Decades of uncertainty end for 2 families when missing loved ones found in Plantation canals

PLANTATION, Fla. – Two families, after years of heartache and unanswered questions, finally find closure.

They spent decades not knowing what happened to loved ones who mysteriously disappeared, holding memorials with no answers.

However, over the weekend, a team of volunteer cold case researchers brought new hope with some significant discoveries.

Mike Sullivan, founder of Sunshine State Sonar, said he and his crew are retracing the steps of Doris Wurst, 35, and her 3-year-old daughter Caren, who police said had been reported missing from their home in Plantation in November 1974. Their Chevy Impala was not found until this weekend.

Sullivan’s team, traveling from St. Petersburg, started from the Wurst’s last known location, scanning several bodies of water, spotted the vehicle using sonar technology near Nob Hill Road and Broward Boulevard.

The discovery, which brought answers after 50 years of uncertainty for the Wurst family, is part of Sullivan’s ongoing efforts.

Just days after the historic discovery in Plantation, Doris’ granddaughters are sharing memories of happier times.

The skeletal remains found in Doris’ Chevy Impala are still awaiting official confirmation, but the family is grateful to Sunshine State Sonar and Plantation police who made the discovery.

The same team also provided closure to Joey Novick and his family by locating his father’s submerged car.

Authorities said Bernie Novick, an 83-year-old World War II veteran, disappeared in 2004.

“Twenty years ago at this time, I was down in Florida looking for the car,” Joey Novick said. “We had a memorial service about five years later and we really put it behind us when we were done, but I always imagined that’s how it happened.”

Police said Bernie Novick went missing less than two miles from his home in the Lauderdale West community.

Despite desperate police searches, both his car and Doris’s were eventually found near Broward Boulevard and Nob Hill Road, decades apart but only a few blocks from each other.

Now, Joey Novick said he can finally lay his father to rest.

“I’m very proud of him and I’ve learned a lot from him. He lives in my brain and heart every day,” he said.

Novick told Local 10 he plans to place his father’s remains next to his mother’s at the cemetery.

Doris Wurst’s family later sent a statement to Local 10 News:

“On behalf of our family, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Sunshine State Sonar, the Plantation (Police) Department, the Broward Sheriff’s Office and everyone involved in bringing closure to our family after all these years. You have given us a priceless gift and thanks will never be enough. Although we didn’t get to meet Aunt Doris and Cousin Carin, our mom made sure we knew how important they were to our family. We were raised with stories and precious memories of them. Thank you again for bringing us peace. We know they are finally resting in peace.”

Statement by the Maher family, the family of Doris Wurst

Click here for more information on Sunshine State Sonar and their work in Florida. Local 10 viewers can also follow them on Facebook by clicking here.