The three friends, William, David, and Michael, were on their way home when they disappeared without a trace.

DLNews Law Enforcement:

In the quaint town of Washington, North Carolina, a tale of mystery, determination, and a touch of DIY gumshoeing has finally come to a heartwarming—if not slightly eerie—conclusion. Picture this: three friends vanish into the night after a pleasant evening at a local bar, leaving puzzled looks and a cold trail behind. This wasn't the setup for a joke but the grim reality of a cold case that had stumped the town and its finest for over four decades. Enter Jason Souhrada, not your average Joe, but a hobby detective with a penchant for unraveling mysteries even the pros couldn't crack.

Jason Souhrada has been fascinated by the case of the three missing men in North Carolina since he was a child.

Jason was merely a tot when the trio made their unintended exit from the public eye, but the story haunted him like a ghost craving closure. Fast forward through the years, armed with sheer curiosity and a sonar gadget that wouldn't break the bank, he set off on a mission to make Nancy Drew tip her hat in respect.

Our intrepid investigator's hunch led him to a reservoir, a spot so cunningly hidden that even the local authorities hadn't thought to give it a second glance during their initial search. Jason embarked on a watery exploration with his trusty boogie board turned makeshift sonar vessel. Lo and behold, what does he find but a submerged silhouette that screamed "Chevrolet Camaro" louder than any 80s hair band?

The police did not comb this pond during their search - Jason Souhrada found the wrecked car there.

Cue the dramatic reveal: the local police, upon receiving Jason's tip-off, drained the reservoir to uncover not just the long-lost vehicle but the remains of the missing party. It was a discovery that brought a bittersweet end to a saga that had lingered over the town like an unresolved chord progression.

The friends fell into the pond on their way home and drowned.

With his inexpensive sonar and boundless determination, Jason Souhrada had done what had eluded the grasp of seasoned detectives for 41 years. His feat granted peace to the families of William C., David M., and Michael N. and secured his place as the town's unofficial Sherlock Holmes.

So, hats off to Jason, who reminds us all that sometimes, all it takes to solve a decades-old mystery is a dash of curiosity, a sprinkle of innovation, and a boogie board.