ELGIN, Illinois — Skeletal human remains have been found inside a car linked to a decades-old cold case, the Kane County coroner confirmed on Tuesday evening.
The WLS-TV news helicopter was over the scene as crews removed the 1980 canary yellow Toyota Celica from the Fox River on Tuesday just before 3 p.m. following hours of work.
Search teams with a nonprofit group called the Chaos Divers found the car, believed to have been submerged for 42 years, near the Slade Avenue boat launch on Monday.
SEE ALSO: A car pulled from a river may tell what happened to an Oregon family of 5 that went missing in 1958
“I want to stress that this is an extensive recovery process and it is expected to take some time ensuring the structural integrity of the vehicle remains intact,” said Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley.
ELGIN, Illinois — Skeletal human remains have been found inside a car linked to a decades-old cold case, the Kane County coroner confirmed on Tuesday evening.
The WLS-TV news helicopter was over the scene as crews removed the 1980 canary yellow Toyota Celica from the Fox River on Tuesday just before 3 p.m. following hours of work.
Search teams with a nonprofit group called the Chaos Divers found the car, believed to have been submerged for 42 years, near the Slade Avenue boat launch on Monday.
SEE ALSO: A car pulled from a river may tell what happened to an Oregon family of 5 that went missing in 1958
“I want to stress that this is an extensive recovery process and it is expected to take some time ensuring the structural integrity of the vehicle remains intact,” said Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley.
Elgin police chief gives an update after a car belonging to a missing woman from 1983 was found in the Fox River.
“We’re hoping to use this podcast to help the family understand where Karen is and what happened to her,” a speaker in the podcast said.
SEE ALSO: South Dakota teens missing since 1971 found in submerged car
Karen’s family has participated in the podcast, reflecting on her disappearance.
“It changes everything. For many years, when I would see people that would have similar characteristics, I would stop. If I was in a crowded place like an airport or something, and I’d always be looking. Is there anyone that looks like her?” said Susan Trainer, Karen’s sister.
“You don’t feel like you can go forward until you fix this. So you’re still, waiting for something to happen,” said Elizabeth Paulson, Karen’s 90-year-old mother.
The seven-episode podcast is, according to police, what led them to receive multiple tips that helped to pinpoint her vehicle’s location.
Lalley said the podcast has involved the community and allowed people to come forward with any leads.
“Our detectives have received a lot of leads in terms of information coming in,” Lalley said. “They are focusing on some theories, potentially what could have happened to her and I think the most important thing to is that we are not going to lock in and we are not going to lock out a theory.”
On Tuesday, among those who gathered to watch the vehicle being pulled out was Fernando Sanchez, who recalls the stories told by those in the neighborhood dating back to when he was a young boy.
“Back then we heard, rumor, you know, people knew about, somebody ran into with their car in the river,” Sanchez said.
Now, the family of the once-computer programmer still must wait while the Kane County coroner works to identify the remains found inside the car.
“The feeling, today, is not that much different from the feeling the day-before yesterday. I still don’t know where she is. I still don’t know what happened to her,” Gary said.
Police said the car was taken to a secure storage location for further investigation.
