YouTuber Helps Crack Cold Case Of A Missing Person From 2013

A freelance videographer, YouTuber, and drone pilot helped police solve the cold case of a missing person from 2013.

James Hinkle, who has been following the case, helped find the remains of a Missouri man who went missing 10 years ago.

According to a news release, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office said a property owner in Southern Camden County was contacted by YouTuber James Hinkle regarding the December 2013 disappearance of 59-year-old Donnie Erwin. Hinkle contacted the property owner to search an area of Southern Camden County as he believed there was a submerged vehicle (belonging to Erwin) in a pond on the property.

The property owner and Hinkle then searched the area together -- on foot and by kayak -- before they discovered a vehicle in the pond.

“Deputies and detectives from the Camden County Sheriff's Office as well as members of the Mid-County Fire Protection District Dive Team responded to the area and met with Mr. Hinkle and the property owner,” the press release stated.

“Divers searched the pond and verified the license plate on the submerged vehicle matched the plate on Mr. Erwin's missing Hyundai," the press release stated. "With assistance from Bledsoe's Conoco, investigators recovered Mr. Erwin's Hyundai Elantra from the pond and notified his family of the development."

The sheriff’s office said authorities then returned to the pond over the weekend with cadaver dogs as they conducted a full search of the area, where they discovered the human remains.

“Despite the length of time since Mr. Erwin's disappearance, the cadaver dogs alerted to the presence of human remains in the pond. The dogs concentrated on one area near the center of the pond indicating that was the most likely location of the remains,” per the press release.

In addition to the human remains, police found an artificial hip, consistent with the one that Donnie Erwin had.

“While a forensic pathologist will have to examine the remains to determine for certain if they are indeed those of Mr. Erwin, investigators are confident the hip and remains belong to him,” the sheriff’s office stated.

Donnie Erwin's family has been notified of the latest discovery.

“All of us at the Camden County Sheriff's Office who have investigated this case for ten years are elated at the recovery and overjoyed with the closure we know this brings to the family. This development would not have been possible without the assistance of countless volunteers throughout the years. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you all.”

Yvonne Erwin-Bowen, Erwin’s sister spoke out about the latest discovery, which was all thanks to YouTuber James Hinkle, who has been following the case for 10 years. “Wow, Brother. What a special Christmas this is," she said. "Even though you're not with us, we know where you are now, and we can rejoice because of it."

She added, "I love you brother, and I miss you terribly, but I know it was God's will that brought you to us and I know you are no longer in pain. I love you very much and I will forever treasure the time I have had with you. You were the BEST big brother any little girl could have asked for!”