Investigators are trying to piece together the story behind skeletal remains discovered inside a green Ford Thunderbird that was found Saturday in a canal near West Copans Road and Hammocks Boulevard in Margate.
One Broward family believes the discovery may be linked to the 2005 disappearance of 69-year-old William Naylor.
Family members said Naylor was last seen about half a mile away from his apartment complex in Coconut Creek, driving a 1997 green Ford Thunderbird. The man suffered from Parkinson's disease and the medication he was taken had hallucinatory effects, the family said.
Naylor's daughter Jean Naylor told NBC 6 in a phone interview that she is certain this is her father's car. She described the find as "surreal."
Coconut Creek Police say they are working with the Broward Medical Examiner's Office to confirm the identity of the remains.
The car was found by non-profit Missing Children International Ministries, based out of Pembroke Pines. The organization's "Cars Held Hostage" project, which combs South Florida waterways for missing vehicles and people, made the discovery.
Dinorah Perry, director of Missing Children International Ministries, said the organization strives to bring families like Jean Naylor's peace of mind.
"Families, they're not asking for much, they're just asking for a tiny tiny piece of closure," Perry said.
While Jean Naylor says this is her father's car, authorities said the investigation is still in its very early stages and have not released further details. Investigators are waiting to check dental records of the remains found in the car to make a positive identification.
"I don't have any information available for release at this time, and there are a lot of questions that have to be answered and it will take us to get all the answers to those questions," said Sgt. Kathryn Markland, with Coconut Creek Police.
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Coconut Creek Police is heading the investigation with the assistance of Margate Police and the Broward Medical Examiner's Office.
No foul play is suspected, police said.
