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Research website by Alice de Sturler

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You are here: Home / Cold Case News / The Caughlin family: enough!

The Caughlin family: enough!

March 5, 2013 By Alice

Picture of Karen CaughlinEnough energy has been put into asking, begging the OPP to re-evaluate the cold case of Karen Caughlin. Their hearts broken since Karen’s murder in 1974, the family has decided to stop talking to the media.

From the PetroliaTopic.com and sent to me by Kathy Caughlin: “Two years after calling for the external review, Caughlin says she and her sister can no longer fight the OPP. She declined a telephone interview, but in an e-mail she says they are being “tortured” by the OPP and won’t be talking about the case to the media anymore.

“I have no doubt in my heart that Karen’s killers will face what is coming to them, but it won’t be through the OPP.”

The lead investigator in the case, Det. Insp. Chris Avery, says Caughlin’s file is still active. He confirms in the last few weeks a second investigator out of the Lambton OPP detachment has been following up leads in the case.”

My heart goes out to this family who tirelessly tried to keep Karen’s case on the front page. They managed to stir the pot, get people to talk to police and engaged online with those interested in Karen’s case.

Kathy Caughlin, Karen’s older sister, in her own words:

“Karen and I were only 14-months apart and we shared a bedroom for her entire life. Her picture does not do her justice for it doesn’t reveal the beautiful person she was on the inside. She was so kind, thoughtful, loved animals and had the gift of making everyone laugh. 

Karen had just entered her first year of high school and she wanted to make the world a better place by becoming a teacher because she believed children were our future. She was a Marching Angel (drum corp. band) with her sisters and loved going roller skating with her girlfriends. Her love of animals brought many strays to our family home.

Someone savagely took her life, when she was just 2 ½ months short of her fifteenth birthday and threw her in a ditch like a piece of garbage. They killed my sister; they killed my family, and went on with their own lives.

Our parents’ suffering ended in death for both passed away in recent years. The depth of suffering is impossible for anyone to imagine who has not experienced homicide. Something in you dies when your bear the unbearable. Unsolved homicide survivors never have peace and they live in endless grief and torment. 

I cannot thank the Caughlin family enough for the information they provided, the memories they shared, and for keeping me in the loop.

I wish you well.

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Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: Canada, DNA, Karen Caughlin, Michigan, OPP, Sarnia, Unsolved Homicide

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Author Notes

On this website, I write about old, unsolved cases. Most are from the pre-DNA era and are in need of renewed media attention. I only do research and leave the active investigation of these cases to the professionals.

My posts are about homicides, missing and unidentified people, wrongful convictions, and forensics as related to these cases.

On book reviews: I only review select works of true crime, crime fiction, and historical fiction/mysteries. The stories have to fit my website's theme and research. It remains my prerogative to not review a book.

My database has over 325 cases listed by the victim’s last name. You will find a brief description there as well. The database will always be free to the public to use. You cannot buy ad space on my website, ever.

All writing suggestions that come in by email are added to my to-do list in the order in which they were received. Please be patient. My to-do list is very long but no case gets dropped and I will get back in touch.

Defrosting Cold Cases is NOT an organization. It is my brainchild.

If you have any questions about my website please check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, the about page, and the tabs in both menu bars. If you still cannot find the answer there, please contact me.

Thank you,

Alice de Sturler

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If you use my work, please add a link back. Let your readers know where you found your information. I do the same for you. Thank you!

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Copyright: Please add a link back if you use my work. Let your readers know where you found your information. I do the same for you. If you need help with this, just contact me. Thank you, Alice de Sturler

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