Human Remains Found in Georgia Pond Are Couple Missing Since 1980, Family Says: 'Deeply Saddened and Equally Relieved'

"While this discovery brings closure, it still has been very emotional," the missing couple's family said in a statement

A New York family has confirmed that remains recently found in a pond outside a Georgia hotel are those of their grandparents, who disappeared more than 40 years ago.

Charles and Catherine Romer disappeared in April 1980 while on their way from Miami Beach, Fla., to their hometown of Scarsdale, N.Y., The New York Times reported in 1985.

Charles, a 74-year-old retired oil company executive and his wife Catherine, 76, stopped at a Holiday Inn in Brunswick, Ga., on their way back, per the outlet, and they were never heard from after they unpacked their luggage in the hotel room.

Authorities later found a bed turned near their tax returns, glasses and a bottle of scotch, the Times reported.

Their vehicle, a Lincoln Continental, was never located — until last week, when the Sunshine State Sonar Team recovered it from a pond between the Royal Inn Hotel and a highway, the Glynn County Police Department said in a statement. Authorities found a human bone in the vehicle and drained the pond for further remains.

While authorities did not immediately identify the remains found, the Romers’ family has since confirmed that they belonged to the elderly couple, ABC 7 reported.

"We are deeply saddened and equally relieved that our grandparents Charles and Catherine Romer's 44-year mystery disappearance has been solved," the family said in a statement, per the outlet.

"While this discovery brings closure, it still has been very emotional. Sadly, Charles Romer Jr, Jim Romer and Frank Heller are not with us to share this momentous turn of events and to know their parents will finally be laid to rest in peace,” the statement continued.

The family then thanked Jason Souhrada of Myrtle Beach who “pinpointed the exact location of the vehicle and shared his findings with all the agencies involved,” and extended gratitude to the Glynn County Police, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Sunshine State Sonar.

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It wasn't immediately clear if the case is being investigated as foul play.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Glynn County Police Department for further information.