Elgin cold case: Car linked to missing woman Karen Schepers unknowingly found in Fox River by fire crews in 2022, not recovered
Share and Follow

ELGIN, Ill. (WLS) — Skeletal human remains found inside a car pulled from the Fox River linked to a decades-old cold case have now been identified, the Kane County Coroner said Thursday.

The body was confirmed to be that of missing Elgin woman Karen Schepers.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Finally after 42 years, Schepers officially has been found after the official identification by the Kane County Coroner.

Officials said the skeletal human remains found inside the 1980 canary yellow Toyota Celica from the Fox River on Tuesday were confirmed to be the remains of Schepers, who went missing in 1983.

The Kane County Coroner said forensic specialists used dental records provided by the family to make the official identification.

Elgin police initially said the identification process could take weeks, but this comes just two days after crews pulled her vehicle from the Fox River.

Search teams with a nonprofit group called the Chaos Divers found the car near the Slade Avenue boat launch on Monday.

Police said the car was taken to a secure storage location for further investigation.

Schepers was 23 years old when she was last seen attending a party with coworkers at a bar in Carpentersville in the early hours of April 16, 1983. Neither Karen nor her 1980 Toyota Celica were seen again, until now.

As for why she went missing and how she died, that is still a mystery.

This all comes after the cold case was revived early this year in a podcast launched by the Elgin Police Department called Somebody Knows Something.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
First Video of Freed Israeli Hostages Shows Alon Ohel and Guy Golboa-Dalal After 738 days in Hell (Video)

Exclusive: Watch the Emotional Reunion of Israeli Hostages Alon Ohel and Guy Golboa-Dalal After 738 Days

First Video of Freed Israeli Hostages Shows Alon Ohel and Guy Golboa-Dalal…
Illinois' Michael Madigan to begin prison term in major corruption case

Illinois' Michael Madigan to begin prison term in major corruption case

CHICAGO (WGN) Former Democratic Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was expected to…
Investigators release video of possible abduction, showing woman screaming as she’s pulled away

Chilling Video Emerges: Investigators Seek Leads in Possible Abduction of Screaming Woman

Wichita police are reaching out to the community for assistance in identifying…
Mike Johnson calls Obamacare funds a 'boondoggle' as shutdown drags on

Mike Johnson calls Obamacare funds a 'boondoggle' as shutdown drags on

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., slammed the expiring Obamacare subsidies…
Vice President JD Vance warns 'deeper' cuts ahead for federal workers as shutdown continues

Vice President JD Vance warns ‘deeper’ cuts ahead for federal workers as shutdown continues

WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance on Sunday said there will be…
Violent brawl erupts at end of Chiefs vs Lions

Intense Brawl Erupts Post-Game: Chiefs vs Lions Clash Turns Violent

Kansas City Chiefs’ win over Detroit Lions ended in anarchy on Sunday…
Lombard man says Chase Bank abruptly froze over $40K of his money for weeks: 'It was extremely stressful'

Lombard Resident Faces Weeks of Anxiety After Chase Bank Freezes $40K Account

LOMBARD, Ill. (WLS) — A local man says he couldn’t access tens…
Justin Baldoni's ex-agent made searing Blake Lively 'extortion' jab

Ex-Agent of Justin Baldoni Accuses Blake Lively of Extortion in Fiery Statement

Justin Baldoni’s former agent accused Blake Lively of ‘extortion’ as the never…