Latest news with #Schepers'
Chicago Tribune
02-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin detectives provide more clues in Schepers' case, theory on what happened
Elgin police believe Karen Schepers' car went into the Fox River a mile or more from where it was recovered 41 years later, its locked emergency brake indicating she must have tried unsuccessfully to stop it from going into the murky water. The new details — and the emergence of a previously unknown witness at the bar where Schepers was last seen — are among the disclosures in the most recent episode of 'Somebody Knows Something,' the podcast launched in January by Elgin cold case police detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian. They hoped the series might help them solve the April 1983 disappearance of 23-year-old missing Elgin woman, and it did. On March 24, a daylong search of the river, done as part of the investigation and documented in the podcast, resulted in the discovery of Schepers' car. The 1980 Toyota Celica was found buried beneath debris in about 7 feet of water northwest of the Slade Avenue Park boat launch. The human remains inside were confirmed to be Schepers' a few days later. 'Finding Karen and her car was one big step in this investigation, but it was not the end of this case,' Vartanian said in the podcast. 'We answered the question, 'Where is Karen?'' Houghton said. 'But now we want to answer the question what happened to Karen Schepers?' The only thing they knew for certain was she left a bar in Carpentersville sometime after midnight after having joined coworkers there on a Friday night. Erin Waxenbaum, a forensic anthropologist from Northwestern University, was brought in to examine the skeletal and dental remains as part of the Kane County coroner's office's effort to confirm identity and a possible cause of death. 'All the experts agree there were no significant structural injuries, breaks, gunshot wounds, trauma or anything else suspicious on any of Karen's remains,' Vartanian said. However, they can't say with 100% certainty how Schepers died, he said. 'From a medical and legal standpoint, her death has been classified as undetermined,' he said. Schepers' car provided some important clues about what might have happened. A police department traffic crash reconstruction team examined the Celica and found no major dents or damage that would indicate it had been run off the road, struck a deer or encountered something that would have sent it into the water, they said. In fact, the car was in remarkably good condition for being submerged for almost 42 years, Houghton said. They had an Elgin Toyota master technician with 30 years' experience take a look at it as well. The key found in the ignition was in the 'on' position, meaning the car was running when it entered the river, Houghton said. The emergency brake had been pulled and was rusted in that position, the tech told them. New information provided by one of Schepers' coworkers also helped put the night's events into perspective, Houghton said. Jane worked with Schepers at First Chicago Bank in Elgin and was with her and other bank employees at the bar that night. Police had never interviewed her, and she wanted the two detectives to know what her experience had been. 'She was very, very near and dear to me,' Jane said in the podcast. 'She was always friendly and kind. She was just a wonderful person.' Jane remembers seeing her in the bar's vestibule talking on a pay phone. She was crying, and Jane asked if she was OK. Schepers said she was upset because her boyfriend didn't want to join her at the gathering. Later in the evening, she remembered Schepers taking part in a hula hoop contest, and they talked in the parking lot when the bar was closing, she said. 'I could tell that she was still upset. I just said to her, 'Karen, please be careful going home. Make sure you are safe,'' Jane said. Telling Schepers she would see her Monday, '(Karen) smiled and waved at me and said thank you.' She watched as Schepers got into her car alone and drove away south on Route 25. The new account painted a richer picture of what happened that night, Vartanian said. 'I have to say, this type of witness information is what we were looking for in our investigation the entire time,' he said. 'Like we always say, no tip is too small. This one was certainly a big one.' Houghton and Vartanian shared what they think happened that early morning. Schepers left the bar alone and likely drove home on Duncan Avenue, a route she often took. They don't believe she drank much because she wasn't known to be a heavy drinker, and she may have been tired having gotten up early the day before, Houghton said. Based on what they know about weather conditions that morning, it would have been cold with little illumination from the moon and the roadways were likely slick, they said. The Fox River was high because of recent heavy storms. There are several points on Duncan Avenue, near the Interstate 90 overpass and Trout Park, where she could have gone into the water, they said. Or, she could've been driving along Spring Street, a gated road open to the public in the 1980s not far from where she lived. They may never know exactly where the Celica entered the water, but it's likely the current could have carried the car a mile or a mile and a half downstream where it became lodged in a deeper part of the river, Houghton said. The fact the emergency brake was on when the car went into the river was an important clue, the detectives said. Suicide and foul play could be ruled out because of it, Houghton said. Based on the totality of the circumstances, it would seem Schepers' death 'was simply a very tragic accident,' he said. The final episode in the 'Somebody Knows Something' podcast will feature Schepers' family.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Remains of Illinois woman who disappeared in 1983 found after cold case investigators start podcast
ELGIN, Ill. (WGN) — Police in Elgin, Illinois, have confirmed that remains found within a car submerged in the Fox River have been positively identified as Karen Schepers, a 23-year-old who went missing nearly 42 years ago. Schepers and her Toyota Celica went missing around 1 a.m. on April 16, 1983, after leaving a Carpentersville bar following a night out with co-workers in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. After initial leads dried up and no new information came in during the original investigation into Schepers' disappearance, her case was moved to inactive. Over the decades, new looks were taken by other law enforcement agencies as time went by. The Illinois State Police revisited Schepers' case in the late 1980s. Years later, the Elgin Police Department (EPD) said advancements in forensic science led to another review of her case in 2010 — but again — the investigation dried up. Schepers' case wasn't revisited for another 14 years. In May 2024, EPD created their Cold Case Unit and five months later, they reopened Schepers' missing person's case. Remains found in California decades ago ID'd as missing New York 13-year-old It was shortly after this point EPD Chief Ana Lalley empowered detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian to launch 'Somebody Knows Something: The Elgin Police Cold Case Podcast.' Their first episode debuted on Jan. 20 of this year, hoping to renew interest and spark new leads as they documented their investigation into Schepers' decades-old disappearance case. In the podcast's introductory episode, Houghton and Vartanian laid out six theories they planned to investigate, with a search of local bodies of water being the final theory they planned to dive into as they revisited Schepers' disappearance. As their investigation progressed and podcast episodes dropped, searching local waterways became an increasingly pivotal part of their look into Schepers' case. They also considered evidence that the Fox River flooded and water levels in the Elgin area were unusually high around the time that Schepers went missing. This gave credence to the idea Schepers' 1980 Toyota Celica may be submerged somewhere along the Fox River, leading EPD to bump up a water search strategy ahead of other theories they previously planned to explore. Enter a nonprofit organization known as Chaos Divers. EPD partnered with Chaos Divers to search an extensive swath of the Fox River. On March 24 near a boat launch, divers were able to locate a vehicle submerged in the river with a license plate that read, 'XP8919,' which matched the license plate of Schepers' Celica. A day later, emergency crews removed the vehicle from the Fox River and transported it to the Kane County Coroner's Office for further examination. On Wednesday, March 26, the office confirmed there were human remains inside the car pulled from the Fox River. The following day, they identified the remains as Schepers. After this breakthrough, Schepers' family released a statement thanking the Elgin Police, the divers, and the investigators and listeners of the 'Somebody Knows Something' podcast. Their full statement can be found below: 'We would like to thank the Elgin Police Department – especially Chief Lalley, Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian and retired Officer Mike Gough for their dedication to the Cold Case program that brought Karen back to us after so many years. 'As we each heard the news that her car was found, time stopped while we drew an audible gasp. When it started back up again, our lives took a new path that finally included the answer to 'Where is Karen?' This question has been haunting all who knew Karen for many years. She was a young, independent, accomplished trailblazer with a very bright future. She has been missed and will continue to be missed by those of us who loved her. We believe she has been watching as God's hand guided all of the events of her coming home. An incredible miracle happened through the skills, intelligence, and compassion of all involved. 'We also want to extend a special 'thank you' to the team of Chaos Divers: Jacob, Lindsay, and Mike. Their expertise enabled such a complete recovery of Karen and her personal effects that very likely could have been lost to the river if the recovery had been completed any other way. 'Thank you to the listeners of the Somebody Knows Something podcast, those who've connected with Karen's story, and everyone behind the scenes of both the investigation and recovery. Words cannot begin to convey how grateful we are to everyone involved. 'We hope for continued success on each and every cold case. Miracles do happen. 'Our family, especially our mother, Liz, is overwhelmed by the care and concern of so many thousands that have followed this case. We very much appreciate the love of friends and family and the prayers for our beloved Karen.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Karen Schepers' family releases statement after Elgin PD, Chaos Divers find her remains
ELGIN, Ill. (WGN) — The family of Karen Schepers released a statement Wednesday in the aftermath of a major breakthrough that brought her remains home after going missing nearly 43 years ago. While the Elgin Police Department continues to work towards closure of Schepers' cold case, police said her family expressed they wanted to release a statement to the surrounding community about this case. 'We would like to thank the Elgin Police Department – especially Chief Lalley, Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian and retired Officer Mike Gough for their dedication to the Cold Case program that brought Karen back to us after so many years. 'As we each heard the news that her car was found, time stopped while we drew an audible gasp. When it started back up again, our lives took a new path that finally included the answer to 'Where is Karen?' This question has been haunting all who knew Karen for many years. She was a young, independent, accomplished trailblazer with a very bright future. She has been missed and will continue to be missed by those of us who loved her. We believe she has been watching as God's hand guided all of the events of her coming home. An incredible miracle happened through the skills, intelligence, and compassion of all involved. 'We also want to extend a special 'thank you' to the team of Chaos Divers: Jacob, Lindsay, and Mike. Their expertise enabled such a complete recovery of Karen and her personal effects that very likely could have been lost to the river if the recovery had been completed any other way. 'Thank you to the listeners of the Somebody Knows Something podcast, those who've connected with Karen's story, and everyone behind the scenes of both the investigation and recovery. Words cannot begin to convey how grateful we are to everyone involved. 'We hope for continued success on each and every cold case. Miracles do happen. 'Our family, especially our mother, Liz, is overwhelmed by the care and concern of so many thousands that have followed this case. We very much appreciate the love of friends and family and the prayers for our beloved Karen.' – The Schepers Family *The section below is excerpted from a previous story on The full length of that story can be read by clicking . Schepers and her Toyota Celica went missing around 1 a.m. on April 16, 1983, after leaving a Carpentersville bar named P.M. Bentley's in the Meadowdale Shopping Center following a night out with co-workers in the northwest suburbs. After initial leads dried up and no new information came in during the original investigation into Schepers' disappearance, her case was moved to inactive. Over the decades, new looks were taken by other law enforcement agencies as time went by. The Illinois State Police revisited Schepers' case in the late 1980s. Years later, EPD said advancements in forensic science led to another review of her case in 2010—but again—the investigation dried up. Schepers' case wasn't revisited for another 14 years. In May 2024, EPD created their Cold Case Unit and five months later, they reopened Schepers' missing person's case. It was shortly after this point EPD Chief Ana Lalley empowered detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian to launch 'Somebody Knows Something:' The Elgin Police Cold Case Podcast. Their first episode debuted on Jan. 20 of this year, hoping to renew interest and spark new leads as they documented their investigation into Schepers' decades-old disappearance case. In the podcast's introductory episode, Houghton and Vartanian laid out six theories they planned to investigate, with a search of local bodies of water being the final theory they planned to dive into as they revisited Schepers' disappearance. As their investigation progressed and podcast episodes dropped, searching local waterways became an increasingly pivotal part of their look into Schepers' case. This included research evidence the Fox River flooded and water levels in the Elgin area were unusually high around the time Schepers went missing. This gave credence to the idea Schepers' 1980 Toyota Celica may be submerged somewhere along the Fox River and led EPD to bump up a water search strategy ahead of other theories they previously planned to explore. Enter Chaos Divers. EPD partnered with the non-profit organization to search an extensive swath of the Fox River—an area from the Kimball Street Dam in Elgin, north to Williams Place in East Dundee. On March 24 near the Slade Avenue boat launch, divers were able to locate a vehicle submerged in the river with a license plate that read, 'XP8919,' which matched the license plate of Schepers' Celica. A day later, emergency crews removed the vehicle from the Fox River and transported it to the Kane County Coroner's Office for further examination. On Wednesday, March 26, KCCO confirmed there were human remains inside the car pulled from the Fox River in connection to Schepers' case. On Thursday, March 27, they confirmed the human remains inside the vehicle were identified as Schepers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
28-03-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin detectives recount the week they knew they'd solved the Karen Schepers missing person case
A sapphire ring she wore every day and a 1977 graduation tassel from Sycamore High School were among the items recovered from Karen Schepers' car this week and returned to her family, more proof that the Elgin woman missing nearly 42 years had finally been found. Elgin police Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian said they wanted to make sure the personal belongings found in the car were returned to Schepers' mother, now 90. 'It's a privilege and an honor for the Elgin Police Department to be able to do this for a family,' Elgin police Chief Ana Lalley said. 'It was very important to give the family a sense of peace.' Speaking Friday on Lalley's radio show, 'Fridays with the Finest,' on WRMN-AM 1410, the three discussed the stunning week of revelations that began with the discovery of Schepers' missing car in the Fox River and ended with identification of Schepers' remains. The detectives described the rapid series of events as astonishing despite knowing there was a strong possibility Schepers could have accidentally gone into the river given the weather conditions and other factors at play in the early morning hours of April 16, 1983. 'I think this week is still a bit of a shock (in) how everything went down how it did,' Vartanian said. Schepers' case was the first one Houghton and Vartanian decided to pursue after being assigned to the department's newly created cold case unit in May 2024. They decided to do a podcast, ' Somebody Knows Something, ' in hopes it could bring forth new witnesses and details and would be intriguing to listen to as they did their work in real time. The first step was to recount and review what they knew about the case. Schepers, a 23-year-old computer programmer, and a group of co-workers from First Chicago Bank Card in Elgin decided to meet April 15, 1983, a Friday night, for drinks at a bar in Carpentersville to celebrate the completion of a work project. Schepers had called her boyfriend, described as her former fiance, to see if he wanted to join her, and they quarreled when he turned her down. Despite that, she was seen participating in a hula hoop contest and reported to be the last in the group to leave about 1 a.m. After that, the trail went cold. She was never seen again. Her car never found. Her bank accounts, credit cards and possessions left untouched. Had she followed the common route home, she would have driven in close proximity to the Fox River's edge. The crescent moon offering limited light, below-freezing temperatures causing slick roadways and the possibility that Schepers' response time was hindered by alcohol consumption were all factors to be considered. Had a river search ever been conducted? The detectives weren't sure. That's how they came to contact Chaos Divers, a nonprofit that specializes in locating people in bodies of water. Early Monday,the pair joined Chaos Divers owner Jacob Grubbs, manager Lindsay Bussick and diver Mike McFerron on their boat for a search. Armed with specialized sonar equipment, they started at the Kimball Street dam and combed 5 miles of the river heading north toward the Interstate 90 bridge, Vartanian said. Several cars were found at the bottom of the river in the area northwest of the Slade Avenue boat launch but they were ruled out as being Schepers' 1980 Toyota Celica, the detectives said. After eight hours of unsuccessful searching, they decided to circle back to the Slade Avenue area. When McFerron went into the water there a second time, he came upon a vehicle on its roof covered in debris, Houghton said. When he resurfaced, he had a license plate number: XP8919. 'We knew the plate. We had it memorized,' Vartanian said. 'I can't describe the amount of shock you are in (when you realize you have a match),' Houghton said. The two immediately started making a plan for what to do next. The Celica was pulled out of the water Tuesday afternoon. Inside, human remains were recovered and given to the Kane County coroner's office for identification. Thanks to dental records, a positive ID for Schepers was made Thursday. 'When we started the podcast, we never wanted it to take away from what the goal was,' Vartanian said. 'The goal was to find answers and get information about where Karen is and what happened to her.' 'We wanted to be very factual,' he said, 'but still wanted to be engaging for people to listen to without being exploitative of the family or Karen.' Through the podcast, they learned details that weren't in the original police reports. Such as, there was a carnival in Carpentersville that night. And there had been an incident at the Carpentersville bar in which an employee reported that a co-worker was stalking her. Had they not gotten the break they needed by finding the car, the investigation would have continued, authorities said. The detectives will appear again next week on 'Fridays with the Finest' to answer questions about the case, Lalley said. While the cold case unit has other cases to work on, she's giving Houghton and Vartanian some time to decompress after an intense week, she said. 'The priority here is the Schepers family,' she said. 'We need to give them an opportunity to process this privately. This is an extraordinary thing that happened over this past week that they probably never thought would happen.'
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Karen Schepers: Remains in submerged car confirmed as Illinois woman missing since 1983
The Brief The Kane County Coroner's Office confirmed the remains found in a vehicle pulled from the Fox River belong to Karen Schepers. Schepers vanished in 1983 after leaving a Carpentersville bar. Authorities acknowledge a missed opportunity in 2022 when the vehicle was first detected but not investigated further. ELGIN, Ill. - More than 40 years after Karen Schepers vanished without a trace, authorities have confirmed that skeletal remains found in her submerged car in the Fox River belong to the missing woman. What we know The Kane County Coroner's Office officially notified police on Thursday that forensic odontologists matched the remains to Schepers using dental records provided by her family. Schepers, who was 23 at the time of her disappearance, was last seen leaving PM Bentley's bar in Carpentersville on April 16, 1983. Her yellow 1980 Toyota Celica, which also went missing, was recovered from the Fox River earlier this week by Chaos Divers, an independent search and rescue team assisting the Elgin Police Department's Cold Case Unit. The discovery marks a major break in the decades-old case, offering closure to Schepers' family while raising new questions about how her vehicle ended up in the river. Authorities also revealed that Schepers' vehicle was unknowingly detected nearly three years ago. In 2022, a fisherman using sonar equipment near the Slade Avenue boat launch spotted an unusual object in the river and reported it to the Elgin Fire Department. A dive team investigated and located what appeared to be a small vehicle but mistakenly identified it as an all-terrain or utility-task vehicle. No further search was conducted. Elgin Fire Chief Robb Cagann acknowledged the mistake, stating, "Upon careful review, I concluded that more should have been done in 2022, including a comprehensive underwater examination of the vehicle." Since then, the fire department has updated its dive team leadership and protocols to prevent similar oversights. What's next While the positive identification provides long-awaited answers, many questions remain. Investigators are still determining how Schepers' car ended up in the river and whether foul play was involved. The Elgin Police Department continues to treat the case as an active investigation. The Source The information in this article was provided by the Kane County Coroner's Office, Elgin Police Department, and Elgin Fire Department. FOX 32's Kasey Chronis also reported on this story.
