Who Killed Trudy Appleby? New Details About The 11-Year-Old's Murder And How The Cops Are 'Trolling' The Suspects
She was abducted in 1996.
Twitter In 1996, Trudy Appleby disappeared from her father's home in Moline, Illinois. She was last seen sitting the front seat of a silver or gray four-door sedan with an unknown man parked in front of the house.
Now almost 22 years later, the Moline Police Department says they're close to solving the case — because they know who killed her.
A new report by Inside Edition showed how the police are trolling the people they believe are involved in the abduction and murder on social media and with billboards.
Two billboards were recently installed. Next to Appleby's photo reads: "YOU know something, it's time to say something."
“You can call it what it is—I’m trolling them,” Moline Police Department Detective Michael Griffin said. “I’m trying to be very pointed about it. This is the homicide of an 11-year-old girl…and the concealment of her body. I’m talking to these people in ways they will understand.”
The police department's Facebook page has continued to post photos about Appleby's case with captions like:
"For the last 8014 days you have been lucky, but you will need to continue to be lucky everyday for the rest of your lives.
We only need to be lucky one day, is today that day?
We are coming for you and the truth shall be brought to light."
Though her body has never been found, police do not believe Appleby is alive. While officers have said they know who's responsible, they declined to name him.
"While he’s probably deceased, his family chooses to lock away the secrets that would end (Trudy’s) family’s nightmare," said Griffin. “How can you boast of your family time with pictures posted on social media, yet keep this secret?"
Before she went missing, witnesses said they saw Appleby on Campbell's Island with a man named William Edward Smith. He was a suspect in her disappearance until he died in 2014.
He never cooperated with police, and through the investigation, officers learned he had access to a vehicle similar to the one Appleby was last seen in. It may have been scrapped shortly after she went missing.
Trudy Appleby's family along with Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities is offering a $10,000 reward for information about her disappearance or any information that will lead to the solving of the case.
Anyone with information is asked to call 309-524-2140 or 309-762-9500.
Emily Blackwood is an editor at YourTango who covers pop culture, dating, relationships and everything in between. Every Wednesday at 7:20 p.m. you can ask her any and all questions about self-love, dating, and relationships LIVE on YourTango’s Facebook page. You can follow her on Instagram, Twitter or on her website at www.emily-blackwood.com.