60 Years After Father Disappears, Son Makes Chilling Basement Discovery

By: Sam Watanuki | Published: Jun 16, 2024

After 60 years of mystery, the Carroll family finally uncovered the truth behind George Carroll’s disappearance. Mike Carroll, the youngest son, discovered something shocking in the basement of their Long Island home.

Unfortunately, the discovery brought both closure and more questions as they dove into the tragic history of their family.

A Mysterious Disappearance

In 1961, George Carroll vanished from his Long Island home without a trace. His sudden absence left his wife, Dorothy, and their four young children, Patricia, Jean, Steven, and Mike, in confusion and heartache.

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Source: Gemma Evans

The mystery of George’s disappearance haunted the family for decades, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Family Left in the Dark

Dorothy Carroll struggled to explain George’s disappearance to their children. Over the years, she offered sparse details, often suggesting he had left for cigarettes and never returned.

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Back View of a Man With a Question Mark, Thinking

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As Mike Carroll recalled, “They always told me, ‘Don’t ask’… So I stopped asking.” This silence only deepened the family’s sense of loss and confusion.

Rumors and Speculations

Neighborhood rumors swirled, with some believing George fled to Korea, where he had served in the Korean War. Another, more sinister theory suggested he was buried under the basement.

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The latter theory persisted over the years, causing further distress for the Carroll family as they grappled with the unknown.

An Unusual Second Marriage

Shortly after George’s disappearance, Richard Darress moved in with the Carrolls and eventually married Dorothy. This quick transition fueled more gossip and suspicion within the community.

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A close-up of a bride and groom holding hands outside, with green grass behind them, during their wedding.

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Dorothy’s remarriage added to the mystery, especially when Richard and Dorothy’s marriage ended in divorce amidst allegations of infidelity.

A Son’s Determination

Mike Carroll, George’s youngest son, never stopped seeking answers. In 2012, he began digging in the basement of the family home, driven by the rumors of his father’s body being buried there.

Mike Carroll

Source: News 12

“It didn’t happen overnight. It’s something that’s been spoken about for years,” Mike explained, highlighting his relentless quest for the truth.

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The First Clue

Using ground-penetrating radar, Mike discovered a mysterious mass six feet below the basement floor. This technological breakthrough provided the first real lead in decades.

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The radar revealed a significant anomaly that suggested there might be something buried beneath the concrete, reigniting the family’s hopes for answers.

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A Psychic’s Guidance

Despite his skepticism, Mike consulted a psychic who pinpointed a location in the basement. The psychic suggested that George had been struck by a pipe and buried after his death.

A magnifying glass against a blue background.

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Mike shared, “The psychic informed me it was blunt force trauma. She informed me it was a pipe, that he was buried after being struck in the head with a pipe.”

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A Gruesome Discovery

Mike’s sons continued the excavation, ultimately uncovering skeletal remains twisted in an unnatural position. The discovery confirmed their worst fears and brought the police back into the picture.

Some yellow police tape that says “Do not cross police” in black capital letters.

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Mike described the sight: “He was twisted into a knot, weird-looking… he wasn’t totally exposed either,” painting a grim picture of the find.

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DNA Confirmation

In December 2018, Suffolk County officials confirmed the remains belonged to George Carroll. The DNA was remarkably well-preserved, allowing for a definitive identification after nearly 60 years.

3D representation of DNA

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County medical examiner Michael Caplan told Newsday, “The DNA was extremely well preserved within the skeletal remains,” giving the family the confirmation they needed.

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Unanswered Questions

The medical examiner revealed George had died from blunt-force trauma. This new information pointed to murder, but the identity of the perpetrator remains unknown.

Big Question Mark with a lot of Small Question Marks

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Mike felt a mix of emotions, saying, “There’s so much unfinished business here. There’s a story behind the story behind the story,” indicating that while one question was answered, many more emerged.

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A Search for Justice

The Carroll family continues to seek justice for George. They hope that renewed interest and modern forensic techniques might finally uncover the truth behind his tragic death.

A close-up of a black and white image of a Lady Justice statue.

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Mike expressed a sense of closure mixed with determination, “I felt a vindication for my dad. I felt like he was dancing in the sky,” highlighting the family’s ongoing journey for answers.

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