‘Skeletal Human Remains’ Found In Car Pulled From Fox River

ELGIN, IL — Police say “skeletal human remains” were found inside the car of Karen Schepers, who disappeared 42 years ago after a night out with coworkers. The car was pulled from the Fox River Tuesday, but Elgin police say it may take “several weeks” to determine whether the remains are those of the missing 23-year-old.

The Elgin Police Department announced the discovery of Schepers’ car Monday in a community alert. They wrote, in part, "With the use of sonar technology, Chaos Divers located several sites of interest that were explored" in an effort to crack the cold case.

Divers found a the yellow 1980 Toyota Celica, license plate, XP8919, which matched the one Schepers had been driving, northwest of the Slade Avenue Park boat launch.

On Monday, police said "current diving conditions" hindered efforts to "safely remove the vehicle" from the river.

Chaos Divers returned to the scene Tuesday. Just before 3 p.m., they worked with the Elgin Fire Department and Redmon’s Towing to recover the car.

The vehicle was taken to the Kane County Coroner’s Office, where a forensic pathologist confirmed there were skeletal human remains inside.

The remains will be analyzed and forensics experts will use DNA and dental records to determine if they are those of Schepers. The process may take “several weeks.”

Schepers had last been seen in the early morning hours of April 16, 1983, when she left a bar in Carpentersville, where she had been out with coworkers, according to a 2013 post from the Elgin Police Department. Schepers had been at the bar celebrating a job promotion.

Police say Schepers' credit cards and bank account were untouched after her disappearance.

The case drew renewed attention after the Elgin Police Department's new Cold Case Unit launched a podcast earlier this year titled "Somebody Knows Something." According to police, "In Season 1, 'Where is Karen?,' Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian from the Elgin Police Department Cold Case Unit investigate the disappearance of 23-year-old Karen Schepers, who, along with her car, vanished without a trace after a night out with co-workers on April 16, 1983. With the help of our community, we hope to bring Karen home." Two episodes, released in February, take a look at Schepers' case.

This is a developing story; check back for updates.