In the autumn of 1990, 52-year-old Jerry Alfred Wolking of Moline, Illinois, was a man with retirement from John Deere on the horizon and a new relationship in his life. His life, however, took a dark and mysterious turn on the evening of October 18, 1990. After leaving his girlfriend's home around 11 p.m., he was never seen or heard from again. Evidence suggests that Jerry made it back to his residence that night, as his lunch was packed for the next day at work, his alarm clock was set, and his heart medication was laid out. When he failed to show up for his job, his family grew concerned and initiated a search. The discovery of his 1988 Chevrolet Suburban in the long-term parking lot of the Quad City International Airport on October 21st by his son, Jerry Wolking Jr., escalated the concern to alarm. The vehicle, which Jerry, a car enthusiast, kept in pristine condition, was found with extensive front-end damage, trash strewn about the interior, and mud caked on the trailer hitch and wheel wells.
The condition of the Suburban provided disturbing clues for investigators. Drops of blood were found on all four corners of the vehicle, both inside and out, leading authorities to believe that someone, possibly Jerry himself, had been run over with it. An indentation on the hood was also consistent with a person being struck. Forensic analysis of the mud on the vehicle, conducted with the assistance of Augustana College's Geology Department, pointed to the Poplar Grove area of Moline. This theory was further supported when Jerry's wallet was discovered in that same vicinity a week after his disappearance. In the weeks leading up to his vanishing, family and friends had noticed a change in Jerry's demeanor. He was described as acting out of character, preoccupied, and pacing at his granddaughter's birthday party. He had even confided in some that he was fearful of his new girlfriend's estranged husband and that if anything should happen to him, this man was likely responsible. A private investigator later came forward stating he had been hired by this same man to find out everything he could about Jerry.
Despite extensive searches and ongoing investigation, Jerry Wolking's body has never been found. The prevailing theory among law enforcement is that Jerry was attacked by one or more individuals upon arriving home on the night of his disappearance. They believe a struggle ensued, and he was ultimately struck by his own vehicle before his body was taken from the scene. The man Jerry feared, his girlfriend's estranged husband, has been considered a suspect, but he passed away without ever being charged in connection with the case. Investigators do not believe the suspect acted alone. Though his girlfriend at the time is not considered a suspect, she has reportedly been uncooperative with the investigation. The case remains one of the most prominent and longest-running missing person investigations in the Quad Cities area, leaving his family with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss. A memorial service has been held, and a stone in his memory has been placed at the National Cemetery on the Rock Island Arsenal. The overview of this case is one of suspected foul play, with strong circumstantial evidence pointing towards a violent end for Jerry Wolking, yet without his remains, a definitive conclusion and closure for his loved ones remain elusive.
Last Seen: Oct 18, 1990
