Illinois man charged nearly three decades after 11-year-old girl vanished in chilling 1996 case

Nearly three decades after 11-year-old Trudy Appleby vanished from her neighborhood, a man has been charged with her murder in a case investigators say marks a “turning point” in one of Illinois’ most haunting cold cases.

Jamison Albert Fisher, 50, was indicted Thursday(August 14) by a Henry County grand jury on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death. The charges allege Fisher lured the child into his car on August 21, 1996, strangled her, and disposed of her body. Her remains have never been found.

Fisher was already in custody in Iowa on unrelated drug and probation-violation charges. Prosecutors say he will be extradited to Illinois to face trial.

How it all started

Trudy was last seen leaving her home in Moline, about 170 miles west of Chicago, after asking her father for permission to go swimming, a request he denied. Investigators believe she later left without her parents’ knowledge.

Witnesses reported seeing her get into a gray or silver vehicle driven by a white man in his 20s. At the time, police were unable to identify the driver.

Over the years, two other men, William “Ed” Smith and his son-in-law, David L. Whipple, were named persons of interest but never charged. Both are now deceased. Authorities say Fisher, a longtime friend of the two men, remained a focus of the investigation in recent years.

Breakthrough after years

Moline Police Chief Darren Gault said Thursday’s indictment follows decades of investigative work and cooperation among multiple law enforcement agencies, including Henry County authorities.

“The arrest of Fisher marks a turning point in this mystery that has spanned nearly three decades,” Gault was quoted as saying at a press conference on Thursday by The US Sun news website. “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.”

Police dug up Fisher’s backyard in 2023 during a search for evidence. Authorities have not said what led to Thursday’s charges, but they hope the court process will generate new leads that could help locate Trudy’s remains.

No kidnapping charge

Prosecutors said kidnapping charges were considered but could not be filed due to Illinois’ statute of limitations for that crime. Murder charges, however, can be brought at any time.

The Henry County State’s Attorney’s Office will lead the prosecution, with assistance from the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor’s Office and Rock Island County officials.

Family still seeking closure

For Trudy’s family, the indictment is a long-awaited step toward answers. The family plans to hold this year’s vigil at the Moline Police Department, as they have every year since 1996.

Trudy Leann Appleby was described by family as a bright, caring girl who loved swimming and playing outside. Her disappearance has remained an open wound for Moline. Now, with Fisher facing murder charges, police say they will continue to follow every lead until her body is found and the case is resolved.