Summary of "Somebody Knows Something" Episode 0 - "Creating A Cold Case Unit"
Podcast Title: Somebody Knows Something
Host/Author: EPD Cold Case
Episode: Episode 0 - Creating A Cold Case Unit
Release Date: January 20, 2025
Introduction
The inaugural episode of "Somebody Knows Something", a podcast by the Elgin Police Department's Cold Case Unit, sets the stage for a deep dive into unsolved homicides and missing persons cases within the city of Elgin, Illinois. Hosted by Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian, the podcast aims to engage the community in solving these lingering mysteries by leveraging new technology and dedicated resources.
Establishing the Cold Case Unit
Chief Anna Lally introduces the initiative, emphasizing the importance of revisiting cold cases with fresh perspectives and modern investigative techniques. She states:
"We believe that the Elgin Police Department and our community can work together to bring closure to cold cases because we know that in these cases, somebody knows something."
[01:02]
Chief Lally highlights Elgin's unique community dynamics, describing it as a "very diverse community" with a population of approximately 116,000. She underscores the department's commitment to being progressive in policing, mentioning initiatives like the body-worn camera program and collaborative crisis services unit.
Meet the Detectives
Detective Andrew Houghton and Detective Matt Vartanian introduce themselves, outlining their backgrounds and expertise:
-
Detective Andrew Houghton has served since 2007, initially as a patrol officer and later as an evidence technician. He transitioned to detective work in 2013, focusing on crimes against children and homicides.
"I have worked with the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force on major cases here in Kane county since 2021."
[05:02] -
Detective Matt Vartanian has been with the Elgin Police Department since 2008, spending 12 years in the gang crimes unit and serving as a SWAT team operator. He brings extensive training in historical cell site analysis and digital forensics to the Cold Case Unit.
"I'm responsible for processing all the historical cell site information on cases that we work."
[06:49]
Understanding Cold Cases
The detectives outline the criteria for a case to be classified as a cold case within their unit:
- Homicide Cases: Currently, there are 41 homicides dating from 1971 to 2021, with 5 in warrant status.
- Long-Term Missing Persons: Six cases spanning from 1982 to 2021.
- Sexual Assaults: 26 cold case sexual assaults with available assault kits dating back to 1996.
- Unidentified Human Remains: Currently none, but the category is open for future cases.
"We are going to go back through those different cases and potentially reinvestigate those cases."
[06:49]
Challenges in Solving Cold Cases
Detectives discuss the myriad challenges faced in resolving cold cases, including deteriorating physical evidence, changes in technology, and the passage of time affecting witnesses and suspects.
Detective Houghton emphasizes the impact of technological advancements:
"DNA was not something that police were really aware of, really before the 1990s."
[09:10]
Detective Vartanian highlights the difficulties in dealing with fragmented evidence stored across various agencies from past investigations:
"We are kind of like, looking for physical items of evidence that might be housed elsewhere instead of here in our evidence collection area."
[10:22]
They also discuss the challenges posed by outdated records and the scarcity of reliable information from past investigations, especially when key individuals are no longer available for interviews.
Leveraging Modern Technology
The detectives illustrate how modern technology assists in investigations:
- Cell Site Analysis: Mapping historical and real-time cell phone data to determine locations.
- Digital Forensics: Utilizing digital evidence from social media and other online platforms to gather leads.
- DNA Analysis: Re-testing old evidence with current DNA technology to uncover new leads.
"We're going to map cell phone records, basically what it is. So any records that we get from companies like AT&T T Mobile, Verizon, we can also map location data that's physically recovered from a device like a cell phone."
[12:38]
Spotlight on the Karen Shepers Case
The first season focuses on the disappearance of Karen Shepers, a 23-year-old woman who vanished on April 16, 1983, after a night out with coworkers. Detectives chose this case due to the remaining local connections and the willingness of family and friends to engage with the podcast.
"Karen was a vibrant 23-year-old woman who lived in Elgin, worked at a company called first, and went out with multiple co-workers to a bar... she simply disappeared along with her vehicle and she was never seen again."
[21:49]
Community Engagement and Call to Action
A significant emphasis is placed on community involvement. Detectives encourage listeners to provide any information that could aid in solving these cases through various channels:
- Email: ColdCaseTips@elginil.gov
- Phone: 1-847-289-COLD (1-847-289-2653)
- Website: Elgin Police Department Cold Cases
"There is somebody out there who has that little piece of information to the puzzle that gives us what we need to solve that case."
[01:02]
"We just need help from people that aren't here. You know, people around the country, around the city."
[17:33]
Conclusion
Episode 0 effectively sets the foundation for the podcast series by introducing the Cold Case Unit, its detectives, and the methodology they employ in tackling longstanding unsolved cases. By blending detailed explanations with personal insights and community calls to action, the episode aims to engage listeners actively in the pursuit of justice for Elgin's cold case victims.
"We're going to dive into this case extensively and just one case at a time, and we're going to do multiple episodes about a single case. And we're also going to do it as we're actively investigating the case and trying to resolve it sort of in real time."
[18:45]
Listeners are invited to join the detectives on this investigative journey, starting with Karen Shepers' disappearance, in hopes of finally uncovering the truths that have remained elusive for decades.
Contact Information:
If you or anyone you know has information about Karen Shepers' case or any other cold case in Elgin, please reach out via:
- Email: ColdCaseTips@elginil.gov
- Phone: 1-847-289-COLD (1-847-289-2653)
- Website: Elgin Police Department Cold Cases
Note: All quotes are attributed to the respective speakers with corresponding timestamps for reference.