Trudy Leann Appleby was an 11-year-old girl from Moline, Illinois, who was last seen on the morning of August 21, 1996, near her home. A neighbor reported seeing her get into a silver or gray box-style car with a man described as being in his 20s with brown curly hair. She had plans to go swimming that day despite her father having told her no; phone records suggest she may have intended to go anyway. When her father returned from work, Trudy was gone, and money she had saved for a family vacation was left behind.

The investigation faced many challenges and the case went cold for years while the community held annual vigils to keep her memory alive. Investigators later identified several persons of interest, including a family friend, William Ed Smith, whose car was reportedly similar to the vehicle Trudy was seen entering and was said to have been scrapped shortly after her disappearance. Two other men, David Whipple and Jamison Fisher, were also named as persons of interest. A boat believed connected to the case was seized and tested by the FBI. Trudy’s body has never been found. If anyone has information about Trudy, the events of August 21, 1996, or the people mentioned, please come forward.