OPP seeks help in 1974 cold case of Karen Caughlin as her death nears the 40th anniversary on March 16th. From CBC News: “Ontario Provincial Police hope a new appeal to the public will help reinvigorate an investigation into a four-decade-old homicide. Police on Thursday released a seven-minute video detailing the events of the day Karen Caughlin died. Her older sister, Mary Lou Schwemler, hopes the video helps bring closure for the family.“
https://web.archive.org/web/20190317025150/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qaWsh01osM
The case of Karen Caughlin has been discussed at length here on DCC. All the posts about Karen can be found here.
“This investigation has been ongoing for 40 years,” OPP Det. Insp. Chris Avery says in the video. There are persons of interest and people under investigation,” said Avery. “It had to be someone she knew. She would not get into a car alone unless she knew that person” said Schwemler.
Another sister, Kathy, is unhappy with the way police have dealt with the case. She claims they haven’t followed up on some tips. Two years ago, she organized a protest outside the OPP office in Petrolia, demanding an independent review.” This too has been discussed on my blog. An independent review was denied.
On March 15, 1974 Karen Caughlin (14) went to school as usual. She had after-school plans to go to a friend’s home and later on to the Rose Garden roller rink. She would possibly sleep over. Karen and her friend left the rink around 11pm. They accepted a ride from a couple of boys and left in their 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 on March 16, 1974. This was the last time Karen was seen alive. Her body was found on March 16, 1974 around 9:50 am by an area farmer 22 kilometres from where she was dropped off. What happened to her after he drop off? What was she doing 22 kilometers away from her friend’s house? The case remains unsolved.
Kathy has collaborated with me in the past to get renewed attention for her sister’s case. I am relieved to finally see the OPP reach out to the public and admit that they can use some help.