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In 2012, Sandra Lemire left her grandmother’s house to meet up with a man she met online at a McDonald’s in Kissimmee, Florida. That was the last time she was ever seen alive. Police had been searching for her for the past 11 years, and after interviewing the man she met that day, they found no leads. That is until her car was found on New Year’s Eve submerged in a pond near World Drive, close to the main entrance of the Walt Disney World Resort.
Missing person’s body recovered Sunday in retention pond in Osceola County, FHP says https://t.co/oTp5jZCaTe pic.twitter.com/Ed9e4pyqkh
— Orlando Sentinel (@orlandosentinel) January 1, 2024
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According to reports, Sunshine State Sonar found a submerged 2004 Ford Freestar van in the pond just south of Disney World and alerted police. The volunteer divers also found a body inside the van. Dive teams from the sheriff’s offices in Orange and Osceola counties assisted in locating the human remains; however, they were not immediately able to identify the body as Sandra Lemire.
However, family members confirmed to WESH news that they believe the body found in the pond to be Sandra Lemire. Officials from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office would not comment on the identity of the body until after the autopsy was completed, which could take several days.
Unidentified remains from submerged vehicle in Osceola Co. linked to missing persons case | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/jcKCbYG4PW
— WESH 2 News (@WESH) January 1, 2024
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Officials are still unsure exactly how the van ended up in the pond and are investigating that.
Florida Highway Patrol wrote in a report that they believe the vehicle was traveling on the SR 417 southbound exit ramp to World Drive when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle ran off the roadway left and into a retention pond. FHP says they are still investigating the specific date and time of when this crash occurred.
According to their website, Sunshine State Sonar is a volunteer group of underwater rescuers who help find missing persons, vehicles, and boats. They use sonar technology to search local ponds and lakes and alert local police of their findings.
City Council recognized Sunshine State Sonar and Recon Dive Recovery for their outstanding efforts in locating Robert Heikka and his vehicle in a pond off Pioneer Trail. The Creekside Middle School teacher had been missing for two years before the group was brought in. pic.twitter.com/NALVUyd0wk
— City of Port Orange (@cityportorange) May 17, 2023
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Police are continuing their investigation into the possible discovery of Sandra Lemire’s remains. However, family members did confirm that the van found in the small retention pond just outside the entrance to Disney World did belong to Sandra Lemire. There is hope that Sandra Lemire’s family may find some closure in the New Year.
We will continue to update this breaking news as more facts become available.
