OKEECHOBEE — After much speculation about a car found submerged in the Rim Canal last week, the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release today. Public Information Officer Michele Bell said divers located the vehicle near the Southeastern Okeechobee County Line and U.S. 441 Southeast. “The stripped vehicle had been reported stolen in Hendry County, Florida in 2006. It appears the vehicle was disposed of at this location at the time of the theft. The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office will be continuing the investigation.”

The vehicle was discovered last week by Kevin Sewell and James Sarros, who were out looking for parts of a stolen airboat taken from Sarros’ property nearby. The airboat was found in that area, and the men were looking for the trailer, thinking it might have been submerged with the airboat. They used Sewell’s Lowarence Ti2 fish and depth finder, and it picked up images of the car. The men immediately reported it to local authorities and today, May 18, divers pulled the vehicle from the water.

Locals were both hopeful and fearful the car might have something to do with Kelly Sherman, who has been missing for over a year.

If you know anything at all about Sherman’s whereabouts, you can report it anonymously. Contact Detective Savanna Smith at 863-763-9784 or Detective James Pickering at 863-763-9785, in reference to Case #200701009. You may contact Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-8477 and remain anonymous, and you may be entitled to a reward.