On Wednesday, a wrecker in north Lakeland, pulled the Kia out of a retention pond at “Hunter’s Crossing,” a recently built housing project.
Vera Shupe exclaimed, “Now that it’s finished,” but since April 2nd, you have been constantly pondering, “Where else can I search?” It remains on your mind every single day.
The YouTube channel, where the team posts its discoveries using state-of-the-art sonar equipment, has more than 1.7 million subscribers. “Purpose With Adventures” reached out to the team, which specializes in search and recovery missions, after a family member went missing and Kia Smith soon after.
The “Adventures With Purpose” team explored different bodies of water in Lakeland on Tuesday to find Smith’s car.
On the day she disappeared, Smith had experienced a car accident, as informed by a Polk County deputy, causing the team to almost lose hope.
The group discovered that the detention pond along Victoria Road was approximately one mile away from the location of the accident.
Within minutes of plunging into the shallow lagoon, the Kia was found.
A corpse was found within, but its identity has yet to be verified.
Shupe expressed, “I am immensely thankful for them, and it is truly remarkable the way they go everywhere and locate individuals. I never thought we would eventually locate her. I was reluctant to utilize their time as they have been searching for her for a duration of 10 months.”
Carson McMaster, a member of the “Adventures With Purpose” group, expressed, “It allows them to grieve and progress, so it’s the solutions they require but we never mention conclusion. Our aim is to offer the family with answers.”
Vera and Marley Shupe, the daughter of Smith, visited the detention pond on Thursday where the Kia was found.
“It’s revitalizing everything,” stated Vera Shupe.
“Marley Shupe stated that there were no signs indicating the presence of a pond at the end of the road, which made her wonder why. She questioned why there were no signs indicating the road’s end and the presence of a pond.”
“Road Ends in Water.” Reads that sign placed at the end of Victoria Road after they left the site Thursday afternoon shortly.
The investigation spanning over a period of ten months involved the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, which swiftly located the vehicle in question, prompting curiosity regarding their methods.
Bishop explained, “If they don’t have anything to justify going off, then it’s just that they don’t have anything. It’s not that law enforcement agencies lack anything.”
Sheriff Grady Judd expressed his gratitude for the collaboration of ‘Adventures with Purpose’ in assisting us in finding the vehicle. He acknowledged that this incident was a devastating accident and extended his thoughts and prayers to the family.