Tynsborough Man Charged with Murder After Human Remains Found Buried Under Garage Floor

The remains have not been identified, but police believe they belong to a Lowell woman missing for over a year.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:10pm

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A 40-year-old Tynsborough man named Shawn Sullivan has been charged with murder after human remains were discovered buried under the floor of his garage. The remains have not been officially identified, but police believe they belong to Jill Kloppenburg, a 47-year-old Lowell woman who went missing over a year ago. Sullivan allegedly confessed to a friend that he had shot and killed a woman named Jill at his home and buried her under the garage floor.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in investigating missing persons cases, especially when the victim's remains are hidden or disposed of. It also raises questions about how to prevent and respond to domestic violence incidents that can tragically escalate to murder.

The details

According to prosecutors, a friend of Shawn Sullivan reported to Nashua, New Hampshire police that Sullivan had confessed to killing a woman named Jill and burying her under the floor of his garage. Investigators connected this report to the case of Jill Kloppenburg, who was reported missing from her Lowell home in February 2025. When police searched Sullivan's home, they found a large, patched area in the garage floor. Using radar technology, they discovered a 5-by-3-foot area that had been cut and patched, and upon digging through the epoxy and cement, they found a bag containing human remains.

  • Jill Kloppenburg was last seen leaving her Lowell home on January 2, 2025.
  • Kloppenburg was reported missing to Tewksbury police in February 2025.
  • Sullivan allegedly confessed to killing Kloppenburg around January 2025.
  • The human remains were discovered in Sullivan's garage on March 15, 2026.

The players

Shawn Sullivan

A 40-year-old Tynsborough man who has been charged with murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and improper disposal of human remains.

Jill Kloppenburg

A 47-year-old Lowell woman who went missing in January 2025 and whose remains are believed to have been found buried under Sullivan's garage.

Marian Ryan

The Middlesex County District Attorney who announced the charges against Sullivan.

Shaun Woods

The Tyngsborough Police Chief who spoke at a press conference about the case.

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What they’re saying

“This is a person, a loved one, who was reported missing, whose disappearance remained under active investigation for over a year. This is never the outcome we want in public safety, but we take solace in the fact that through the hard work of investigators, a suspect is now in custody.”

— Shaun Woods, Tyngsborough Police Chief

What’s next

The Office of the Medical Examiner is investigating the cause of death and identifying the remains found in Sullivan's garage. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about Jill Kloppenburg's disappearance is urged to call State Police.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the importance of thorough missing persons investigations and the need for greater resources and coordination between law enforcement agencies to prevent and respond to domestic violence incidents that can escalate to murder. It also highlights the heartbreak families experience when a loved one goes missing and the relief, but also pain, when their fate is finally uncovered.