The person at the center of this case
Tammy J. Zywicki
Cold Case · Open
TAMMY J. ZYWICKI
Tammy J. Zywicki, a 21-year-old college student, departed Evanston, Illinois on August 23, 1992, for Grinnell, Iowa. Her abandoned 1985 Pontiac T1000 was found at mile marker 83 on I-80 in Central Illinois. Her body was discovered on September 1, 1992, along I-44 in Lawrence County, Missouri, with fatal stab wounds. A tractor-trailer driver matching a specific description was seen near her vehicle.
Lawrence County, Missouri
🏛️ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Chicago Field Office
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Case Summary
Tammy J. Zywicki, a 21-year-old college student, departed Evanston, Illinois on August 23, 1992, for Grinnell, Iowa. Her abandoned 1985 Pontiac T1000 was found at mile marker 83 on I-80 in Central Illinois. Her body was discovered on September 1, 1992, along I-44 in Lawrence County, Missouri, with fatal stab wounds. A tractor-trailer driver matching a specific description was seen near her vehicle.
Timeline of Events
👁️
1992-08-23
15:10-16:00Last Sighting
Tammy Zywicki last seen with her 1985 Pontiac T1000 at mile marker 83 on I-80 in Central Illinois. A tractor-trailer was observed near her vehicle.
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1992-08-23
Vehicle Abandoned
Tammy's car was found abandoned and ticketed by an Illinois State Trooper.
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1992-08-24
Missing Person Report
Tammy's mother contacted Illinois State Police after daughter failed to arrive at Grinnell College.
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1992-09-01
Body Found
Tammy's body discovered along I-44 in rural Lawrence County, Missouri, between Springfield and Joplin. Cause of death: multiple stab wounds.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Points of Interest / Key Leads
🎯
suspect
Lead #1White male, 35-40 years old, over 6 feet tall, dark bushy hair; driver of tractor-trailer seen near victim's vehicle
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vehicle
Lead #21985 Pontiac T1000 with New Jersey license plates; found abandoned at I-80 mile marker 83
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evidence
Lead #3Missing: Cannon 35mm camera and Lorus brand musical wristwatch (green umbrella face, green band, plays 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head')
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clue
Lead #4Soccer club patch (St. Giles Soccer Club) possibly in victim's possession
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contact
Lead #5Up to $50,000 FBI reward for information leading to identification of responsible individual(s)
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Case Information
Case Type:
Cold Case
Status:
Open
Case Number:490
Started:August 23, 1992 at 7:10 AM
Last Updated:April 26, 2026
💰Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case