Summary of "Somebody Knows Something: Episode 12 (Bonus Episode) - Reflections & Future Plans"
Release Date: July 30, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 12, a bonus installment of the podcast "Somebody Knows Something," hosted by the Elgin Police Department's Cold Case Unit, the team reflects on the successes of Season 1 and outlines their vision for the future. This episode features Chief Anna Lally alongside Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian, who announce significant changes within the unit, including Matt's promotion and the introduction of Detective Chris Hall as the new co-host for Season 2.
Transition and Team Changes
Matt Vartanian's Departure
Detective Matt Vartanian shares the news of his promotion to Sergeant, marking his departure from the Cold Case Unit:
"[02:56] Detective Matt Vartanian: ... Working in this new unit with Andrew, particularly on Karen's case, has been a highlight of my career in law enforcement..."
Matt expresses gratitude towards his colleagues and optimism for the unit's future:
"I think that as the Cold Case Unit moves forward, it will continue to be successful as we here at the Elgin Police Department continue to seek justice for victims and their families on these cases." [04:27]
Welcoming Detective Chris Hall
Detective Andrew Houghton introduces Detective Chris Hall as the new member and co-host:
"[02:56] Detective Andrew Houghton: ... So I'm pleased to introduce my new partner in the unit and for season two, Detective Chris Hall."
Detective Chris Hall provides his background, emphasizing his experience and passion for cold case investigations:
"[03:34] Detective Chris Hall: ... Conducting investigations was something I always wanted to do in my career, especially investigations involving violent crimes like homicides."
"[04:27] Detective Chris Hall: ... The victims and their families deserve a new look into their case with the newest technological advances and investigations."
Reflections on Season One
Chief Anna Lally’s Insights
Chief Anna Lally commends the detectives for their dedication and innovative approach, highlighting the synergy within the team:
"[05:52] Chief Anna Lally: ... you could see the synergy of what we were trying to do... putting the right people in the right place."
She emphasizes the importance of genuine connection with the victims' families and the community:
"[08:00] Chief Anna Lally: ... what really, truly matters is that we were able to do something for the Sheper's family. And that is such a great gift that they gave us."
"[09:23] Detective Andrew Houghton: ... we had a good relationship with them throughout the process."
Chief Lally also reflects on the department's philosophy of community engagement, stating:
"[18:48] Chief Anna Lally: ... community engagement has always been something that, you know, every police chief that has come before me has done something to progress it."
Future Plans and Season Two
Launching Season Two: "Elgin, the 1970s"
Detectives Andrew Houghton and Chris Hall announce a thematic shift for Season 2, focusing on homicides from the 1970s:
"[35:38] Detective Andrew Houghton: ... we're going to make a slight deviation for season two."
The new season aims to honor past victims and seek new information by revisiting cases from the 1970s, including the 1976 disappearance of Barbara Gluert:
"[34:45] Detective Andrew Houghton: ... we will release information for five homicides that occurred here in Elgin between 1970 and 1979."
Detectives hope to keep memories of these victims alive and encourage public assistance:
"[36:08] Detective Chris Hall: ... individuals will remember the victims in these cases while they are gone. They are certainly not forgotten by their families and friends or by others."
Chief Lally’s Vision for the Cold Case Unit
Chief Lally outlines her long-term goals, envisioning an expanded unit that trains other agencies and serves as an ambassador for cold case investigations:
"[31:29] Chief Anna Lally: ... five years from now... training other agencies, we're being, you know, the ambassadors to our profession when it comes specifically to cold cases."
She underscores the importance of dedicating resources and fostering a culture of continuous improvement:
"[32:04] Chief Anna Lally: ... this unit is just going to get bigger and better, and I'm extremely excited for it."
Lessons Learned and Media Engagement
Navigating Media Relations
Detectives share their experiences with media interactions, highlighting the steep learning curve and the importance of maintaining professionalism:
"[28:07] Detective Andrew Houghton: ... it was a really the next progression in that kind of way to get information out to people."
Chief Lally stresses the value of embracing new mediums like podcasts for community engagement:
"[15:06] Chief Anna Lally: ... how do you involve people to... what medium is it being delivered in and how can you connect at that level."
She praises the detectives for their adaptability and effectiveness in using the podcast to foster community involvement:
"[17:59] Detective Andrew Houghton: ... media relations... it was a really the next progression to get information out to people."
Closing Remarks and Call to Action
As the episode concludes, Chief Lally and the detectives reiterate their commitment to solving cold cases and encourage the community to provide any information that may assist in ongoing investigations:
"[36:37] 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..."
Detective Andrew Houghton emphasizes the tangible impact of the unit's work:
"[33:18] Detective Andrew Houghton: ... without you pushing Matt and me and now Chris to do this podcast, you know, the podcast obviously wouldn't exist. We wouldn't have a cold case unit. We wouldn't have Karen's case closed."
Conclusion
Episode 12 serves as both a reflection on the achievements of Season 1 and a roadmap for the future endeavors of the Elgin Police Department's Cold Case Unit. With new team members and an expanded focus on historical cases, the podcast continues to blend traditional investigative methods with modern community engagement strategies to seek justice and closure for unresolved cases.
Contact Information:
- Email: coldcasetips@elginil.gov
- Phone: 1-847-289-COLD
- Cold Cases Information: Elgin Police Department Cold Cases
Disclaimer: The podcast content discussed in this summary is based on real investigations by the Elgin Police Department. Names and identifying details may have been altered for privacy reasons. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.