South Florida

Human Remains Located in Canal Where Car Linked to 1978 Missing Persons Case Was Found

Divers found human remains in a Sunrise canal Friday near the spot where a car was found submerged in the water more than 35 years after the teens believed to be inside it vanished without a trace.

The car, believed to be a 1969 Dodge Coronet, was discovered Thursday in the canal near the 14100 block of State Road 84 by South Florida Water Management workers who were dredging the canal.

No remains were initially found in the car, which showed heavy rusting and was partially disintegrated.

But Broward Sheriff's Office divers went back to the area Friday and located some remains, officials said. The remains were handed over to the medical examiner's office.

The same car was believed to be carrying 15-year-old Dana Null and her boyfriend Harry Wade Atchison who disappeared on October 7, 1978.

The couple was last seen inside a mobile home park where Atchison lived. They went to see the band Journey and then came back to his home. Investigators said the couple then got into a violent argument and Atchison jumped in the car and took off.

Detectives said Null took off after him, stopped him, and jumped in the car. The two haven’t been seen or heard from since that night.

Broward Sheriff's Office officials said both parents of Null and Atchison have died, but both have sisters who are still alive.

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