PLANTATION, Fla. – Two families, after years of heartache and unanswered questions, are finally getting some closure.
They spent decades not knowing what happened to their loved ones who mysteriously disappeared, holding memorials without any answers.
However, over the weekend, a team of volunteer cold case searchers brought new hope with some significant discoveries.
Mike Sullivan, the founder of Sunshine State Sonar, said he and his crew were retracing the steps of 35-year-old Doris Wurst and her 3-year-old daughter Caren, who police said were reported missing from their Plantation home in November of 1974. Their Chevy Impala was never found until this weekend.
Sullivan’s team, traveling from St. Petersburg, began at the last known location of the Wursts, scanning several bodies of water, spotted the vehicle using sonar technology near Nob Hill Road and Broward Boulevard.
The discovery, which has brought answers after 50 years of uncertainty for the Wurst family, is part of Sullivan’s ongoing efforts.
Just days after the historic find in Plantation, Doris’ nieces are sharing memories of happier times with her.
The skeletal remains found in Doris’ Chevy Impala are still awaiting official confirmation, but the family is grateful to Sunshine State Sonar and Plantation police officers who made the discovery.
The same team also provided closure to Joey Novick and his family by locating his father’s submerged car.
Authorities said Bernie Novick, an 83-year-old World War II veteran, had gone missing in 2004.
“Twenty years ago at this time, we were down in Florida looking for the car,” said Joey Novick. “We had a memorial service about five years later and I really put everything behind us with closure, but I always imagined this is how it happened.”
Police said Bernie Novick had gone missing less than two miles from his home in the Lauderdale West community.
Despite desperate searches by police, both his car and Doris’ were eventually found near Broward Boulevard and Nob Hill Road—decades apart, but just blocks away from each other.
Now, Joey Novick said he can finally lay his father to rest in peace.
“I am very proud of him and I learned a lot from him. He lives in my brain and my heart every day,” he said.
Novick told Local 10 he plans to place his father’s remains next to his mother’s at the cemetery.
The family of Doris Wurst later sent a statement to Local 10 News:
“On behalf of our family, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Sunshine State Sonar, The Plantation (Police) Department, The Broward Sheriff’s Office and everyone involved in bringing our family much needed closure after all these years. You have given us a priceless gift and thank you will never be enough. While we did not get the opportunity to meet our Aunt Doris and Cousin Carin, our mom made sure we knew how important they are to our family. We were brought up on stories and precious memories of them. Thank you again for bringing us peace. We know they are finally resting peacefully.”
Maher family statement, family of Doris Wurst
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