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OPP urge people to come forward as another year passes after the death of Karen Caughlin

March 17, 2025

Another year has passed without answers in the death of Karen Caughlin.

Fifty-one years ago, the 14 year-old went to the Rose Garden to go rollerskating with friends. She was last seen being dropped off near a friend’s home in Sarnia Saturday, March 16, 1974.

Karen Caughlin

Her body was discovered the next morning near Marthaville, on Plowing Match Road between Churchill and Lasalle Line.

Lambton OPP reminded the public of Caughlin’s death hoping to spur new information in the investigation to identify the people responsible.

In 2017, police said they believed the teen had been hit by a vehicle and her body was moved from the location on Oil Heritage Line to Plowing Match Road. For decades, her death had been treated as a homicide and the family of the teen still believe what happened was a murder.

OPP officials say they’re still investigating every tip which comes to light and a $50,000 reward is still available for clues leading to the people responsible for her death. The department’s case chronology video has been viewed over 35,000 times.

Police want to hear from or about anyone who may have discussed attending or hosting a social gathering in Petrolia after going to the Rose Gardens roller skating rink the day before Karen was last seen alive. The OPP also wants to hear from anyone with information about a motor vehicle collision in the Petrolia area, or damage sustained by a motor vehicle around that time.

If you have any information you can call police at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.

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