Several agencies involved in search for Melissa Trumpy this week with more operations planned

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. – The Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and some out-of-state agencies, worked alongside local law enforcement this week to conduct ground and water searches for Melissa Trumpy with ‘additional operations’ expected.

Carroll County Sheriff Ryan Kloepping confirmed to me authorities led a search near Shannon, Illinois for Trumpy on Thursday but no body was found.

Trumpy lived in Monticello, Wisconsin but is believed to have last been seen Oct. 27, 2021 in Shannon visiting her boyfriend Derek Hammer. Her vehicle was later found on Bolton Road in Stephenson County, according to authorities.

Hammer is serving time in prison for a Bail Jumping case in Wisconsin until at least January 2027, according to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. He has also been sentenced to prison for a Class X Felony drug conviction out of Stephenson County until at least March 2028, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Over the past four years, Sheriff Kloepping says Trumpy’s case has remained an active and ongoing investigation while working closely with numerous local, state and federal partners, of which include:

• Illinois State Police
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Federal Fish & Wildlife Police
• Illinois Dep. of Natural Resources
• Stephenson Co. Sheriff’s Office
• Green Co. (WI) Sheriff’s Office
• Wisconsin Dep. of Criminal Investigations
• Ogle County Sheriff’s Office
• Orange Co. (FL) Sheriff’s Office
• Tennessee State Police
• NWIL Critical Incident Response Team
• Illinois Appellate Prosecutor’s Office
• Carroll County State’s Attorney
• Volunteer search & rescue groups

To further the scope of the investigation, Kloepping says the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, including both its Investigations Division and Prosecution Team, is actively assisting in the case and working directly with local investigators.

Kloepping said Friday they continue to follow up on every lead. Adding, ‘Additional ground and water searches have been conducted as recently as this week with additional operations planned. New search warrants and investigative actions continue to be executed as new information develops.‘

“We remain deeply sympathetic to Melissa’s family and friends, who have endured four long years without answers. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to continuing this investigation until it is resolved.“

Anyone with information related to the disappearance of Melissa Trumpy, or who observed any suspicious activity during the evening of Oct. 26, 2021 or the early morning hours of Oct. 27, 2021, is urged to contact Carroll County Crime Stoppers at 815-244-7867 or report the information to your local law enforcement agency.

Information can also be given to Illinois Attorney General’s Office by emailing TrumpyTips@ilag.gov or by calling 866-498-4122. This telephone number will go live on Monday, October 27th.

Tips to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous, and information that leads to an arrest may result in a cash reward.

No further information was provided.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as they become available.