Man Charged with Murder After Body of Missing Woman Found Buried in Garage

Shawn Sullivan, 40, is being held without bail after police discovered the remains of Jill Kloppenburg, who disappeared over a year ago.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 4:05am

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A body discovered 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 her murder after allegedly accidentally shooting Kloppenburg and then burying her body.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in solving missing persons cases, especially when the victim's remains are hidden. It also raises questions about the appropriate charges for a death that the suspect claims was an accident.

The details

According to prosecutors, Sullivan accidentally shot Kloppenburg when he was showing her a gun in his bedroom. After a few days, he allegedly buried her under the garage floor. Police discovered the remains after receiving a tip and executing a search warrant at Sullivan's home.

  • Jill Kloppenburg was last seen in January 2025 and was reported missing a month later.
  • Police in New Hampshire received a tip one week ago that led to the arrest of Shawn Sullivan.
  • Sullivan's probable cause hearing is scheduled for April 17.

The players

Shawn Sullivan

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

Jill Kloppenburg

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

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What they’re saying

“The defendant said 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 a 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. Instead, the defendant kept Jill's body in his room for a couple of days. He then brought Jill's body to the garage, where he dug a hole, placed her body in the hole, and then filled the hole.”

— 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 highlights the importance of thorough investigations into missing persons cases, even when the victim's remains are not immediately found. It also raises difficult questions about how to handle cases where a death is claimed to be an accident, but the actions taken afterward suggest an attempt to cover it up.