Young Lovers Who Disappeared 12 Years Ago Found Dead at the Bottom of a River (Photos)

Ilya Zhirnov, 25, and his girlfriend Kira Cherkasova, 22 died over 10 years ago

A young couple who disappeared nearly 12 years ago have been found dead in the river Volga in central Russia, Dailymail has reported.

The man identified as Ilya Zhirnov, 25, and his girlfriend Kira Cherkasova, 22, went missing in December 2005 without a trace. Now, after 10 years, the remains of the couple have been found inside a car at the bottom of Volga in the city of Cheboksary in central Russia's Chuvash Republic.

Car documents - which had survived more than a decade underwater - enabled police to identify the couple. They were last seen in December 2005 when Mr Zhirnov borrowed a car from his father to pick up Miss Cherkasova from work.

Police investigated the missing couple, but were eventually forced to close the case as a result of lack of evidence, and the families have been left in the dark as to the young lovers' fate until today.


The car was found in the bottom of the river

The couple's car was found in the river by a local diving enthusiast, whose name has not been released, when he was exploring the waters near a local beach. He reported his discovery to police who winched the car out of the river the following day.

Officers believe the lovers' death was an accident and that icy roads near the river may have been to blame for their tragic end.