Woman Missing 40 Years Found in Car at Bottom of River

Skeletal remains found inside a submerged vehicle in the Fox River have been identified as those of Karen Schepers, a young woman who went missing from Illinois over four decades ago. The discovery brings closure to a decades-long mystery that prompted detectives to launch their own podcast in a bid to find answers.

A Case Reopened and Solved

Dental records confirmed the remains belonged to Schepers, who was 23 years old when she vanished on April 16, 1983. She had last been seen leaving a party with co-workers at P.M. Bentley’s bar in Carpentersville around 1 a.m. that night.

The case had remained unsolved for years, perplexing detectives for decades. However, the Elgin Police Department's cold case unit took a fresh look at the case last year, leading to renewed efforts and the production of a podcast titled "Somebody Knows Something." This podcast explored various theories surrounding Schepers’ disappearance.

The Discovery in the Fox River

New research revealed that the Fox River, located about 40 miles northwest of Chicago, had experienced significant flooding and unusually high water levels at the time of Schepers' disappearance. Acting on this information, a joint operation was conducted by police and volunteers with Chaos Divers on March 24. They successfully located a submerged 1980 Toyota Celica matching the description of Schepers’ vehicle.

On March 25, the submerged car was retrieved, and a forensic pathologist confirmed the presence of skeletal human remains inside. Dental records later positively identified the remains as those of Karen Schepers.

Unanswered Questions and Support for the Family

While the identification brings closure to the mystery, the circumstances surrounding how and why Schepers' car ended up in the river remain unclear. Police Chief Ana Lalley acknowledged that there will be many questions in the coming weeks and assured the public that these will be addressed in due time.

Lalley expressed her hope that the focus would remain on the Schepers family and the support they need during this incredibly difficult period as they process the events of the past week. Detective Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian extended their gratitude to Schepers' family, friends, and volunteers for their unwavering belief and assistance throughout the investigation.

Houghton recognized the risks taken by the family in reopening the case and expressed appreciation for their openness and willingness to participate in the podcast, which helped bring attention to Karen and her case.