TRUDY LEANN APPLEBY
Popular Song At The Time
Eric
Clapton
I
do not own the rights to this song
MOLINE POLICE DEPARTMENT PHONE NUMBER: 309-797-0401
MOLINE POLICE DEPARTMENT CASE NUMBER: M96D8063
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN
CASE NUMBER: NCMC822441
NAMUS/MISSING PERSONS PROFILE NUMBER: #2300
NCIC NUMBER: M956021571
GO FUND ME FOR TRUDY
DATE OF BIRTH: 9-4-84
AGE AT THE TIME OF ABDUCTION:11 YEARS OLD
MISSING SINCE: 8-21-96
MISSING FROM: MOLINE, ILLINOIS (ROCK ISLAND COUNTY)
PARENTS: DENNIS APPLEBY AND BRENDA GORDON (BRENDA GORDON IS DECEASED)
HAIR: BROWN
EYES: BLUE/GREEN
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT: 4'8, 75 LBS
CLOTHING: BLACK STRETCH BICYCLE SHORTS, A SHIRT, BLUE NIKE DECK SHOES WITH WHITE SHOELACES AND WHITE SOCKS. SHE ALSO BROUGHT ALONG SWIMWEAR AND A TOWEL.
OTHER: SCAR ON HER NECK AND CHEST.PIERCED EARS.THERE IS DENTAL INFORMATION ON FILE AS WELL AS DNA IN CODIS.
DETAILS OF CASE:
Appleby's father departed from their family's residence to report to work at approximately 9:00 AM on August 21, 1996 in Moline, Illinois. A neighbor saw Appleby enter a silver or gray box-style vehicle near their home at approximately 10:30 AM. The driver of the vehicle is described as being his twenties at the time with curly brown hair. The suspect was wearing a baseball cap. Neither Appleby nor her suspected abductor have been seen again.
Similar Car
Authorities believe that Appleby may have known the vehicle's driver. Her family's residence was located off of the main road and was not visible from the street. She took a swimsuit and a towel before departing from her home. She left approximately $200 behind, which her father said she saved for an upcoming vacation. Appleby's parents believe that David Whipple, the father of one of her friends, was involved in her case. He was convicted of child molestation charges after Appleby vanished. Whipple took several of his family members to Credit Island near Davenport, Iowa on August 21. Appleby frequently accompanied Whipple's relatives to the river. Her parents theorize that she may have been injured in an accident or was the victim of foul play during the excursion. Investigators have been unable to determine if Appleby accompanied Whipple's family to Iowa. He has never been named as a suspect in her disappearance, but authorities said he remained a person of interest. Appleby's case remains unsolved.
20TH ANNIVERSARY VIGIL: 8/21/2016 (Excerpts from 2 different articles)
Officers of the Moline Police Department were among the dozens of people at the vigil.
Moline police revealed Sunday night for the first time they believe they know who abducted 11-year old Trudy Appleby on Aug. 21, 1996, but officials don’t know why or what happened to her.
"Our statement tonight is going to be a little different than it has in the past because we believe we know who did it. We believe we know who is responsible for it," said Michael Griffin, Detective with the Moline Police Department. "We do believe that the person responsible for this is deceased, but we know that his family members know, and there are people with information," he said.
Moline detective Michael Griffin told Appleby’s relatives and friends during a remembrance vigil at First Baptist Church of East Moline that police doubt she is alive. He declined to name the suspect.
“We know who’s responsible, and while he’s probably deceased, his family chooses to lock away the secrets that would end (Trudy’s) family’s nightmare," Griffin said.
The detective is disappointed that the suspected abductor’s family celebrates life frequently but members refuse to honor the Appleby family bond.
“How can you boast of your family time with pictures posted on social media, yet keep this secret?” he asked.
“You have to have the courage to do the right thing.”
Griffin said that over the years officers have come to the same conclusion that Trudy willingly stepped into a four-door gray sedan with a white male near her home. He said that anytime new evidence turned up, including witness statements, it always led back to the same family
"We may be beyond the point of justice at this point, but that doesn't mean we just give up. We can continue to look into it, continue to investigate it and talk to people, to give the family and friends the closure that they need that I would want if I was in their position," said Detective Griffin.
Amber Dunlap speaks about Trudy's disappearance
Thin Air Podcast
FATHER: DENNIS APPLEBY AT 20TH VIGIL
NEWS ARTICLES
DAVID WHIPPLE:
- Gender: M
- Race: Caucasian
- Hair Color: Brown
- Scars / Marks / Tattoos:
- Tattoo on R_arm (UPPER)
- Height: 5′ 7″ (1.70 m)
- Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
- Eye Color: Brown
- Full Address: 816 5th St Colona, IL 61241
- City: Colona
- Zip: 61241
- Offender ID: 654454
- Registration #: E02C1558
- Level: Sex Offender
EXCERPTS FROM 2 DIFFERENT ARTICLES
Trudy's case took an interesting turn last fall when an East Moline man, who was questioned about her disappearance, pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal sexual abuse and was released with credit for time served.
David L. Whipple, 41, of 595 Island Ave., pleaded guilty in Rock Island County Circuit Court to a Class 1 felony count of sexual abuse of a family member. A Class X felony count of predatory criminal sexual assault was dismissed as part of his plea agreement.
The incident occurred between 1996 and 1997 with a then 10- to 11-year-old girl, according to court records.
The case was not related to the Appleby disappearance, but Mr. Appleby told police after hearing about the charges in August that Trudy was friends with Mr. Whipple's daughter.
Unrelated arrest adds twist to vigil for Trudy
By Dustin Lemmon, Dispatch/Argus Staff writer
Aug 22, 2002
Aug 22, 2002
An East Moline man arrested this week on charges of criminal sexual assault is one of hundreds already interviewed by police concerning the disappearance of Trudy Appleby in 1996. And, although he is not considered a suspect in the Appleby case, he may be interviewed again.
David L. Whipple, 41, of 595 Island Ave., faces two felony counts of criminal sexual assault in connection with alleged incidents that happened between 1996 and 1997 with a then 10- to 11-year-old girl, according to Rock Island County Circuit Court records. That case is not related to the Appleby disappearance.
Trudy, then 11, was last seen Aug. 21, 1996, getting into a silver or gray vehicle with an unknown man, who is described as being in his 20s, with brown, curly hair. A vigil marking the date of her disappearance was held Wednesday night.
Dennis Appleby, Trudy's father, said Wednesday that his daughter was good friends with Mr. Whipple's daughter and visited their family often before her disappearance.
Lt. Steve Brockway of the Moline police confirmed Wednesday that Mr. Whipple has been interviewed in connection with Trudy's disappearance.
``Will we revisit it? Probably,'' Lt. Brockway said.
Later Wednesday night, he said police don't have any new information, but that ``there's a new aspect to it.'' They're working on the case ``on a full-time basis,'' added the officer, who has been overseeing the case from Day 1.
Police never before have identified any of the people interviewed in the case.
Moline police Capt. Ken Hanger said Wednesday that police likely will talk to Mr. Whipple again.
``Eventually we might interview him again,'' he said. ``We get leads periodically, and we examine them in hopes we'll get something new out of it.''
Capt. Hanger stressed that Mr. Whipple is not a suspect in the Appleby case.
Mr. Appleby said Mr. Whipple's name came up again after he saw an article in Tuesday's edition of The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus concerning Mr. Whipple's arrest.
He notes that the charges against Mr. Whipple are for alleged incidents that happened about the same time Trudy disappeared and with a girl close to Trudy's age.
Mr. Appleby said he and his family cut off contact with Mr. Whipple after Trudy's disappearance.
``I really can't say what it is I feel right there,'' he said of his thoughts on Mr. Whipple. ``There's been a lot of rumors and speculations.''
The arrest of Mr. Whipple is drawing renewed interest in the case, according to Mr. Appleby, who said he's had calls from people who saw the story in the newspaper this week.
``I'm sure there is going to be a lot of questions asked of a lot of people,'' he said. ``All we can do is wait and see how it plays out.''
Mr. Whipple was arrested by Rock Island County Sheriff's deputies Saturday and is in custody at the Rock Island County Jail on $250,000 bail.
His next court date is Aug. 27.
Wednesday night, a vigil marking the sixth year since Trudy's disappearance was held at First Baptist Church in East Moline.
At the vigil, Trudy's grandmother, Ann Eddleman, said she heard on the news Wednesday that police will be interviewing Mr. Whipple again. ``Maybe it will develop into something and maybe it won't,'' she said. ``Any kind of lead gives us hope.''
``I'm so tired of doing this,'' Trudy's mother, Brenda Gordon, said at the vigil. ``If the rumors are what happened, I don't like to think that.
Her daughter ``should come home,'' Ms. Gordon said, ``... but I have to think of the other side, too.''
Ms. Gordon said she trusts that the police are doing all they can to move the investigation forward, but she wishes they had looked into the possibility of Trudy being a runaway earlier in the process.
The crowd of approximately 35 people, including Lt. Brockway, formed a circle and lighted white candles as the Rev. Clark Luce, the church's former pastor, said a prayer for Trudy.
Rev. Luce urged everyone to sign petitions to get Trudy on the ``America's Most Wanted'' and ``Unsolved Mysteries'' television shows, which have turned down the family's requests in the past. ``We've got a goal to fill all these sheets and we've got hundreds of them,'' he said.
``Keep Trudy in your hearts and in your prayers,'' said Dennis Appleby, adding ``the investigation is going on, it's going on very well, as a matter of fact.''
The emotions brought up by the vigil led many to turn to each other for strength, but seemed almost too much for Mr. Appleby. He headed to his car almost immediately afterward.
Brenda Gordon Obituary
Brenda Gordon
(January 17, 1961 - October 10, 2014)
Brenda Gordon, 53, East Moline, died Friday, October 10, 2014 as a result of an automobile pedestrian accident. Funeral services are 10 AM Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline. Burial is in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Visitation is 4-7PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family.
Brenda Eddleman was born on January 17, 1961 in Lawton, OK, the daughter of John and Willa Ann (Culp) Eddleman. She married Gary Gordon on June 7, 1998. Brenda had worked several jobs around the Quad City area. After the dissappearance of her daughter Trudy on August 21, 1996, Brenda had dedicated her life to finding her. She was a devoted Christian who loved her Lord and was a woman of great faith. Her life was centered around her family, prayer and studying the bible.Survivors include her daughter Trudy Appleby, her parents, John and Ann Eddleman, sister Anita (Tom) Parkinson, Aledo, IL, brother Ray (Lynda) Eddleman, Moline and her nieces and nephews, Halie, Madison, Wesley and Tyler.
News Report on Accident
MISSING TRUDY APPLEBY FB PAGE
WEBSLEUTHS THREAD
DOE NETWORK
CHARLEY PROJECT
WQAD ARTICLE ON BRENDA GORDON'S DEATH
QCTIMES-Rock River Searched
NBC News-20 Years
KWQC NMCD Article May 2017
Project Jason
Crime Stoppers of the Quad-Cities already offers $1,000 for an anonymous tip to
309-762-9500
UPDATE 8/20/2017
William "Ed" Smith and his wife
UPDATE 8/21/2019
POLICE SEIZE BOAT
WAITING FOR TRUDY
