Somebody Knows Something: Episode 8 – The Dive
Introduction to the Breakthrough
In Episode 8, titled "The Dive," of the Somebody Knows Something: The Elgin Police Cold Case Podcast, Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian detail a pivotal moment in the longstanding investigation into the disappearance of Karen Schepers. Karen vanished on April 16, 1983, along with her canary yellow 1980 Toyota Celica after an evening out with co-workers. Now, after over four decades, a significant breakthrough brings hope for closure.
March 24, 2025: An Extensive Search Without Results
The episode begins with Detectives Houghton and Vartanian recounting their exhaustive search efforts on March 24, 2025. Partnering with Chaos Divers, an Illinois-based nonprofit specializing in underwater recoveries, the team scoured nearly five nautical miles of the Fox River. Despite using advanced sonar technology and enduring harsh conditions—40-degree water temperatures and visibility below six inches—they located two vehicles. However, both were quickly dismissed:
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First Vehicle: Identified by a similar headlamp to Karen's car but deemed a debris field after multiple dives. (02:53)
"One vehicle initially seemed promising with a headlamp that was similar to Karen's car. But after multiple dives on that car... it was not Karen's car." – Detective Matt Vartanian [02:53]
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Second Vehicle: The color and size did not match Karen's Toyota Celica, leading to its dismissal. (05:56)
Despite the lack of findings, the team remained undeterred, emphasizing their commitment to finding Karen and offering gratitude to Chaos Divers for their unwavering support.
A Stroke of Luck: Discovering Karen’s Car
As the team prepared to conclude their search for the day, fate intervened. Deciding to revisit the initial dive sites, Jacob Grubbs and Lindsey Busick from Chaos Divers spotted a third vehicle approximately 150 to 160 feet west of the eastern shoreline. This time, it was unmistakably Karen’s car:
"Once a vehicle is located, it takes skilled divers with experience... from Dynamite to Hill." – Detective Matt Vartanian [05:56]
At [07:10], Detective Houghton describes the electrifying moment:
"I can't even describe what it was like. When Mike broke through the surface and held up that license plate... we thought we saw an X and a P... XP8919." – Detective Andrew Houghton [07:10]
The detection team immediately recognized the license plate as Karen's, marking the first time the car had resurfaced after 42 years.
Recovery and Coordination with the Family
Upon confirming the vehicle's identity, Detectives Houghton and Vartanian swiftly informed Karen's sister, Susan, who accompanied them to Sycamore to relay the heart-wrenching news to the family. The emotional reunion underscored the profound impact of the discovery:
"Liz is just an amazing, strong woman... finding this car and human remains for her and her family have just been really such an honor and a privilege for both of us." – Detective Matt Vartanian [10:49]
The detectives emphasized the family's resilience and the deep gratitude they felt towards Liz, Karen's 90-year-old mother, who had tirelessly sought answers for decades.
Ensuring the Integrity of the Crime Scene
Recognizing the significance of the find, the Elgin Police Department treated the recovered vehicle as an active crime scene. Comprehensive measures were undertaken to secure and process the evidence, including drone surveillance, photographic documentation, and 3D scanning. Detective Matt Vartanian highlighted the meticulous approach:
"We wanted to treat this car like a crime scene until proven otherwise." – Detective Matt Vartanian [13:33]
The coordination extended to multiple departments, ensuring that every step adhered to forensic standards to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
Extraction and Identification of Human Remains
The extraction of Karen's Toyota Celica from the Fox River was a meticulously planned operation. With the assistance of Redmond's Towing and Chaos Divers, the vehicle was carefully hoisted out of the water on March 25, 2025. Detective Houghton shared the intense moments leading up to the extraction:
"We spent several tense minutes slowly and methodically sliding the car toward the shoreline... Karen's canary yellow 1980 Toyota Celica broke the muddy surface of the Fox River." – Detective Andrew Houghton [20:48]
Upon retrieval, forensic pathologist Dr. Monica Silva and her team from the Kane County Coroner's Office confirmed the presence of human remains inside the vehicle. The detectives detailed the final steps of the identification process:
"Dr. Hilary McElligott confirmed that there were human remains inside Karen's car." – Detective Matt Vartanian [22:05]
Further forensic analysis, including dental record comparisons by Dr. David Wold, conclusively identified the remains as Karen Schepers':
"They were a perfect match." – Detective Matt Vartanian [25:09]
Emotional Closure and Moving Forward
The culmination of the investigation brought an end to a painful chapter for Karen’s family. Detective Houghton recounted the final moments with Liz and Gary:
"Being able to tell the family, Liz especially, that after all her hard work... helped us finally find Karen." – Detective Andrew Houghton [23:22]
Detectives Houghton and Vartanian reflected on the emotional gravity of the case, acknowledging that while closure was achieved, the journey had left an indelible mark on all involved.
Looking Ahead: Final Steps and Future Cases
As the season nears its conclusion, the detectives hinted at upcoming episodes focusing on Chaos Divers and the final procedures of the case:
"We still have some work to do and we still have some answers that we want to try to provide for the family." – Detective Andrew Houghton [25:09]
They expressed plans to document the remaining investigative steps and share reflections from the family, solidifying the podcast’s commitment to transparency and community engagement.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Chief Anna Lally concluded the episode with a heartfelt appeal for ongoing community support in solving cold cases:
"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..." – Chief Anna Lally [26:41]
Listeners were encouraged to stay engaged and assist in uncovering truths for other unresolved cases within the Elgin community.
Final Thoughts
Episode 8 of Somebody Knows Something masterfully intertwines meticulous investigative detail with poignant human stories, highlighting the relentless pursuit of justice by the Elgin Police Cold Case Unit. Through collaboration with specialized teams like Chaos Divers and unwavering community support, the podcast not only uncovers lost truths but also restores hope to families yearning for answers.