# YouTuber Helps Break Decade-Old Missing Person Case

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/forensic-files-unsealed-6989771/youtuber-helps-break-decade-old-missing-person-case
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/forensic-files-unsealed-6989771/youtuber-helps-break-decade-old-missing-person-case.md
Podcast: [Forensic Files Unsealed](https://stenobird.com/podcast/forensic-files-unsealed-6989771)
Published: 2026-09-15T16:27:13+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/youtuber-helps-break-decade-old-missing-person-case--75147742
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/75147742/youtuber_finds_donnie_erwin_after_ten_years.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/forensic-files-unsealed-6989771/episodes/youtuber-helps-break-decade-old-missing-person-case
Duration seconds: 2762

## Resource

A decade after Donnie Erwin vanished from his Missouri home, an independent investigator and YouTuber named James Hinkle successfully located the missing man’s vehicle. Using a combination of drones, sonar-equipped kayaks, and diving skills, Hinkle identified the submerged car in a small retention pond only a few miles from where Erwin was last seen. Local authorities subsequently recovered the car along with human remains, providing a significant breakthrough in a case that had remained cold for ten years. The discovery has offered a new sense of closure to the family, who spent years keeping the search alive through social media. This story highlights how modern technology and dedicated private citizens can assist law enforcement in resolving long-standing mysteries. Under the direction of the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, the site is now being treated as an active scene to finalize the identification of the remains. This episode includes AI-generated content.

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## Transcript

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