Missing Florida Woman’s Remains Found in Submerged Minivan After Nearly a Decade

The remains and minivan of Katya Belaya, a Florida woman who vanished over a decade ago, have been discovered in a pond by Sunshine State Sonar, a group specializing in water searches to solve cold cases.

Belaya, 47, was last seen on September 28, 2014, when she left her Melbourne home to buy milk. Her 2003 Honda Odyssey and she disappeared without a trace.

Sunshine State Sonar began their search recently, covering 32 bodies of water and recovering two other vehicles before finding Belaya’s minivan on December 20. The vehicle was submerged 24 feet deep and upside down in a retention pond, just 1.6 miles from her home.

Inside, remains were found and later confirmed by the Brevard Sheriff’s Office to be Belaya’s.

The group noted that Belaya, a science professor at East Florida State College, had been experiencing blackout spells and confusion, though it remains unclear how her minivan ended up in the pond.

This discovery brings closure to a long-unsolved case, highlighting the crucial role of specialized search groups in solving cold cases.