The person at the center of this case
Tammy J. Zywicki
Cold Case · Open
33 years waiting · since 1992
TAMMY J. ZYWICKI
Justice for Tammy J. Zywicki — the trail went cold in 1992, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Who was the white male truck driver, 35-40 years old, over 6 feet tall with dark bushy hair, seen near Zywicki's vehicle at I-80 mile marker 83?
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vehicle
Lead #2A tractor/trailer was observed near Zywicki's abandoned car—can the truck, driver, or company be identified through commercial records or witness accounts?
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evidence
Lead #3Tammy's Lorus musical wristwatch with green umbrella face and green band (plays 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head') and Cannon 35mm camera remain missing—have these items ever surfaced?
On August 23, 1992, 21-year-old Tammy J. Zywicki left Evanston, Illinois for college in Grinnell, 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 along I-44 in rural Lawrence County, Missouri—she had been stabbed to death. The identity of a truck driver seen near her vehicle remains unknown, and investigators seek information about this suspect and the circumstances surrounding her murder.
Case
#490
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Chicago Field Office
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4What is the significance of the St. Giles Soccer Club patch reportedly in Zywicki's possession, and could it help identify associates or locations?
⏰
timeline
Lead #5How did Tammy's body travel from I-80 in Central Illinois to I-44 in Missouri, and what does the 9-day gap between disappearance and discovery reveal about the crime?
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
👁️
1992-08-23
15:10Last Sighting at I-80 Mile Marker 83
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.
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1992-08-23
Vehicle Abandoned
Zywicki's car was found abandoned and ticketed by an Illinois State Trooper on I-80.
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1992-08-24
Vehicle Towed and Missing Person Reported
Illinois State Police towed the vehicle. That evening, Zywicki's mother contacted police reporting her daughter had not arrived at college.
🔍
1992-09-01
Body Discovered
Tammy Zywicki's body was located along I-44 in rural Lawrence County, Missouri, between Springfield and Joplin. 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:July 24, 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:July 24, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case