Jill Kloppenburg of Lowell, who has been missing since January of 2025. Photo: Federal Bureau of Investigation
TYNGSBOROUGH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Tyngsborough man accused of killing a Lowell woman, and burying her remains under the floor of his garage, was ordered held without bail on Tuesday.
Shawn Sullivan, 41, was arraigned in Lowell District Court Tuesday afternoon. Prosecutors accused him of murdering Jill Kloppenburg of Lowell, who has been missing for more than a year. Investigators used dental records to confirm her identity after her body was found in the suspect's garage.
In February of this year, Sullivan allegedly confessed to a friend that he had killed a person he knew, named Jill, in January of last year. Investigators said the friend reported that information to police.
Prosecutors said Sullivan later admitted to police that he accidentally shot Jill, saying he was showing her one of his firearms when she was at his house. He supposedly twitched while holding the gun, accidentally shooting her in the chest, and then panicked and hid her body a day or two later.
Sullivan's defense attorney argued this was a case of involuntary manslaughter, saying it was a "tragic accident followed by inexcusable panic."
Sullivan is charged with murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and improper disposal of a body. He is due back in court on April 17.