Summary of "Somebody Knows Something: Episode 7 - Bodies of Water"

Introduction

In the seventh episode of Somebody Knows Something, titled "Bodies of Water," Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian from the Elgin Police Department's Cold Case Unit delve deeper into the mysterious disappearance of 23-year-old Karen Shepers. Originally aired on March 17, 2025, this episode explores the compelling theory that Karen may have crashed her vehicle into a body of water, leveraging new technologies and revisiting old investigative avenues in an effort to uncover the truth.

Transition to a New Investigation Theory

The episode begins with Chief Anna Lally reaffirming the podcast's mission to revisit cold cases and engage the community in the quest for answers.

Chief Anna Lally [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 introduce the focus of the episode, explaining a significant shift in their investigative approach. Initially planning to revisit Karen's apartment and childhood home, they pivot towards an underwater search theory due to advancements in search technology.

Detective Matt Vartanian [02:59]: "We are prepping to take a really big step in this case that has been months in the making."

Background on Karen's Disappearance

Karen Shepers vanished on April 16, 1983, after a night out with co-workers at PM Bentley's Bar in Carpentersville, Elgin. Her canary yellow 1980 Toyota Celica, marked with an Illinois license plate XP8919, was found abandoned without any trace of Karen. Over the years, multiple theories have been proposed, but none have conclusively explained her disappearance.

The Bodies of Water Theory

Detectives present their final theory: Karen may have crashed her car into a nearby body of water, such as the Fox River or a local pond, especially considering the high flood levels recorded around the time of her disappearance.

Detective Matt Vartanian [02:59]: "Our final theory, which is theory number six, was that Karen crashed her car into a body of water."

They highlight the challenges of previous investigations, noting that earlier searches lacked the sophisticated sonar and diving technology now available. This episode marks the preparation phase for an extensive underwater search, leveraging updated technology to scour potential sites Karen may have accessed.

Preparation for the Underwater Search

The detectives discuss the meticulous preparation required for such a search. They emphasize the importance of validating past search efforts and ensuring that no stone is left unturned.

Detective Andrew Houghton [04:14]: "It's been months since we started this project, and we're now ready to dive in the coming weeks."

They cite a 1999 Canton County Chronicle article that claimed extensive aerial searches had been conducted, but Detective Vartanian expresses skepticism about the accuracy and thoroughness of those efforts.

Detective Matt Vartanian [04:15]: "We both believe that it is highly unlikely that this statement is accurate."

Investigation of Likely Routes

To identify potential crash sites, the detectives map out Karen's likely driving routes home. They identify two primary routes, A and B, and contemplate a third, Route C, based on historical maps and aerial photographs from the Sidwell Corporation, kindly provided by Russell after a referral from retired Detective Mike Nelson.

Detective Andrew Houghton [15:39]: "Sidwell Corporation was amazing... They have aerial photographs that cover this area."

Route A: Southbound on Route 25

Route A involves driving south on Route 25 from PM Bentley's Bar towards Karen's home. The detectives highlight specific landmarks and potential crash sites along this route, such as a small pond near Santa's Village.

Detective Matt Vartanian [18:10]: "So, back in the day there was maybe a little gravel turnabout or something... it's a potential spot."

They discuss environmental conditions from the time of Karen's disappearance, including high water levels in the Fox River due to flooding, which could have contributed to road hazards like concealed water on the roadway.

Route B: Southbound on Duncan Avenue

Route B takes them through a less illuminated Duncan Avenue, running parallel to the Fox River. This route presents several ponds and sections where the river closely borders the road, increasing the likelihood of a submerged vehicle going unnoticed.

Detective Matt Vartanian [25:22]: "It's very, very dark. There's almost no moon in the sky."

The detectives emphasize the river's depth and flow, noting that even a small submerged vehicle could evade detection due to sediment and water clarity issues.

Detective Andrew Houghton [28:29]: "It could have been in there pretty good, and nobody could see it."

Route C: Sunset Park Drive

While Routes A and B are deemed the most plausible, Route C—Sunset Park Drive—remains a secondary consideration. It involves a winding, slightly more secluded path through Max McGraw Wildlife Fund property. The detectives deem this route less likely due to its complexity and lower proximity to substantial bodies of water.

Detective Matt Vartanian [30:14]: "It's entirely possible that it could be in the river or in one of these bodies of water as we go south."

Field Investigation

In a practical demonstration, the detectives take listeners on a virtual drive along Routes A and B, pointing out relevant landmarks and potential crash sites.

Detective Andrew Houghton [16:47]: "This little pond is just south of the entry to Max McGraw."

They observe the current state of the roads, comparing them to historical photos to understand how surroundings may have changed, potentially obscuring evidence that once existed.

Community Tips and Leads

The episode underscores the importance of community involvement, sharing tips received from the public:

1. Vehicle Remnants on Google Earth: A tip led the detectives to search an area near Lake Marion Road, where two vehicles were found but neither matched Karen's Toyota.

   Detective Matt Vartanian [32:39]: "We found two different vehicles, but neither of them were Karen's."

2. Rumors of a Yellow Car During Dam Removal: Videos of yellow construction equipment were mistaken for Karen's car, but authorities confirmed no such vehicle was found in the Fox River.

   Detective Matt Vartanian [34:18]: "We can confirm that no vehicle was found."

3. Social Media Buzz About a Two-Door Car: Reports surfaced about a two-door vehicle resembling Karen's near the old Carpentersville dam. Upon inspection, the detectives determined it was not her Toyota Celica.

   Detective Andrew Houghton [35:55]: "We don't see anything that would indicate it's Karen's Toyota Celica."

These attempts highlight both the community's dedication and the challenges in verifying leads decades after the disappearance.

Conclusion and Future Plans

Detectives Houghton and Vartanian conclude the episode by emphasizing their readiness to embark on the planned underwater search using advanced sonar drones and divers. They express hope that this new approach may finally uncover Karen's fate after nearly 42 years.

Detective Matt Vartanian [36:55]: "Could this search be the last chapter in the decades-long search for Karen Shepers?"

The episode closes with Chief Anna Lally reiterating the call for community tips, urging anyone with information to reach out via email or phone, and directing listeners to the Elgin Police Department’s Transparency Hub for more details on cold cases.

Chief Anna Lally [37:39]: "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."

Key Takeaways

• Advancement in Technology: The Elgin Police Department is utilizing modern sonar and diving technology to search previously inaccessible areas.

• Environmental Factors: High water levels and adverse weather conditions at the time of Karen’s disappearance make the bodies of water theory plausible.

• Community Involvement: Ongoing tips from the public remain a critical component of cold case investigations.

• Thorough Investigation: Detectives are meticulously revisiting historical routes and leveraging historical aerial photographs to inform their search patterns.

• Hope for Closure: With renewed efforts and community support, there is hope that Karen Shepers' case will finally see resolution.

Looking Ahead

In the next episode, listeners will follow Detectives Houghton and Vartanian as they actively search the identified bodies of water, employing new technologies in their quest to find Karen and her car. This hands-on fieldwork promises to bring listeners closer to the investigative process and, potentially, the breakthrough needed to solve this enduring mystery.