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Tammy J. Zywicki

The person at the center of this case

Tammy J. Zywicki

Case
#490
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Sep 3, 2026
FBI Chicago Field Office; Illinois State Police; Lawrence County, Missouri authorities
Cold Case ยท Open
34 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 tractor-trailer driver (white male, 35-40 years old, over 6 feet tall, dark bushy hair) seen near Zywicki's vehicle at mile marker 83 on I-80?

๐Ÿ”
evidence
Lead #2

What happened to the missing Cannon 35mm camera and Lorus musical wristwatch (green umbrella face, plays 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head') that Zywicki had in her possession?

๐Ÿ”
evidence
Lead #3

Did Zywicki have a St. Giles Soccer Club patch in her vehicle, and could this item help identify her movements or contacts?

On August 23, 1992, 21-year-old Tammy J. Zywicki left Evanston, Illinois for college in Iowa but never arrived; her abandoned car was found on I-80 in Central Illinois the same day. Nine days later, her body was discovered stabbed to death along I-44 in rural Lawrence County, Missouri. The identity of a tractor-trailer driver seen near her vehicle around the time of her disappearance remains unknown, and investigators seek information about this potential suspect and missing personal items including a camera and musical watch.

Case
#490
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Sep 3, 2026
FBI Chicago Field Office; Illinois State Police; Lawrence County, Missouri authorities

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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.

โฐ
timeline
Lead #4

How did Zywicki's body travel from I-80 in Illinois to I-44 in Missouri, and what occurred during the 9-day gap between disappearance and discovery?

๐Ÿ‘๏ธ
witness
Lead #5

Were there other motorists or witnesses who observed Zywicki's vehicle or the tractor-trailer on I-80 or I-44 during this period?

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
15:10-16:00

Last Sighting

Tammy Zywicki last seen with her 1985 Pontiac T1000 at mile marker 83 on I-80 in Central Illinois; tractor-trailer observed nearby

๐Ÿš—
1992-08-23

Vehicle Abandoned

Zywicki's car found abandoned on I-80 and ticketed by Illinois State Trooper

๐Ÿ•ต๏ธ
1992-08-24

Vehicle Towed and Missing Person Report

Vehicle towed by Illinois State Police; Zywicki's mother reports her daughter did not arrive at Grinnell College

๐Ÿ”
1992-09-01

Body Discovered

Tammy Zywicki's body found along I-44 in rural Lawrence County, Missouri; cause of death determined to be stabbing

Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case

Case Information

Incident:August 23, 1992 at 7:10 AM
Last Updated:September 11, 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 7:10 AM
Last Updated:September 11, 2026

Up to $50,000 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case