TYNGSBOROUGH, Mass. — Authorities in Massachusetts have discovered a body they believe belongs to Jill Kloppenburg, a 43-year-old woman who has been missing since January 2025.
The remains were found buried under a garage floor after Shawn Sullivan, 40, allegedly confessed to a friend that he had killed a woman, leading to the discovery.
Discovery of the Body
The remains were found on March 12, 2026, under the garage floor of a home on Audrey Avenue in Tyngsborough. The body, wrapped in plastic, was buried in a shallow grave, approximately 5 feet long and 3 feet wide.
Authorities believe the victim is Kloppenburg, although the body has not yet been positively identified. Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan stated that a medical examiner is working to confirm the identification and determine the cause and manner of death.
Timeline of Events
Kloppenburg was last seen leaving her home in the 700 block of Broadway in Lowell on January 2, 2025. Her cellphone activity stopped nearly two weeks later, and she was reported missing on February 26, 2025.
Investigators began focusing on Sullivan after a friend of his contacted the Nashua Police Department in New Hampshire on March 10, stating that Sullivan had admitted to killing a woman named Jill around January 2025.
Investigation and Arrest
Using missing persons databases, authorities linked Sullivan’s admission to Kloppenburg, as he and Kloppenburg were known to be friends.
Authorities then conducted a search of Sullivan’s former home in Tyngsborough, where they used ground-penetrating radar to detect something buried under the garage. The discovery of the body followed after authorities carefully excavated the area.
Sullivan is now facing murder charges, in addition to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and improper disposal of human remains. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, March 14.
Emotional Reactions
Kloppenburg’s friends and family expressed concern over her disappearance. Her friend, Ann Matlosz, shared her worries with local Fox affiliate WFXT, saying, “We’re very concerned because she hasn’t checked in. No matter what is going on in her life, she has always checked in with her friends.”
Her uncle, Steven Kloppenburg, shared his heartbreak on Facebook, stating that while they weren’t particularly close, her loss still felt deeply personal.
He also acknowledged her struggles with drug addiction and noted that she often associated with violent men. “There will be a resolution,” he wrote, emphasizing the importance of finding answers.
As authorities continue their investigation into the murder, Sullivan faces serious charges for the death of Jill Kloppenburg. The case remains ongoing, and officials are working to confirm the identity of the remains and learn more about the circumstances of her tragic death.
