Tammy Zywicki – After her car breaks down off of I-80, a young college student is found dead days later

In 1992, Tammy Zywicki, a 20-year-old senior at Grinnell College, embarked on a road trip with her brother from New Jersey to their respective universities. The journey took an unexpected turn when Tammy's white Pontiac experienced car trouble. Despite what seemed like a resolution in Pittsburgh, the issue resurfaced as they headed to Evanston, Illinois, where Tammy dropped off her brother at Northwestern.

Planning to continue her trip to Grinnell, Tammy spent the night with a friend. The next morning, her brother checked her car's engine before she set out. He advised her to pull over at a rest stop if the car stalled again. Unfortunately, Tammy's car troubles persisted, leading her to inspect the vehicle near the Utica, IL exit. Over 60 people reported seeing her that day, with 26 different cars stopping to offer help. However, Tammy never reached Grinnell.

Her parents, expecting a call confirming her safety, grew anxious when it never came. Reluctantly, the police initiated an investigation, hindered by the inability to test Tammy's towed car for prints due to chain of custody failures. The only items missing were her purse and camera, with no signs of a struggle. Despite several leads, law enforcement made no arrests.

Eight days after Tammy's disappearance, her body was discovered near Joplin, MO—500 miles from where she was last seen. Wrapped in a red Kenworth Truck Co. blanket, duct-taped, and stabbed to death, Tammy's tragic end raised more questions than answers. The investigation revealed her Canon 35mm camera and a musical wristwatch with an umbrella on its face were missing.

Nearly 30 years later, two persistent leads continue to intrigue investigators. Witnesses reported seeing a tractor-trailer with brownish-orange stripes on both the tractor and trailer alongside Tammy. The unidentified man associated with the truck was described as approximately 6 feet tall, with dark, bushy hair, aged between 30-45. The missing camera and wristwatch add to the mystery surrounding Tammy's case.

Despite the passage of time, the unresolved disappearance and murder of Tammy Zywicki remain a haunting puzzle. The enduring leads and the unexplained circumstances of her tragic end cast a shadow on the quest for justice. As her family and investigators seek closure, Tammy's story serves as a poignant reminder of the mysteries that linger in cold cases, leaving families waiting for answers that may never fully materialize.