Detectives’ true crime podcast helps dig up breakthrough in case that haunted family: ‘drew audible gasp’

What started as a way for a pair of two Illinois detectives to crowdsource tips to solve decades-old cold cases ended in a shocking discovery. 

Detectives Andrew Houghton and Matt Vartanian decided to tackle unsolved cases with a fresh approach. In October 2024, they launched a true-crime podcast titled “Somebody Knows Something” at the request of Elgin Police Department Chief Ana Lalley. Their main aim was to leverage modern investigative technology to help bring closure to the families of those involved.

Initially hesitant about the idea, Vartanian shared with Fox News Digital, “We both kind of looked at each other and said, ‘No, I’m not really sure that’s for us.’” However, they adopted an open-minded and objective stance, realizing the potential of the podcast as a valuable tool to apply investigative techniques from law enforcement.

Discussing a specific case, Houghton highlighted the uniqueness of the situation by saying, “With this case, it was a bit of a unicorn in the fact that we had no idea what happened to her.” He emphasized the importance of overcoming the fear of failure or looking foolish in such endeavors. The ultimate goal was always to locate the missing individuals, allowing closure for their loved ones. Houghton added, “Don’t be afraid to fail, don’t be afraid of looking foolish. Because at the end of the day, the goal is to find this person and we did that in this case.

Houghton and Vartanian are already planning on the next case to revive in the second season of their podcast, telling Fox News Digital it will likely be a homicide investigation. 

Houghton and Vartanian were able to provide her 90-year-old mother with two items recovered from her vehicle – her sapphire birthstone ring and class of 1977 high school graduation tassel – providing a sense of closure for Schepers’ loved ones as the mystery surrounding her disappearance finally comes to a close. 

“We hope for continued success on each and every cold case,” Schepers’ family said. “Miracles do happen.”

You May Also Like
Weeds star dead after battle with lymphoma

Celebrity from Weeds loses fight against lymphoma

Weeds star Renee Victor has passed away at the age of 86…
Gunman kills Israeli embassy couple in Washington, following decades of embassy-targeted attacks

Israeli Diplomat highlights Radicalism as an American issue following deadly shooting in DC

Tsach Saar, the Deputy Consul General of Israel in New York, is…
Star snaps of the week: Post Malone, Brooklyn Beckham and more

Weekly Celebrity Highlights: Post Malone, Brooklyn Beckham, and More

Weekly Celeb Snapshots: Post Malone, Brooklyn Beckham, and More Cookie Policy Notice:…
Tearful Livvy Dunne claims group of middle-aged men are 'stalking' her at airports across America

Livvy Dunne tearfully asserts that a group of middle-aged men are following her at airports throughout America

Social media sensation Livvy Dunne has claimed she is being stalked by…
Watch: Donald Trump Releases Video Saluting Elon Musk as He Rides Off Into the Sunset

Video: Donald Trump Shows Respect to Elon Musk as He Departs at the End of the Day

Upon departing from Washington, Elon Musk is bid farewell by President Donald…
Unexpected: Ivy-Leaguer Bill Maher Actually (Kind of) Agrees With What Trump Is Doing to Harvard

Surprising: Bill Maher from an Ivy League university somewhat supports Trump’s actions towards Harvard

On Friday, the host of HBO’s “Real Time,” who has made a…
Ivy League grad Bill Maher delivers unsettling truth bomb about Trump's war on Harvard

Bill Maher, a graduate from Ivy League, discusses alarming realities about Trump’s attacks on Harvard in a candid manner.

Bill Maher said he supports President Donald Trump’s campaign to punish Harvard…
Judge's blistering attack on woman who can't stop drink-driving after she kills AGAIN in SECOND fatal crash

Judge criticizes woman for continuing to drive under the influence after causing a second deadly accident

In a Florida courtroom, a judge strongly condemned a repeat drunk driver…
Man who served 36 years for wife’s murder forgives confessed killer in rare reconciliation

Man Forgives Confessed Killer of Wife After Serving 36 Years in Touching Reconciliation

Leo Schofield served 36 years in prison for his wife’s murder –…
Chart-topping rock band sparks major backlash after waving Palestinian flag on stage

Popular rock band faces strong criticism for displaying Palestinian flag during performance

Imagine Dragons is facing major backlash after frontman Dan Reynolds triumphantly waved…
Hundreds participate in ABC7 Chicago 2025 Gibbons Run in support of Leukemia Research Foundation

“Community Unites for 2025 Gibbons Run to Benefit Leukemia Research Foundation”

CHICAGO (WLS) — Hundreds of runners, walkers, leukemia supporters and survivors participated…
‘Mountainhead’ Star Jason Schwartzman Is Not So Keen on Billionaires Buying the World: “That Scares the Sh-t Out of Me”

Jason Schwartzman from “Mountainhead” Shares His Concerns About Billionaires Taking Over the World: “It’s Terrifying”

In an episode of the TV show Mountainhead on HBO, Jason Schwartzman…