21 YEAR OLD MYSTERY STILL UNSOLVED
August 21, 1996

On Monday, August 21, 2017 a total solar eclipse will cast a shadow over the Quad Cities, but that shadow will be brief compared to the much larger shadow that’s been cast over the Quad Cities for the last twenty one years.

Twenty one years ago, on August 21, 1996, eleven year old Trudy Appleby was last seen near her residence, getting into the passenger side of an older model, gray colored vehicle with an unknown male.

Over the course of the last twenty one years, thousands of leads have come into the Moline Police Department and thousands of interviews have been conducted.

The Moline Police Department has been informed that on the days leading up to August 21, 1996, Trudy Appleby requested to go swimming with a friend who resided on Campbell’s Island in East Moline. Trudy’s father did not allow her to go swimming, but phone records show she may have planned to go ahead with her swimming plans.

A witness observed William “Ed” Smith in a similar vehicle near Smith’s residence in East Moline on Campbell’s Island in the late morning hours on August 21, 1996.

The witness observed a younger female in the passenger seat of that vehicle and believed that person to be Trudy Appleby who was personally known by the witness. The vehicle passed within a couple feet of the witness. Trudy Appleby’s whereabouts are unknown after the vehicle drove by, and no other witnesses have come forward with information on any further sightings.

Information obtained from the investigation showed that William “Ed” Smith often traveled to the area of Blackbird Island or Dynamite Island, which are only accessible by boat and are on the northern edge of Campbell’s Island.                                                                                     

The investigation has shown that Smith had access to a vehicle similar to the one that was described as having picked up Trudy on the morning of August 21, 1996. Leads from the investigation show that particular vehicle may have been scrapped within a short time of Trudy’s disappearance.

The Moline Police Department is requesting the community’s assistance regarding any suspicious activity observed on Campbell’s Island, on the waterways surrounding Campbell’s Island, the boat launch at Empire Park in East Moline and the Mississippi River islands of Black Bird Island and Dynamite Island on or around the date of August 21, 1996.

The Moline Police Department knows that William “Ed” Smith died on December 23, 2014 having never admitted knowledge regarding the disappearance of Trudy Appleby. Information from the investigation shows William “Ed” Smith may have been the last person known to be seen with Trudy Appleby prior to her disappearance. Information regarding his activities the date of August 21, 1996 may lead to further information about Trudy Appleby’s disappearance.

The Moline Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding those events on that day and the days immediately following to come forward and help bring justice for Trudy Appleby.  Please do not assume that we know what you may know and no information is insignificant.

The family of Trudy Appleby along with Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities is offering a $10,000 reward for information regarding the disappearance of Trudy Appleby or any information related to the above statement that will lead to a resolution in this case.

Anyone with information regarding Trudy Appleby and William “Ed” Smith are asked to call the Moline Police Department (309) 524-2140 or Crime Stoppers of the QC (309) 762-9500.