Car found in river near Portageville

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Further investigation is needed before law enforcement determines whose car recently was found in the murky waters of the Mississippi River near Portageville, Missouri.

New Madrid chief of police Joey Higgerson said divers attempted Thursday to look at a submerged car, which was discovered two weeks ago during a national fishing tournament at New Madrid. Higgerson said because the river is rising, dangerous conditions prevented divers from recovering the car.

While some have speculated the vehicle may belong to Barbara Stoffer, 83, of New Madrid, who was last seen Aug. 20, 2013, Higgerson emphasized authorities still are not sure.

"Several of the sonar images we have seem to be consistent with the type of car we are looking for, but at this point that is the most evidence we have; until the vehicle is pulled from the water, we will not have a conclusive answer," Higgerson said in a news release.

At the time she went missing, Stoffer was driving a 1993 green four-door Volvo 850 GLT with Missouri license plate number 073RYW.

Higgerson said divers will return when conditions are safer. They then will try to get an impression of the vehicle's condition and any similarity to the missing vehicle.

"However, it is important to remember that there is zero visibility in the river at the depths they will be working in, and all of their observations in the water will be by feel," he said. "When the divers are able to securely hook a cable onto the car, it will be pulled out for examination."

The chief noted there probably are many unidentified cars at the bottom of the Mississippi River.

"We feel that based on the evidence we have now, this lead is worth pursuing, and we will devote all of our resources to be sure it is thoroughly investigated," he said.

Pertinent address:

Portageville, Mo.