The Martin Family Disappearance in Columbia River Gorge Oregon

On December 7, 1958, a family of five—Kenneth, Barbara, and their three daughters, Barbie, Virginia, and Susan Martin—vanished without a trace during a routine trip to the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. What began as a seemingly ordinary outing ended in a chilling mystery that has puzzled investigators and haunted the region for more than six decades. Despite exhaustive searches and numerous theories, the whereabouts of the Martin family and the exact circumstances surrounding their disappearance remain unknown to this day.

A Sunday Family Outing Turns Tragic

The Martin family, well-known and well-liked in their Portland, Oregon, neighborhood, decided to take a day trip on that fateful Sunday morning. The plan was simple: Kenneth Martin, the father, along with his wife Barbara and their three daughters—14-year-old Barbie, 13-year-old Virginia, and 11-year-old Susan—were going to collect greenery for Christmas decorations in the scenic Columbia River Gorge area. The family set off in their Ford station wagon, leaving their home in the quiet suburb of Roseway at around 1:00 PM. Their eldest son, 28-year old, Donald was in the United States Navy and stationed in New York at the time

By all accounts, it was supposed to be a brief outing, with the family planning to return home by evening. However, as night fell and the Martins failed to return, worry began to set in among friends and neighbors. By the next morning, the family was reported missing, and an investigation into their sudden disappearance began.

Initial Search Efforts in the Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge, with its dense forests and winding roads, became the focal point of a massive search operation. Local authorities, state police, and volunteers from surrounding communities combed the area in hopes of finding any sign of the Martin family. The rough terrain and vast wilderness of the gorge made the search extremely difficult, but no immediate clues were discovered.

One of the earliest leads came from a gas station attendant in Cascade Locks, a town along the Columbia River Gorge. The attendant recalled seeing a family matching the Martins’ description stopping for gas on the day of their disappearance. However, this lead did little to narrow down the search area, as there were hundreds of miles of rural roads and waterways to explore.

As the search intensified, helicopters, boats, and ground teams scoured the Columbia River and the surrounding landscape. Divers were deployed to search the icy waters of the river, which had treacherous currents and could easily conceal wreckage. Despite these efforts, no trace of the family or their car was found in the initial days after their disappearance.

Cryptic Clues Emerge

Several cryptic clues began to surface as the investigation progressed, though none offered a definitive answer. On December 28, 1958, more than three weeks after the Martins went missing, searchers discovered a tire track leading off the road near the Dalles, along the Columbia River. This discovery raised the unsettling possibility that the family’s car had plunged into the river, perhaps following a tragic accident.

However, investigators were puzzled by the lack of any other evidence—no debris, no personal belongings, and no bodies had been found in or near the river. As winter storms swept through the region, heavy rain and flooding further complicated the search efforts. Still, authorities clung to the belief that the Columbia River Gorge held the key to the Martin family’s fate.

The Discovery of Two Bodies

Months passed with no significant breakthroughs, and it wasn’t until May 1959 that the first grim discovery was made. The body of Susan Martin, the youngest daughter, was found floating in the Columbia River near Bonneville Dam, about 70 miles east of Portland. A second body, later identified as Virginia Martin, was discovered downstream several days later.

The discovery of the two girls’ bodies appeared to confirm the worst fears—that the Martin family had met a watery end in the river. However, the whereabouts of Kenneth, Barbara, and Barbie remained unknown, and the exact circumstances leading to the girls’ deaths were still unclear. How had the family’s car ended up in the river? Why were only two bodies recovered? These unanswered questions continued to fuel speculation and mystery.

The Discovery of a Stolen Handgun

The day after the Martin family vanished, police in the Columbia River Gorge area received a report about a stolen handgun from a local store in Hood River, Oregon, a small town located along the route the family had likely traveled. The theft occurred on December 7, the same day the Martins were last seen, adding an eerie layer to an already perplexing case.

The missing firearm was a .38 caliber revolver, stolen from the store in broad daylight. According to the store owner, two men had been loitering around the shop shortly before the theft was discovered. The timing of the stolen handgun, coupled with the Martin family’s sudden disappearance, raised immediate suspicions that the incidents might be connected.

Donald Martin’s Employment at Meier & Frank

Donald Martin, the eldest son of Kenneth and Barbara Martin, was not with his family on the day of their disappearance. At the time, Donald was serving in the U.S. Navy and stationed in New York. However, two years prior to the tragic events of December 7, 1958, Donald had been involved in a scandal that might have foreshadowed more significant trouble to come.

In 1956, while working as a clerk in the sporting goods department at Meier & Frank, a prominent department store in Portland, Donald was accused of stealing a .38 caliber revolver, along with other sporting goods items such as fishing gear and camping equipment. Though no formal charges were ever filed against him, rumors persisted that Donald had taken the items. The store’s management had conducted an internal investigation, but the case was quietly dropped, and Donald left the job shortly afterward to join the Navy. The incident was largely forgotten, until the family’s disappearance two years later brought it back into the spotlight.

Was Donald Martin Involved?

The link between the stolen handgun and Donald’s past immediately generated speculation about his potential involvement in the disappearance of his family. Some investigators questioned whether Donald’s prior brushes with the law might suggest deeper issues, possibly pointing to a motive related to family conflict or financial strain. However, there was no evidence to suggest that Donald had played a direct role in the disappearance—especially given his military service on the East Coast at the time.

Friends and acquaintances of the Martin family were quick to dismiss any suggestion that Donald could have been involved. By all accounts, Donald maintained a good relationship with his parents and siblings, and there had been no reports of serious discord within the family. Still, the stolen handgun served as a curious link to Donald’s past, leading some to wonder if unresolved issues from two years earlier could have resurfaced in a more sinister way.

Arrest of Two Ex-Convicts in the Gorge Area

On December 8, 1958, just one day after the Martin family went missing, police apprehended two men in the Columbia River Gorge area on charges unrelated to the disappearance. The men, identified as ex-convicts with criminal records for robbery and theft, were taken into custody after being spotted acting suspiciously near a car parked on a remote road.

When questioned by police, the two ex-convicts gave conflicting stories about their activities on the day of the Martin family’s disappearance. Investigators became increasingly interested in the pair after learning about the stolen handgun, as the men were believed to have been in the same area around the time the firearm went missing.

Although there was no direct evidence linking the ex-convicts to the Martin family’s disappearance, the timing of their arrest, their criminal backgrounds, and the stolen handgun sparked a wave of speculation. Some investigators considered the possibility that the two men had encountered the Martins during their outing and may have played a role in their vanishing. However, no concrete evidence was found to support this theory at the time.

A Quiet Family Lunch in Hood River

On the day they vanished, the Martin family—Kenneth, Barbara, and their three daughters, Barbie, Virginia, and Susan—had reportedly stopped for lunch at a diner in Hood River, a small town situated along the scenic Columbia River Gorge. The family, who had set out earlier that day to collect greenery for Christmas decorations, was seen by patrons and staff, enjoying a quiet meal before continuing their trip.

Eyewitnesses described the family as calm and cheerful, with no signs of trouble. Kenneth Martin was seen paying the bill at the counter while Barbara and the girls waited patiently at their table. According to those present, the Martin family’s visit appeared completely ordinary, with no indications of the tragic events that would soon follow.

Ex-Convicts at the Same Restaurant

What makes this seemingly routine sighting so unsettling is the fact that two men, later identified as ex-convicts with a history of robbery, were also at the same restaurant at the same time. These men, who were arrested the next day for unrelated charges, had been acting suspiciously around the area, and their presence in the same restaurant as the Martins has been the subject of intense scrutiny ever since.

Several witnesses reported seeing the two men seated just a few tables away from the Martin family, though it is unclear whether the two groups interacted. Some patrons recalled that the men appeared to be watching the family, though no one could confirm if there was direct communication between them. The men were reportedly seen leaving the diner shortly after the Martins departed, raising suspicions that their movements could have been linked to the family’s later disappearance.

Investigators Probe Possible Connection

In the weeks following the disappearance, this sighting became a key point of interest for investigators. Detectives theorized that the ex-convicts may have observed the Martin family at the restaurant, perhaps even following them after they left, leading to a possible confrontation. The fact that the men were later arrested for suspicious behavior and were found to be involved in the theft of a handgun added fuel to the notion that they could have played a role in the Martins’ fate.

Police initially questioned the ex-convicts about their whereabouts on the day of the disappearance and probed them for any potential involvement in the case. However, both men denied any connection to the Martins and provided vague, inconsistent accounts of their activities that day. While investigators remained suspicious, there was no concrete evidence tying them to the family’s disappearance, and without physical proof, the men were eventually cleared of any direct involvement.

A Chilling Coincidence or Ominous Lead?

Despite the lack of hard evidence, the sighting of the Martin family and the ex-convicts in the same restaurant continues to be a haunting detail in the case. Some believe that this encounter was more than a mere coincidence, speculating that the men may have followed the Martins after they left the restaurant, potentially leading to a robbery or other violent encounter.

One theory posits that the ex-convicts could have ambushed the family on one of the remote roads in the Columbia River Gorge, forcing them off the road and into the river. Given the rugged terrain and the isolated nature of the area, it’s possible that such an event could have gone unnoticed, with the strong currents of the Columbia River carrying the family’s car downstream and out of sight. However, without the recovery of the family’s vehicle, this remains speculative.

Eyewitness Accounts: Conflicting Memories

While the sighting at the restaurant is considered one of the more promising leads in the case, it is not without its inconsistencies. Some witnesses recalled seeing the family at the diner, but their memories of the exact timing and interactions varied. In the chaos and publicity surrounding the case, it became difficult for investigators to determine whether the ex-convicts and the Martin family truly crossed paths or if later reports were influenced by the growing speculation.

Despite the inconsistencies, several eyewitnesses remained firm in their belief that both the Martins and the ex-convicts were at the restaurant at the same time. This potential link, though circumstantial, continues to fuel theories about a more sinister explanation for the Martin family’s fate.

A Lead That Ultimately Fizzled

In the weeks following the arrests, law enforcement continued to investigate the possibility of a connection between the ex-convicts, the stolen handgun, and the Martin family’s disappearance. Authorities conducted additional interviews, retraced the men’s steps, and examined any potential links between the suspects and the missing family. But despite these efforts, the case grew cold.

While the arrest of the ex-convicts and the stolen handgun briefly reignited hope that answers would be found, the lead ultimately fizzled out. The two men were not charged with any crimes related to the missing family, and the investigation shifted focus back to the possibility of an accident or other unknown causes behind the Martins’ disappearance.

Theories and Speculation

The Accident Theory

One of the most widely accepted theories is that the Martin family met their demise as a result of a tragic accident. The Columbia River Gorge, known for its rugged terrain, steep cliffs, and winding roads, can be perilous, especially in winter when conditions are icy and visibility is poor. Some investigators and family members have speculated that Kenneth Martin, who was driving the family’s Ford station wagon, may have lost control of the vehicle while navigating one of the Gorge’s many dangerous curves. The car could have easily slid off the road, plunging into the icy waters of the Columbia River or into a remote ravine, where it would be difficult to locate.

This theory gained traction after the discovery of tire tracks leading off the road near The Dalles, a city along the Columbia River. The tracks were thought to belong to the Martins’ car, suggesting that their vehicle may have careened off the road and into the river. The strong currents of the Columbia River could have carried the car downstream, making it difficult to recover. The discovery of two of the Martin daughters’ bodies in the river months later seemed to support this theory, though the whereabouts of the car—and the rest of the family—remained a mystery.

Critics of the accident theory point out that despite extensive searches of the riverbed using sonar and divers, the Martin family’s car was never found. Additionally, the isolated section where the tire tracks were discovered did not immediately suggest a significant drop-off into the water, leading some to question whether an accident truly occurred or if something more sinister took place.

The Deliberate Disappearance Theory

A less widely accepted but still discussed theory is that the Martin family’s disappearance may have been intentional. Some theorists have suggested that Kenneth or Barbara Martin may have orchestrated their own vanishing, either to escape financial pressures, personal problems, or some other unknown reason.

There is no evidence to suggest that the Martins were facing any significant hardships, but proponents of this theory argue that the lack of physical evidence, such as the family’s car, and the unresolved nature of the case point to a more calculated disappearance. Some have even speculated that one or both parents could have staged the entire incident, perhaps by driving the car into the river in an effort to disappear completely. This theory also aligns with the fact that only two of the daughters’ bodies were ever recovered, leaving the fate of the other three family members in question.

However, family members and friends of the Martins strongly refute this theory, citing the close-knit nature of the family and their contented life in Portland. By all accounts, Kenneth and Barbara Martin were dedicated parents with no known enemies or debts, and they were eagerly preparing for the holiday season before the tragic events unfolded.

The Cover-Up Theory

Another more fringe theory suggests that the Martin family’s disappearance could have been the result of a cover-up, either by individuals or institutions that had something to gain from their silence. This theory, though lacking substantial evidence, points to the strange circumstances surrounding the investigation itself. Some have questioned whether authorities may have overlooked key clues or failed to follow up on promising leads, either due to negligence or an intentional desire to keep the truth hidden.

Proponents of this theory cite the fact that the stolen handgun was the same model as the one Donald Martin had allegedly stolen two years earlier, as well as the coincidence of the ex-convicts being in the same area at the same time. Could there have been a larger criminal operation or conspiracy at play, and the Martins accidentally stumbled into it? These questions remain speculative, but the lack of clear answers continues to fuel theories of a potential cover-up.

The Foul Play Theory

Another prominent theory is that the Martin family may have been victims of foul play. This theory was fueled by a series of strange events surrounding their disappearance, including the stolen handgun from a sporting goods store in Hood River on the day they vanished and the arrest of two ex-convicts in the area. The timing of these incidents led some investigators to suspect that the family may have encountered dangerous individuals during their trip.

According to some witnesses, the Martin family was seen at a restaurant in Hood River on the day of their disappearance, around the same time as two ex-convicts who were later arrested on unrelated charges. These men were suspected of being involved in the theft of the stolen handgun, and some theorized that they may have targeted the family, leading to a violent confrontation or robbery gone wrong.

Supporters of the foul play theory believe that the Martin family may have been forced off the road or into the river at gunpoint, perhaps after encountering the criminals during their outing. This theory gained further attention when it was revealed that Donald Martin, the family’s eldest son who was serving in the U.S. Navy at the time, had previously been accused of stealing a similar handgun from the Meier & Frank department store two years earlier. Some speculated that the ex-convicts could have known about Donald’s past or used the stolen handgun to frame him, though this remains highly speculative.

However, there is little concrete evidence to support the theory of foul play, and the ex-convicts were eventually cleared of involvement in the family’s disappearance. The stolen handgun was never recovered, and no direct link between the men and the Martin family was established, leaving the theory largely based on circumstantial evidence.

Speculation of Family Conflict

Those who subscribe to the “Son Theory” often point to the possibility of unresolved family conflict. Some have speculated that Donald may have harbored resentment toward his parents, particularly his father, Kenneth Martin. Family dynamics are often complicated, and there were unconfirmed rumors that Donald’s relationship with his parents had become strained following the theft accusations and his departure to the Navy.

This line of thinking suggests that Donald’s feelings of alienation or tension with his parents could have driven him to orchestrate or be indirectly involved in their disappearance, possibly with the help of associates. While this theory lacks concrete evidence, the idea is rooted in the notion that Donald may have had a motive—whether financial or emotional—to want his family out of the picture.

Proponents of this theory speculate that Donald could have used his time in the Navy to distance himself from any direct involvement, while others, such as the two ex-convicts arrested in the area, may have acted on his behalf. However, this is largely speculative, as no evidence has ever surfaced to support the notion of a conspiracy involving Donald and the two men.

Financial Motive?

Another aspect of the “Son Theory” is the possibility of a financial motive. It has been suggested that Donald may have stood to benefit from his parents’ disappearance, either through life insurance policies, inheritance, or family assets. As the oldest child, Donald could have been the primary beneficiary of his parents’ estate, which might have provided a motive for orchestrating their disappearance.

However, there is no substantial evidence to support the idea that the Martins were wealthy or that Donald had any immediate financial pressures that would have driven him to commit such a drastic act. Additionally, family members who knew Donald well have publicly dismissed the notion of a financial motive, describing him as someone who had a generally good relationship with his parents and siblings, despite the theft incident.

Donald’s Cooperation with Investigators

Following his family’s disappearance, Donald Martin cooperated fully with investigators and was not considered a suspect at the time. He provided authorities with information about his family’s habits and whereabouts and remained in contact with police throughout the investigation. His alibi—being stationed in New York at the time of the disappearance—was never seriously questioned, and no evidence ever surfaced to suggest that Donald had the means to plan or carry out such an event from across the country.

Donald’s cooperation, along with his firm alibi, makes it difficult to place him at the center of the disappearance. Nevertheless, some still speculate that his involvement could have been indirect or that he could have been aware of events that led to his family’s vanishing.

The Emotional Toll on Donald Martin

The “Son Theory” also raises questions about the emotional toll the disappearance had on Donald Martin. Losing one’s entire family under such mysterious circumstances is devastating, and Donald, by all accounts, was deeply affected by their disappearance. For years, he lived with the weight of not knowing what happened to his parents and sisters. Friends and family members who remained in contact with him after the tragedy described him as haunted by the unresolved case, casting further doubt on the idea that he could have been involved.

The Enduring Mystery

Despite the recovery of two bodies and the exhaustive efforts of search teams, the fate of the remaining Martin family members—Kenneth, Barbara, and Barbie—remains a mystery. For years, their disappearance has haunted the local community and become one of Oregon’s most famous cold cases.

Over the decades, several attempts have been made to revisit the case, but none have yielded new information. In 1961, searchers thought they had finally located the family’s car when they found a vehicle submerged in the river near the Bonneville Dam. However, further investigation revealed that the car did not match the Martin’s station wagon.

The case of the Martin family remains unsolved, with no clear resolution. To this day, no one knows exactly what happened to them on that cold December day in 1958. The Columbia River Gorge, with its towering cliffs and rushing waters, continues to guard the secrets of their tragic disappearance.

The Lasting Impact of the Martin Family Disappearance

The disappearance of the Martin family has left an indelible mark on the region. Over the years, the case has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and articles, each attempting to unravel the mystery that has endured for more than 60 years. It has become a somber legend in the Pacific Northwest, a reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the fragility of life.

For those who lived through the search, the memory of the Martin family remains vivid. Local residents recall the massive community effort that went into trying to find them, and how their disappearance brought people together in an unprecedented way. Even today, when the case is mentioned, it evokes a sense of sadness and unresolved loss.

Continued Efforts to Solve the Case

Though decades have passed, the mystery of the Martin family’s disappearance has not been forgotten. Every few years, renewed interest in the case emerges, with amateur sleuths and cold case investigators hoping to uncover new leads. Advances in technology, including sonar imaging and underwater exploration, offer the potential for breakthroughs that were not possible in 1958.

The case remains open with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, and authorities have stated that they welcome any new information that could lead to a resolution. For the remaining members of the Martin family and the community at large, there is still hope that one day the truth will come to light.

If you have any information regarding the 1958 disappearance of the Martin family in Oregon, please contact the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office at +1 (503) 988-4300 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers of Oregon at +1 (503) 823-4357. Any detail, no matter how small, could help solve this long-standing mystery.