42-Year-Old Missing Person Case Solved: Remains Identified in Submerged Camaro

Listen to this story below:

A decades-old mystery in New Jersey has finally been unraveled, bringing a mix of sadness and closure to a family. 

In early May 2024, human remains and a car were discovered submerged in Overpeck Creek, a waterway near Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. 

After careful investigation and forensic testing, authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the remains belonged to Charles Murphy, a young man who vanished without a trace 42 years ago.

Charles, a 26-year-old resident of Maywood, disappeared in the early hours of April 28th, 1982. 

According to reports, he had spent the previous day enjoying a Yankees game. 

Early the next morning, he dropped off a friend in Ridgefield Park while driving his girlfriend's 1974 Camaro. 

Tragically, neither Charles nor the car were ever seen again.

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, along with the Sheriff's Department and Ridgefield Park Police Department, are still investigating the specific circumstances surrounding Charles' disappearance. 

While details remain unclear, the discovery of his remains and the submerged car offers a crucial piece of the puzzle.

Forensic testing confirmed that the artifacts found with the remains belonged to Charles. 

Details from his missing person's file revealed that Charles, sometimes nicknamed "Chip" or "Charlie," was wearing specific clothing at the time of his disappearance – blue jeans, a short-sleeved jersey, a crucifix necklace, and a green windbreaker. 

Additionally, the file mentioned a past skull injury.

News reports from the time indicate that Charles was driving a silver 1974 Camaro, which belonged to his girlfriend, when he dropped off his friend. 

The non-profit organization, United Search Corps, who specialize in locating missing people and resolving cold cases, played a significant role in this discovery. 

They revealed that Charles' submerged car was found close to the location where he dropped off his friend.

This discovery, while heartbreaking for Charles' loved ones, finally provides them with some answers after all these years. 

The investigation into his disappearance continues, and hopefully, with this new development, authorities can bring closure to this long-standing mystery. 

[source]