Human Remains Pulled From North Carolina Lake Could Be Man Reported Missing in 1972

— -- A 43-year-old mystery may be one step closer to being solved.

Police pulled a 1968 Pontiac from Lake Rhodhiss in North Carolina on July 21 and believe the human remains inside belong to Amos Shook, a man reported missing in 1972, according to ABC News affiliate WSOC.

An autopsy will hopefully confirm the retired Air Force member’s identity after more than four decades of questions surrounding his disappearance.

“It put some closure on something [the family’s] been looking forward to for a long time,” Sheriff Alan Jones told WSOC.

The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Department investigators used sonar technology to locate Shook’s car in the 30-foot deep water at the lake about 75 miles northwest of Charlotte, North Carolina.

No specific tip led them to Lake Rhodhiss, however, Shook’s daughter asked the department to look at her father’s case again just last month, WSOC reported.

Alongside the mud, rust and water in the car, investigators said they found Shook’s wallet.

The North Carolina Chief Medical Examiner’s office does not have an expected date they will finish the autopsy and identification process, a spokeswoman told ABC News today.

If the remains are confirmed to be Shook, police are expected to close the case because they don’t suspect suicide or foul play.

The Caldwell County Sheriff's office did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for additional comment.