True Crime Garage: Robin Abrams /// Part 1 /// 884

Episode Date: November 12, 2025
Hosts: Nic and the Captain

Overview:

This episode dives into the 1990 disappearance of Robin Abrams, a former Will County, Illinois sheriff’s deputy. The case is tangled with allegations of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, abuse of power, and suspected foul play—potentially implicating members of the local law enforcement community. Nic and the Captain dissect Robin’s story, from her last known movements to the deep and painful feud with her married ex-lover and colleagues in the police department, and the inflammatory series of lawsuits and protection orders that preceded her disappearance.

Case Summary & Timeline

The Disappearance:

• October 4, 1990:

  • Robin Abrams, 28, last seen by her father Don Abrams on Goodenow Road near Beecher, IL (~4:00 PM). He saw Robin's car, a red Dodge Daytona hatchback, as they drove past one another.
  • Police would later establish Robin was seen at a Joliet gas station that afternoon (Jefferson & Larkin) (08:00).
  • That night around 10:00 PM, a resident in Harvey, IL witnesses a red tow truck drop off Robin’s car (08:00-09:17).
  • The resident calls police at 3:00 AM (Friday, October 5), reporting a possible break-in (04:33-07:36). Police find the car locked, with keys still in the ignition and a film-less camera inside.
  • No sign of Robin, no ID or bank cards located.
  • "Her car was her pride and joy, and she would never, ever have abandoned it." – Nic (07:41)

• October 7, 1990 (Sunday):

  • Don Abrams receives a call from a local woman: her father found a clutch near 151st & Wood Streets (Harvey), three blocks from where the car was left (09:31).
  • The purse is Robin's; checkbook inside, but ID and credit cards missing.

Family's Perspective:

• Robin had no ties to Harvey, believed both the car and purse were planted to mislead police (09:17-12:09).

Victim Background

• Robin Abrams: youngest daughter; high academic achiever, first in her working-class family to attend college (13:55).
• Dreamed of a career in law or law enforcement; became a Will County sheriff's deputy in January 1988.

Complications with Law Enforcement

• Fired from the department in December 1988 before completing probation, despite good evaluations.
• Robin filed a federal lawsuit late 1989 against Will County, citing wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and civil rights violations.
• Lawsuit named several male deputies—including ex-boyfriend Tony Marquez, an auxiliary police commander, and the sheriff himself.

"Not something that we're hearing typically when we cover these kinds of cases." – Nic (16:23)

Key Personalities, Lawsuits & Interpersonal Feuds

The Ex-Boyfriend: Tony Marquez

• 47 years old, married, Robin’s superior in the auxiliary police (18:28).
• Their relationship began after working together and ended around the time Robin was fired.
• Robin’s family claim she was unaware of Tony's marriage early on.

Alleged Harassment & Retaliation

• Post-breakup and firing, Robin alleges she was targeted by the department and Marquez with bogus criminal complaints, false arrests, and physical abuse (29:12-32:14).
• Multiple arrests; charges always dropped or left unfiled.
• “Robin’s mother, Barbara, later tells the South Town Star that, quote, ‘they...were bouncing her head off of the car.’” (31:05)

Protection Orders

• Despite a criminal charge (tire slashing) against Marquez being dropped, Robin and her mother received protection orders against him (47:10).

Ongoing Lawsuits & Counter-Claims

• Besides Robin's lawsuit against the department and Marquez, Tony Marquez responded with extensive harassment allegations against Robin (103 reported instances; all fell apart or were dropped).
• As Robin’s lawyer summarized: None of Marquez’s allegations held; Robin acquitted or claims dropped every time (39:00–39:55).
• Suggests a clear campaign of intimidation and legal harassment.

“All of these allegations by Tony Marquez...Whenever they reached the next level...the charges are always dropped or the person says there’s nothing here.” – Nic (39:00)

Systemic Issues, Police Involvement & Theories of Cover-Up

Were Police Complicit?

• Investigation transferred from the Will County Sheriff’s Department to Illinois State Police due to conflicts of interest (14:36-17:04).

• Hosts debate the motives—ethical necessity vs. political survival (33:17–35:59):

  "I'm not so quick to commend them for handing over the investigation...It may have been pointed and suggested to the sheriff that we can take this case from you at some point." – Nic (33:36)

Foul Play and Community Consensus

• Local media, family, and the hosts all accept that Robin’s disappearance is a case of murder, not simply a missing person.
• “It sounds like collectively, this area, these people that know this case agree that her disappearance is only because someone killed her.” – Nic (36:58)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• (07:41, Nic): “Her car was her pride and joy, and she would never, ever have abandoned it.”
• (09:17, Nic): "There was some kind of name or company name or logo on the side of the tow truck...could not give a great description...that could have been an incredible lead..."
• (12:16, Captain): “If you’re law enforcement, you don’t want the family to get too involved at first, because at this point, everybody’s a suspect.”
• (31:05, Nic): “Robin’s mother, Barbara, later tells the South Town Star that, quote, ‘they...were bouncing her head off of the car.’”
• (36:58, Nic): “It sounds like collectively, this area, people that know this case, agree that her disappearance is only because someone killed her.”
• (48:52, Captain): "And whoever that order of protection was against, that’s your number one suspect."
• (46:00, Nic): "Any police officer, any good police officer would tell you that they don’t want to work with these kinds of, of ass hats."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Episode Opening/Main Theme Introduction | 02:56
• Case Timeline—Don Abrams last sees Robin | 04:33
• Discovery of Robin’s car & purse | 07:36–09:31
• Victim background and law enforcement career | 13:55–16:23
• Robin’s firing and lawsuit details | 16:23–17:04
• Relationship origins with Tony Marquez | 18:28–20:47
• Alleged harassment and retaliation details, strip searches | 29:12–32:14
• Family awarded protection orders | 47:10
• Call for tips & known case details | 48:57

Conclusion:

Part 1 of the Robin Abrams case establishes a chilling framework: a young woman in a male-dominated law enforcement world, subjected to escalating harassment, physical intimidation, and institutional obstruction after daring to challenge her ex-boyfriend and the system. The hosts lay out the key facts and timelines, the web of legal disputes, and begin to expose the climate of fear and retaliation that surrounded Robin before her disappearance. With the state police handling the case and deep suspicion focused on her ex-lover and former colleagues, this case remains an open wound—one the local community sees as clear murder, still unsolved.

Look forward to Part 2 for further developments, theories, and investigation into potential suspects and departmental failures.

If you have any information about Robin Abrams or her disappearance, contact the Illinois State Police: 815-726-6291 or submit a tip at isp.crimetipsillinois.gov.

“Until then, be good, be kind and don’t litter.” – Nic (50:42)