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Virginia Beach PD working to learn if missing male is connected to car that drove off pier

Car that drove off Virginia Beach pier remains in ocean
Posted at 10:03 AM, Jan 30, 2024
and last updated 2024-01-30 17:32:52-05

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Virginia Beach police are working to learn if a missing male is somehow connected to the car that went off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier on Saturday.

A family contacted police about a missing male relative, according to VBPD. Police say the missing person case has many similarities to the circumstances surrounding the car that plunged off the Fishing Pier into the water – although they didn’t share the specific correlations between the two cases.

Police have not officially confirmed that the two cases are related. They shared the following statement about their investigation:

“Though we have indicators these cases are related, at this time, we are unable to confirm this missing person is associated with the car that still has to be recovered. The ROV HAS NOT been able to discern if the submerged vehicle has a license plate attached.

Once the vehicle is recovered, we will need the local office of the Medical Examiner to confirm identity of any occupant(s). The ongoing recovery efforts remain focused on reuniting any occupant(s) with their loved ones and maintaining the integrity of the investigation.”

WATCH: Virginia Beach police share video on recovery efforts for car that drove off pier

Video of car in ocean by VB pier

On Saturday, Jan. 27, a car broke through multiple gates and drove onto the Fishing Pier before plunging off the end into the ocean. The car now rests on the ocean floor a few hundred feet from the Virginia Beach boardwalk, according to police.

On Sunday, police and a team from Crofton Industries worked to recover the car, but "tumultuous surface conditions" prevented the effort.

'It is a crime scene': Virginia Beach police can't recover occupants before car is retrieved

Virginia Beach

Conditions 'not permissible' to recover car that drove off VB pier

Web Staff
5:30 AM, Jan 30, 2024

Police say they'll continue their efforts to safely recover the car.

"The goal of this mission remains to safely retrieve the vehicle, reunite any & all occupants with their loved ones, & maintain the integrity of all evidence," VBPD posted to the platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

We will update this article with any developments.

If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, we encourage you to use the following resources.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

You can call or text 988 if you’re in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress. It’s a national network of local crisis centers that provide free and confidential support. They are available to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can learn more at 988lifeline.org.

Findtreatment.gov

Findtreatment.gov is a confidential and anonymous resource for locating treatment facilities for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories. Visit https://findtreatment.gov/locator to locate treatment options near you.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline

The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-supported service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition. You can text “HelpLine” to 62640 or call 800-950-6264. Learn more about additional resources at www.nami.org/help.

Open Path Psychotherapy Collective

The Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is a nationwide network of mental health professionals who offer virtual and in-office sessions at a steeply reduced rate to people who qualify. You can learn more at www.openpathcollective.org.