Elizabeth Collins, 8, & Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10 missing 7/13/12 Evansdale, IA

[grace-land]

http://www.kwwl.com/story/19849548/missing-girls-investigators-recanvassing-evansdale-neighborhoods

Missing girls investigators 'recanvassing' Evansdale neighborhoods
Posted: Oct 18, 2012 12:06 AM CDT Updated: Oct 18, 2012 12:59 PM CDT

EVANSDALE (KWWL) -
The search for Elizabeth and Lyric goes on, and state and local investigators were busy in Evansdale Wednesday night, conducting what was described as a ‘recanvassing' of Evansdale neighborhoods.
 
Nine-year-old Elizabeth Collins and 11-year-old Lyric Cook have been missing now for 97 days, as of Thursday. The cousins vanished while on an Evansdale bike ride July 13. The FBI has said it still believes the girls are alive. 
 
Several callers to the KWWL newsroom said they saw law enforcement activity Wednesday night, and wondered what was going on in Evansdale.

The callers and e-mailers said several law enforcement vehicles were on the streets and that they saw at least one helicopter in the skies above the community.

Wednesday evening, Black Hawk County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Captain Richard Abben confirmed with KWWL that there is additional law enforcement presence in Evansdale.
 
He said DCI investigators have about 110 homes they want to visit in this effort. Abben explained there are some people who live in the area who were not home during the initial door-to-door search. There are also new families who have moved into the neighborhood surrounding Meyers Lake.
 
State agents believe someone has to know something.  They're hoping to find new information that people failed to mention, or didn't think was important, during this new search.
 ::snipping2::

[grace-land]

http://www.kwwl.com/story/19871263/hunters-asked-to-look-for-signs-of-missing-cousins

Hunters asked to look for signs of missing cousins
Posted: Oct 20, 2012 3:21 PM CDT

WATERLOO (KWWL) -
A grassroots effort is encouraging hunters to keep an eye out for evidence of two missing cousins.

Investigators believe Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins were abducted in Evansdale more than three months ago. Now friends of the girls' families are asking hunting license vendors, like Hy-Vee in Waterloo, to remind hunters to watch for signs of the cousins.
 
"If we can help, by when we're telling people when they're out in the woods -- keep an eye out looking for them. We need to bring them home," said store director Chad Hartogh.
 
Iowa DNR Conservation Officer Chris Jones supports the effort. He was part of the initial search for Lyric and Elizabeth. Now, more than three months later, he knows investigators are exploring every avenue to uncover much-needed evidence.
 
"With what we've got going on right now, I think this is an excellent opportunity. A lot of the areas don't see anybody in there for a lot of the year. And then come fall, all the sudden they're getting flooded with hunters," said Jones.
 ::snipping2::

[grace-land]

http://wcfcourier.com/news/evansdale_search/daniel-morrissey-drug-trial-delayed-again/article_17c711fe-2a9e-11e2-b6ca-001a4bcf887a.html

Daniel Morrissey drug trial delayed again
5 hours ago  (November 9, 2012)

WATERLOO, Iowa --- Trial has been delayed for the father one of the missing cousins.

Daniel Morrissey, father of missing Lyric Cook-Morrissey, had been slated to go before a jury on drug charges this coming Tuesday.

But on Friday, the case was pushed back to Dec. 11, according to court officials.

The postponement came as the defense renewed its efforts to move the trial to another county because of publicity surrounding the girls’ disappearance.

On Thursday, defense attorney Kevin Schoeberl and Assistant County Attorney Brad Walz submitted a questionnaire to be given to prospective jurors to help determine the change-of-venue matter.
 ::snipping2::

[grace-land]

http://www.press-citizen.com/viewart/20121112/NEWS01/121112004/Mother-missing-Iowa-cousin-appear-court?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Mother of missing Iowa cousin to appear in court
2:14 PM, Nov 12, 2012

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The mother of one of two missing Iowa cousins must appear in federal court to face allegations she violated the terms of her supervised release in a decade-old methamphetamine case, records show.

U.S. District Judge Linda Reade signed an order last week directing Misty Morrissey to appear in a Cedar Rapids courtroom Wednesday, one day after family members will mark the four-month anniversary of the disappearance of 11-year-old Lyric Cook and 9-year-old Elizabeth Collins.

A summons delivered to Morrissey on Friday says that federal probation officials have filed a “supervised release violation petition” against her. The allegations against Morrissey are shielded from public view, as the documents were filed under seal.
 ::snipping2::
 

[Northern Rose]

Mother of Missing Iowa City Girl to Face Federal Court

Nov 12 2012

Although there is no news about the missing Iowa City cousins, the mother of one of them will be appearing in federal court on unrelated charges, according to an article on sfgate.com.

Misty Morrissey, mother of 11-year old Lyric Cook, has been ordered by a U.S. District Judge to appear in federal court in Cedar Rapids on suspicion of violating her supervised release.

Officials filed what is called a "supervised release violation petition" against Morrissey. No information has been released about the conditions leading up to the filing, as the documents regarding the case are sealed until the court date.

Morrissey's release was conditional, and was given to her in relation to a methamphetamine case from 2003.

 ::snipping2::


http://www.iowacityowl.com/posts/612-Mother-of-Missing-Iowa-City-Girl-to-Face-Federal-Court

[grace-land]

Open letter at link

http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/iowa/parents-of-missing-evansdale-iowa-cousins-write-open-letter-to/article_70aa4543-000c-5092-b54d-c313bbf1bb54.html

Parents of missing Evansdale, Iowa, cousins write open letter to kidnapper
2 hours ago 

EVANSDALE, Iowa | The parents of the missing cousins are reaching out to the person who took the girls this summer.

In a letter submitted to Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, the parents of Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins ask the unknown abductor to be a hero and let the children go free.

"Our thought of the letter was to just get out to whoever has them and to just really touch their hearts to return the girls, that they still can do this," said Heather Collins, Elizabeth's mother.

Heather Collins composed the letter, which was also signed by her husband, Drew, and Lyric's parents, Daniel Morrissey and Misty Morrissey.
 ::snipping2::

[grace-land]

http://thegazette.com/2012/11/13/mother-of-missing-iowa-girl-raises-awareness-in-davenport-stop/

Updated: 13 November 2012 | 1:06 pm
Mother of missing Iowa girl raises awareness in Davenport stop

The mother of one of two missing Iowa cousins was in the Quad-Cities on Tuesday to raise awareness about the case.

Nine-year-old Elizabeth Collins and her 11-year-old cousin, Lyric Cook, disappeared from Evansdale while riding their bikes on July 13. Tuesday marks four months since they were last seen.

“We’re getting their faces up everywhere,” Heather Collins, Elizabeth’s mother, said at a stop Tuesday morning in Davenport’s Vander Veer Botanical Park before heading downtown. “If there’s one person who still doesn’t realize the girls are missing, that’s a shame.”

Collins said she had 750 flyers to pass out throughout the day in Davenport and around the Quad-City area. Her husband and Elizabeth’s father, Drew Collins, traveled to Omaha to pass out flyers. They have friends covering the Mason City and Des Moines areas.
 ::snipping2::

[grace-land]

http://wcfcourier.com/news/evansdale_search/area-law-enforcement-marks--month-anniversary-since-girls-kidnapped/article_5f38de8e-2dbc-11e2-8c9e-001a4bcf887a.html

Area law enforcement marks 4-month anniversary since girls kidnapped
1 hour ago

This is a statement released by the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office today:

Today, Nov. 13, marks four months that Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins have been missing. They were last seen riding their bicycles in Evansdale on Friday July 13th at approximately 12:15 p.m.

While law enforcement has nothing new to report on the girls we continue to receive good tips regarding their disappearance and those tips are being followed up on.

We wish to reiterate that anyone that has information concerning this case or was in Evansdale on July 13th between noon and 6 pm. that may have seen the girls riding their bicycles or in the area of Meyers Lake that have not talked to law enforcement to call in on the tip line at (319) 232-6682 or 1-800-346-5507.
 ::snipping2::

[grace-land]

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/Missing-Cousins-Case-Hits-4-Month-Mark-179223151.html?ref=151

Posted: Tue 9:25 PM, Nov 13, 2012
Missing Cousins Case Hits 4-Month Mark

Tuesday night dozens of people are gathering in Evansdale to mark four months since Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins went missing.

The cousins were last seen July 13th, while riding their bikes near Meyers Lake in Evansdale. Investigators believe the two were kidnapped, although they have not found any evidence to suggest where they are being held.

The families are holding a prayer vigil at Countryside Vineyard Church Tuesday night, but as they mark this four month milestone, the families are trying to think of new ways to get Lyric and Elizabeth's story out, or keep it fresh in people's minds.

"There's not much we can do. This is what we CAN do," said Drew Collins.

Drew Collins considers everyday another day to search, and another day to hope. He refused to let his family and friends spend November 13th dwelling on their pain.

"We wanted to do something that was productive. It was Drew's idea, actually," said family friend Sara Kipp.

Tuesday morning, several people fanned out over Iowa, heading to Des Moines, Mason City, Sioux City, and Davenport. Their goal is to get new fliers up in as many places as possible state-wide.
 ::snipping2::

[grace-land]

http://thegazette.com/2012/11/14/feds-to-drop-petition-against-misty-morrissey/

Feds to drop petition against Misty Cook-Morrissey
Updated: 14 November 2012 | 1:30 pm

CEDAR RAPIDS – A hearing for a Waterloo woman on a federal supervised release violation set for Wednesday morning in Cedar Rapids was cancelled because prosecutors changed their mind about revoking her supervised release.

A prosecutor filed a document under seal Wednesday seeking to dismiss the petition.

Misty Cook-Morrissey was in the courthouse Wednesday before she knew the hearing was cancelled.
 ::snipping2::

[grace-land]

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Fundraiser-Drive-for-Elizabeth-and-Lyric-179794931.html

Month Long Fundraiser for Elizabeth and Lyric
Story Created: Nov 17, 2012 at 7:48 AM CST
(Story Updated: Nov 17, 2012 at 9:06 AM CST )

EVANSDALE, Iowa – A month long fundraiser will help raise the reward money for two missing Black Hawk County cousins. Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook were last seen on July 13th in downtown Evansdale.

The girls’ families with work in conjunction with the Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers for the fundraiser drive. All proceeds from the fundraiser will be used as a reward for information that leads to the missing girls. The money will be held for up to five years, if the fund is still needed. The drive will start on Monday November 19th and end on December 19th.

If the girls are found and a reward can’t be given, the money will go to the Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers general fund. The girls’ families said that if the funds can’t be used to benefit the girls, then it’s their wish that the money be used to help other victims and their families.
 ::snipping2::

[KittyMom]

I just can't understand how nothing has turned up of these two little ones.  It just makes no sense to me.

[MAca]

       Omaha World Hearld just said that hunters have found the bodies that they think are the cousins.       The article did not say IN  Meyers Lake but by the lake, said bikes were found on a pathway close by. I will try to find out more.  Today at 3:08 from http:/www. omaha.com .

[MuffyBee]

       Omaha World Hearld just said that hunters have found the bodies that they think are the cousins.       The article did not say IN  Meyers Lake but by the lake, said bikes were found on a pathway close by. I will try to find out more.  Today at 3:08 from http:/www. omaha.com .

Thank you.  Such sad news.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/05/hunters-reportedly-find-bodies-missing-iowa-cousins-police-say/
Hunters reportedly find bodies of missing Iowa cousins, police say
December 5, 2012


EVANSDALE, Iowa –  Hunters found two bodies Wednesday believed to be those of young Iowa cousins who vanished five months ago while riding their bikes near a lake, authorities said.
The families of 11-year-old Lyric Cook and 9-year-old Elizabeth Collins have been notified of the discovery, said Capt. Rick Abben of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office. Abben wouldn't say where the bodies were found.
Appearing to fight back tears as he broke the news in Evansdale, near where the girls disappeared in July, Abben said: "It's definitely not the outcome that we wanted, obviously."
"This is a difficult thing for us to go through. It's a difficult thing for the community," he added, recalling how officers had worked around the clock looking for the girls.
The girls' families have asked the media to respect their privacy, and they offered no immediate comment.
The bodies are being sent to the state medical examiner's office to confirm their identities, and the area where they were found around 12:45 p.m. is still being searched, Abben said.
 ::snipping2::
Abben said additional details would be released at a news briefing Thursday.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/05/hunters-reportedly-find-bodies-missing-iowa-cousins-police-say/#ixzz2EDtQEMMv

[MuffyBee]

No official confirmation yet.  But I think they have a very good idea.     I hope there's enough evidence to help bring some justice for the girls and their families and friends.  It won't bring them back, but it may prevent someone that's responsible from getting away with murder.  JMHO

http://abcnews.go.com/US/missing-iowa-cousins-lyric-cook-elizabeth-collins-bodies/story?id=17888330#.UL_YsuSum3k
Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins: Bodies Found in Search for Missing Iowa Cousins
December 5, 2012

Nearly five months after Iowa cousins Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins disappeared, the girls' families have been told two bodies were found by hunters in a wooded area, though the identities of the bodies have not been confirmed, authorities said.

Capt. Rick Abben of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office said at a press conference this afternoon that the bodies are being transported to the state's medical office in Ankeny, Iowa, for positive identification.

"It's definitely not the outcome that we wanted, obviously," Abben said. "This is a difficult thing for us to go through."
 ::snipping2::

[MAca]

   

   Strange how quickly the Omaha paper up dated their original post. Some eager reporter must have screwed up and the original article disappeared too. hmmm. We will just have to see I guess?! I want justice for the girls if it is them!   

[MuffyBee]

   

   Strange how quickly the Omaha paper up dated their original post. Some eager reporter must have screwed up and the original article disappeared too. hmmm. We will just have to see I guess?! I want justice for the girls if it is them!   

I think sometimes media is so eager to be the first to get something out, they do so without verifying information.  And then it disappears or changes.  I've seen that happening lately. 

I'm hoping there will be justice for Lyric and Elizabeth too. 

[klaasend]

http://www.kwwl.com/story/20270787/2012/12/05/police-two-bodies-found-may-be-related-to-missing-cousins-case

Link to Press Conference video:


http://www.kwwl.com/story/20270787/2012/12/05/police-two-bodies-found-may-be-related-to-missing-cousins-case?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8035660


The full police statement released Wednesday:

Evansdale Missing Cousins Law Enforcement Update (12-05-12)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Captain Rick Abben, Chief Deputy

Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office

225 East 6th Street

Waterloo, Iowa 50703

319-291-2587

rabben@bhcso.org

www.bhcso.org

Today, at approximately 1245hrs, law enforcement was notified by hunters that they had discovered two deceased bodies in a wooded area.

The Cook and Collins families have been notified of the discovery.

The bodies are being transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny for positive identification.

Lyric and Elizabeth were last seen Friday, July 13, 2012, at approximately 12:15 Pm riding their bicycles in Evansdale. Their bicycles and a purse were found at Meyers Lake in Evansdale.

Since that day the investigation has been on going, numerous agencies have been and are still involved in this case. The public has been very helpful in assisting with searches and calling in leads. A substantial reward has been established that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible in this case. Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers continues to accept donations toward their reward at 1-855-300TIPS. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIP Line at 319-232-6682 or e-mail: OURMISSINGIOWAGIRLS@dps.state.ia.us

Law enforcement wants to thank the public and the media for their assistance and support in this case. No further information will be released at this time. A news conference will be held tomorrow at 4:00 PM at the Evansdale City Hall. If pertinent information can be released before that time you will be notified otherwise nothing else will be released at this time.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the community for their on-going support and at this time request privacy.

[Rob]

Here's the UK Daily story.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2243714/Iowa-cousins-missing-Hunters-bodies-Lyric-Cook-Morrissey-Elizabeth-Collins.html

Hunters find bodies of missing Iowa cousins who disappeared while riding their bikes in July

    Investigators have held on to hope that Lyric Cook, 10, and Elizabeth Collins, 8, were alive
    Grainy video showed the girls riding by on their bicycles on the day that they vanished in Evansdale, Iowa
    Young cousins were last seen on July 13

By Daily Mail Reporter and Associated Press

PUBLISHED: 18:11 EST, 5 December 2012 | UPDATED: 19:44 EST, 5 December 2012