Police said a green Dodge caravan belonging to one of the men was found near the pond at 300 N. Clark in Gary, Ind., Thursday around noon.
Persie Long Sr., 65, and Clint Bradford, 62, were reported missing on Friday, October 29. The two often went fishing together at the retention pond near the Gary/Chicago International Airport.
Officials said an overturned boat was also found in the pond.
Divers made the discoveries when they headed into the water, which is one mile east of the Gary-Chicago International Airport, after receiving a tip from a Gary resident who spotted the van. They used sonar equipment in their search.
"When the Lake County dive team, which is comprised of the Lake County Sheriff's Department and the Gary Fire Department and the Hammond Fire Department, arrived on the scene they also noticed an overturned boat in the water. The dive team went in. At that time they did recover one body. Went back in the water a little later and discovered a second body," said Sgt. Latonia Shields-Marsh, Gary police.
Sources say the spot is well known to law enforcement.
"A lot of older gentlemen know of this spot and a few people, it's word of mouth, very remote, industrial area. No cell phone usage is good there because of the wires," said Shields-Marsh.
Before the bodies were identified, the families of the two men described not knowing where their loved ones were.
"I just want him home, the kids want him home," said Gina Long, victim's wife.
"I have cried so many tears. I've been worried sick. My sleep has been awful," said Ryan Bradford, victim's niece.
The property is part of a state nature preserve.
