Massachusetts Man Charged with Murder After Allegedly Confessing to Friend

Shawn Sullivan, 40, accused of killing Jill Kloppenburg, who has been missing for over a year

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:25am

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Authorities in Massachusetts have arrested Shawn Sullivan, 40, and charged him with murder after his friend allegedly told police that Sullivan confessed to killing a woman, believed to be Jill Kloppenburg, who has been missing since January 2025. Police searched Sullivan's home and found human remains buried in the garage, though the victim's identity has not yet been confirmed.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of following up on missing persons reports and the challenges law enforcement faces in solving cold cases, especially when the victim's remains are not immediately discovered. It also raises questions about the role of confessions and the reliability of witness testimony in criminal investigations.

The details

According to authorities, Sullivan's friend told police that Sullivan called him and confessed to killing a woman named Jill Kloppenburg at his home in January 2025. Police then searched Sullivan's property and found human remains buried in the garage. Kloppenburg, who was 47 at the time of her disappearance, was last seen leaving her Lowell, Massachusetts home in January 2025. Investigators believe Kloppenburg and Sullivan knew each other, and that she had been inside his home prior to her disappearance.

  • Jill Kloppenburg was last seen leaving her Lowell, MA home on January 2, 2025.
  • Kloppenburg's last known cell phone activity was on January 14, 2025.
  • Kloppenburg was reported missing to the Tewksbury Police in February 2025.
  • On March 10, 2026, Sullivan's friend told police that Sullivan confessed to killing Kloppenburg.
  • On March 15, 2026, police executed a search warrant at Sullivan's home and found human remains buried in the garage.

The players

Shawn Sullivan

A 40-year-old man from Tyngsborough, Massachusetts who has been charged with murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and improper disposal of human remains.

Jill Kloppenburg

A 47-year-old woman who was reported missing from Lowell, Massachusetts in February 2025 and is believed to be the victim in this case, though her identity has not yet been confirmed.

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What they’re saying

“They could tell me they were 100% positive the remains were hers though they still have to confirm it with DNA and an autopsy has to be done to try to determine a cause of death, she's been missing for 14 months and has probably been out there for the whole time.”

— Steven Kloppenburg, Jill Kloppenburg's uncle

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Shawn Sullivan to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in solving cold cases and the importance of thoroughly investigating missing persons reports, even when the victim's remains are not immediately discovered.