The body of a man missing for almost a decade has been found inside a sunken car that had been visible at the bottom of a pond for years on Google Maps.
David Lee Niles disappeared on October 11 2006 after walking out of his local pub following a meeting with a pal.
David Lee Niles disappeared on October 11 2006 after walking out of his local pub following a meeting with a pal.
The 72-year-old was suffering with cancer at the time and is thought to have walked out of Jake's Bar in Byron Township, Michigan, "abruptly".
Since that day, no trace of the elderly father was ever found - until a man spotted the top of a car below the waters of a pond while he was in a life decorating a Christmas tree this week.
Brian Houseman was working on the tree outside Cook Funeral Home in Byron Center on Tuesday when he noticed something submerged in a nearby pond.
Speaking to WOOD-TV,Mr Houseman said: "All of a sudden, it's like, 'Whoa, there's a car out there'.
"No one could ever see it. It was murky and things moved around."
Speaking to WOOD-TV,Mr Houseman said: "All of a sudden, it's like, 'Whoa, there's a car out there'.
"No one could ever see it. It was murky and things moved around."
Incredibly, the image of the car could be seen in the water from an overhead satellite image on Google Maps.
After spotting the roof, Mr Houseman called police who raced to the scene and pulled the vehicle from the water.
Inside the mud and rust-covered car were the skeletal remains of Tragic Mr Niles - who was found less than half a mile from where he was last seen.
As news of the discovery broke, the 72-year-old's family gathered around the site to pay their respects.
Son-in-law Scott Hathaway told WOOD-TV: "For us today, it's a closure of a long search.
After spotting the roof, Mr Houseman called police who raced to the scene and pulled the vehicle from the water.
Inside the mud and rust-covered car were the skeletal remains of Tragic Mr Niles - who was found less than half a mile from where he was last seen.
As news of the discovery broke, the 72-year-old's family gathered around the site to pay their respects.
Son-in-law Scott Hathaway told WOOD-TV: "For us today, it's a closure of a long search.
Man Missing For Decade After Leaving Pub Seen On Google Maps At Bottom Of Pond
on Nov, 15 2015 115267 views
#1 David Lee Niles was found after a man decorating a Christmas tree noticed a car roof under the waters of a nearby pond
The body of a man missing for almost a decade has been found inside a sunken car that had been visible at the bottom of a pond for years on Google Maps.
David Lee Niles disappeared on October 11 2006 after walking out of his local pub following a meeting with a pal.
The 72-year-old was suffering with cancer at the time and is thought to have walked out of Jake's Bar in Byron Township, Michigan, "abruptly".
Since that day, no trace of the elderly father was ever found - until a man spotted the top of a car below the waters of a pond while he was in a life decorating a Christmas tree this week.
#2 Car with body inside, both missing since 2006, could be seen on Google Maps
Brian Houseman was working on the tree outside Cook Funeral Home in Byron Center on Tuesday when he noticed something submerged in a nearby pond.
Speaking to WOOD-TV,Mr Houseman said: "All of a sudden, it's like, 'Whoa, there's a car out there'.
"No one could ever see it. It was murky and things moved around."
#3 Davie Lee Niles was suffering with cancer at the time he went missing
Incredibly, the image of the car could be seen in the water from an overhead satellite image on Google Maps.
After spotting the roof, Mr Houseman called police who raced to the scene and pulled the vehicle from the water.
Inside the mud and rust-covered car were the skeletal remains of Tragic Mr Niles - who was found less than half a mile from where he was last seen.
As news of the discovery broke, the 72-year-old's family gathered around the site to pay their respects.
Son-in-law Scott Hathaway told WOOD-TV: "For us today, it's a closure of a long search.
#4 The car was pulled from the water after nine years
"Why God waited nine years, I have no idea, but we're happy. It's good to have him home."
Although the remains have not been formally identified through dental records yet, officers have said they are happy it is Mr Niles as it was his car and his wallet was also inside.
After he went missing, Mr Niles family continued to search for him until finally giving up in 2011.
In an obituary to him, the family wrote at the time: "Davie Lee Niles, age 72, of Wyoming, passed away and only God knows the time and place."
on Nov, 15 2015 115267 views
#1 David Lee Niles was found after a man decorating a Christmas tree noticed a car roof under the waters of a nearby pond
The body of a man missing for almost a decade has been found inside a sunken car that had been visible at the bottom of a pond for years on Google Maps.
David Lee Niles disappeared on October 11 2006 after walking out of his local pub following a meeting with a pal.
The 72-year-old was suffering with cancer at the time and is thought to have walked out of Jake's Bar in Byron Township, Michigan, "abruptly".
Since that day, no trace of the elderly father was ever found - until a man spotted the top of a car below the waters of a pond while he was in a life decorating a Christmas tree this week.
#2 Car with body inside, both missing since 2006, could be seen on Google Maps
Brian Houseman was working on the tree outside Cook Funeral Home in Byron Center on Tuesday when he noticed something submerged in a nearby pond.
Speaking to WOOD-TV,Mr Houseman said: "All of a sudden, it's like, 'Whoa, there's a car out there'.
"No one could ever see it. It was murky and things moved around."
#3 Davie Lee Niles was suffering with cancer at the time he went missing
Incredibly, the image of the car could be seen in the water from an overhead satellite image on Google Maps.
After spotting the roof, Mr Houseman called police who raced to the scene and pulled the vehicle from the water.
Inside the mud and rust-covered car were the skeletal remains of Tragic Mr Niles - who was found less than half a mile from where he was last seen.
As news of the discovery broke, the 72-year-old's family gathered around the site to pay their respects.
Son-in-law Scott Hathaway told WOOD-TV: "For us today, it's a closure of a long search.
#4 The car was pulled from the water after nine years
"Why God waited nine years, I have no idea, but we're happy. It's good to have him home."
Although the remains have not been formally identified through dental records yet, officers have said they are happy it is Mr Niles as it was his car and his wallet was also inside.
After he went missing, Mr Niles family continued to search for him until finally giving up in 2011.
In an obituary to him, the family wrote at the time: "Davie Lee Niles, age 72, of Wyoming, passed away and only God knows the time and place."
