The Sarnia Observer reports that Commissioner Lewis stands by his decision in the 1974 unsolved murder of Karen Caughlin.
“OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis is defending his decision not to hand over the investigation of the Karen Caughlin murder to another police agency for external review.
Lewis, who was in Point Edward Sunday speaking at a Crimestoppers conference at the Holiday Inn, told The Observer a review of the file, quite likely by a service that has less experience investigating cold cases than the OPP, would accomplish nothing.”
Lewis also defended OPP Insp. Ian Maule, who is in charge of the Caughlin case. “Maule is a professional who has solved many cold cases during a career that has earned him international acclaim, he said. “Ian Maule has solved a whole pile of cold cases. He’s been very successful at it.”
A statement released by the Caughlin family Sunday, expressed sadness at Lewis’ position: “We are very distraught over Commissioner Lewis’ decision without first speaking to our family, as we requested. An informed decision is made when all parties involved are heard.”
In 1974, Karen Caughlin was murdered. She was only 14 years old. On March 15, 1974, Karen went to school as usual. She had made after-school plans to go to a friend’s home. Later they would go to the Rose Garden roller rink. They made tentative arrangements for Karen to stay overnight.
Karen and her friend left the rink around 11pm. They accepted a ride from a couple of boys and left in a pick-up truck. Karen’s friend was dropped off at her home. Karen continued to drive around the area with these boys until Karen was dropped off near her friend’s house close to 1am (March 16, 1974). This was the last time Karen was seen alive.