Nearly three decades after 11-year-old Trudy Appleby vanished from her Illinois home, authorities have charged a man with her murder. Jamison Albert Fisher, 50, was indicted Wednesday on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death.
Trudy disappeared on August 21, 1996, from her family's home in Moline, about 165 miles west of Chicago. She was last seen getting into a grey vehicle with an unidentified man around 9:30 a.m. that morning.
The young girl had asked her father for permission to go swimming with a friend, but he had said no. Phone records later revealed that Trudy had decided to go anyway, making arrangements despite her father's refusal.
Investigation breakthrough
Fisher is accused of kidnapping and strangling Trudy, then concealing her death. He does not face kidnapping charges because the statute of limitations has expired on that offence.
Moline Police Chief Darren Gault said: "The arrest of Fisher marks a turning point in this mystery that has spanned nearly three decades. While nothing can bring back young Trudy to her family, the relentless pursuit of justice honors her memory and the unwavering support of her loved ones and our community."
The investigation has evolved through multiple suspects over the years. According to the Daily Mail, authorities previously identified William Smith in 2017, who had died in 2014, and David Whipple in 2020, who died in 2022, before focusing on Fisher.
Extensive search efforts
Fisher was first named a person of interest in 2020 alongside another man who has since died. The Daily Mail reports that Fisher's backyard was excavated in 2023, but the search came up empty-handed.
Trudy's body has never been recovered despite ongoing searches over nearly three decades. Fisher was already in Scott County Jail in Iowa on an unrelated probation violation and will remain there pending further court proceedings.
Family's unwavering commitment
Every year, Trudy's family hosts a vigil on the anniversary of her disappearance to remember her and bring attention to her case. The annual event demonstrates the family's persistence in seeking justice for their daughter.
This year's vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. on August 21 at the Moline Police Department. The timing means the charges come just days before the 28th anniversary of Trudy's disappearance, offering the family hope for closure after decades of uncertainty.
Sources used: "The Independent", "Daily Mail" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
