Dead body identified as missing 29-year-old Massachusetts man

March 5, 2025– According to the District Attorney’s Office, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in the afternoon hours, there was a heavy law enforcement presence in the 100-block area of Union Road in Holland, Massachusetts. A body was later recovered in connection to a missing persons investigation being conducted by local and state police.

The victim was identified Wednesday as Austin Schepper, 29, of Sturbridge.

Austin was reported missing on Sunday, February 11, 2025, by his parents, Denise and Garret Schepper after he had not reported to work and had an inactive cell phone.

According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, “Austin was an Eagle Scout and earned his Order of the Arrow. He had a love for trains, which he collected throughout the years. Austin was diagnosed with autism as a young child, which allowed his family to work with available services to set him up for success in his life. Austin graduated from Tantasqua Regional High with perfect attendance all 4 years! Austin was an amazing human and was loved by all who knew him. Austin encountered many obstacles throughout his life, overcoming anything that got in his way.”

This remains an ongoing investigation by the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Worcester District Attorney’s Office, Sturbridge Police and Holland Police.

Any information regarding the investigation should be sent to the Hampden District Attorney’s State Police Detective Unit at (413) 505-5993.