← Somebody Knows Something
Somebody Knows Something
Episode 11: Remembering Karen Schepers
00:43:22
Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian from the Elgin Police Department Cold Case Unit reflect on the past 6 months of this investigation with Karen’s family, friends, and coworkers as Karen finally comes home and is laid to rest.
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- [00:02]
Narrator
This podcast is based on information sourced primarily from police and media reports, but certain names and other identifying details may have been changed or altered for privacy and security reasons. While the events and cases discussed are based on real investigations, some aspects may be simplified for time and for narrative purposes. Voice actors have been used to read from statements or documents. All information presented is intended solely to inform and raise awareness. Hosts may discuss theories regarding the cases examined in this podcast, but such discussions are not intended to and should not be considered by the listener to be legal. Conclusions all persons discussed are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Listener discretion is advised.
- [01:05]
Chief Anna Lally
This is Chief Anna Lally. Welcome to Somebody Knows Something, a podcast from the Elgin Police Department's Cold Case Unit. In this podcast, we will shed new light on cold cases in the City of Elgin by sharing untold details and and by encouraging anyone with information to come forward. You will come along with real cold case detectives as they investigate active cold cases in real time and seek justice for the victims and closure for their families. 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.
- [01:46]
Detective Andrew Houghton
Hello and welcome to Somebody Knows Something, the Elgin Police Department Cold Case Podcast. My name is Detective Andrew Houghton and.
- [01:53]
Detective Matt Vartanian
I'm Detective Matt Vartanian.
- [01:56]
Detective Andrew Houghton
Last episode we revealed new information from one of Karen's former co workers who actually saw Karen leave PM Bentley's alone on April 16th of 1983. And we also detailed the findings of our multiple experts after they assessed both Karen's Toyota and her remains. In the end, both Matt and I concluded that Karen's death was most likely a very tragic accident.
- [02:16]
Detective Matt Vartanian
For this final episode of the season, we sat back down with the same people who started this journey with us, members of Karen's family and several of her friends to reflect on this case, to also discuss what Karen finally coming home means to them, and to remember Karen Lee sheepers back on March 26th.
- [02:35]
Detective Andrew Houghton
Of 2025, we're when we first delivered the news to Liz that we had confirmed that we had found Karen, she immediately told the family that she wanted to have a funeral for her daughter. And so that's how it came to pass that on April 16, 2025, exactly 42 years to the day after Karen disappeared, both Matt and I, along with countless others, filed into the Sycamore United Methodist Church for Karen's funeral. The church was adorned in deep purple colors for Easter, a time of remembrance, rebirth and celebration. And for Karen's friends and family it was a time to celebrate the life of Karen Shepers.
- [03:11]
Detective Matt Vartanian
Walking into the church, we were met by a large crowd of people. Liz was there, and so were all eight of Karen's siblings. Gary and Susan, who still live here in Illinois, were joined by Dale, who flew in from North Carolina, Michael Scott and Andy, who flew up from Texas, and Lori, who came in from Colorado, and also Ron, who made his trip all the way from Arizona. Other family members also came in around the state and from Iowa. As you would expect, Denise, Heidi and Eloise were all there too, along with the group representing the Sycamore High school class of 1977, who had come to pay their respects to Karen and also several other members of her community.
- [03:52]
Detective Andrew Houghton
The church was filled with photographs of Karen. Matt and I had seen several of these photographs, but we were overwhelmed by the dozens of other photographs that we had never seen, which depicted the brief and beautiful life of Karen Shepers. One picture depicted Liz holding Karen as a baby on the family farm. Others included Karen on her first birthday. A single candle atop her birthday cake as she sat in a highchair, mesmerized by the flickering candlelight. Another showed her in grade school blowing out a number of other candles on another birthday. There were pictures of siblings with a horse at the barn and her family's farm, a picture of Karen as a teenager sticking out her tongue at the camera with one of her many friends, pictures of her in Paris on a class trip, and one of her doing a headstand on her bed to see the life of Karen that was taken from her far too soon was moving and brought Karen to life even more for both of us.
- [04:40]
Detective Matt Vartanian
The family also had a shadow box atop a table in the church. Inside was the sapphire birthstone ring and the metal tassel that we recovered in Karen's car, along with a necklace that belonged to Karen that Liz had kept. These keepsakes will be something that the family treasures and uses to remember Karen. And we are very honored to have played a small part in helping to return them to the family.
- [05:04]
Detective Andrew Houghton
The family chose a poem and placed it prominently in the church along with all these treasured belongings and the many photographs of Karen. Both Matt and I felt that this poem perfectly fit the occasion, so I wanted to read a portion of it here. You must feel like a bird that has been flying non stop Searching high and low within the high winds in the sun and the cold. Shivering in the deepest part of your soul. Looking, always looking. Oh, little bird, you can rest your heart now. You can close your eyes and rest Your little beating heart for the searching is needed no more.
- [05:38]
Detective Matt Vartanian
Several family members spoke during the service and remembered Karen. Dale sang a song in memory of his sister, while Susan accompanied him on the piano. And several of her friends, including Denise and Heidi, spoke lovingly of the friend they lost. The congregation sang songs as well, something that we both believe Karen would have loved. And the pastor spoke about hope and grief as the congregation remembered Karen. As the casket was removed, Sgt. Jim Lally of the Elgin Police Department played the bagpipes at Liz's request to honor the family's Irish heritage. Karen's family then escorted her to Elmwood Cemetery for a private burial. Laird Funeral Home here in Elgin graciously offered their services and also provided Karen's casket to the family at cost to help offset the price for the service, burial, and Karen's headstone. We want to thank them for their generosity and for helping Karen's family navigate this emotional time.
- [06:39]
Detective Andrew Houghton
We can only imagine that the experience at the cemetery was mixed with laughter and tears, whispers and hugs between siblings and a mother who, while separated by thousands of miles and decades of time, were always together in spirit, thinking about and wondering where their lost sister or daughter was for over four decades. Well, now they know.
- [07:01]
Detective Matt Vartanian
In the days after Karen's funeral, we met one more time with those same family and friends that we have been speaking with throughout this investigation to hear the reflections on this case, the personal experiences with Karen's funeral, and to understand what it is like for them now that they finally have an answer about what happened to Karen. We started with Karen's younger brother, Dale.
- [07:24]
Detective Andrew Houghton
Dale was actually the first family member that we spoke to when we started this investigation back in October of 2024. In fact, he was the first phone call we made for this case. Dale later shared with us that he initially thought about hanging up the phone on us when we called him to ask about the family's thoughts regarding reopening Karen's case. But ultimately, he decided to talk to his mother, Liz, and see what she wanted to do. It was Liz who told him that she wanted to do whatever it took to keep Karen's investigation alive. So, like any good son, Dale agreed to honor his mother's wishes. Here's Dale reflecting on this incredible journey.
- [07:59]
Narrator
Well, to me personally, my. We took flowers over to that site and tossed them on the river. One, one for every one of the siblings and my wife's sister as well. And my reaction was that I said, I'm sorry that it took us this long. That's all I can say. I'm sorry it took us, myself and everyone else this long to find you and bring you humble. At the end of the day.
- [08:37]
Detective Andrew Houghton
It.
- [08:38]
Narrator
Does offer a very good sense of closure and peace for us that she's now there. And again, my mom is for bringing a casket over and setting it and all that sort of stuff. She sits down and points out to, you know, the rest of the brothers and sisters there gathered, you know, at the graveside and says that right there, right next to Karen, she said, that's my spot. We're going to be together. I. I will also say that my mother has. Has gotten about 20 years younger over the last several months. She was not eating. She was, you know, kind of getting thinner and thinner and kind of, you know, withering away, in my opinion. And this has. This experience has brought new life to her as well. So she's. She's benefited a lot and probably hasn't realized it yet, but I'm certain of it because I've seen the results.
- [09:52]
Detective Matt Vartanian
Dale is a very stoic man who does not show his emotions often, even when talking about this case or about the family's experience with Karen's disappearance. But there is more to Dale than meets the eye. In fact, it was Dale who selected and sang a song called the Promise at Karen's funeral. And he had a very emotional reason why. He chose that song specifically to honor his big sister's life.
- [10:17]
Narrator
It was a song that I heard on the Christian radio station that I listened to, and as I listened to that song, I said, that's it. The promise that we all have is something that transcends time. It's there for everyone and anyone, and it was a promise that she can hold on to, and I can hold on to anybody, and everybody can hold on to that. You know, there's. The part of the song that was most touching to me is the part where it says that, you know, someday sooner. Excuse me. Someday, sooner than you think, I'll see you face to face. And for Karen, you know, sooner than I think is at age 23, and, you know, for me, it's at least age 64, because I've made it this far. But, you know, my. My day that I meet my Lord and savior face to face, I'm guessing will be sooner than I think. I think I'm going to live to 100 or so. You know, whatever the number is that I put on that. That, you know, there's. There's a. Very likely that that would be the same for me and for probably most everybody. So that was the significant. Excuse me, that was the significance of that song.
- [11:49]
Detective Andrew Houghton
We also met with Karen's sister Susan, who has been a close point of contact for both of us throughout this case. Susan is always quick to answer, respond to a text or a call, and she's just been wonderful to deal with on this case. We both can't thank her enough for how she and everyone else in the family has treated us during this investigation. It really is a testament to the family that they were even nearly 42 years later, after a rollercoaster of up and downs. So wonderful to both Matt and to me. Susan described what it was like to finally have an answer in Karen's case.
- [12:19]
Susan Shepers
I guess I didn't realize just how important the closure was of the circle of life. You know, you have, you're born, you live, you die, you have a funeral and you have a memory of people. And without that, it was just an open circle and it never closed until we had the funeral. And it was very. It was comforting to know that her remains are someplace we know where they're at, and now they're in a comfortable place for her to rest. And I didn't know that that was going to be as powerful as it was at the, at the time, because somewhere along the way, after many years, you kind of accept the fact that you're probably never going to see this person again. You always hope that you're going to. And that hope was always out there. And then you think that that hope being gone would be. It is sad, but it's not as sad because you kind of knew that that's where this was going to end. But you kind of thought you'd never get that end of the circle. And to have the end of the circle was. It was, it was, it was good. And everybody came and that was, it was, it was, it was impactful. And I think everybody was, you know, there's no hesitation. You know, we're here, and that was really good.
- [14:07]
Detective Matt Vartanian
We also asked Susan about her thoughts on the outcome of this investigation and the number of people who came together because of Karen.
- [14:15]
Susan Shepers
Yeah, it was a miracle. I mean, it's absolute miracle that she was found. And we have, I mean, I have nothing but gratitude that I don't even know how to, how to express. I don't know that there is enough words of gratitude that can be said because it just, it can't end. It is unlimited amounts of gratitude to everybody. I was writing down all the people and I'm just like, you know, I don't want to forget anybody in. In remembering who all was involved, all the people that. Who knew that she would have this kind of impact on people so far in the future. And all the things that everybody did and all the people that they interacted with that they never would have interacted with. I mean, people that I've met, people, people that everybody else in the family's met, people that we've all met that we never would have known about, and they're touched by her, too, and it's powerful.
- [15:30]
Detective Andrew Houghton
The last thing we asked Susan about was her advice for other families like her own, who've experienced a loss without any answers. And she, like so many others in this case, told us to keep the faith, keep pushing for answers while also continuing to live your life in a positive way.
- [15:46]
Susan Shepers
It's difficult to say, don't give up hope, but, man, if there's ever an example of why not to give up hope, this is. This is it. Something that you never, ever in a million years thought would happen can happen. And. And it did. And I still can't believe it. I don't know about everybody else, but I think everyone in the world would think this would never. It would never happen. And the fact that it did happen is just incredible. And I'd say, you know, I don't want to speak for mom, but in the beginning, when mom was insistent on, you know what we need, we need this to be investigated further. This is not someone who ran away and all that kind of stuff. If there is anybody out there that is running up against that, keep pushing back against it, because you never know what might. What might happen. You just, you know, and. And, you know, fight the fight. But at the same time, don't lose yourself to it, too, because you do have to keep on living and enjoying the life that you have, too. So striking a balance, I think, is important.
- [17:13]
Detective Matt Vartanian
The last sibling that we spoke with was Karen's big brother, Gary. When we first met Gary, he was a bit skeptical that anything would change in this case. But after we sat with him, Liz and Susan, back In November of 2024, Gary told us that this time things felt different. And he was right. This time, the family finally got an answer.
- [17:36]
Gary Shepers
I have an entirely different view of the world since the day that you came over and. Well, actually since the moment that sue called to say you were coming over on that Monday night. Because I said, mom, Sue's coming over with the detectives. And she looks at me with a straight face and says, they found her. And nobody had told me any you know, nobody had said anything, but she knew. And I was like, you know, I was just thinking the exact same thing. And while we were waiting for you all to show up, I called my brother Dale, and he said, I would not have believed that in a million years. They could not. You know, it just, it almost can't be. And, you know, you can sit and think, you know, this is way. You know, this is way too little too late, but that's because you don't understand how much it really is.
- [18:42]
Detective Andrew Houghton
Gary also talked about the funeral and the. How much more impactful that experience was for him than he thought it would be. While it has been 42 years, even time couldn't stop the emotions that came with finally being able to have Karen home.
- [18:55]
Gary Shepers
I will say this, I got through that whole memorial with a straight face right up until. And she was the one that volunteered her six brothers to be the palm bearer. And that fits into the story a little bit. But, you know, after the ceremony, you go up there and we're taking the casket out the door. And the second that the sunshine hit me coming up from the thing was when the bagpipe started, and I was like, that's just not fair. I mean, I wasn't against it, but it's like, you know, that's just not fair. So, yeah, the bagpipes will always get you.
- [19:46]
Detective Matt Vartanian
Gary also vented his frustration with people who say that Karen must just have been drunk and crashed her car that night. He told us that the family just does not believe that to be the case. And Gary told us that a full time dedicated cold case unit, along with new technology, is the best way to help solve cases like Karen. The last thing he told us was one last reflection on his sister.
- [20:08]
Gary Shepers
You know, I did say to somebody the other day, I was only half kidding when I said it. You know, I always did feel like she was destined for stardom. And we have the Chicago Tribune around here and she's on the COVID and just all the media play, all the TV reporters, all the TV reports, everything else delayed reaction, but stardom, it was. That's probably a good place to stop.
- [20:42]
Detective Andrew Houghton
I have to say that Matt and I had the pleasure of meeting all of Karen's siblings in the days after Karen came home. While we did not interview all of them for this podcast, the entire family, we hope, has some sense of closure now that we've finalized our investigation. I know that we can't ever give them the answer to every single question that they have about this case, but hopefully through our investigation they have far more answers than they've had for the last 42 years.
- [21:05]
Detective Matt Vartanian
I agree. It has just been an overwhelmingly positive experience with the family. It really has been a true honor and a privilege to work with the Shepers family on Karen's case. After speaking with several of Karen's siblings, we also wanted to talk with some of Karen's close friends as we brought this story full circle. So we met again with both Heidi and Denise, who have been deeply involved in our investigation from the very beginning. Listeners will remember that Karen was set to be the bridesmaid in Heidi's wedding in August of 1983, and that they were very close. What we didn't initially share was that Karen even lived with Heidi for a brief period of time after she graduated high school. Heidi reflected on that time in her life at Karen's funeral, saying that it was like having a big sister and a best friend all wrapped up into one. Heidi later moved to Texas to go to college, but stayed close with Karen. And on April 10th of 1983, just six days before she vanished, Karen called Heidi in Texas to wish her dear friend a very happy birthday. It would be the last time that Heidi would ever speak to her.
- [22:10]
Detective Andrew Houghton
Heidi wanted to see the place where we found Karen. So on a sunny April afternoon a few days after Karen's funeral, we picked up Heidi and drove her past Karen's old house over to PM Bentley's, and then we drove her back on Duncan Avenue along the Fox River, Ending our drive at the site where we located Karen's car. Heidi stepped out and took some private time to reflect. She placed some flowers that she had grown in her backyard into the river in Karen's memory, and then came back and sat with us on a bench overlooking the spot to remember her friend and recount how this case has impacted her. The first thing that Heidi talked about was was what it was like when Matt and I called her to tell her we had finally found Karen's car. And all the emotions that followed throughout that entire week.
- [22:52]
Heidi
When you first told me that you had found her car, I was excited because you think all these years, you know, she's probably not alive. And then after. After you got the car out and let me to know that there were remains inside, I felt this horrible loss, which I didn't expect because I thought I had already grieved her loss. But I always had that little bit of hope that she would still be alive somewhere. And that closed that hole. And it took me a while to process that. I couldn't Understand why I was feeling so sad. And then when I thought about it, I thought, that's got to be why. You know, that was really unexpected for me. So I can't imagine what it would have been like for a family. So that was a shocker.
- [23:58]
Detective Matt Vartanian
Heidi also reflected on Karen's visitation and funeral, which brought so many friends and family together to remember Karen.
- [24:06]
Heidi
Yeah, there were. It was nice to hear people talk about her. And when we were working on the photo array, we were sharing memories, and it was. It was really fun and happy, you know, and I learned things about her that I didn't know from other friends, you know, so, yeah, I just remember her as happy, smiling, thoughtful, you know, caring.
- [24:42]
Detective Matt Vartanian
Part of our goal in finding Karen was to hopefully provide answers and some closure to Karen's family and friends. So we also asked Heidi if this experience brought her any closure after all these years. As you can imagine, it does bring some closure, but Heidi still feels an understandable sense of loss and grief mixed with that closure.
- [25:02]
Heidi
Yeah. Yeah. It's nice to know kind of what you think happened. And I'm glad it wasn't foul play, you know, that it's probably accidental. I know that we'll never know for sure, but, yeah, that's. That's comforting. It is. But she'll always be 23, you know, forever young. Like the song.
- [25:32]
Narrator
Yeah.
- [25:34]
Heidi
I just always wonder what it would have been like had she grown old with us, you know?
- [25:42]
Detective Andrew Houghton
Heidi ended our conversation with her best advice for other families who have lost loved ones. She says that family and friends should always, always, always remember those lost loved ones and hold on to hope that one day you will find an answer.
- [25:55]
Heidi
I guess you just have to keep carrying on and remember them as they were, and hopefully we get a good outcome, because you just never know. I mean, who would have thought that this could have happened? And it took so many. Like you said, it took so many different things to go just right. And it was a miracle.
- [26:18]
Detective Matt Vartanian
Yeah.
- [26:18]
Narrator
So.
- [26:19]
Heidi
Yeah, and I guess just miracles can happen.
- [26:25]
Detective Matt Vartanian
Another one of Karen's very close friends, Denise, was very emotional throughout this entire investigation. She met Karen in 1974 at a band camp at the University of Iowa. And over the next nine years, they forged a close bond that she still remembers to this day. Denise lived out of state for years, but moved back here to Elgin just a few years ago. And it was Denise who told us in our very first meeting that she believed that Karen was ready to come home. We are very happy to say that Denise was right.
- [26:56]
Denise
I think this whole Process. Not that it brings it all full.
- [27:00]
Susan Shepers
Circle.
- [27:03]
Denise
Because I don't think he ever closed the book. You know, the book of Karen will always be open because she'll always be part of our lives, even though she wasn't here. I think it brought even more of us together in a Karen inclusive type of way. It also brings home the fact that there are people that are in your life that no matter, even if they're no longer with you, they're always with you based on the positive impact that they. They put on your life.
- [27:32]
Susan Shepers
Right.
- [27:33]
Denise
So you always have that opportunity to. To reflect on not only who she was, but who she was with you as a friend, and always take that as a positive moving forward. I mean, she, as you know by now, she was witty, she was smart, obviously a very hard worker, inclusive. And just then, the whole family being who they are.
- [28:04]
Detective Andrew Houghton
We also asked Denise what it was like for her when she learned that Karen was finally coming home. And again, as you can imagine, it was a complex set of emotions for.
- [28:12]
Denise
Denise, I think the day when she was recovered, plus building all up to that, for me, the only way I can explain it, is kind of like a relief grief. It's not like a relief like, oh, this is all over, but it's more like you still grieve it and wonder all of what could have been, what wasn't been. But I said to Liz, the couple days after you brought her home, I was out at the farm and I said, you know, all these years I've been missing. I've been missing my friend. But I realized really, she's really kind of been here through you.
- [28:57]
Detective Matt Vartanian
As I think of all the people that we met throughout this investigation, Denise was one of the people who always maintained a positive attitude regarding the outcome of this case. From the very first time that we met with her, she was certain that Karen would be home soon. We asked her how she kept such a positive outlook on this case, because, quite frankly, it was just remarkable. And we asked what advice that she would give to others seeking answers in cases like Karen's.
- [29:24]
Denise
Oh, I knew. I knew at some point, yes. And I don't know if I could give you a definite answer on why I felt that way, other than.
- [29:36]
Detective Andrew Houghton
The.
- [29:37]
Denise
Power of prayer and that spiritual, you know, belief that there would be answers. When you initially called, after Liz called me and said you would be reaching out to me, I just really had a sense of peace that there you would find the answers. Oh, keep the faith, Keep the faith. There's answers. And always to keep that person not to give up on him. I guess that's the. And I don't think, I don't think any of us ever gave up that she would come home.
- [30:19]
Detective Andrew Houghton
In addition to Karen's friends Heidi and Denise, Matt and I also got to know her co worker Eloise very well throughout this process. Eloise was the one who organized the Karen Shepers Action committee back in 1983. Kept a box of articles and information for over 40 years and always hoped that one day Karen's case would be solved. We drove out to meet Eloise one more time so that she too could reflect on Karen and Karen's case.
- [30:44]
Detective Matt Vartanian
Eloise prepared a statement for us talking about how helpless it felt back in 1983 when Karen went missing. She and her coworkers tried to help and tried to be involved, but it was a different time. Communicating with the police meant literally talking to them in person or catching them on the phone at their desk. Plus, she and her co workers were not experts in missing persons cases. Eloise described why this investigation felt different to her.
- [31:11]
Eloise
You guys, from the very first question of the interview, please tell us about Karen. You want to know her. You were easy to talk with and you really paid attention. When you did digitized my file folder about all of Karen's newspaper articles and documents, it made me feel like I was finally contributing something to help Karen. Then you followed up on the articles in the file and also the information I gave you during the interview on your third follow up call. To me, I started to believe that there was a chance maybe of finding Karen. I said, you guys are giving me hope. And then I had to hang up fast before my voice broke and I started to cry.
- [32:07]
Detective Andrew Houghton
Eloise also talked about what it was like on March 24th when we first called her to tell her that we had found Karen's car in the Fox River.
- [32:15]
Eloise
When you called, I was expecting a status report. Oh, we searched a couple miles of river and we're going to get out there again tomorrow. And when you said we found Karen's car and license plate, it shocked me and took away my breath and my voice. I could only listen and try to process the good news. Immediately after I contacted the two people that were there at the bench celebration with the news. It was hard for all of us to believe after all this time. One said they were happy for her family maybe. And I said yes, her family certainly, but don't discount us as friends and co workers. Her visits and communication with family, of course, our first, but we were with her for 40 hours away week for four years and that's important too. We all wanted closure. I did not realize that closure would be physically and emotionally painful. That night I got a headache and body aches that lasted through a sleepless night. I went to church early the next morning to thank God for answering our prayer.
- [33:41]
Detective Matt Vartanian
Eloise also said that it has taken some adjusting to come to terms with the fact that Karen is finally home. And she told us that it is amazing how many people Karen is still bringing together even after all this time.
- [33:55]
Eloise
I am looking at all the joy that Karen brought to so many lives and she still is. She's still making new friends in you, Andrew and Matt as you learned about her during your investigation. She's still bringing friends back together while participating in the investigation and podcast as well as her visitation and funeral service. And she's making her family laugh again at a picture of her dressed as Ronald McDonald's from a 1979 costume party or with the singing of the Bumblebee song at the funeral.
- [34:39]
Detective Andrew Houghton
The last thing we asked Eloise about was the same thing we asked everyone else about. What was her advice for someone still searching for a loved one or searching for answers for a loved one on a cold case, homicide or missing person? This is what Eloise had to say.
- [34:54]
Eloise
I would say if an opportunity to do a follow up in the cold case or any other way exists, participate and share as much information as you can. Because the gift that might result of finding this person or finding out what happened to the person, that that would be a wonderful gift. But just knowing that all aspects of the potential disappearance or crime are getting a fresh look from a very overall perspective. Not zooming in on one theory or one way of looking at things, but looking at the big picture and giving equal weight to everything until you can rule it out. And that's a real gift too. So I would say participate if you can and pray a lot.
- [36:03]
Detective Matt Vartanian
The last person we wanted to talk to for this final episode was Liz. Liz is an exceptional woman. She spent decades as a labor and delivery nurse and raised nine children, Karen being one of them. From the first time we met Liz to our most recent visit, she has been nothing but gracious and kind to both of us and I can only say that it has been a true honor for Andrew and me to help bring her lost daughter home.
- [36:29]
Detective Andrew Houghton
It was Liz who kept Karen's story alive all these years, writing letters, hanging flyers, giving interviews, and ultimately agreeing to do this podcast and reopen Karen's case one more time. Let's Liz is really the glue that holds this entire story together. She never gave up any hope and never stopped searching for her daughter. It is because of Liz's hard work, her tenacity, her dedication to her daughter's case, that we are here recording this podcast today. And she is the real reason that Karen is finally home.
- [36:59]
Liz
Well, I feel like the circle is closed, too. That the hole that was there, that you couldn't go past and do anything, anything else is now not there anymore. So you could sell the place, couldn't you?
- [37:17]
Susan Shepers
You could. I feel like you look like a weight has come off you.
- [37:26]
Liz
It is the show. Yeah. The weight is off your shoulders, and that's a good feeling. But. But there's also sad feelings that come here and there.
- [37:36]
Susan Shepers
Yeah.
- [37:36]
Liz
And that's just looking at these pictures that keep sitting here, you know, so. But I. They're nice too, though.
- [37:47]
Detective Matt Vartanian
Liz also talked to us about being able to finally bury her daughter. She later told Andrew and I that while it is very sad that Karen is gone, she does know where her daughter is, and that helps her. She also reflected on her favorite aspect of Karen's funeral.
- [38:03]
Liz
We talked about that a little bit, and I think the police chief's husband playing the bagpipe was a very good finish to being at the church and then being at the cemetery. It was just like. Otherwise you would have heard this minister speaking, speech, prayer, and stuff like that and walked away. But you had the bagpipe playing like taps for the soldiers. So that was very unique. I thought that was good. I like that.
- [38:45]
Detective Matt Vartanian
A few weeks after Karen's burial, Andrew and I made our own special trip out to Elmwood Cemetery to visit Karen one last time. Karen's final resting place is now a marked and sacred place, and her family has somewhere to visit when they want to remember her or talk to her or just reflect on the life that she had. As for us, we simply wanted to pay our last respects to an amazing woman who we both feel like we know, even though we never got the pleasure of actually meeting her.
- [39:13]
Detective Andrew Houghton
The sun was beginning to set as we entered the cemetery through a large metal gate and pass by the lines of headstones marking places where other families have come for decades to remember their lost loved ones. Now Karen is among them. No longer lost and never forgotten. Karen Lee sheepers can finally rest in peace knowing that she has been found. Matt and I left the cemetery and decided to make one more stop at Karen's childhood home on our way back to Elgin. Liz was there waiting to greet us as always, and so was Susan. And we made one final request of Susan. We asked her to play Karen's piano for us.
- [40:01]
Detective Matt Vartanian
As our first season comes to a close, we want to thank everyone involved in Somebody Knows Something Season one. Where is Karen and everyone who assisted us with Karen's case? There are too many people to thank and you all know who you are, but we do want to make a few specific thank yous here as we close out the season.
- [40:22]
Detective Andrew Houghton
First and foremost, to Karen's family. You have been amazing. We cannot thank you enough for trusting us, taking this journey with us, and believing that we would finally bring Karen home. To the wonderful team at the Kane County Corps office who handled Karen with such love and care throughout this entire process, thank you. Your work helps so many other families and we appreciate your hard work and compassion throughout this case. And to all the evidence technicians and officers who assisted us with Karen's recovery and this case, thank you. You helped us bring Karen home and helped us recover jewelry and other belongings that Karen's family can now treasure forever. This investigation was truly a team effort.
- [41:01]
Detective Matt Vartanian
Two Chaos Divers. Thank you for your expertise and compassion. Without you guys, we would not have had the successful outcome that we did on this case for Karen, her family and her friends. We are truly forever grateful for your help and thankful for the new friendships that we have made with you throughout this investigation. To our partners at WRMN 1410, you have been instrumental in the success of this podcast. Thank you especially to our producer, Ben Boquist, for helping us create the best content possible and for all the technical things you did for us behind the scenes. This podcast would not have been possible without you. And to Chief Anna Lally, thank you for trusting us with this new assignment and for pushing us to step outside of our comfort zone and embrace new technology and media. Without your foresight and support, this cold case unit would not exist, this podcast would not exist, and Karen would not be home.
- [41:56]
Detective Andrew Houghton
Finally, to all of our listeners, thank you for following Karen's case, for thinking about Karen and her family, and thank you for all the tips that you provided. When Matt and I started this podcast, we could not have anticipated the interest that Karen and this investigation would inspire in so many people. It is truly a testament to Elgin as a community and we hope to be able to share more cases and stories of with you in the future. Because just like with Karen's case, we know that in all of our cases, somebody knows something.
- [42:35]
Chief Anna Lally
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.
- [42:53]
Narrator
Cold.
- [42:54]
Chief Anna Lally
You can also review cold case information on the Elgin Police Department's Transparency Hub by going to elginil.gov and navigating to the Elgin Police Department's Transparency Hub, where every cold case, homicide and missing persons case is listed with photographs and information about each case.