Florida Mother Who Was Reported Missing 22 Years Ago Has Been Found Amid Search
Police believe human remains found in a submerged car in Florida are those of a stranger Mary Lou Combswho was first reported missing in 2003.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Monday, February 23, that their team found human remains, car parts, clothing and children’s toys in the Intracoastal Waterway near Highway 18 in Palm Coast.
The remains have not been officially identified, although authorities say they believe they belong to Combs. The mother of three has been missing for 22 years and was 41 when she disappeared.
“All the evidence gathered so far suggests that the remains we have found are those of Mary Lou Comb,” Sheriff. Rick Staly said in the release. “Although this is not the result we expected, we knew that finding Mary alive is unlikely to be found given the time she had been missing.
The sheriff’s office said Combs was last seen leaving the home where he lived with his mother and three children on August 19, 2003. Combs did not show up at his child’s birthday party days later, leaving his family worried.
It is reported that Combs had a history of disappearing, although he did not usually miss big family events.
Her family reported her missing on Oct. 9, 2003, after discovering she hadn’t picked up her check from her previous employer, according to authorities. Detectives are determined to find Combs and receive many tips about his whereabouts, although they have never had any luck finding him.
The sheriff’s office created a Cold Case Unit in 2020 to help investigate unsolved cases, and a volunteer dive team volunteered to search for Combs’ red 1996 Plymouth Neon Coupe in February 2024.
In October 2025, a dive team found a bumper matching the description of his car in the Intracoastal Waterway.
The search continued in early February when the recovery team was able to remove the remains of the car. Officials said the vehicle was “submerged approximately 14 to 17 feet in water, upside down, and partially buried in mud.”
Crew members used towing equipment to find personal items inside the car, including a shoe the same size as Combs’s. Additionally, divers found children’s toys, Combs’ driver’s license and remains.
Officials said one of the bones contained a metal plate, matching the one that was inserted into Combs’ ankle during repair surgery.
The remains have been sent to the medical examiner who will determine the cause of his death and identify the body.
Combs’ daughter, Natasha Harperhe got emotional about the discovery during a press conference on February 23.
“When I was a little girl, my mom was my best friend and everything I had when she was gone,” Harper said, per FlaglerLive. “Our world changed a lot, and it hasn’t been the same since.” It has been more than 22 years that we have known that my mother not only left us, but we still mourn her and miss her kind and loving presence.”
Harper, who was just 13 when her mother disappeared, added, “Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this blessing. May our mother rest in paradise.”
