Google Maps held grisly answer to missing person case

The family of a US man missing for nine years had long hoped for answers, but they did not realise the key to solving his disappearance had become visible on Google Maps. 

A local Michigan man solved the mystery of Davie Lee Niles’ disappearance this week, when he noticed a car submerged in a pond from his vantage point on a lift, Wood TV reported.

The outline of the vehicle under the water can also be easily seen on a Google Maps satellite image of the area.

“All of a sudden, it’s like, ‘Whoa, there’s a car out there’”, Brian Houseman said of his discovery.

Police attended and the car was pulled from the water on Tuesday, with skeletal remains found in the driver’s seat presumed to be Niles.

The pond was less than a kilometre from where Niles was last seen.

Investigators said they are working to confirm the identity of the body through dental records, and will work to determine the cause of death.