Summary of "Somebody Knows Something" – Episode 2: "Who is Karen Schepers?"

Release Date: February 17, 2025

Introduction

In the second episode of "Somebody Knows Something," titled "Who is Karen Schepers?", Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian delve deeper into the enigmatic disappearance of Karen Schepers, a 23-year-old woman who vanished without a trace on April 16, 1983. This episode focuses on unraveling Karen's personal life, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of who Karen was, her relationships, and the circumstances leading up to her disappearance.

Karen Schepers' Early Life

Karen Lee Schepers was born on September 20, 1959, in San Francisco, California, to Elizabeth Paulson and Lauren Sheepers. She was the second of nine children in a large family. The Sheepers family relocated multiple times during Karen's childhood, moving to Iowa in 1960 and later to Sycamore, Illinois, in 1965. These moves introduced Karen to a diverse set of environments and experiences that shaped her character.

Karen's Adulthood and Relationships

After graduating from Sycamore High School in 1977, Karen opted to enter the workforce rather than pursue higher education immediately. She moved to Elgin, Illinois, where she worked as a computer programmer at First Chicago Bank Card, a precursor to Visa. Karen's professional life was marked by her dedication and skill in her field.

Karen's personal life included a significant relationship with Terry Wayne Schultz, whom she met when he delivered pizza to her apartment. Despite their unofficial engagement and shared dreams of marriage, their relationship faced strains. In the months leading up to her disappearance, Karen and Terry reportedly called off their engagement, although they remained in contact.

Timeline of Disappearance

On April 15, 1983, Karen woke up at her apartment on Lovell Street for the last time. She attended a party at P.M. Bentley's that evening. In the early hours of April 16, 1983, Karen vanished without a trace. The following day, her brother Dale discovered that she was missing after receiving a call from Karen's confidant, Janetta’s mother, prompting him to leave a note at Karen's apartment.

Family Perspectives

The episode features heartfelt interviews with Karen's family members, providing intimate insights into her life and the profound impact of her disappearance.

• Liz Paulson (Mother): Remembers Karen fondly, indicating the deep bond they shared before Karen's disappearance.

• Susan Sheepers (Sister): [05:02] “She was very talented singer. She was in musicals, and she played piano... I would listen to her play. And even though my lessons were here, I would play what she was playing to emulate because I wanted to play what she was playing.”

  Susan highlights Karen's musical talents and her role as an inspiration within the family.

• Dale Sheepers (Brother): [06:22] “She was, I mean, really smart, very musical personality... we grew up together, watched out for each other, respected each other to the best of our ability... she was better at everything, she was a better student, a better musician.”

  Dale emphasizes Karen's intelligence, musical prowess, and the close-knit yet competitive nature of their family dynamics.

• Gary Sheepers (Older Brother): [16:05] “You wonder all the time... 'she's somewhere.' I don't know... someone is going to tell us.”

  Gary expresses a lingering hope that someone holds the key to Karen's disappearance, maintaining the family's vigil in preserving their home in the hope that Karen might return.

Emotional Impact on Family

The disappearance of Karen Schepers has left an indelible mark on her family, who continue to seek closure decades later.

• Susan Sheepers: [13:16] “I'd love to have a closure to it. I'd love to have that for my mom.”

  Susan shares the enduring pain and the family's desperate need for answers to move forward.

• Liz Paulson: [15:18] “You don't feel like you can go forward until you fix this. So you're still back here waiting for something to happen.”

  Liz underscores the paralysis and perpetual hope that bind the family, preventing them from moving on.

Ongoing Efforts and Hope

The episode emphasizes the continued efforts of the Schepers family to find Karen, highlighting their preservation of her childhood home and belongings as a testament to their unwavering hope.

• Matt Vartanian: [15:30] “The family has maintained the old farmhouse in Sycamore where Karen grew up... She hopes Karen might just play it again someday.”

  This dedication symbolizes the family's enduring belief that Karen might one day return.

• Gary Sheepers: [16:05] “You know, on my Facebook page... I'm still convinced that somebody knows and somebody is going to tell us.”

  Gary's active engagement on social media platforms like Facebook illustrates the family's proactive approach in seeking information, even decades later.

Conclusion and What's Next

Detectives Houghton and Vartanian conclude the episode by reflecting on the profound impact Karen's disappearance has had on her family. They express their commitment to using the podcast as a tool to gather new information and reignite public interest in the case.

• Matt Vartanian: “In our next episode... we discussed theory number one. Karen made a desperate choice. Did Karen take matters into her own hands and either run away or harm herself?”

  The episode sets the stage for future investigations, promising to explore the various theories surrounding Karen's disappearance in depth.

Call to Action

Chief Anna Lally reiterates the police department's plea for public assistance:

“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 Unit via email at ColdCaseTips@elginil.gov or call the cold case tip line at 1-847-289-COLD. Your information could be crucial in bringing justice and closure to Karen Schepers and her family.”

Notable Quotes

• Gary Sheepers: [16:05] “You wonder all the time... I don't know... somebody is going to tell us.”
• Susan Sheepers: [13:16] “I'd love to have a closure to it. I'd love to have that for my mom.”
• Dale Sheepers: [14:22] “She was very much a role model... you got to go make your way. You got to go do what you need to do and be successful.”

Final Thoughts

Episode 2 of "Somebody Knows Something" paints a vivid portrait of Karen Schepers, detailing her personal attributes, relationships, and the enduring hope of her family. By weaving together personal anecdotes, emotional testimonies, and investigative insights, the episode not only honors Karen's memory but also invigorates the search for answers in her unsolved disappearance.