March 2, 2001
JOLIET, Ill. – A massive police search for a missing Illinois family ended tragically when divers found their bodies in their mini-van in the Des Plaines River.
Investigators say there is no evidence that Karen Bockhol, 49, and her children, Thomas, 23, and Tracy, 26, were the victims of foul play. But Joliet Police Chief David Gerdes said that the investigation is still continuing.
The family vanished Sunday while working Karen Bockhol’s newspaper route. Police officers searching the riverbank near the family’s home Thursday noticed signs that a car had gone into the water, and divers were sent in.