PONCE INLET, Fla. (WFLA) — A recent discovery led to a breakthrough in the mystery of a diver who disappeared off the coast of Ponce Inlet in 2006.

According to NBC affiliate WESH, a year later, a jawbone washed ashore, whose owner, until now, remained unknown.

Volusia County Chief Medical Examiner James Fulcher told reporters that the human jawbone was found on New Smyrna Beach in 2007, but due to limited DNA technology, they were unable to identify the decedent at that time.

However, the bone was recently sent to a specialized lab for further testing, and an identification was finally made.

WESH reported that the mandible belonged to Robert Martin, a diver who vanished after a trip about 20 miles offshore from Ponce Inlet.

Fulcher, who is an experienced diver, examined Martin’s equipment, which also washed ashore, to determine the cause of his death.

“We believe he became trapped under some rocks looking for lobsters, we know he was lobstering, and he took off his buoyancy compensator vest, which has the tank and the regulator,” said Fulcher.

He told reporters that Martin’s death was presumed to be a drowning.

“The decedent came up and yelled for help then was never seen again so, presumably, this was a drowning related to the lack of flotation on the surface.”

His deduction provides insight into a case that has left more questions than answers for nearly 20 years.