Remains Found in Submerged Car Belong to Mom Missing Since 2010, Family Says: 'We Have Closure'

Brian Brant

20 May 2024 at 1:57 pm·2-min read

"Detectives located human remains inside the driver side area of one of the vehicles," according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office

<p>Bernadine Waters Gunner/Facebook</p> Bernadine Waters Gunner — Bernadine Waters Gunner/Facebook
Bernadine Waters Gunner

Remains found in a submerged car in New Jersey have been identified as belonging to a 52-year-old woman who vanished nearly 14 years ago, according to her family.

Bernadine Waters Gunner was last seen alive on July 11, 2010, wearing a black camisole shirt and tan khaki capri pants, according to an archived Camden County missing persons page.

On Thursday, May 16, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release that three motor vehicles were found submerged in the Cooper River along North Park Drive to the south of Kaighn Avenue in Pennsauken.

"Detectives located human remains inside the driver side area of one of the vehicles," the prosecutor's office added. "The identity of the individual is pending DNA testing."

Doug Bishop, a diver with United Search Corps, told NJ.com that the vehicle identification number matched Gunner's 2006 Hyundai. Clothing and a dozen personal items that belonged to her were also found inside the vehicle, per the outlet.

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According to the New York Daily News, Bishop's group used sonar technology to scan the river for submerged cars.

Bishop said officials with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office met with Gunner's family, per NJ.com.

While authorities have said DNA tests will be needed to positively identify the remains, her family said they believe it is her.

“Thanks to Doug (United Search Corps) we have closure,” daughter Julia Young wrote in a post on Facebook on Saturday, May 18. “Our family can now give my mom a proper burial. Thank you EVERYONE for the continuous prayers and support, greatly appreciate it.”

Young went on to note how grateful she was for Bishop's help.

"It took for a one band man to come here and dive into that water and discover my mom," she added in her post. "We can’t thank him enough for what he has done. Almost 14 years with no answers and now we have them."

PEOPLE has reached out to the Camden County Sheriff's Office and the prosecutor's office for additional comment.

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Read the original article on People.

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