An OPP video continues to spark new information relating to the death of a 14-year-old Sarnia resident 41 years ago today.
A seven-minute case chronology video produced for the OPP’s Criminal Investigation Branch remains available on the official OPP YouTube channel, in the hope of determining what happened to Karen Lee Ann Caughlin on March 16, 1974. Police are also engaging followers on social media platforms to attract more tips.
“The OPP video now reaches an audience that may have relocated from the Sarnia area since 1974 and has effectively generated some new information that wasn’t available before 2014,” said Detective-Superintendent Dave Truax. “We remain confident that someone will contribute something from that time that will help explain Karen’s tragic loss for her family and friends.”
Caughlin was found mid-morning on a Saturday near the side of the then-6th Sideroad or Freer Road, now known as Plowing Match Road, between Churchill Line and Lasalle Line in Lambton County. Police are appealing to the public to address a nine-hour gap between the time Karen was last seen and when her body was discovered 22km away. The precise period of time is from the early morning of Saturday, March 16 in Sarnia (approximately 12:50am) to around 9:50am.
Police also want to speak to or hear about anyone who may have seen or been with Caughlin throughout the day on Friday, March 15 at certain locations in her community or at Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School.
Anyone with information on the Caughlin case may call Detective Constable Rob Carruthers at Lambton County OPP at 1-519-882-1011. If callers prefers to remain anonymous, they can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at https://www.tipsubmit.com/.
