Veteran Divers Solve 22-Year-Old Cold Case

Marine and Navy veterans recover remains of missing woman in Florida

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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After more than 22 years, the disappearance of 41-year-old Mary Lou Combs in Flagler Beach, Florida has been solved thanks to the efforts of two veteran divers - Marine veteran Ken Fleming and Navy submarine veteran Vern Shurtz. The two divers were able to recover Combs' remains, bringing closure to her family after over two decades.

Why it matters

Cold cases can often go unsolved for years, leaving families without answers. The dedication and expertise of these veteran divers allowed them to uncover evidence that cracked this long-standing mystery, providing much-needed closure for Combs' loved ones.

The details

Combs was last seen driving from her home on August 19, 2003 and never showed up to get her paycheck or attend her daughter's birthday party. For over 22 years, her disappearance remained a cold case until Fleming and Shurtz, both experienced divers, were able to locate and recover her remains.

  • Combs was last seen on August 19, 2003.
  • Her disappearance remained a cold case for over 22 years.
  • The veteran divers recovered her remains in 2026.

The players

Ken Fleming

A Marine veteran who helped solve the 22-year-old cold case.

Vern Shurtz

A Navy submarine veteran who helped solve the 22-year-old cold case.

Mary Lou Combs

A 41-year-old woman who went missing in Flagler Beach, Florida in 2003.

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What they’re saying

“It was wonderful to bring her back and to be able to call it a solved case.”

— Ken Fleming, Marine Veteran (kfdi.com)

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of never giving up on cold cases, as dedicated individuals can sometimes uncover new evidence years later. The perseverance of these veteran divers provided long-awaited closure for the Combs family.