50 years later: Lambton County OPP renew appeal for information on anniversary of Sarnia, Ont. teen’s death
Karen Caughlin, 14, of Sarnia, Ont., who was killed in 1974, is seen in this file photo.
50 years after Sarnia teenager Karen Caughlin was struck by a vehicle and killed, OPP are renewing their appeal to the public in the hopes of finding her killer.
According to Lambton County OPP, 14-year-old Karen Caughlin was last seen alive in the early morning hours of March 16, 1974. Her body was later discovered the following morning on Plowing Match Road between Churchill Line and Lasalle Line in Lambton County.
In 2017, new information revealed that Caughlin’s injuries were consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle, according to OPP. Her body was then moved from the location where she was hit to where her body was discovered.
Lambton County OPP and the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch continue to receive tips from the public about the case.
"On behalf of Lambton County OPP, I would like to thank the public for their continued support with this investigation. Even after 50 years, information is still being received on this case. Our investigators diligently follow every tip,” said Insp. Chris Avery, commander, Lambton County OPP.
On the 50th anniversary of her death, OPP are renewing their appeal to the public in identifying the suspect or suspects involved in her death. A $50,000 reward for information remains available.
Law enforcement are looking to hear from or about anyone who may have discussed attending or hosting a social gathering in Petrolia, Ont. after going to the Rose Gardens roller skating rink the day before Caughlin was last seen alive.
In addition, police want to hear from anyone with information about a vehicle collision in the Petrolia area, or damage sustained by a vehicle, at around that time. Someone may have observed damage to a vehicle, or not noticed damage to their own vehicle at the time.
In order to help determine what happened to Caughlin, OPP created a a seven-minute, case chronology video, which has been viewed more than 33,000 times since 2014, and which can be viewed on the official OPP YouTube channel.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lambton County OPP at 1-519-882-1011, while anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or can submit a tip online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
