Remains found in car in Plantation pond tied to 25-year-old missing person cold case

In a dramatic turn of events, human remains found in a submerged car in a Plantation, Florida pond have been linked to a 25-year-old missing person case. The discovery is offering a possible resolution to the mystery of Libby Ann Dibenedetto, a woman who vanished in 2000, leaving her family and investigators with more questions than answers for years.

On Sunday, April 6, 2025, a team of volunteers from Sunshine State Sonar, an organization dedicated to solving cold cases by searching bodies of water, located a gold 1996 Toyota Camry about 13 feet underwater in a retention pond near the intersection of West Sunrise Boulevard and North Flamingo Road. The vehicle was identified as matching the description of the car owned by Libby Ann Dibenedetto, who was 35 years old when she disappeared.

Libby was last seen on the night of her disappearance after a visit to Duke’s Bar and Grill in Davie. Her last known communication was a phone call to her therapist from a payphone near North Pine Island Road and West Sunrise Boulevard. Following that call, Libby and her car seemingly vanished into thin air, and she was never heard from again.

The discovery of the car and the remains inside is a major breakthrough for her family, who have been desperately seeking answers for over two decades. Authorities are now working to confirm the identity of the remains and determine the cause of her disappearance. While it’s still early in the investigation, this new development has brought renewed hope to the family and the community.

Sunshine State Sonar, the volunteer group that made the discovery, has previously been involved in solving other cold cases by searching bodies of water where police had not yet looked. Their work continues to shine a light on cases that have long been cold, offering families the chance to find closure.

The Plantation Police Department is urging anyone with information related to Libby’s disappearance to come forward, hoping this new discovery will lead to more answers. After 25 years, there is hope that this long-unsolved case will finally come to a resolution.