Dive Crew Retrieving Vehicle In Darby Creek

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Recovery crews today removed a vehicle from Darby Creek, where the remains of a man who went missing nearly 20 years ago were discovered last week, officials confirmed.

Members with Adventures with a Purpose, an Oregon-based group of volunteer divers, last week confirmed they discovered the body of James Amabile, 38, who went missing Dec.4, 2003.

The group member said one of Amabile’s family members contacted the divers specializing in finding remains after watching the group’s YouTube shows, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The group has 2 million followers.

The crew returned today and removed the vehicle, according to By Ross DiMattei, CBS Philadelphia.

Divers discovered human remains inside the car on March 19 about 24 feet below the water and 200 yards away from Stingers Waterfront in Ridley Park.

Ridley Township police declined to comment this morning on the status of the case.

According to Ridley police:

Police were notified of the discovery by members of Adventures with Purpose Underwater Dive and Recovery.

The organization, which investigates cold cases specializing in locating vehicles submerged underwater, said they used specialized sonar equipment.

Divers recovered a license plate from the vehicle along with human remains.

The vehicle registration plate removed from the vehicle matched a Ridley Township missing person entry from December of 2003.

Team Divers from Adventures with Purpose along with members of the Ridley Township Police Department, Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office, Leedom Fire Company and the Ridley Township Marina Staff assisted in the removal of underwater evidence.

The Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office is examining the human remains for positive identification.

An investigation is ongoing. Further details will be reported when they become available.