Missing Florida woman's remains, submerged minivan found a decade after her disappearance

Missing Florida woman's submerged minivan, remains found

The van of a Melbourne woman missing since 2014 has been discovered in a retention pond just over a mile from her home, with human remains found inside, authorities confirmed.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - The vehicle of a Melbourne woman missing since 2014 has been discovered in a retention pond just over a mile from her home, with her remains found inside, authorities confirmed.

Investigators say Katya Belaya was last seen in September 2014. She told her children she was heading to the store but never arrived.

Katya Belaya

Belaya drove off in her minivan, which was located on Dec. 20, 2024, by Sunshine State Sonar, following new information provided by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office the day prior.

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"We received additional information on that case that was not posted online — cellphone ping data from that evening — and that is ultimately what led us to that particular area where we located that vehicle," said Mike Sullivan with Sunshine State Sonar.