Oct. 30 – MOUNT CARROLL – Three years after a Monticello, Wisconsin, woman was last seen in northwestern Illinois, local investigators are still looking for clues as to why she disappeared.

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

“As we approach the three-year anniversary of her disappearance, our office remains committed to responding to and providing closure to Melissa’s family and friends,” Carroll County Sheriff Ryan Kloepping said in a press release just before the anniversary of her disappearance. “The case is not forgotten, remains an active investigation and continues to be investigated regularly.”

After his disappearance, Trumpy’s car was found on Bolton Road in rural Freeport. The next day, the sheriff’s office opened an investigation. Hammer, meanwhile, was taken into custody in Green County, Wisconsin, on outstanding warrants charging him with operating a drug house, unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon, possession of cocaine, possession with intent, and domestic abuse. These accusations date back to Hammer’s time living with Trumpy at Monticello. She reportedly became a witness against him.

“New search warrants and searches continue to be executed as new information becomes available,” Kloepping said in the press release. “In August, a team of law enforcement professionals from around the country met with our investigative team working on this case. This team has experience and knowledge in successful investigations and prosecutions of similar cases and was granted access to this case prior to their arrival.” .”

Kloepping could not discuss details of the meeting because the case is still under investigation.

Trumpy’s ex-boyfriend, Benjamin Affrunti, said October was especially difficult for Melissa’s three children.

“My daughter’s birthday is on the 4th and Melissa’s is on the 13th,” Affrunti said. “The 27th is the 3-year anniversary of her disappearance. There’s no closure. The kids didn’t get to bury their mother. So it’s a tough month and it gets harder as time goes by.”

Kloepping said his office was supported by multiple state and federal law enforcement agencies and served more than 40 search warrants and subpoenas related to Trumpy’s case.

Trumpy, who was 37 years old when he disappeared, is 6 feet tall, weighs 163 pounds, has blue eyes and blonde hair. At the time of his disappearance he was wearing a black sweatshirt, black jacket, black pants and shiny boots.

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