Decades-Old Cold Case Reopened After Discovery of Human Remains in Submerged Vehicle
Authorities in Elgin, Illinois, have confirmed the discovery of skeletal human remains inside a vehicle linked to a decades-old missing persons case. The Kane County Coroner’s Office made the announcement on Tuesday evening after the vehicle was recovered from the Fox River.
The car, a 1980 canary yellow Toyota Celica, was removed from the river near the Slade Avenue boat launch after extensive recovery efforts. A nonprofit search team, Chaos Divers, located the vehicle using sonar technology, revealing it had likely been submerged for 42 years.
Connection to a Long-Standing Mystery
Law enforcement identified the car as belonging to Karen Schepers, a 23-year-old woman from Elgin who vanished in April 1983. She was last seen at a gathering with co-workers in Carpentersville, after which both she and her vehicle disappeared without a trace.
For decades, Karen’s disappearance remained unsolved, with limited leads to follow. Her family had long sought answers, and her brother, Gary Schepers, expressed both relief and frustration upon the vehicle’s recovery.
“We spent 42 years pushing against a brick wall, and now it’s finally starting to give,” he stated. “But this discovery brings more questions than answers.”
Search Efforts and Investigation
At the time of Karen’s disappearance, her family made attempts to locate her, including an aerial search conducted by her father, an airline pilot, who flew over the area hoping to spot the bright yellow car. However, the vehicle remained hidden beneath the river’s surface, making it nearly impossible to detect without advanced technology.
Authorities have now begun the process of identifying the human remains found inside the car. Investigators plan to use DNA analysis or dental records to determine whether they belong to Karen. Officials estimate that this process could take several weeks.
Impact of a Renewed Investigation
The recent progress in the case followed renewed interest sparked by a podcast titled Somebody Knows Something, launched earlier this year by the Elgin Police Department. The series aimed to gather new information on Karen’s disappearance and encouraged members of the public to come forward with any potential leads.
Karen’s family, including her mother and siblings, participated in the podcast, reflecting on decades of uncertainty. Her sister, Susan Trainer, described the lasting impact of her disappearance, recalling how she would often scan crowds, wondering if she might one day see her sister again.
“You feel like you can’t move forward until you find closure,” added Elizabeth Paulson, Karen’s 90-year-old mother.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities remain cautious about drawing immediate conclusions regarding how the car ended up in the river. Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley emphasized that investigators are exploring multiple theories and are not ruling out any possibilities.
“We have received a significant number of leads, and our detectives are carefully analyzing the information,” Lalley stated. “We want to ensure that we approach this case without prematurely locking in or dismissing any theory.”
Local residents who grew up in the area recall hearing rumors about a vehicle plunging into the river decades ago. Among them was Fernando Sanchez, who witnessed the car’s retrieval and remembered stories from his childhood about a possible accident involving a submerged car.
For Karen’s family, the discovery marks a significant development in their search for the truth. However, until the remains are officially identified and the circumstances surrounding the incident are fully understood, they remain in a state of uncertainty.
“The feeling today isn’t much different from yesterday,” said Gary Schepers. “I still don’t know where she is. I still don’t know what happened to her.”
Authorities have transported the vehicle to a secure facility for further forensic examination as the investigation continues.
