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Authorities hope to ID remains found in car after 43 years

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — An autopsy may help write the final page of a 43-year-old mystery that began with the disappearance of a military retiree after investigators pulled a mud-filled car out of a Caldwell County lake Tuesday.

Officials believe it belonged to Amos Shook, a retired Air Force member, who disappeared in 1972, when he was in his 40s.

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For more than 43 years, the family of Shook had no idea where their loved one was or what happened to him. After more than four decades, they have some answers.

Daughter finds some closure after father’s remains believed to be found

"It put some closure on something they've been looking forward to for a long time," said Caldwell County Sheriff Alan Jones.

Shook's daughter, who lives out of state, reached out to Caldwell County investigators last month and asked them to take another look at the cold case.

They came to Lake Rhodhiss without any specific tip. They used sonar technology and found Shook’s 1968 Pontiac Catalina 30 feet underwater, with remains believed to be his inside. Investigators don't believe it was a suicide; and don't suspect foul play.

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"There's nothing that indicates that," Jones said.

Inside the car that is rusted, muddy and still wet, was Shook's wallet. Still, many questions remain; including how they think the car got there.

"Finding somebody that's still alive that could answer those, will be tough," Jones said.

The remains are now at the medical examiner's office for an autopsy. Pending those results, Jones said the case will be considered closed.

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