Chad Schipper Wikipedia, Biography, Age, Wife, Kidnapping Case, Arrest, Conviction, Sentence, Career, Family
Chad Schipper is a former financial advisor from Geneseo, Illinois, who gained national notoriety for the 2017 kidnapping and extortion of an elderly couple. Before his criminal conviction, Schipper operated “Schipper Financial Services” and had no prior criminal record. However, it later emerged that his professional life was a facade for significant financial misconduct, including the misappropriation of over $400,000 from his own parents’ retirement funds and life savings.
The crime that led to his life sentence occurred in February 2017, when Schipper disguised himself and broke into the home of Larry and Connie VanOosten in Erie, Illinois. He used a stun gun and a firearm to terrorize the couple, eventually forcing them to their bank to withdraw a $350,000 cashier’s check. He then held them captive for two days in a secret, soundproof “bunker” or safe room he had custom-built under the floor of a closet in one of his rental properties.
Schipper’s scheme unraveled after a high-speed police chase that ended in a car crash, leading to his arrest. The VanOostens were subsequently rescued from the hidden room and found to be in relatively good health despite the trauma. During the investigation, authorities discovered that Schipper’s motive was purely financial; he was facing mounting debts and had been leading a double life while deceiving his family and clients.
In November 2020, Schipper was sentenced to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges including home invasion and aggravated kidnapping. Under Illinois law, because the victims were over the age of 60, he is required to serve at least 85% of his sentence, meaning he will not be eligible for release until he is well into his 90s. As of 2026, he remains incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Quick Facts: Chad Schipper Wikipedia
Early Life and Background
Chad Schipper grew up in the rural areas surrounding Erie and Geneseo, Illinois. He was raised in what many described as a stable, religious household. His parents, Marlyn and Linda Schipper, were active members of their local church—the same church attended by the victims he would later target.
Growing up in a small town, Schipper was well-known among his peers. He attended Erie High School, where he was integrated into the local culture.
Family and Personal Life
Schipper’s personal life was, on the surface, the picture of the American dream. He was a father of six children and lived in a substantial home valued at over $300,000 in rural Geneseo. His wife, Donielle Schipper, was a stay-at-home mother who reportedly had no knowledge of her husband’s crumbling financial state or his criminal activities.
However, the reality within the household was one of extreme secrecy. After his arrest, family members revealed that Chad managed all the finances and kept Donielle completely in the dark. It was later discovered that he had run up over $180,000 in credit card debt in her name alone, leaving the family on the brink of total financial ruin without their knowledge.
Education and Professional Career
Schipper pursued a career in finance, positioning himself as a trusted advisor for his community. On July 12, 2013, he opened Schipper Financial Services LLC, operating the business out of his home.
The Professional Facade
For several years, Schipper managed the investments of local residents, including his own parents. However, records from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) later showed that he had not been a registered investment advisor or broker since September 2013.
Financial Misconduct and the Secret Life
Long before the kidnapping, Schipper was a criminal in the making. He began misappropriating funds from his parents’ retirement accounts and CDs. By the time his crimes were discovered, his parents sued him for over $444,000 that he had stolen from them over several years.
Schipper’s life was a house of cards. He was facing foreclosure proceedings on his property and was being sued in multiple civil suits stemming from a 2014 traffic accident. This mounting pressure—a combination of massive debt, potential exposure of his fraud, and the need to maintain his lifestyle—drove him to plan an audacious and violent crime.
The Larry and Connie VanOosten Kidnapping
On February 7, 2017, the quiet lives of Larry and Connie VanOosten were shattered. Schipper, wearing a mask and armed with a stun gun and a firearm, broke into their home in Erie. He cuffed the couple to their bed and threatened to kill them and their family if they did not provide a $350,000 ransom.
The Hidden Bunker
Schipper had meticulously prepared for the crime. He had a contractor build a “safe room” in one of his rental properties in Geneseo. While he told the contractor it was for his family’s safety, it was actually a soundproof, underground cage. After forcing the couple to their bank to withdraw a cashier’s check, he transported them to this hidden bunker. They were held there for two days, terrorized and kept in a state of constant fear for their lives.
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Arrest and Investigation
The kidnapping came to light when the bank in Albany notified authorities of a “suspicious abduction” after the VanOostens appeared distressed while withdrawing the large sum of money.
The High-Speed Chase
As law enforcement mobilized, they identified Schipper’s vehicle. He led police on a high-speed chase through rural roads, which eventually ended when he crashed his car. Schipper was arrested at the scene and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Following the arrest, police searched his properties and discovered the VanOostens in the hidden room. They were shaken but physically unharmed.
Trial and Sentencing
In the wake of his arrest, Schipper was charged with 16 felony counts, including:
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Aggravated Kidnapping
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Home Invasion
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Armed Violence
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Aggravated Battery
Initially, Schipper pleaded not guilty, but as the evidence against him—including the physical bunker and the financial records—became overwhelming, he eventually changed his plea.
The 60-Year Sentence
In April 2019, Chad Schipper was sentenced to 60 years in prison. The judge noted the “calculated and cold-blooded” nature of the crime. Because the victims were over the age of 60, Illinois law required Schipper to serve at least 85% of his sentence.
Net Worth and Financial Status
At the time of his arrest, Chad Schipper’s net worth was effectively negative. While he owned a $305,000 home and managed large sums of money, he was millions of dollars in debt when factoring in the stolen investment funds, credit card debt, and pending lawsuits. His wife and children were left with nothing, and their home was eventually lost to foreclosure.
Conclusion
The Chad Schipper story serves as a harrowing reminder of the dangers of hidden desperation. To his neighbors, he was a successful businessman; to his family, a provider; but in reality, he was a predator who exploited the most vulnerable people in his life. The resilience of Larry and Connie VanOosten remains the only silver lining in a case that otherwise highlights the devastating impact of financial greed and deception.
FAQs
Who is Chad Schipper?
He is a former financial advisor from Geneseo, Illinois, convicted of kidnapping Larry and Connie VanOosten in 2017.
Where is Chad Schipper now?
As of 2026, he is serving a 60-year sentence in an Illinois state prison (Menard Correctional Center).
What was Schipper’s motive?
His motive was financial; he was in deep debt and had stolen over $400,000 from his parents.
Who were the victims?
The victims were Larry and Connie VanOosten, an elderly couple from Erie, Illinois.
How long was the sentence?
He was sentenced to 60 years and must serve at least 51 years (85%) before being eligible for parole.
Did Chad Schipper have children?
Yes, he has six children.
Is there a movie about Chad Schipper?
Yes, a Lifetime film titled Rescued by Faith: The Connie and Larry Van Oosten Story was released in 2026.
What happened to his wife?
Donielle Schipper filed for divorce and was left to deal with significant debt Schipper had accrued in her name.
How did the police find the victims? The victims were found in a hidden, soundproof underground room in one of Schipper’s rental properties after his arrest.
