In the late summer of 1973, a sense of anticipation was in the air for the Keyton family, who were planning a reunion in Dabolt, Kentucky. On August 3rd, 80-year-old John Edwin Keyton, a male resident of Bridgewater, Virginia, set out for the gathering. He was not alone on this journey; accompanying him were his housekeeper, Flora Helmick, and her sister, Martha Helmick. The three of them were last seen at about midday in Bridgewater, embarking on their trip in John's light green 1967 Ford Fairlane. Their plan was to first travel to Jessamine County to pick up John's brother before continuing to the family event scheduled for the next day. However, the trio never arrived at their destination, and from that day forward, their whereabouts became a profound and troubling mystery.
John Keyton, known to some as Ed, was a man marked by his past experiences.
A veteran of World War I, he had been recognized for his heroism but had also suffered greatly, losing his left leg in battle. The war had left a lasting impact on him mentally, and he had a reputation in his community for being eccentric. In 1932, a Rockingham Circuit Court had declared him incompetent, and a guardian was appointed to manage his affairs. Despite having his driver's license revoked due to a history of accidents and traffic citations, he continued to drive. For many years following their disappearance, the fate of John, Flora, and Martha remained unknown. Various theories were considered, from a tragic accident in the mountains to the possibility of foul play, but no concrete evidence emerged to support any particular scenario.
Decades passed until a significant breakthrough occurred in 2016. During a training exercise in the Kentucky River near the Valley View Ferry, the Lexington Fire Department discovered the rusted remains of a car submerged in the water. The vehicle was identified as a 1967 Ford Fairlane, the same car the trio had been traveling in. Inside the vehicle, investigators found human remains. After a lengthy and complex investigation, advanced DNA technology confirmed in 2021 that the remains belonged to Martha Helmick. This discovery finally brought a long-awaited resolution to the 48-year-old mystery. Investigators concluded that the three had perished accidentally, likely having driven into the river near the ferry. While the remains of John Keyton and Flora Helmick were not found, the discovery provided a sad sense of closure to the families who had waited so long for answers.Last Seen: Aug 3, 1973
