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Tammy J. Zywicki

The person at the center of this case

Tammy J. Zywicki

Case
#490
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Chicago Field Office
Cold Case ยท Open
33 years waiting ยท since 1992

TAMMY J. ZYWICKI

Justice for Tammy J. Zywicki โ€” the trail went cold in 1992, but the truth hasn't.

Start here

Key leads to think about

๐ŸŽฏ
suspect
Lead #1

Who was the white male, age 35-40, over 6 feet tall with dark bushy hair, seen near Zywicki's vehicle in a tractor-trailer? Why has he never been identified?

๐Ÿ‘๏ธ
witness
Lead #2

Did anyone else see the tractor-trailer or its driver on I-80 near mile marker 83 on August 23, 1992?

๐Ÿ”
evidence
Lead #3

Where are Zywicki's missing personal items: the Cannon 35mm camera and Lorus musical wristwatch with green umbrella design that plays 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head'?

On August 23, 1992, 21-year-old Tammy J. Zywicki departed Evanston, Illinois, for college in Grinnell, Iowa, but never arrived; her abandoned vehicle was found on I-80 in Central Illinois the same day. Nine days later, her body was discovered along I-44 in rural Lawrence County, Missouri, with fatal stab wounds. The identity of the killer remains unknown, though a tractor-trailer driver matching a specific description was seen near her vehicle, and several personal items including a camera and distinctive musical watch are still missing.

Case
#490
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Chicago Field Office

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More leads to consider

Beyond the top three above โ€” each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.

๐Ÿ“
location
Lead #4

How did Zywicki's body travel from I-80 in Illinois to I-44 in Missouri? Was she transported by the tractor-trailer driver?

๐Ÿ’ก
clue
Lead #5

What is the significance of the St. Giles soccer club patch Zywicki may have possessed? Could it help identify associates or connections?

Have information about any of these leads?

Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.

Official wording

Source Narrative

Murder Victim Lawrence County, Missouri August 23, 1992 On August 23, 1992, Tammy J. Zywicki departed Evanston, Illinois, for college in Grinnell, Iowa, where she was expected to arrive that evening.

Later that day, Zywicki's car was found by an Illinois State Trooper and ticketed as being abandoned. On August 24, 1992, the vehicle was towed by the Illinois State Police.

On that same evening, Zywicki's mother contacted the Illinois State Police and advised them that her daughter had not arrived at college. On September 1, 1992, Zywicki's body was located along Interstate Highway 44 (I-44) in rural Lawrence County, Missouri, which is located between Springfield and Joplin, Missouri.

She had been stabbed to death. Remarks: Zywicki was reportedly last seen with her car (shown above) at mile marker 83 on I-80 in Central Illinois, between 3:10 p.m.

and 4:00 p.m. on August 23, 1992.

It was also reported that a tractor/trailer was seen near Zywicki's vehicle during this time period. The driver of the tractor/trailer is described as a white male between 35 and 40 years of age, over six feet tall, with dark, bushy hair.

Some of the victim's personal property is known to be missing, including a Cannon 35mm camera and a musical wrist watch. The watch is Lorus brand, with a green umbrella on its face and a green band.

The watch plays the tune "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head." Zywicki may have had, or was in possession of, a soccer club patch similar to the one pictured above.

Timeline of Events

๐Ÿ‘๏ธ
1992-08-23
15:10

Last Sighting

Tammy Zywicki last seen with her 1985 Pontiac T1000 at mile marker 83 on I-80 in Central Illinois between 3:10 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

๐Ÿš—
1992-08-23

Vehicle Abandoned

Tammy's car was found abandoned and ticketed by an Illinois State Trooper on I-80.

๐Ÿ“ž
1992-08-24

Missing Person Report

Zywicki's mother contacted Illinois State Police after daughter failed to arrive at Grinnell College.

๐Ÿ”
1992-09-01

Body Discovery

Tammy J. Zywicki's body was located along I-44 in rural Lawrence County, Missouri; she had been stabbed to death.

Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case

Case Information

Incident:August 23, 1992 at 3:10 PM
Last Updated:May 12, 2026

Up to $50,000 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case

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Case Information

Incident:August 23, 1992 at 3:10 PM
Last Updated:May 12, 2026

Up to $50,000 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case