Missing Iowa Cousins Lyric Cooke- Morrisey and Elizabeth Collins Found Deceased
Evansdale Iowa- the remains of two individuals have been located by a hunter .
Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity have confirmed that the remains are that of Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Morrisey.
The cousins were last seen riding their bikes together and Lyric’s parents have endured multiple confinements and very public scrutiny of their involvement with illegal drugs.
The FBI stated early in the case they were confident the girls were alive.
Check back to blinkoncrime.com for this developing story.
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Do you still believe the parents were involved? To what extent? So sad. Godspeed little ones, may you rest in the arms of angels.
I am so deeply saddened by this news. I truly believed in my heart that they were still alive. May sweet Eliazbeth Collins and Lyric Cook Morrisey rest forever in peace.
How sad to see two more young lives taken. Was that the crime site where they were found? Do you think LE will be able to determine who murdered these little girls?
These poor children.
Awful news….. I wonder cause of death?
No talk of possibe foul play? Almost sounds like they were just playing and got lost. Could that be the case?
These little ladies are at rest, which means we mobilize.
Hurts my heart.
*****
Where do we start Blink. We do not know where the bodies were found yet other than they were found in the adjacent county.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20121205/NEWS/121205018/0/archive/?odyssey=nav%7Chead
(snip) The Bremer-Black Hawk county line is about 10 miles north of Evansdale and the Waterloo area.
A state trooper was parked along the road leading to Seven Bridges County Park in the southeast corner of Bremer County on Wednesday night. He would not let a reporter pass, and he declined to say why he was there or what was going on down the road.
The 125-acre park is southeast of Readlyn.
*****
This would be only a short drive (30 minutes) from Meyer’s lake the last known location of these dear children, now angels. Did they die the same day they were taken?
I saw this on the news last night. So sad. Blink, do you think 1 person could have pulled this off or would it have been more than 1 perp?
So very disheartening. I hope they are able to recover some evidence from the scene, or this one may be very hard to solve.
How does anyone know for certain that they were murdered? Is it possible they became lost in the woods and stayed together?
very sad. Thank you for this information.
I wonder if they were killed more recently? with little decomposition? I only say this because they seemed pretty certain, right from the start, that it was these 2 girls. If it was just bones, wouldn’t it take longer for them to be indentified?
They didn’t get lost and wind up in another county, over ten miles from where they were last seen. I was discussing this case with my paralegal this morning (she is from Cedar Falls) and we were opining how in this day and age, it is hard to even start to profile a suspect. Internet predator(s) (my hunch), associate of the family, a family member, other kids, transients, sex offender(s)? The list goes on. I hope the bodies yeild clues. RIP little children. This is no world for little children.
From the LE level I agree in a mp case. Especially those that fall on the agency with little to no experience, imo. With the FBI speaking on this case, I suspect that we are looking at an ancillary investigation.
I cant tell you how it sickens me to say that once again, I expect people not to say, how did this happen, as opposed to what took so long given what has gone on in their lives.
woe is the world twink-
B
I’m with Ode,
snip>
These little ladies are at rest, which means we mobilize
The tentative location being reported, of where the bodies were found
looks pretty isolated. Someone familiar, (very) imo, is involved.
And I also got the feeling from looking at the google local of 7 Bridges park, it was a ‘everyone is looking south for the girls, so the offender (s) went north. MOO
I am not suprised to learn this information. There is someone in the community that did this. The searches were South and they knew about them.
Rest is peace little ones, you family will be with you one day.
@twinkletoes,
This is a a sad day. My daughter, presently a senior at UNI, stayed in CF for the summer to work. This case has been on our radar. You are correct, there are Waterloo and surrounding areas, that are not safe for kids. It takes a heartless and cold person, to do this to these girls, and their families.
A sad day indeed.
Kimberly,
The statement “These little ladies are at rest, which means we mobilize”, was a statement from Blink on Lyric’s and Elizabeth’s previous site. I should have included that. I felt it was important to bring it over here. So many possible people that could be responsible for this. The guy that broke out of jail, robbed a drug store and then was caught the next day came to mind but…he lived south of Evansdale and it appears the girls were found north. He was also caught near where he lived so that was south. The FBI seems to have come in so where does that leave us now? There has to be more than just a local crime. Federal drug crimes, Internet crimes, serial offender crossing state lines crimes?
Video of today’s press conference.
http://wcfcourier.com/news/evansdale_search/deputy-we-are-confident-bodies-found-are-the-missing-cousins/article_87cfad40-3ff1-11e2-a099-001a4bcf887a.html
Article and photos at the same link.
At the wind down of the conference someone from the media finally asked about suspects. The question went unheeded . . . maybe was not heard, maybe it was, IDK.
Could this be a drug related professional (for Iowa) job?
It is not always the monster outside of the circle looking in who commits these horrendous crimes. The monsters who are let in–invited and socialized–become a part of the wallpaper. Giving them the gateway creates much more risk exposure than the innocents can bear. Sadly, the family-dynamic(s) in this case left that gate wide open.
Would those two little girls survive that environment or would they learn to numb themselves with drugs and alcohol, manipulate every angle to their own advantage, to not care about anyone, even their own children, more than the drug? Most likely they would follow the familial pattern (but before you bump me off here, I clearly realize that many are able to break that chain and live very different lives).
Will it make a difference to have the FBI involved with scene processing or does the Iowa force have enough experience to do this well? This case will definitely have an impact on them as they process this crime against children at a time of the year we dedicate to making children happy.
Someone who hunts usually know the layout of the woods.
I’m so sorry that this was the outcome. I was not feeling positive
Rest in peace babies.
Blink, I don’t want to start a speculation chain so I marked this private. If you review and decide to post it, that’s fine with me. But my gut is telling me that Lyric was desperate for attention and very likely a bit precocious because of what her parents exposed her to. It seems pretty clear that she was vulnerable to abuse because of the lifestyle of the parents. My hunch is that the perp was able to get access to Lyric via facebook or myspace or from association with the parents. I think the perp had a sexual agenda. And I think Elizabeth just happened to be there at the time the perp acted upon his opportunity. I think it was one male. I think he killed them when he realized that the girls were going to talk. Like I said, speculation. But it is clear to me that Lyric was a sex predator’s perfect victim.
You may be right, the only thing that conflicts with that is the confirmation from the FBI, however the fact that Lyric was missing briefly a week before ( if she was) may go to your point.
B
Y
So sad. Hope LE gets the perv(s) that did this.
I was so sad to read about this in the news yesterday.
Blink – you mentioned the environment the kids were in….I understood that about Lyric, but didn’t Elizabeth live a bit more of a sheltered life with her parents? Just curious as that was my understanding back when this nightmare began…TIA
Trying to remember all the circumstances here but from what I do recall…the girls went for a random bike ride…and their bikes were found fairly quickly after they went missing. No other evidence was found at the fairly isolated spot. LE and/or family members did reveal some troubling info early on, although that has never been expounded upon. I’m sad to say this, but this looks completely random to me. Some perv(s) came upon 2 little girls alone, either lured them or overpowered them into a vehicle and made away with them. It sounds like it could be more than 1 assailant. I seriously doubt that these 2 kids managed to get 10 miles away from home, alone and without their bikes.
imo, I feel that Lyric had been groomed (someone befriended her), Lyric had gone missing for a short time prior to the disappearance.
My belief this person is local, probably asked Lyric to bring Elizabeth to “hang out” and a slight feeling that this person is an acquaintance with the family (either parent). Do don’t feel that it was an act of revenge regarding Lyrics parents.
Basing on the circumstances, that both were found together, and statistics.
A predator is on the loose….
Also, I will bet that the suspect attended the searches.
We cannot bring back the girls. And as Word Girl said, their environment was difficult for one or both.
As long as we have a society that hands out money to those that choose a low lifestyle, we will have this problem. Drugs are a big attraction for those caught up in such a life as a means to make big money. The human carnage from such choices is large.
I am from “nearby” Iowa, and from the get go, I have said that I believe this is someone who knew one or both of the girls. Many are quick to jump to Lyric. That is understandable. However, many people who knew Lizzie said that she was known to talk up a storm to everyone. She could have been befriended on one of her bike rides.
I really don’t think there is family involvement (as far as the drug angle goes). but, I do believe this is someone local. They know the area. They know the family. They knew where the speculation would go.
It is either a RSO in the area or someone who blends in—I fear that people will find that it is someone that they don’t expect…someone who is around children. Someone who has sexually offended before, but hasn’t been caught. If he isn’t caught, we will have a serial killer (if we don’t already).
Amen! ATG. I couldn’t have said it better. RIP, beautiful sweet little Angels. ;o(
Blink – how is the investigation progressing? Are there any leads yet?
I have had an exhaustive caseload but I am being told that there is a parallel investigation, so I would not expect much information.
B
Ada says:
December 10, 2012 at 6:32 am
I am from “nearby” Iowa, and from the get go, I have said that I believe this is someone who knew one or both of the girls. Many are quick to jump to Lyric. That is understandable. However, many people who knew Lizzie said that she was known to talk up a storm to everyone. She could have been befriended on one of her bike rides.
I really don’t think there is family involvement (as far as the drug angle goes). but, I do believe this is someone local. They know the area. They know the family. They knew where the speculation would go.
It is either a RSO in the area or someone who blends in—I fear that people will find that it is someone that they don’t expect…someone who is around children. Someone who has sexually offended before, but hasn’t been caught. If he isn’t caught, we will have a serial killer (if we don’t already).
*******
I agree with you.
I do not believe that the murder of these girls was because of Lyric’s parents life style and legal issues.
At the end of July, message boards lit up that a girl on backpage matched Elizabeth and people alerted backpage and the owner quickly removed the photo and allegedly contacted authorities. Then a media statement was released a few days later:
FBI spokeswoman Sandy Breault said authorities “feel strongly” that 10-year-old Lyric Cook-Morrissey and 8-year-old Elizabeth Collins have not been killed. She refused to say what led authorities to that conclusion, but urged anyone with information about their disappearance to contact law enforcement.
http://www.kwqc.com/story/19082530/fbi-believes-two-missing-iowa-girls-are-alive
So, imo, there would be no other reason that Elizabeth’s photo would have been on backpage unless it was posted by the perp(s). This would be evidence that the girls were alive for a time prior to their murder or that someone had been abusing/grooming them prior to the abduction. Of course need to wait for the coroner report.
RE#33…Mas, what is “backpage”.
Hi, Jane. This is how we roll on figuring out curious things in other posts–googlewikigooglegoogle! From the floorboards we can google!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backpage
http://www.backpage.com/gyrobase/aboutus
I hadn’t heard of it either, but I guessed it might have ‘barely legal’ advertisements. I don’t like the sound of Elizabeth’s photo there. Hmm.
http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/158383545.html?refer=y
I won’t post any more links because this might go into spam as it is. Now that Blink has mentored me, I’ll put this on a notepage just in case!
LOL
B
If you don’t read any of the above links, do read the on from June, 2012, in the startribune. LEO tells it straight about backpage.
Jane says:
December 10, 2012 at 9:09 pm
RE#33…Mas, what is “backpage”.
*************
It is similar to Craigslist but backpage.com has been called a “hub” for child trafficking amongst other illegal activities. See links below for a better explanation.
http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/10/a-lurid-journey-through-backpage-com/
http://abcnews.go.com/US/washington-teens-sue-backpage-sex-trafficking/story?id=16888671#.UMco3oXf6Gk
Should have added, watch the videos, very informative regarding backpage.com and the issues.
Thanks, all. Lordy, who’d of thunk it.
This may not be the place to post this so I will leave it to the admins to decide. That being said, does anyone else find it strange that these families are not talking/grieving together? In an interview Heather Collins stated that she has not talked to Misty in quite a while. At a time like this, that seems strange. Does the rest of the family have to pick sides in this very sad time? I heard that the Grandmother,is trying to put together a service for lyric. How sad….
Family should be able to help each other, not divide.
How very sad wintr. God bless these children that never deserved this.
I shouldn’t judge “but” why was there only a celebration of life for only Elizabeth? Why is Lyric’s family waiting until after Christmas for a service for her?? The Collin’s were Lyric’s guardians? I feel horrible for the family but it rips my heart out that Lyric was excluded from the service.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2012/12/13/hundreds-gather-to-remember-slain-iowa-girl/1768589/
I think that should probably put to rest opinions on familial involvement on Lyric’s side.
B
#40 wintr:
Strange? Come together? Staying near or involved with criminal types be they family, or friends is exactly why Lyric is most likely dead.
was the whole talk of them being alive a ploy?
I remember that we were all surprised by LEs stating this belief- …
Were they alive then and later killed…or was it wishful thinking or a police tactic?
I am confused
AJMO
RIP
Lyric and Elizabeth
(odd . . . for some reason I had to re-register here and have been given my original green patterned “quilt square”)
Anyways, still following this case . . .
“Reward Amount Increase in Missing Cousins Murder Case”
Dec 21, 2012
(snip)
“A monthlong fund drive organized by the Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers raised $20,500 through public donations and various fundraisers, including bake sales.
The money is available to anyone who wishes to remain anonymous but provides information that leads to an arrest in the case of cousins Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook. The girls, 8-year-old Elizabeth and 10-year-old Lyric, went for a bike ride July 13 in Evansdale and didn’t return. Hunters found their bodies Dec. 5 in the Seven Bridges Wildlife Area, about 25 miles from where the girls were last seen.
“There’s somebody out there who may not be directly related but who knows something that will help,” said Evansdale Police Chief Kent Smock. “We’re trying all avenues. This is just another method of trying to get people to come forward with that last bit of information we need.”
Smock said a caller with information will be given a unique identifying code that allows them to be paid without providing their name or being required to testify at trial. The caller must provide information that can be verified by investigators and that leads to an arrest.
He said it’s unusual to have that much money provided for information leading to only an arrest.”
(end snip)
http://www.kcrg.com/home/top-9/Additional-20500-Offered-in-Missing-Cousins-Case-184450591.html
________
“last bit of information we need” . . . like what? – - – perpetrator name(s), a weapon, vehicle, associated history . . . ?
This is the most bizarre case.
B
You ok my dearest?
B
FULL M
N.
Yes, okay, thank you . . .
web-gremlins or something with postings lately.
Blink, shouldn’t forensic results be back by now or very soon?
What do you think the chances are LE recovered dna of the perpetrator(s)?
Not sure about tox- depending on the lab, but in general yes.
I would not expect to hear anything public in this case until an arrest.
B
Interesting article about the timeline from Friday July 13 to Friday July 20 . . . I’ve only posted the LE notes from Friday, July 13 and Monday July 16 (more notes from the other days at link)
article header:
“TIMELINE: Search for girls reported missing in Evansdale”
“Information from notes kept by Evansdale police, fire chief”
(article snip)
Below is a timeline of the search for the missing cousins progressed based on notes kept by Kent Smock, who doubles as Evansdale’s police and fire chiefs. He said some information about specific leads was redacted from notes because of the ongoing investigation.
Timeline
Friday, July 13, 2012
2:48 p.m., Cousins Lyric Cook Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins are reported missing.
2:50 p.m., Evansdale police search the home and the area using three squad cars.
3:15 p.m., Black Hawk sheriff’s office sends four cars to help. Fire department requested to help and uses a Gator to check bike trails.
4 p.m., Firefighters find the girls’ bike at Meyers Lake.
4:30 p.m., Girls names are entered into the National Crime Information Center, a nationwide FBI database that includes missing persons.
4:30 p.m., Fire department begins dragging Meyers Lake.
4:40 p.m., County Emergency Management Agency notified and begins Everbridge automated messages to phones in the area to alert residents.
5 p.m., Canvas of lake neighborhood beings.
5:30 p.m., Officer meets with Collins to obtain photos of the girls.
5:30 p.m., Media notified of the disappearance.
5:30 p.m., Divers with cedar Valley Underwater Search and Rescue, a local team of volunteers, to help search the lake.
6:30 p.m., Law enforcement and civilians conduct search of wooded areas. This continues to about 3:30 a.m. the following day.
7 p.m., Iowa State Patrol airplane if forward-looking infrared joins the search. Authorities begin interviewing local people listed on the state Sex Offender Registry.
8 p.m., Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified. FBI brought in. STAR-1, an Iowa search and rescue group is contacted.
8:30 p.m., NCMEC begins emailing and faxing photos and descriptions of the girls to truck stops, stores and public places within a 100 mile radius of Evansdale.
(article snip)
Monday, July 16
5 a.m., Law enforcement accompanies trash haulers picking up commercial trash.
6:30 a.m., Landfill is asked to set aside special area for Evansdale trash for two weeks.
7 a.m., Interviews and polygraphs continue.
8 a.m., DCI team brought in to locate and interview registered sex offenders.
10 a.m., and 4 p.m., Press briefings.
11 a.m., Draining started at Meyers Lake.
4 p.m., FBI bloodhounds requested.
http://thegazette.com/2012/12/10/timeline-search-for-girls-reported-missing-in-evansdale/
****
From what I can remember, a couple of the things that are redacted from the July 16 notes section appear to be
1) The Monday July 16 notification to the FBI regarding the July 13 video surveillance from the back of the auction house . . . video clock displays time of 12:11pm of girls biking past but auction house manager says (to media July 25) clock is 8 minutes slow, inferring the “correct” time is 12:19pm
2) The Monday July 16 in-person-at-the-lake notification to LE by the cyclist of his sighting of the bikes laying on the bike path close to the drainage pipe access gate just prior to his 12:27pm phone call to his relative
I’m still stuck on these 2 sightings and how they do not appear to support each other. Perhaps, though, the accounts of these 2 sightings have since been further verified/updated by LE but not made public.
ie,
video clock was not slow
bikes on the lake trail were not the girls’
etc.
wpg has her finger on the pulse of this case while I am rotating the plates- I so appreciate that.
B
NEW media article . . .
“Cause of Evansdale cousins’ deaths will be kept confidential”
7:36 PM, Jan 2, 2013
(snip)
” Authorities will keep secret for an undetermined amount of time the cause of death of two northeast Iowa cousins whose bodies were found in a park in December, officials said Wednesday.
In addition, authorities do not have immediate plans to release other information related to the cousins’ deaths. ”
(snip)
” Details of when and how the cousins were killed will remain confidential as the investigation into their deaths continues, Evansdale Police Chief Kent Smock said Wednesday.
“Part of that is, the only people that are going to know this information are the people who are responsible,” Smock said. “At least until somebody is arrested and we’re comfortable with that, that’s information we’ll keep confidential.”
Smock and other officials are still waiting for information from the Iowa state medical examiner’s office, and the case has not legally been ruled homicide, though Smock said investigators are treating it as one.
Family members have said they were told by law enforcement officials that the girls most likely were killed within a few days of their disappearance, but authorities have declined to say whether that is the case.
The girls’ bodies have not yet been released to their families, officials said. ”
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20130102/NEWS/301020070/Cause-of-Evansdale-cousins-deaths-will-be-kept-confidential?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage
I just want to scream about this case. Scream until my voice gives out.
These poor babies. I know how to read between these lines. God rest their little souls and tell Suzy Salmon I said hello.
B