COLONA, Ill. — Update:
No human remains were found during a search on Tuesday in connection with the disappearance of 1996 missing girl Trudy Appleby, police said in a press release on Wednesday, Aug. 9.
The Moline Police Department executed a search warrant at 611 8th Street in Colona while investigating a tip regarding Appleby's disappearance.
Crews worked to excavate the backyard of the property, and search dogs were on the scene. Moline Police were joined by the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Colona Police Department, and East Moline Police.
In the release, Moline Police say they will "continue to investigate the unsolved disappearance of Trudy Appleby until we reach a conclusion, regardless of the time that passes."
Original story:
Moline Police are searching an area in Colona while executing a search warrant related to the case of Trudy Appleby, a Moline girl missing since 1996, according to a release from the Moline Police Department.
The Department is executing a search warrant in the 600 block of 8th Street in Colona. Moline Chief Darren Gault says that detectives are searching the property for any evidence related to Appleby's disappearance.
She was 11 years old at the time of her disappearance, making her 38 years old today.
Appleby was last seen leaving her home in Moline on August 21, 1996. She was reportedly last seen around 9:30 a.m. that day with a white male in his 20s, in a gray box-style car similar to a Chevrolet Cavalier.
She was wearing a black, one-piece swimsuit, spandex shorts, blue tennis shoes, socks, and a t-shirt. She also had a beach towel with her.
Chief Gault said in a release that there is nothing else to report at this time. "The Moline Police Department has been diligent in following every lead over the years and leaving no stone unturned in trying to find answers to her disappearance. We will continue to investigate this case until we reach a conclusion, regardless of the time that passes," Gault said.
News 8's crew saw search dogs on the scene as well as the Moline Police Department being assisted by East Moline and Colona police as well as Illinois State Police. Crews began digging around the backyard of the residences but have not shared if they have found anything at this time.
News 8 will update this news story as more information is made available. Download our app and subscribe to our YouTube channel for updates.