Carroll County Sheriff’s Office seeking new information in missing woman case

Oct. 30—MOUNT CARROLL — Three years after a Monticello, Wis., woman was last seen in northwest Illinois, local investigators are still seeking leads as to why she disappeared.

Melissa A. Trumpy was believed to be visiting her boyfriend, Derek S. Hammer, at her mother’s home in Shannon, Carroll County, before her disappearance on October 26, 2021.

“As we approach the three-year anniversary of her disappearance, our office remains committed to providing answers and assistance to Melissa’s family and friends,” Carroll County Sheriff Ryan Clopping said in a press release shortly before the anniversary of her disappearance. “The case continues to be an active investigation that has not been forgotten and continues to be investigated on a regular basis.”

Following her disappearance, Trumpy’s vehicle was found on Bolton Road in rural Freeport. The sheriff’s office began an investigation the next day. Meanwhile, Hammer was taken into custody on outstanding warrants from Greene County, Wisconsin, which charged him with maintaining a drug house, unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon, possession of cocaine, criminal possession and domestic violence. These charges date back to the time Hammer lived with Trumpy at Monticello. She was reportedly a witness against him.

“New search warrants and searches continue to be conducted as new information is received,” Clopping said in a news release. “In August, a group of law enforcement professionals from across the country met with our team of investigators working on this case. This team has the experience and knowledge of successfully investigating and prosecuting similar cases and was given access to this case prior to their arrival.”

Klopping was unable to discuss details of the meeting as the matter is still under investigation.

Trumpy’s ex-boyfriend, Benjamin Afrunti, said October was a particularly difficult month for Melissa’s three children.

“My daughter’s birthday is on the 4th and Melissa’s is on the 13th,” Afrunti said. “The 27th is the three-year anniversary of her disappearance. This is not the end. The children were unable to bury their mother. So this is a difficult month that gets even more difficult as time goes on.”

Clopping said his office was assisted by multiple state and federal law enforcement agencies and served more than 40 search and subpoena warrants in the Trumpy case.

Trumpy, who was 37 years old at the time of her disappearance, is 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs 163 pounds, has blue eyes and blonde hair. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a black sweatshirt, black coat, black trousers and shiny boots.

Authorities encourage anyone with information related to Trumpy’s disappearance or any suspicious activity on the evening of October 26, 2021 or early morning of October 27, 2021 to call Carroll County Crime Stoppers at 815-244-7867 or their local law enforcement agency.