou Combs’ disappearance has puzzled investigators and haunted her family. However, a group of dedicated volunteer divers has finally brought a glimmer of hope. Their discovery in the murky depths of the Intracoastal Waterway may finally provide answers to a case that has remained unsolved for 22 years.
Mary Lou Combs vanished from Flagler Beach, Florida, on August 19, 2003. The 41-year-old mother was last known to have driven away from her mother’s residence, but she never picked up her paycheck from the local Food Lion supermarket or attended her daughter’s birthday. This led to growing concerns about her disappearance and the case eventually went cold.
In a remarkable turn of events, a volunteer dive team recovered the red vehicle Combs was last seen driving, submerged in the Intracoastal Waterway. The team, which included Marine Corps veteran Ken Fleming and Navy submarine veteran Vern Shurtz from the Recon Dive Recovery team, found personal items inside the car, such as children’s toys, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
How the Discovery Unfolded
The efforts to locate Combs began two years ago when Flagler cold case detective Sarah Scalia reached out to Fleming and Shurtz. Using side-scan sonar technology, the team methodically searched over 300 bodies of water from Combs’ home to her workplace, exploring nearby roads and neighborhoods.
In October, the divers discovered car parts that matched Combs’ 1996 Dodge Neon, giving them renewed hope. Fleming described their determination: “Since Oct. 29, we’ve had one mantra. Vern and I would look at each other and say, ‘One bone, one bone.’ We just need one bone for DNA. We need to prove that this is her, that she’s in the vehicle.”
The case caught the attention of the FBI’s Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team and the Jacksonville Evidence Response Team. On February 3, National Missing Persons Day, these teams collaborated with the dive team and Flagler County deputies over three days to recover Combs’ remains.
The divers entered the submerged and deteriorated car through a broken window, removing mud and debris. Within hours, they recovered a pelvic bone inside the vehicle. Shurtz expressed the team’s collective relief: “At that point in time, everybody knew that, yes, we are here and we are having a recovery, and we’re going to be able to bring someone’s loved one home.”
Additional findings included Combs’ Florida driver’s license, a shoe matching her size, bones with a metal plate from an ankle surgery, toys, and a child’s seat confirmed by her daughter, Natasha Harper.
Awaiting DNA Confirmation
While the evidence strongly suggests the remains belong to Combs, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly indicated that a final confirmation awaits the county medical examiner’s findings and DNA analysis.
The investigation continues, but Staly speculated that Combs might have accidentally driven off the road into the waterway. Despite the uncertainty, the discovery brings some solace to Combs’ family. At a press conference, Harper expressed gratitude: “We’re forever grateful that we can finally say goodbye. Thank you to everyone that has played a part in this blessing. May our mother rest in paradise.”
Ongoing Mission and Support
The recovery of Combs’ remains marks the seventh cold case resolved by Fleming and Shurtz. Their volunteer efforts are driven by a commitment to helping grieving families find closure. “Grief is love sent without a destination,” Fleming remarked. “We like to bring that home.”
As they continue their mission, Fleming and Shurtz rely on community support and donations. However, they face financial challenges. “We are self-funded, we are broke,” Fleming admitted. “We’re doing this out of our own grocery money all the time. I’ve got five families that want us to come to their jurisdictions right now. We have to fix our equipment before we can fuel up and go to the next one, so if they could support us, that would be incredible.”
