Episode 12: Tammy Jo Zywicki — LaSalle County, IL

A college student on her way back to school breaks down on the highway—and vanishes. Days later, she’s found murdered hundreds of miles away. Who picked her up that day, and why hasn’t anyone been held accountable?

Episode Summary

For this episode, we’re in LaSalle County, Illinois—just off I‑80—revisiting the 1992 unsolved murder of Tammy Jo Zywicki. Tammy was just 21 years old and headed back to Grinnell College in Iowa after driving her younger brother to Northwestern. But when her car broke down near mile marker 83, she disappeared.

Her car was found the next day, locked and abandoned, but Tammy was nowhere to be found. Nine days later, her body was discovered wrapped in a blanket near Springfield, Missouri—about 500 miles from where she was last seen. She’d been bound, stabbed multiple times, and possibly sexually assaulted.

Despite sketches, leads, and even help from the FBI and the Vidocq Society, Tammy’s killer has never been identified. Her case remains open, with several suspects considered over the years—but no arrests made.

If you have any information, contact the Illinois State Police at (815) 726-6377, the FBI Chicago Office at (312) 421-6700, or reach out anonymously to Illinois Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CRIME-IL or [email protected].

Tammy is remembered as a talented photographer, an athlete, and someone who brought warmth and humor to every room. Her family—and the public—still hope for answers.

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