Man Charged After Missing Woman Found Buried in Massachusetts Garage

Shawn Sullivan accused of accidentally shooting Jill Kloppenburg and then burying her body under his home

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:05am

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A body found buried under the garage floor of a home in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts has been identified as Jill Kloppenburg, a woman who went missing over a year ago. The homeowner, Shawn Sullivan, has been charged with murder after allegedly accidentally shooting Kloppenburg and then burying her body under the garage.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tragic consequences when a firearm is mishandled, as well as the challenges law enforcement faces in solving missing persons cases, especially when the victim's remains are hidden. It also raises questions about bail reform and whether the suspect should have been released on bail after the initial incident.

The details

According to prosecutors, Sullivan told authorities that he was showing Kloppenburg a gun in his bedroom when he made a jerking motion that caused the gun to discharge, fatally shooting her in the chest. Sullivan allegedly kept Kloppenburg's body in his room for a few days before burying it under the garage floor. Police received a tip from someone claiming a friend had confessed to killing a woman named Jill, which led them to execute a search warrant at Sullivan's home and discover the buried remains.

  • Jill Kloppenburg was last seen in January 2025 and was reported missing a month later.
  • One week ago, police in New Hampshire received the tip that broke the case open.
  • On Sunday, investigators executed a search warrant at Sullivan's home and discovered the buried remains.

The players

Shawn Sullivan

A 40-year-old man who lived in the Tyngsborough, Massachusetts home where Kloppenburg's body was found buried. He has been charged with murder.

Jill Kloppenburg

A woman from Lowell, Massachusetts who went missing in January 2025 and whose remains were later found buried under Sullivan's garage.

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What they’re saying

“The defendant said that he was with Jill and holding a firearm while falling asleep. At some point, he made a jerking motion, which caused him to pull the trigger, discharging the firearm and shooting Jill in the chest. He stated that Jill soon died, and if there was a chance for her survival, he would have called for help.”

— Prosecutor

“She didn't deserve that, no. Absolutely not. She didn't deserve that. Nobody does. Nobody. She's a human. She's a mother, a friend, a sister, a daughter.”

— Teresa Brink, Kloppenburg's friend

What’s next

Sullivan is expected to return to court on April 17 for a probable cause hearing.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the importance of firearm safety and responsible gun ownership, as well as the need for thorough investigations and community vigilance to help solve missing persons cases. It also raises concerns about bail reform and whether the justice system is doing enough to protect the public from repeat offenders.