Long lost bodies found in lake

Bodies may be Ont. couple missing 50 years: police

Last Updated: Sunday, October 22, 2006 | 6:28 PM ET

CBC News

Ontario Provincial Police believe they've found the bodies of a couple who have been missing for 50 years.

Allan and Margaret Campbell disappeared while boating on Trout Lake, near their home in North Bay, in May 1956.

On Friday, an OPP underwater search-and-recovery team found human remains, a boat like the Campbells' and an outboard motor in deep water, not far from the site where their cottage once stood.

OPP Sgt. Joe Strba said police are pretty confident they've found the Campbells.

"We have almost fully recovered two adult remains," one male and one female, he said Sunday. Police have also found a woman's watch, which a family member described as Margaret Campbell's, and two sets of dentures.

The remains are being sent for DNA testing.

The Campbells went to open up the cottage on May 29, 1956. That was the last time they were seen.

Search fruitless

Their disappearance led to the biggest search in North Bay's history up to that time, but to no avail. Over the years, police investigated several tips, including one that the couple had been murdered.

The OPP resumed their search this year after a media report about the cold case.

Prompted by a tip about where the boat had last been seen, police scanned the lake bottom with sonar. Divers found the boat and motor in more than 15 metres of water.

The Campbells' four daughters have been notified.