On July 20, 2012, the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office held a press conference providing an update on the search for two missing Iowa girls: Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook-Morrissey.
According to Sheriff Abben, evidence is currently being processed, and authorities are confident that the girls are not in Meyers Lake. Collins and her cousin, Cook-Morrissey were last seen at approximately 11:30 am on Friday, July 13, 2012 when they left their grandmother's care to go bike riding in Evansdale, Iowa. The girls were expected to return shortly for lunch but failed to come back. Within an hour, the family grew concerned and began searching for the pair. By 3 pm, law enforcement was on the scene. Their bicycles, a purse, and a non-working cell phone were later found near Meyers Lake.
Sheriff Abben stated that they are not focusing on the Morrissey family. The statement followed recent reports that the Morrissey's have criminal pasts.
There is no Amber Alert in the case because it doesn't meet the criteria. In order for an Amber Alert to be issued, there must be a witness description of a vehicle and a suspect.
Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook-Morrissey have been missing for seven days. There is a $50,000 reward offered in the case.
Those with information on the case are asked to call the tip line anytime day or night at 1-(319) 232-6682. It is available 24-hours-per day.
Elizabeth Collins was last seen wearing a white shirt, shorts, and either high-tops or black tennis shoes. She is 4'1" tall and weighs approximately 80 pounds. Her hair is sandy-blonde and her eyes are blue. Lyric Cook-Morrissey was last seen wearing a light-green shirt, shorts, and black or purple flip-flops. Lyric Cook-Morrissey is 4'11 and weighs approximately 145 pounds. She has chin-length, brown hair, blue eyes, and has a dime-size birthmark, mole on the back of her neck.
Those with any information on the case or the girls' whereabouts are asked to contact the Evansdale Police Department at 1-319-232-6682 or the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office at 1-319-291-2515. You may also contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-842-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST).
Those following the case on Twitter may use the hashtag: #Evansdalesearch.
Here are some cold cases and other missing children cases from Iowa.
On Friday, July 20, 2012, FBI divers entered the water with sonar equipment but no trace of the girls was found. The case is official a child abduction.
By: Charisse Van Horn