Camdenton, MO - 02-10-24 - Camdenton, MO - On Friday, 02-09-24, detectives from the Camden County Sheriff's Office along with firefighters from the Mid-County Fire Protection District returned to the Southern Camden County pond where Mr. Erwin's vehicle and partial remains were recovered in December.  Due to the recent snow, ice, and wet weather the ground had been saturated and too soft to move in the heavy equipment needed to drain the pond.  Mid-County Fire Protection District agreed that the ground was dry enough to go on Friday.

 

Using pumps on loan from the Missouri Department of Conservation, the FF14 Volunteer Fire Department and a pumper truck from the Mid-County Fire Protection District investigators drained the pond and recovered what we believe to be the rest of Mr. Erwin's remains. Mr. Erwin's family was notified of the discovery. 

 

It has taken ten years to recover Mr. Erwin's remains, and it would not have been possible without the hundreds of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and volunteers who helped conduct searches all over the country. 

 

Mr. Erwin's family has been through a lot, waiting to hear any news of his disappearance.  More than 600,000 people go missing in the United States every year. Approximately 4,000 unidentified bodies are recovered annually from those 600,000.  Missing persons cases are difficult for families, communities, and law enforcement agencies. If you know something about a missing persons case in your area the Camden County Sheriff's Office encourages you to contact your local law enforcement agency and help bring closure to a missing person's family.