Murder: True Crime Stories
Crime House Best of 2025 - MISSING: The Martin Family
From Clues with Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore
Release Date: January 3, 2026
Episode Overview
This standout “Best of” episode revisits the haunting case of the missing Martin family—a seemingly perfect family of six who vanished without a trace on a Christmas outing in December 1958. Hosts Morgan Abshur and Kaelyn Moore dissect this decades-old mystery, re-examining overlooked clues, suspicious connections, and bizarre twists, with a special focus on the people affected and the legacies of unfinished investigations. Their deep dive includes newly surfaced evidence in 2025, reigniting interest and debates. The episode balances meticulous research, skepticism toward official narratives, and lively, empathetic conversation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Martin Family: Who Were They?
- Family Profile: Ken (dad), Barbara (mom), and three daughters—Barbie, Virginia "Jenny", and Susan—alongside eldest son Donald (living in New York at the time).
- Ken: Beloved neighborhood “Santa,” electrician, enthusiastic about Christmas—created “Candy Cane Lane” [07:27]
- Barbara: Loved sweepstakes, the homemaker, organizer of holiday cards; married Ken in 1929 [08:08]
- Children: Donald (28), Barbie (14), Virginia (13), Susan (11). Notable age gap due to the Great Depression’s impact [09:18]
- Family dynamics: Suggestion that Donald’s sexuality (he was gay) caused friction with his parents; a point of private but not public knowledge at the time [09:18]
- Quote:
"Everything we think we know about this case is wrong."
— Kaelyn [02:26]
2. Timeline of Disappearance: December 7, 1958
[10:45–14:24]
- Morning: Evans family visits; Martins decline dinner, plan to collect Christmas greenery, destination unspecified (likely Columbia River Gorge).
- Midday Stops:
- 1–2 PM: Leave home in cream/red 1954 Ford station wagon.
- ~3–4 PM: Stop at Paradise Snack Bar, Hood River; waitress Clara York becomes key witness due to light business, recalls their order and appearance [12:41].
- Two ex-cons, Lester Price and Roy Light, also present at café, leave in same direction (later important) [13:39].
- Discrepancies in reported times (ranging from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM) [13:16].
- Sightings:
- Around 4:30 PM: Witnesses (the Knutsons) see a fast-driving light station wagon, later pulled over with two people up front; later see two men speaking to car occupants under a bridge [14:24].
- Reports from truck drivers and an abandoned Chevy linked to ex-con Lester Price found in the area.
3. Initial Investigation and Red Herrings
[19:39–29:28]
- December 8:
- Ken's absence at work, children's absence at school raise alarms.
- Family's home appears as if they were only out briefly (thawed ground beef, dishes in sink).
- Friend Mrs. Lenz reports the family missing—search begins late night [17:42].
- Abandoned car found, linked to Lester Price (ex-con), investigated but ultimately leads to dead ends.
- Massive search effort: Over 1,000 law enforcement, volunteers, and relatives scour Oregon and Washington, but no new clues surface initially [20:57].
- Donald comes under suspicion:
- History of theft (including a .38 caliber gun from department store).
- Did not fly home after disappearance; did not attend memorial [22:18, 24:50].
- Connections to Lester Price and mutual friend Wayne, tying threads between ex-cons and the family’s son [25:47].
- Quote:
“Something of note is that Donald decided not to come home to Portland to aid in the search for his family. Authorities only were able to interview him over the phone, and he wouldn't return to Portland for months.”
— Morgan [24:15]
4. Clues & Turning Points
-
The Tire Tracks & Cliff
- Discovered by Donald D. Bain near the Columbia River, at a spot where a car could have plunged off a cliff; paint chips matching the Martins' car found, confirmed by FBI [29:01–32:23].
- Tire tracks matched their car. No severe weather; accidental driving off the cliff seen as unlikely [32:23–34:07].
-
The Gun
- Found Jan 1959, under a rock west of Cascade Locks, by Theodore Hellyer: .38 Colt Commander, bloodied and damaged [36:40].
- Serial number matches gun stolen years prior by Donald [37:09–41:29].
- Crucially mishandled by sheriff (cleaned, not preserved for evidence), no fingerprinting or DNA (though known), ultimately returned to finder [38:26–39:59].
- Quote:
"He actually cleaned the gun off. Cleaned it. Even though it's a bloody gun that looks like it was used to bludgeon someone."
— Kaelyn [38:26] - Debate around whether this was the “botched” evidence in the case.
-
Linkages and Conspiracy Theories
- Complex web: Donald, the ex-cons, and Wayne all possibly interconnected through employment and friendships [42:35–43:41].
- Rumors of Wayne's possible inappropriate relationship with Barbie, and that he may have actually stolen the gun.
- Theoretical scenario: the family carries gun for protection, which could have precipitated a confrontation during a roadside incident [44:31–44:43].
5. Discovery of the Bodies
[47:54–51:21]
- May 2–3, 1959: Two daughters’ bodies (Susan and Virginia) found in the Columbia River, ~25 miles apart, likely dislodged from submerged car by anchor on oil boat.
- Autopsies:
- Both girls drowned shortly after eating; one reportedly had a suspicious hole in her skull (possibly gunshot/blow), but not conclusive—remains cremated [49:16–51:21].
- Quote:
“Both girls had holes in their skulls, identical holes above and behind their right ears. I thought they were either from a gunshot or a blow.”
— Deputy Sheriff (reported in interview), (50:44)
6. Aftermath, Estate, and Renewed Suspicions
[51:56–56:26]
-
Donald’s Behavior:
- Did not claim sisters’ remains or attend memorial, but returns promptly to settle estate (worth ~$400K today) [53:22].
- States in police interview:
“I know of no one who would murder my folks or no reason for it, but I don't see how it could have been an accident.”
— Donald (via Detective Graven) [54:21]
-
Detective Graven’s Theories:
- Notes that inheritance could only go to Donald if entire family gone, and writes “Had to be planned by ___, no one else with motive”—eventually (digitally) revealed as Donald [55:45].
- Nevertheless, Graven crossed out Donald’s name, suggesting persistent uncertainty [56:38–57:06].
- Questions around practical logistics: How could Donald coordinate or know of the family’s plans without modern tech? [57:46]
7. Case Developments & The 2025 Breakthrough
[60:48–62:25]
- March 2025: Diver/investigator Archer Mayo locates the Martin family’s car submerged near Cascade Locks.
- Videographic confirmation: Model and plate match.
- Car cabin remains trapped underwater; no human remains found, but forensic analysis underway [61:01].
- Noted: Several other cars also submerged here—possible dumping ground [62:25].
- Quote:
"Everything we think we know about this case is wrong."
— Archer Mayo (as paraphrased by hosts) [66:36]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “It's hard to think it's just a coincidence.” — Kaelyn [34:29]
- “At least he put it back together. But, I mean, they gave the gun back.” — Morgan on police mishandling [41:24]
- “If you ever end up in water, the pressure from the water, it's hard to open a door or roll down a window. Please have that little safety kit in your car.” — Morgan, Public Safety PSA [68:32]
Major Theories Discussed
- Ex-Cons Theory:
- Lester Price and Roy Light, seen at key points; one’s M.O. includes hiding in cars to carjack. Their connections to Donald and Wayne are suspicious.
- Donald as Mastermind:
- Beneficiary of family estate, history of theft, poorly explained gun in Oregon, but logistics of long-distance coordination are questionable.
- Family Annihilator (Ken):
- Less supported, but posited as a “dark turn”—could obtaining gun, bodies, and vehicle positioning suggest this?
- Accident Theory:
- Recent diver-found evidence could point to accidental plunge, particularly if other vehicles found in river, though hosts remain skeptical due to lack of weather issues and peculiar evidence placement.
Key Timestamps by Segment
- 07:27 — Who were the Martins?
- 10:45 — Timeline of disappearance begins
- 12:41 — Paradise Snack Bar witness/last sighting
- 19:39 — Case breaks in Portland, missing persons investigation
- 22:18 — Police eye Donald as suspect
- 29:01 — Tire tracks and paint chips near the cliff
- 36:40 — The discovery and mishandling of the bloody gun
- 47:54 — Bodies found in river
- 51:56 — Donald’s absence from memorials and estate
- 54:21 — Donald: “I don’t see how it could have been an accident.”
- 60:48 — New dive, discovery of car (2025)
- 66:36 — “Everything we think we know is wrong”—Archer Mayo’s verdict
- 68:32 — PSA: Carry a window breaker
Hosts' Reflections and Unresolved Questions
- Strong skepticism remains around the “accident” narrative, especially given the mishandling of key evidence and the layers of personal/family drama.
- The gun’s provenance, Donald’s behaviors, and ex-con connections remain central enigmas.
- Community input is solicited—what theory do you find strongest? What clue sticks with you? [67:28]
Tone and Engagement
- The hosts balance empathy, methodical analysis, and a light conversational style, keeping the emotional stakes clear while inviting speculation and audience engagement.
- Their skepticism about 1950s police work and open acknowledgment of “botched” clues (e.g., the cleaned gun, dismissed tire tracks) underscore lessons about the evolution of criminal investigations.
Takeaway
This episode exemplifies what makes cold-case podcasts gripping: methodical unraveling of the facts, challenging old narratives, the impact of new technologies, and focus on the people behind the case. With the recent discovery of the family’s car and ongoing forensic analysis, the Martin family disappearance remains a live, passionate mystery inviting listeners to piece together the puzzle for themselves.
For further information, images, or to join the discussion, follow @cluespodcast or @crimehouse on Instagram. The case remains open in the hearts and minds of the true crime community.