The Martin Family: Secrets of the Columbia River Gorge | 1958

Step into the foggy streets of Portland in December 1958, where a seemingly perfect family—Ken and Barbara Martin along their three daughters—vanished without a trace. From their cheerful "Candy Lane" home to their fateful trip in search of a Christmas tree, this haunting case captivated the Pacific Northwest as well as the rest of the nation. Featuring nearly daily coverage in newspapers like The Oregonian, the disappearance was a story of unresolved twists, from mysterious sightings of their vehicle to the eventual chilling discovery of two bodies in the Columbia River.

Join us as we delve into the investigation of a case that clearly haunted lead Detective Walter Graven of the Portland Police Bureau. We’ll explore suspicious ties to ex-convicts, and uncover the enigmatic role of the family’s sole survivor, Donald Martin. Did a stolen .38 Colt Commander hold the key to the mystery? Was the family's demise the result of a tragic accident—or something far darker? This episode reexamines one of Oregon's coldest cases and its lingering mysteries.

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