On a late evening in October 1964, a 48-year-old woman named Celina F. Lung finished her shift at an ambulance company in Everett, Washington, and was never seen again. Her car remained parked across the street from her workplace, a usual practice for her during her shifts. Concern grew the following morning when a coworker noticed her car was still in the same spot. Inside the vehicle, they discovered her coat, handbag containing her wallet and personal items, her shoes, and car keys.
This unsettling discovery prompted a call to her residence, confirming she had not returned home after work, and the police were subsequently notified.
The investigation into Celina's disappearance quickly focused on her estranged husband, Joel Lung. Initially, he denied any knowledge of her whereabouts when questioned by police. However, the investigation uncovered grim evidence. A. 30 caliber bullet hole was found in the pocket of Celina's coat, and the lining around the hole was stained with what was later confirmed to be human blood. During further interrogation, and after being advised of his right to counsel, Joel Lung confessed to his involvement in her disappearance. He admitted to accidentally shooting his estranged wife.
In his confession, Joel Lung stated that after the shooting, he panicked. He then placed Celina's body in his panel delivery truck and drove to a log dump on the Snohomish River, where he disposed of her remains in the water. A police officer later testified to seeing a truck matching the description of Joel's vehicle near the specified location on the river in the early morning hours following Celina's disappearance. Despite his confession and subsequent conviction for second-degree murder in May 1965, an extensive search of the Snohomish River and its surrounding areas never led to the discovery of Celina Lung's body. The case remains a somber chapter in Everett's history, a story of a life tragically cut short and a family left without the closure of laying their loved one to rest.Last Seen: Oct 24, 1964
