Shawn Sullivan charged with murder after body found buried under Tyngsborough garage floor
Key Takeaways
- Body recovered under Tyngsborough garage floor believed to be a woman missing over a year.
- Shawn Sullivan, Tyngsborough resident, 40, charged with murder and related offenses.
- Authorities say investigation started after a friend reported a possible murder.
Charges and Arrest
Shawn Sullivan, a 40-year-old Tyngsborough resident, has been formally charged with murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and improper disposal of human remains.
“Human remains found buried under a Tyngsboro, Massachusetts man's garage may belong to Jill Kloppenburg, who has been missing for over a year, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Monday”
The charges were confirmed by Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Tyngsborough Chief of Police Shaun Woods through a press release.
The investigation began when Sullivan's friend contacted Nashua, NH Police Department on March 10 with a confession.
Sullivan allegedly admitted to killing a woman named 'Jill' at his Audrey Avenue residence in January 2025.
He reportedly buried her under the garage floor of his home.
The multi-agency investigation culminated in Sullivan's arrest and arraignment in Lowell District Court.
Discovery Process
The investigation unfolded dramatically when authorities utilized advanced technology to locate the hidden remains.
On March 15, detectives from the Tyngsborough Police Department, Tewksbury Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police executed a search warrant at Sullivan's former residence on Audrey Avenue.
Investigators observed what appeared to be a large, patched area in the garage floor.
They used Ground Penetrating Radar technology to scan the concrete surface.
The radar scan confirmed there was an anomaly beneath the patched area.
The patched area was approximately 5 feet long and 3 feet wide and made of epoxy over cement.
After carefully cutting through the floor, authorities discovered a plastic bag containing human remains.
Victim Identification
The victim was identified as Jill Kloppenburg, a woman who had been reported missing to Tewksbury Police in February 2025.
“Authorities in Massachusetts say they have recovered a body they believe is a woman who has been missing for over a year”
Police were able to connect Sullivan's confession to Kloppenburg through missing persons databases.
Kloppenburg was last seen at her home on January 2, 2025.
Her phone was last used to contact someone on January 14, 2025.
Authorities learned that Sullivan and Kloppenburg were friends.
She had been to his home around the time of her disappearance.
The alleged murder occurred in January 2025.
Sullivan hid the body under the garage floor for approximately two months before his confession led to the discovery.
Police Response
Law enforcement officials have assured the public that there is no ongoing public safety threat resulting from this case.
Tyngsborough Police Chief Shawn Woods emphasized during the press conference that investigators believe the killing was not random.
This suggests a targeted rather than indiscriminate crime.
The Chief expressed relief that through diligent work of investigators, a suspect is now in custody.
He noted that the facts of the case will be addressed through the justice system.
Multi-agency cooperation between Tyngsborough Police, Tewksbury Police, Massachusetts State Police, and Nashua Police was instrumental.
This demonstrates effective law enforcement coordination across jurisdictional boundaries.
Legal Proceedings
The legal proceedings against Shawn Sullivan are now underway, with prosecutors building a case based on the confession, physical evidence, and forensic findings.
“Human remains found buried under a Tyngsboro, Massachusetts man's garage may belong to Jill Kloppenburg, who has been missing for over a year, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Monday”
Sullivan faces serious charges including murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and improper disposal of human remains.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner continues to work on positively identifying the body and determining the cause and manner of death.
The victim has already been identified as Kloppenburg through dental records and other forensic methods.
Sullivan was expected to be arraigned in Lowell District Court.
Prosecutors will likely seek to have him held without bail given the severity of the charges and the nature of the alleged crime.
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