New Charges in 27-Year-Old Cold Case: Jamison Albert Fisher Indicted for Moline Girl's Murder

A 27-year-old cold case has finally yielded a breakthrough, with 50-year-old Jamison Albert Fisher being charged with the murder of 11-year-old Trudy Appleby. Appleby went missing on August 21, 1996, after leaving her family's home in Moline, Illinois. Authorities believe she was kidnapped and strangled, and her body has never been recovered. Fisher, who was already in jail on an unrelated charge, has been indicted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death.

Key Takeaways:

• Trudy Appleby, an 11-year-old girl, was last seen leaving her family's home in Moline, Illinois, on August 21, 1996, after being told she could not go swimming with a friend.
• Appleby decided to go swimming anyway, and phone records show she got into a gray vehicle with an unidentified man, which is now believed to be Fisher.
• Fisher, 50, has been indicted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death, and does not face kidnapping charges since the statute of limitations has expired.
• The investigation has been ongoing for nearly 30 years, and Appleby's family has hosted an annual vigil to remember her and bring attention to the case.
• Fisher's relationship with Appleby before her murder is unclear, but he was previously named a person of interest in the case in 2020.
• The Moline Police Department has committed to seeking the truth for Appleby and her family, and ensuring justice is served.

Statistics:

• 27 years have passed since Trudy Appleby's disappearance on August 21, 1996.
• 165 miles separate Appleby's home in Moline from Chicago.
• Phone records indicated that Appleby decided to go swimming with a friend despite being told "no" by her father.
• 50-year-old Jamison Albert Fisher has been indicted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death.
• Fisher was already in jail on an unrelated charge and will remain there pending further court proceedings.

Sources:

• WQAD8
• CBS News
• KWQC
• Henry County State's Attorney Catherine Runty
• Moline Police Chief Darren Gault