Somebody Knows Something: Episode 1 - Reported Missing

Introduction

In the inaugural episode of Somebody Knows Something, titled "Reported Missing," Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian from the Elgin Police Department's Cold Case Unit delve into the mysterious disappearance of Karen Schepers. This episode sets the stage for a comprehensive investigation, blending real police interviews, witness testimonies, and detective insights to unravel the circumstances surrounding Karen's vanishing in 1983.

Meet the Hosts

Chief Anna Lalli opens the podcast by introducing the mission of the Cold Case Unit and the podcast’s goal to shed new light on unresolved cases:

Chief Anna Lalli [01:02]: "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."

Detectives Houghton and Vartanian then introduce themselves and outline the focus of Season 1:

Detective Matt Vartanian [01:51]: "This season we are investigating the case of Karen Schepers, who disappeared on April 16th of 1983."

Background on Karen Schepers

Karen Schepers was a 23-year-old woman who disappeared without a trace after a night out with co-workers on April 16, 1983. The detectives provide a detailed physical description to humanize Karen and emphasize the importance of visualizing the missing person:

Detective Andrew Houghton [03:19]: "Karen was 23 years old... about 5 foot 7, weighed about 125 pounds and had long brown hair and brown eyes... very pretty, very friendly, someone who really made friends easily."

Timeline of Events

The episode meticulously reconstructs the hours leading up to Karen's disappearance:

1. Morning of April 16, 1983 [04:19]:

   • Karen wakes up around 7 AM to prepare for work.
   • Deposits over $1,000 from her tax return into her bank account [04:47].
   • Lives alone in an apartment at 311 Level Street, Elgin [05:00].

2. Commute to Work:

   • Drives a canary yellow 1980 Toyota Celica, a manual transmission vehicle [05:17].
   • This detail is crucial as it implies that anyone who might have taken her car must know how to drive a stick shift [06:12].

3. Evening at Work:

   • Karen informs her co-workers she will attend a party after work [07:47].
   • The detectives plan to explore whether she stopped at home to change clothes before heading out [08:08].

4. Night at PM Bentley's Bar [09:24]:

   • The party is located in Carpentersville at the Meadowdale Shopping Center [09:57].
   • Karen is last seen participating in a hula hoop contest around 12:30 AM [17:08].
   • No one recalls seeing her leave the premises after the contest [18:08].

Witness Accounts and Interviews

A significant portion of the episode revolves around interviews with Karen's co-workers, particularly Marianne, who provides crucial insights:

Marianne [11:54]: "I remember yelling across the parking lot, Karen, don't forget we have the meeting at 9am tomorrow."

Marianne recounts seeing Karen around 9:30 PM in the parking lot and hearing her express frustration over a phone call with her boyfriend, Terry:

Marianne [13:53]: "I could see her gestures, and she was frustrated... she did put... She tried to go on in a positive way... I'm gonna have fun tonight."

These testimonies help establish a timeline and Karen's state of mind during the evening.

Theories Discussed

Detectives present six main theories regarding Karen's disappearance, emphasizing an open-minded approach to the investigation:

1. Voluntary Disappearance or Self-Harm [20:36]:

   • Karen may have left to start a new life or taken her own life.
   • Context: Recently called off an engagement and had financial means to leave.

2. Incident at the Bar [21:28]:

   • Potential abduction in the parking lot or an encounter with someone met at PM Bentley's.
   • Possible involvement of bikers or other patrons.

3. Drive Home [22:15]:

   • Something happened during her commute, such as an encounter with a serial killer active in the Fox Valley area during the 70s and 80s.

4. Returned Home and Encountered Trouble [22:43]:

   • Possible incidents within her apartment complex, including interactions with neighbors or stepfamily members.
   • Previous tenant was a suspect in a separate 1976 kidnapping and murder.

5. Boyfriend’s Involvement [23:31]:

   • Despite reports of estrangement, Terry could have played a role in her disappearance.

6. Accident Involving Water Bodies [24:01]:

   • Karen might have crashed into a body of water during her drive home.

Detectives Houghton and Vartanian stress the importance of exploring each theory without bias:

Detective Andrew Houghton [20:36]: "We just can't assume that something happened. We have to look at it from all angles."

Investigative Plans

The detectives outline their investigative strategy for the season:

• Next Episode Focus [24:42]: Investigate the possibility that Karen left willingly, exploring her background and personal motivations.

• Subsequent Episodes: Each theory will be examined in depth through interviews, new witness statements, and the introduction of potential suspects.

Detective Matt Vartanian [24:31]: "We really have to explore the different routes that she may have likely taken home that night from PM Bentley's."

Conclusion and Call to Action

Chief Anna Lalli reiterates the call for public assistance, providing contact information for anyone with relevant information:

Chief Anna Lalli [25:48]: "If you or anyone you know has information about this case or any other cold case in Elgin, please contact the Elgin Police Department Cold case email@coldcasetipselginil.gov or the cold case tip line at 847289 cold."

Detectives Houghton and Vartanian emphasize the collaborative effort needed to solve cold cases:

Detective Andrew Houghton [26:24]: "We're going to make statements kind of try to come to life. We're going to release some of those documents and reports for the first time publicly in this podcast."

Final Thoughts

"Reported Missing" serves as a compelling introduction to Somebody Knows Something, laying a robust foundation for the season's investigation into Karen Schepers' disappearance. Through meticulous exposition and engaging storytelling, the podcast invites listeners to participate in unraveling the mystery, honoring Karen's memory by seeking the truth behind her vanishing.