Ponce Inlet, Fla. (WFLA) – Recent discoveries have led to a mysterious breakthrough for divers who disappeared from the coast of Ponce Inlet in 2006.
A year later, the jawbone washed the track and field, according to NBC affiliate WESH.
James Fulcher, chief medical inspector at Volusia County, told reporters that a human jawbone was discovered at Newsmyrna Beach in 2007, but at that time the deceased could not be identified due to limited DNA technology.
However, the bones were recently sent to a specialized lab for further testing, and were eventually identified.
Wesh reported that the mandible belongs to Robert Martin, a diver who disappeared after a trip about 20 miles off the Ponce Inlet.
A experienced diver, Fulcher examined Martin’s equipment, who washed the trajectory to determine the cause of his death.
“I believe he’s trapped under some rocks looking for lobsters. I know he’s a lobster.
He told reporters that Martin’s death was presumed to be his own death.
“The deceased appeared and cried out for help, so it was probably a drowsing death associated with the lack of ostensible flotation,” he said.
His deductions provide insight into cases that have left more questions than answers for nearly 20 years.
