Overview

• Karen Schepers' yellow 1980 Toyota Celica and skeletal remains were recovered from the Fox River, nearly 42 years after her disappearance in 1983.
• The Kane County Coroner’s Office is conducting DNA and dental analysis to confirm the identity of the remains found in the vehicle.
• The Elgin Fire Department admitted to a 2022 oversight when the vehicle was misidentified as an ATV, prompting procedural reforms and leadership changes.
• The Elgin Police Department reopened the case in early 2025, collaborating with Chaos Divers and a podcast to generate leads and locate the vehicle using sonar technology.
• Schepers' family has been notified of the discovery, expressing relief after decades of unanswered questions about her disappearance.