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The recent discovery of a submerged car, in a canal near New Smyrna Beach has finally shed light on a missing person’s case.  Authorities believe the body is Robert Heikka, a missing Florida teacher who went missing nearly three years ago.

Heikka, a 70-year-old teacher at Creekside Middle School in Port Orange, was reported missing after he failed to show up for work. An extensive search effort involving multiple agencies, including the FBI was unsuccessful, at the time.

The car a now-rusted white 2012 Chevrolet Impala was recovered by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. The vehicle is confirmed to belong to Heikka.  A drop in the canal's water level revealed its presence. 

While positive identification has not yet been officially made, authorities believe that the body found inside the car is that of Heikka, who vanished in October 2020.

 Neighbors reported seeing him leaving his home on the morning of October 24, 2020. And bank records showed that he had made a routine transaction at an ATM in nearby Brevard County. 

Missing Florida teacher

However, his whereabouts remained a mystery until the recent discovery of his submerged car in the canal along Pioneer Trail.

The news of Heikka's tragic fate has shocked his family, friends, and the local community. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office expressed condolences to the Heikka family and friends, as they continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

No further details about the body found in the vehicle have been released at this time.

The Pioneer Trail, where Heikka's car was found, is located near the South Tomoka Wildlife Management Area. This is approximately six miles from his Port Orange neighborhood.

 The nonprofit Sunshine State Sonar Search Team and Recon Dive Recovery members played a crucial role in recovering the submerged car, using their expertise in underwater search and recovery operations.

 The drop in the canal's water level due to environmental factors made the top part of the car visible.

Investigators are trying to confirm that the body is the missing man. And ultimately are hoping to determine his cause of death.  

The discovery of Heikka's car and the body inside brings some sense of closure to his family and the community. And although this is not the outcome hoped for, it ends nearly three years of agonizing about what happened to him.