Florida Woman Found Dead in Submerged Minivan 10 Years After Her 'Mysterious Disappearance'
Mar. 15, 2025Katya Belaya, the woman found dead in a submerged minivan more than 10 years after she disappeared.Photo:Brevard County Sheriff’s Office; Sunshine State Sonar/Facebook
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Brevard County Sheriff’s Office; Sunshine State Sonar/Facebook
The body of a woman who disappeared 10 years ago has been found in a minivan submerged in a Florida pond.
Ten years later, the Melbourne woman’s body was found inside her white Honda Odyssey, which was discovered upside down in a retention pond, according to the reports.
Sunshine State Sonarsaid in a Facebook postthat its team located the vehicle on Friday, Dec. 20, off Viera Boulevard, about 1.6 miles from her home.
“We hope this finding can offer her loved ones some solace after years of grieving her mysterious disappearance,” the team said.
Katya Belaya, the woman who was found dead inside a submerged minivan on Dec. 20, 2024.Brevard County Sheriff’s Office
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Brevard County Sheriff’s Office
Sunshine State Sonar, a private company, said in its post that their team reached out to Belaya’s family and authorities on Thursday, Dec. 19, and “requested additional information” about the case.
Sullivan said the team received cellphone ping data that led them to the vehicle’s location, WOFL reported.
More than 30 bodies of water were searched before finding Belaya’s minivan in the retention pond in Melbourne, Sunshine State Sonar said in the Facebook post.
Sullivan said he has been in contact with Belaya’s daughters, who “expressed their gratitude” to Sunshine State Sonar, WESH reported. “I think they were still in shock," he added.
The minivan where Katya Belaya’s body was found on Dec. 20, 2024.Sunshine State Sonar/Facebook
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Sunshine State Sonar/Facebook
He added, “There’s a lot still to be done. But as I said, it does bring closure to the family.”
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The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
source: people.com
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