A bizarre mystery was solved ten years ago with the help of Google Maps and below we look back on the case of David Lee Niles who seemingly vanished without a trace
The mystery behind a man who vanished after a bar meet-up with a friend was solved by an eerie Google Maps image – nine years later.
It has been almost 20 years since David Lee Niles left a friend at a bar before never being heard from again – before a shocking discovery on Google Maps
David Lee Niles was having a difficult time in his life after being diagnosed with cancer and and depression.
He was visiting his local pub, Jake’s Bar, in Byron Township, Michigan, to meet up with a pal on October 11, 2006. But despite not being there long, he “abruptly” said his goodbyes, citing discomfort.
David got into his car and it would be nine years before his desperately worried loved ones found any answers about what happened next.
Police investigated the missing person case but it remained a mystery. In 2011, David’s family decided to post an obituary online after losing hope.
It read: “David Lee Niles, age 72, of Wyoming, passed away and only God knows the time and place.”
The notice added that a brief memorial would take place for David at the Faith Reformed Church before a presentation by the Kent County Veteran’s Honor Guard.
His loved ones eventually went on with their lives until Google Maps helped unlock the cold case in November 2015.
It happened all thanks to Brian Houseman, who was decorating a tree for Christmas outside of the Cook Funeral Home in Byron Center. This was less than a mile away from the bar David was last seen in.
Getting to the top of the tree, Brian thought he could see a car submerged in an adjacent pond.
Recalling what happened to WOOD-TV, he 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.”
Concerned, he called the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, and investigators looked at Google Maps where the outline of the car was visible. Incredibly, the image of the car had been visible from an overhead satellite on Google Maps for years.
A dive team was sent down and the car was pulled from the water. Inside, David’s skeleton was found alongside his wallet.
His loved ones arrived at the tragic scene and son-in-law, Scott Hathaway, said: “For us today, it’s a closure of a long search. Why God waited nine years, I have no idea, but we’re happy. It’s good to have him home.”
Lt. Ron Gates spoke to As it Happens and added: “The vehicle had been there for a while. There were no tracks in the grass. It looked like the vehicle had been there longer than one day.”
And speaking about David’s family, he said: “I think in their minds they realised that he was deceased. My understanding is that they are relieved to have closure and to know that the body has been found.”
Despite finally getting some closure, it remains unknown as to how and why David and his car ended up in the pond.