Serial Abductor's Legacy: New Victim Identified After Decades

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  Published in House and Home on Saturday, February 21st 2026 at 6:17 GMT by Newsweek
      Locales: Pennsylvania, UNITED STATES

Chilling Legacy of Serial Abductor: New Victim Emerges After Decades-Old Notes Uncovered in Washington State Homes

The seemingly innocuous act of home renovation has unearthed a disturbing pattern of behavior linked to convicted murderer Robert Clark, and tragically, led to the identification of a second potential victim decades after her disappearance. A couple renovating a home in Washington state recently discovered a hidden note and a small sum of money concealed within a bathroom wall - a discovery that initially connected them to the 1994 disappearance of Susan Schaper, but has now blossomed into a far more unsettling investigation.

The initial discovery, shared with Newsweek by the anonymous couple, detailed a handwritten note dated 1998. The note explicitly mentioned Susan Schaper and Robert Clark, a name already tragically familiar to Schaper's family. Clark was convicted in 2013 of Schaper's murder, a conviction secured through the poignant identification of Clark by Schaper's daughter, who recognized him from an old photograph. The couple, intrigued and deeply unsettled by the find, contacted authorities and shared the note, hoping it might offer further closure to the Schaper family.

However, the investigation quickly revealed a disturbing quirk in Clark's behaviour: a compulsion to leave coded 'messages' for future homeowners. Investigators have now confirmed that Clark repeatedly hid similar notes and small amounts of cash within the walls of homes he previously occupied, essentially creating a macabre 'treasure hunt' intended to be discovered years - even decades - after his departure. "It's kind of creepy," the first homeowner told Newsweek. "He was just leaving messages for people to find." This suggests a deliberate attempt by Clark to maintain a connection, however twisted, with the spaces he inhabited and potentially, to taunt or confess to his crimes.

This unsettling pattern has now broadened the scope of the investigation dramatically. Another couple, after reading about the Schaper case, came forward with a similar discovery made in a separate home. Their hidden note, also attributed to Clark, has linked him to the 1987 disappearance of Linda Ann Schmidt. For years, Schmidt's case remained a cold, unsolved mystery, leaving her family in agonizing uncertainty.

The second couple described the note as chillingly detailed, outlining the circumstances surrounding Schmidt's abduction and offering a disturbing account of the event. "The note details the abduction, and gives a very eerie description of how it happened," they stated. While law enforcement has been tight-lipped about the specifics contained within the note to avoid compromising the ongoing investigation, the revelation has given the Schmidt family a glimmer of hope for closure - and reignited fears about the possibility of other undiscovered victims.

Authorities are now meticulously reviewing cold cases and cross-referencing Clark's known residences with unsolved disappearances. The sheer audacity of Clark's behaviour - leaving behind tangible links to his crimes - has provided investigators with a unique and potentially invaluable trail to follow. The discovery prompts questions about whether Clark left clues in other homes, and if so, how many more victims remain unidentified.

The psychological profile emerging from these discoveries paints a picture of a deeply disturbed individual, likely driven by a need for control and a desire to leave his mark - however sinister - on the world. Experts in forensic psychology suggest the 'treasure hunt' aspect could be interpreted as a form of delayed gratification or a twisted attempt at immortality.

The investigations into both the Schaper and Schmidt cases remain active. Law enforcement is urging anyone who has purchased a home previously occupied by Robert Clark to thoroughly inspect the premises and report any unusual findings to their local authorities. This case serves as a stark reminder that even decades after a crime, new evidence can emerge, offering both a path to justice and a renewed sense of sorrow for those left behind. The unfolding story is a chilling testament to the long shadow cast by a serial abductor and the enduring power of hidden truths.