Yekaterina "Katya" Belaya, a 47-year-old mother of three and a science professor at Eastern Florida State College, was last seen on September 28, 2014, in Melbourne, Florida. That evening, she told her daughters she was heading to the store and left in her white 2003 Honda Odyssey minivan. However, she never returned home, and her disappearance sparked a decade-long search.
In December 2024, a local sonar group, Sunshine State Sonar, located Belaya's minivan submerged upside down in a retention pond about 1.6 miles from her home. The discovery came after the group received cellphone ping data from the night of her disappearance, which led them to the vehicle's location. The remains found inside the minivan were confirmed to be Belaya's through DNA testing.
The investigation into Belaya's death is ongoing, and authorities are following up on additional leads to determine what happened. Her family expressed gratitude to Sunshine State Sonar for their efforts in solving the case and bringing some closure to the years of uncertainty.
The case of Yekaterina Belaya remains a poignant reminder of the enduring hope and determination of loved ones in the face of tragedy.Last Seen: Sep 28, 2014
