Palm Coast Woman Missing for 22 Years Found in Submerged Car

Flagler County Sheriff's Office announces breakthrough in cold case of Mary Lou Combs, who disappeared in 2003.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Flagler County Sheriff's Office announced on Monday that a Palm Coast woman who went missing over two decades ago, Mary Lou Combs, appears to have been found. The breakthrough occurred in October 2025 when a dive team discovered a car with human remains in the Intracoastal Waterway near 18th Road in Palm Coast. The vehicle and remains closely matched the information available about Combs, who was last seen on August 19, 2003.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in solving long-term missing persons cases, especially when no clear evidence or leads emerge in the initial investigation. The discovery of Combs' remains after over 22 years provides closure for her family, but also raises questions about what happened to her and why it took so long to find her.

The details

Divers with the FBI's Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team and the FBI Jacksonville Evidence Response Team reached the vehicle, which was upside down under 14 to 17 feet of water. Inside, they found several clues that pointed to the car belonging to Combs, including a manual window crank, floor mat, steering wheel with 'Neon' written on it, a size 7 shoe matching Combs, and a set of human remains. Combs' driver's license was also discovered in the wreckage, along with a child seat and toys believed to belong to her.

  • On August 19, 2003, 41-year-old Mary Lou Combs was last seen alive.
  • In October 2025, a dive team discovered a car with human remains in the Intracoastal Waterway near 18th Road in Palm Coast.
  • In February 2024, a voluntary dive team began searching for Combs in coordination with the FCSO's Cold Case Unit.

The players

Mary Lou Combs

A 41-year-old Palm Coast woman who went missing on August 19, 2003 and whose remains were discovered in a submerged car in 2025.

Flagler County Sheriff's Office (FCSO)

The law enforcement agency that investigated Combs' disappearance and led the effort to locate her remains.

Rick Staly

The Flagler County Sheriff who created the FCSO Cold Case Unit in 2020 to dedicate agency resources to long-unresolved mysteries.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The federal law enforcement agency that provided assistance through its Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team (USERT) and Evidence Response Team (ERT).

Ken Fleming

A diver from Recon Dive Recovery who assisted in the search and recovery efforts.

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What they’re saying

“All the evidence gathered thus far suggests that the remains we have recovered are those of Mary Lou Comb. While this is not the outcome anyone hoped for, we knew locating Mary alive was extremely unlikely given the length of time she had been missing. Our detectives and partnering agencies worked tirelessly to bring this family answers so they have the opportunity to finally lay their loved one to rest.”

— Rick Staly, Flagler County Sheriff (askflagler.com)

What’s next

The medical examiner is currently investigating to determine the cause of death, and a DNA study will be conducted to conclusively confirm the remains belong to Mary Lou Combs.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in solving long-term missing persons cases, especially when no clear evidence or leads emerge in the initial investigation. The discovery of Combs' remains after over 22 years provides closure for her family, but also raises questions about what happened to her and why it took so long to find her.