In a breakthrough discovery, the remains of Sandra Lemire, a missing woman from Orlando, have finally been found after nearly 12 years. Lemire disappeared in May 2012 after going on a date, leaving her family and authorities puzzled for over a decade. However, the volunteer organization Sunshine State Sonar, specializing in sonar and underwater technology, played a crucial role in locating her submerged vehicle in a pond near a Disney World exit on Interstate 4 in Kissimmee, Florida.

The search for Lemire's vehicle was an extensive and meticulous process. Sunshine State Sonar spent the past 17 months searching 63 bodies of water, relying on sonar technology to locate objects underwater. Lemire's son, Timothy Lemire, revealed that her last cellphone ping helped narrow down the search area. Finally, on December 30, the team found a match in a pond near Disney World, leading to the discovery of a minivan submerged in 14 feet of water.

The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that the 2004 Ford Freestar van found in the pond was the same vehicle involved in the Lemire case. Orlando police detectives have contacted Lemire's family and are awaiting positive identification of the human remains found in the vehicle. Timothy Lemire expressed his belief that the remains belong to his mother, as her personal belongings, including her clothes, cellphone, and wallet with ID, were found in the van.

The discovery brings a mix of emotions for Timothy and his family. On one hand, they are relieved that Sandra was not a victim of foul play, but on the other hand, they are still processing the reality of her tragic accident. Timothy described his mother as an amazing person with a huge heart, always willing to help others. He expressed his growing sense of loss and the void left by her absence.

The search and recovery team, Sunshine State Sonar, expressed their condolences to the family and acknowledged the challenging nature of the recovery operation. They highlighted the involvement of multiple agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol, Orlando Police Department, and two county sheriff's offices. The team also emphasized the advancements in technology that enabled them to locate Lemire's vehicle, noting that in the past, divers had to rely on swimming blindly in murky waters.

The case of Sandra Lemire serves as a reminder of the dedication and perseverance of law enforcement agencies and volunteer organizations in solving missing person cases. While the discovery brings closure to Lemire's family, it also raises questions about the circumstances leading to her tragic accident. Authorities and the medical examiner's office are continuing their investigation to provide a comprehensive understanding of what transpired on that fateful night in May 2012.