The discovery of human remains inside a vehicle found in a Georgia pond may be linked to a New York couple who disappeared in 1980, according to police.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The family of Charles and Catherine Romer, a couple missing for 44 years, is now convinced the remains found inside a car at the bottom of a pond this past weekend belong to the previously missing couple.

"We are deeply saddened and equally relieved that our grandparents Charles and Catherine Romer's 44-year mystery disappearance has been solved," the family said. "While this discovery brings closure, it still has been very emotional."

The Romers, of Scarsdale, N.Y., disappeared from a Georgia hotel. Divers who seek to solve cold cases found a vehicle similar to theirs in a pond. They also found bones.

The family of Charles and Catherine Romer confirmed that the remains found inside a 1979 Lincoln Continental are those of the missing couple.

The discovery, which resolves an unsolved cold case, was made after divers found the couple’s remains inside a car at the bottom of a retention pond in Brunswick over the weeken