Car found with human remains in Central Ohio reservoir

A missing-person case that went cold for nine months appears to have reached a tragic end. This week, search teams recovered a submerged BMW from Hoover Reservoir containing what Delaware Police believe are the remains of 27-year-old Trenton Rollins.

Rollins disappeared in the early morning hours of March 16 after leaving his home in Delaware. He was seen on a Ring doorbell camera wearing black pants, a black hoodie and a backpack. Investigators initially said they believe he left of his own accord. There was no evidence of foul play.

The case went cold – until now.

Delaware Police said on Monday, Chaos Divers – an independent search-and-rescue organization – located a submerged vehicle in Hoover Reservoir that matched the description of Rollins’ blue BMW 430i. The group had joined the effort as outside volunteers. They’re known for assisting in long-stalled investigations and have helped solve dozens of cold cases nationwide.

In a video posted online, a representative from Chaos Divers said they knew they could search but not dive, adding only the Columbus Division of Police Dive Team can dive this particular body of water.

Approximately 45 minutes after beginning their search by boat, they used Sonar technology to detect what they believed might be a vehicle. Initially, the team thought the object could be a rock, but eventually they detected an upside-down wheel. They took additional photos and contacted law enforcement.

That’s when the Columbus Division of Police Dive Team assisted in removing the vehicle from its location dredged in the mud. Police said early indicators suggest the human remains inside are consistent with Rollins.

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“Trenton is coming home and he’s coming home for Christmas,” Lindsay Bussick of Chaos Divers said. “While his family does not have him here physically, we know where he is.”

Formal identification will still come from the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. The coroner will also conduct an autopsy and additional forensic testing to determine cause and manner of death. As of now, investigators said they have no reason to suspect foul play.

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