PLANTATION, FLA. (WSVN) - DNA testing has confirmed that skeletal remains discovered in a Broward County canal belong to 3-year-old Caren Doris Wurst, who, along with her mother, Doris Wurst, was reported missing nearly 50 years ago.

The remains were found on Aug. 10, 2024, when Sunshine State Sonar, a volunteer sonar search team, located a submerged 1961 Chevrolet Impala in a canal near the 10100 block of West Broward Boulevard in Plantation.

Broward Sheriff’s Office divers recovered two sets of skeletal remains from the vehicle—those of an adult and a small child.

Caren and her 35-year-old mother were last seen on Nov. 7, 1974, at their home in the now-defunct Sunshine City Trailer Park in Plantation. The discovery followed a 14-month collaborative search effort by Sunshine State Sonar, the Plantation Police Department and the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators believe the Wursts may have been victims of a vehicle accident that sent their car into the canal.

Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox