Family says human remains found in pond near Disney World are those of Orlando woman missing 10 years
Florida – The family of Sandra Lemire, an Orlando woman who went missing in 2012, believes that human remains discovered in a pond near Disney World are hers. The discovery brings closure to a 10-year-long search for Lemire.
Sandra Lemire disappeared after going on a date with a man she met online. She was living at her grandmother’s home in Orlando at the time and was last seen driving her red minivan. The case went cold for over a decade until last month when new information provided by the Orlando Police led to a breakthrough.
Mike Sullivan, the leader of the volunteer dive group Sunshine State Sonar, had been searching for Lemire for the past year and a half. Armed with the information from the police, Sullivan and his team mapped out possible locations to search.
Their search led them to a retention pond along State Road 417 and I-4, near Disney and World Drive. There, they spotted a red minivan submerged in the water. Sullivan immediately dove in and confirmed that the license plate matched Lemire’s van.
Timothy Lemire Jr., Sandra’s son, was informed of the discovery through a video call with Sullivan. Overwhelmed with emotions, he expressed his gratitude to Sullivan and his team for their tireless efforts. What he did was amazing. And without him and his team, none of this would have been possible, said Timothy Lemire Jr.
Sunshine State Sonar took on Lemire’s case pro bono and searched 63 bodies of water in their quest to find her. Sullivan had always believed that foul play was involved in Sandra’s disappearance, but the discovery of her vehicle in the pond revealed that it was a tragic accident. Despite the heartbreaking outcome, Sullivan expressed pride in his team’s work.
The Orlando Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and Osceola County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the scene to assist in recovering the vehicle. FHP is now handling the crash investigation, waiting for the Medical Examiner’s Office to identify the remains.
The family, still processing the news, finds solace in finally having closure after a decade of uncertainty. They never had the opportunity to hold a funeral for Sandra, but the discovery of her van has brought them one step closer to bringing her home.
Sunshine State Sonar, a non-profit organization based in St. Petersburg, provides its services free of charge to law enforcement and families in need. Since its launch earlier this year, they have located the remains of seven missing individuals.
As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to release more information. The family of Sandra Lemire can now begin the process of grieving and healing, grateful for the dedication and persistence of Sullivan and the Sunshine State Sonar team.
