The authorities in Lawrence County, Missouri, have not given up on finding information that would lead to the arrest of a suspect in the cold case of Tammy J. Zywicki’s murder and kidnapping. Today, the Sheriff of Lawrence County spoke about the case, saying that they haven’t given any closure to the Zywicki family. It has been 30 years since the body of the college student from Iowa, Tammy J. Zywicki, was discovered on the rural side of a section of Interstate 44 in Southwest Missouri.
On August 22nd, the day prior to her vanishing, Zywicki’s sibling, Daren, accompanied her on the excursion, which commenced from their residence in New Jersey. As per the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the 21-year-old disappeared while en route to Grinnell College in Iowa, for the commencement of her autumn semester on August 23, 1992.
The following day, she intended to depart, lodging with a companion that evening. Her sibling went to university at Northwestern University, where Tammy left him in Evanston, Illinois, their initial destination.
In the heart of Illinois, Zywicki’s car, a white 1985 Pontiac T1000, experienced a mechanical failure while en route to her intended location. Tammy, who had come to a halt at the Utica, Illinois exit, was observed by over 60 individuals inspecting the engine of her vehicle on that particular day, as reported by the FBI. Information provided by law enforcement indicated that 26 distinct automobiles stopped to offer assistance, yet Tammy was ultimately unable to reach the college campus in Iowa.
Vehicle Found By Illinois State Trooper
At that moment, there was no sign Zywicki had a partner, although authorities suspected she had eloped with a boyfriend. A few days after the initial report, Zywicki’s vanishing was not thoroughly examined. With her daughter gone, Tammy’s mother filed a report on the same day. The Illinois State Police towed the vehicle the next day. An Illinois State Trooper issued a citation for desertion to Zywicki’s 1985 Pontiac, which was left on the roadside.
Body Found 500 Miles Away — In Missouri
To prepare for the rainfall, he stopped his vehicle to shield the cargo area with a tarp. Another account suggests that he stopped to relieve himself. Authorities provided conflicting narratives regarding his reason for stopping, the individual who found the deceased, a driver operating a pickup truck, and the location where the body was located. The body was discovered on the edge of a remote section of Interstate 44 in Lawrence County, Missouri (between Springfield and Joplin), eight days after her disappearance on September 1, 1991.
The cause of her death was internal hemorrhaging. She was stabbed around seven or eight times in her chest, as indicated by the findings of an autopsy. Tammy, wearing the identical attire she was last observed in, was found inside the blanket that was enveloped in a white sheet and secured with silver adhesive tape on both ends. The driver, while making a stop, informed the authorities that he started detecting an unfamiliar scent and subsequently noticed a substantial package on the roadside. It turned out to be a blanket that had been tightly wrapped with duct tape.
“According to Brad Delay, the Sheriff of Lawrence County, it is extremely unusual in that specific case. The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a murder investigation that has taken place hundreds of miles away from where the individual was last seen. Typically, incidents of this nature occur within a neighboring jurisdiction or within the same county. These incidents usually involve homicides or deaths, which law enforcement officials naturally handle.”
30 Years On — No Culprits Or Detentions
Absent from her vehicle were Tammy’s Canon 35mm camera and a melodic wristwatch adorned with an umbrella on its dial. It was also ascertained that the individual accompanying the pickup truck stood at an approximate height of 6 feet, exhibiting dark and thick hair, and was estimated to fall within the age range of 30-45. Initially, numerous individuals have reported witnessing a large truck parked alongside the road with Tammy. The truck displayed two stripes of a brownish-orange hue on both the front and back sections. Nevertheless, the FBI affirms the existence of two ongoing leads. Notably, no official suspects have been identified nor any arrests made in relation to this case within the past three decades.
Sheriff Delay stated, “Regardless of the circumstances, we always follow up on leads and never know when one might break this case wide open.” Transforming the old or outdated tips doesn’t really shatter the earth or bring anything new. We usually refer to these tips as “repeat tips” because they often come up repeatedly. Somebody believes that they may have seen or remembered something along those lines. Occasionally, we receive tips or information regarding Tammy’s murder.
Maintaining Public Attention on The Murder Case
In addition to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, various other law enforcement authorities are still offering aid in the homicide investigation of Tammy Zywicki, even though the FBI is the primary agency conducting the investigation.
Sheriff Delay stated, “By keeping the news about it and holding vigils for the victim during important anniversary dates, we are keeping the story alive. This could potentially help solve the case by encouraging people to come forward with any information that might be useful. If we can follow that lead as far as we can, we might uncover anything that could serve as a clue, evidence, or another piece of inclination.”