The case of a missing Hampton man could be solved seven years later following the discovery of a car submerged in water.The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said it learned Monday that a 2006 Volkswagen believed to belong to Ethan Kazermak was located submerged in a pond north of Hampton.On Tuesday, Franklin County Sheriff Aaron Dodd confirmed that human remains were located inside the vehicle.“It was a surprise,” Dodd said. “It was relief.”Kazermak disappeared on Sep. 15, 2013, at age 22. Missing person flyers have plastered businesses and homes in Hampton ever since.Oregon-based search and recovery divers Jared Keisk and Sam Ginn found Kazermak’s vehicle while on a 45-day trip across the country.“It’s very emotional,” they said. “We shared tears.”Keisek and Ginn chronicle their dives on the “Adventures with Purpose” YouTube channel to more than 570,000 subscribers.The pair said they learned of Kazermak’s case and decided to check ponds in Franklin County using sonar equipment. “We didn’t identify anything on that first pass,” they said. “When we changed the settings and moved in a little bit, 70 feet left and right, that’s when we identified the vehicle underwater.”According to authorities, Ethan attended a party on a property near the pond the night he disappeared. Dodd said investigators searched the pond twice before but found nothing. In a video from 2013, authorities can be heard saying algae made it difficult to see anything in the water.“I think it is reasonable to say it would have been wonderful to give resolve to the family 7 years ago,” he said.Hampton residents, including Abram Siems, said they have long wondered if Kazermak somehow ended up in the water after the partySiems said they hope the discovery brings closure to the community.“As more things come out and things wrap up a little bit more, maybe we can have a better ending to the story,” Siems said.Dodd said personally informed Kazermak’s parents of the pond discovery.Authorities now await autopsy results for the official identification.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Iowa —
The case of a missing Hampton man could be solved seven years later following the discovery of a car submerged in water.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said it learned Monday that a 2006 Volkswagen believed to belong to Ethan Kazermak was located submerged in a pond north of Hampton.
On Tuesday, Franklin County Sheriff Aaron Dodd confirmed that human remains were located inside the vehicle.
“It was a surprise,” Dodd said. “It was relief.”
Kazermak disappeared on Sep. 15, 2013, at age 22. Missing person flyers have plastered businesses and homes in Hampton ever since.
Oregon-based search and recovery divers Jared Keisk and Sam Ginn found Kazermak’s vehicle while on a 45-day trip across the country.
“It’s very emotional,” they said. “We shared tears.”
Keisek and Ginn chronicle their dives on the “Adventures with Purpose” YouTube channel to more than 570,000 subscribers.
The pair said they learned of Kazermak’s case and decided to check ponds in Franklin County using sonar equipment.
“We didn’t identify anything on that first pass,” they said. “When we changed the settings and moved in a little bit, 70 feet left and right, that’s when we identified the vehicle underwater.”
According to authorities, Ethan attended a party on a property near the pond the night he disappeared.
Dodd said investigators searched the pond twice before but found nothing. In a video from 2013, authorities can be heard saying algae made it difficult to see anything in the water.
“I think it is reasonable to say it would have been wonderful to give resolve to the family 7 years ago,” he said.
Hampton residents, including Abram Siems, said they have long wondered if Kazermak somehow ended up in the water after the party
Siems said they hope the discovery brings closure to the community.
“As more things come out and things wrap up a little bit more, maybe we can have a better ending to the story,” Siems said.
Dodd said personally informed Kazermak’s parents of the pond discovery.
Authorities now await autopsy results for the official identification.
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