Lambton OPP believe 14 year-old Karen Cauglin was hit by a car on Oil Heritage Road.

For 43 years, the Sarnia teen’s death has been investigated as a murder.

Karen and her friends were at the Rose Gardens Roller Rink March 15, 1974. She was going to stay at friend and was dropped off at the friend’s Brock Street home but never went in. Her body was found March 16 on Plowing Match Road. For years, the family has pressed the OPP to find out what happened, believing Caughlin had been murdered

Det. Insp. Chris Avery, who is the Lambton OPP detachment commander and who heads up the cold case, told reporters Thursday morning says using modern technology, and reviewing the autopsy, police have found her injuries are consistent with being struck by a car. Avery says she was likely struck on Oil Heritage Road near Lasalle. Police found her purse there at the time.

Avery says its not clear whether Caughlin was still alive when someone moved her to Plowing Match Road where she was later found.

Avery is appealing to anyone who has any information to call OPP. Police are particularly hoping to hear from people who were teens at the time who may have heard about a “social gathering” in Petrolia.

For more details on this story, pick up the Dec. 21 issue of The Independent.