In a significant development in the decades-old cold case of Karen Schepers, skeletal remains have been discovered in her car, which was recently pulled from the Fox River in Elgin, Illinois.
Schepers, 23 at the time, disappeared on April 16, 1983, after leaving a bar in nearby Carpentersville with coworkers. Her yellow 1980 Toyota Celica, which had been missing along with her, was located by Chaos Divers, a nonprofit group specializing in underwater searches, using sonar technology on Monday. The vehicle was recovered from the river on Tuesday.
The discovery comes after a renewed effort by the Elgin Police Department, which launched a cold case podcast titled “Somebody Knows Something” to generate leads and garner information about Schepers’ disappearance. The podcast sparked new interest in the case and led to numerous tips from the public, according to Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley.
“We are grateful for the community’s involvement and the leads we have received,” Lalley said. “Our goal remains to provide answers and closure to Karen’s family.”
The car was found near the Slade Avenue boat launch, less than a mile from Schepers’ apartment on Lovell Street. Investigators believe she might have driven into the river after leaving the bar, given the weather conditions at the time, which included high water levels and icy roads.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office confirmed the presence of skeletal remains in the vehicle. The next steps involve comparing DNA samples or dental records to confirm the identity of the remains, a process that could take several weeks.
Schepers’ family has long sought closure, with her sister, Susan, expressing a desire to know what happened to her sister. The family had not held out hope that Karen was still alive, given the passage of time.
The case remains an open and active investigation, with police committed to exploring all possible theories and avenues to provide answers to Schepers’ family. The discovery of the car and remains marks a significant step toward resolving a mystery that has endured for nearly 42 years.
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