Authorities in Elgin, Illinois, have recovered skeletal remains from a submerged car in the Fox River, believed to belong to Karen Schepers—a woman who disappeared over 40 years ago. Schepers vanished on April 16, 1983, after leaving a bar in Carpentersville, and was never seen again.
According to CBS News The yellow 1980 Toyota Celica was found on Monday using sonar equipment by the nonprofit group Chaos Divers, working alongside Elgin police. The license plate confirmed the car belonged to Schepers. Crews spent hours on Tuesday securing and extracting the vehicle from the river, completing the lift at 2:48 p.m. The car was then transferred to the Kane County Coroner’s Office, where a forensic pathologist confirmed skeletal remains were inside.
Authorities say DNA testing or dental records will be used to confirm the identity of the remains, a process that could take several weeks. While initial findings show no signs of foul play, the official cause of death will be determined after a full autopsy.
The case gained renewed interest recently through the podcast Somebody Knows Something, produced by Elgin police cold case detectives. The podcast outlined the circumstances of Schepers’ disappearance and presented new theories. It also encouraged the public to come forward with tips, which police credit for the latest breakthrough.
Gary Schepers, Karen’s brother, expressed gratitude but also frustration. “I wish they had looked this hard in 1983, but they didn’t,” he said. “There’s no good outcome… but one is better than all the scenarios I can imagine.”
The vehicle was found less than a mile from Schepers’ apartment at the time of her disappearance. As the investigation unfolds, authorities continue working to bring closure to her family.
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