Body discovered in Florida submerged car belongs to teacher missing since 2020 

The body discovered inside a submerged car in Florida belongs to a teacher who went missing in 2020, Florida authorities announced on Saturday. 

Authorities recovered a white 2012 Chevrolet Impala from a canal along Pioneer Trail near New Smyrna Beach, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. The car was spotted by members of the nonprofit Sunshine State Sonar Search Team and Recon Dive Recovery after the water level of the canal dropped. 

The sheriff’s dive team pulled the car out from the canal. Authorities tied the car to Robert Heikka after confirming the vehicle’s tag number. Inside the car, authorities found Heikka’s body. However, a positive identification was not yet confirmed. 

“The car has been removed from the water, with 1 deceased occupant discovered inside,” the Volusia Sheriff’s Office said. 

"While positive ID has not officially been made, the Port Orange Police Department has been in contact with Mr. Heikka’s family," the sheriff’s office said. "Our thoughts go out to the Heikka family and friends this evening."

The car is in a canal along Pioneer Trail where the water level has recently dropped significantly. It hasn’t been determined if it’s occupied. Thanks to Sunshine State Sonar and Recon Dive Recovery for spotting the vehicle and confirming the tag pic.twitter.com/RlTSSp5SQM

— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) April 8, 2023

Heikka, 70, was reported missing on October 26, 2020, after he never showed up for work at Creekside Middle School in Port Orange, where he had been teaching for 18 years. Multiple agencies, including the FBI, had been searching for the teacher since then.  

The vehicle was found near the South Tomoka Wildlife Management Area, about six miles from the teacher’s neighborhood of Port Orange. 

No further details about the body recovered were immediately available. 

“Through hard work and dedication by the many involved, his vehicle was located,” cops wrote. “Volusia Sheriff’s Office responded with resources and assisted greatly in the recovery after the vehicle was discovered. We thank all involved for bringing some much-needed closure to Mr. Heikka’s family. Thank you all. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family.”