From the day they went missing until now, a community mourns and wants justice.
Created by KWWL on Dec 7, 2012
Last updated: 12/26/12 at 09:10 AM
Tags: Lyric and Elizabeth Lyric Elizabeth Lyric Cook Elizabeth Collins Evansdale missing cousins
A new reward fund has been established to help police arrest the killer of 2 eastern Iowa cousins whose bodies were found early this month.
A fund drive has raised $20,500 and is available when someone is arrested in the killings of Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook. Typically such funds are not paid out until there's a conviction.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20402862/additional-20500-offered-in-missing-cousins-case
Tuesday night members of the Evansdale City Council listened to several requests which would honor the memory of Evansdale cousins Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins.
The Evansdale Chamber of Commerce requested to declare July 13th of each year as "Elizabeth and Lyric Day." July 13th is the last time the girls were seen alive.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20376580/2012/12/18/evansdale-city-council-to-consider-tributes-to-lyric-elizabeth
A judge is refusing to allow the mother of 1 of 2 slain Iowa girls out of a halfway house so she can plan her daughter's funeral.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20372728/judge-wont-give-break-to-slain-iowa-girls-mother
Families of Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins, along with parents of 1982 victim Johnny Gosch, 2005 victim Evelyn Miller, and 2006 victim Donnisha Hill, gathered with Republican Sen. Kent Sorenson in Des Moines to advocate for reinstating Iowa's death penalty.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20367292/2012/12/17/parents-of-iowa-murder-abduction-victims-want-death-penalty
The family of Lyric Cook has released information regarding a service celebrating her life.
The service will be on Dec. 29 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at Heartland Vineyard Church on Greenhill Road in Cedar Falls, according to Wilma Cook, Lyric's grandmother.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20362799/2012/12/17/family-releases-service-information-for-lyric-cook
eather Collins, mother of murdered 8-year old, Elizabeth Collins, will undergo surgery Friday at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
The Mayo Clinic doctors will remove, and then re-implant, a defibrillator, which is implanted for her chronic heart condition. The defibrillator has been moving inside her body over the past few months, causing pain and discomfort.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20358289/2012/12/16/elizabeth-collins-mother-to-undergo-surgery-friday
Evansdale police chief Kent Smock is throwing cold water on rumors of an arrest in the missing girls case.
Chief Smock told KWWL sex offender teams from the state Division of Criminal Investigation are helping interview people of interest, but he says no one has been detained and those interviewed are not any closer to being suspects than anyone else.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20351247/2012/12/14/evansdale-police-chief-squashes-rumors-of-arrest-in-girls-case
A Dubuque County monastery is donating a very special casket for Elizabeth and urn for Lyric.
Even in their final resting places, the girls will be surrounded by the love and prayers of people they never met.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20341668/2012/12/13/catholic-monks-donate-urn-and-casket-to-evansdale-cousins
Large crowds gathered Thursday evening for a life and love celebration of Elizabeth Collins. The overwhelming support for the Collins family is really no surprise. Ever since she and cousin Lyric Cook disappeared Friday, July 13th, dozens came together to search for them, pray, hold vigils, and of course display what have become the iconic pink ribbons and posters with photos of the girls.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20340218/2012/12/13/lyric-and-elizabeth-a-look-back
The family of Lyric Cook confirms the family is working to schedule memorial services for her.
Lyric's grandmother, Wylma, tells KWWL they plan to have Lyric cremated. A family member in Dubuque has arranged a special urn to be made for her by a local monastery.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20339158/2012/12/13/family-of-lyric-cook-planning-memorial-services
Since the girls went missing, both the Collins and Morrissey's have held onto their faith.
And that is what a lot of people in the Cedar Valley are doing as well to get through this tough time.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20335443/2012/12/13/evansdale-church-sign-helps-community-heal
Speaking on camera for the first time since learning of their daughter's murder, Heather and Drew Collins told KWWL Wednesday they feel a strong need to make sure there is an arrest of the person or persons responsible for the kidnapping and murders of Elizabeth and Lyric Cook.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20330710/2012/12/12/elizabeth-collins-parents-on-camera-for-first-time-since-discovery-of-bodies
The death of Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins was an outcome Evansdale Police Chief, Kent Smock, certainly didn't want.
"We were hoping we would find the girls alive. In the back of our minds, we knew this outcome was a possibility," said Smock.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20317006/2012/12/11/evansdale-police-chief-says-he-wants-justice
Authorities have now confirmed the two bodies found in the Seven Bridges Wildlife Area last Wednesday are Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins, who have been missing since July 13.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20307216/2012/12/10/authorities-confirm-bodies-found-are-lyric-elizabeth
In her first interview since learning of her daughter's death, Heather Collins told KWWL Monday night, "I don't need to know how she was murdered. I don't need to know what anybody has done to her, because that's in God's hands. All I know is that I don't have my daughter here anymore and she is up in Heaven with our Savior. That's all I need to know."
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20310851/2012/12/11/mother-of-elizabeth-collins-speaks-about-her-daughters-death
The State Medical Examiner's office in Ankeny will continue testing after an autopsy on bodies found in the Seven Bridges Wildlife Area in Bremer County last week.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20305560/2012/12/10/testing-continues-following-autopsy-on-discovered-bodies
The search for evidence at a Bremer County park where the bodies of of Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins were found has ended.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20300577/2012/12/09/search-for-evidence-at-7-bridges-park-ends-in-missing-girls-case
People in central Iowa came together Saturday night to remember the lives of Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins at a candlelight vigil at Gray's Lake in Des Moines.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20297460/2012/12/08/central-iowa-vigil-remembers-lyric-elizabeth
A date has now been set for a "Life and Love" service at Heartland Vineyard Church in Cedar Falls, where Elizabeth Collins' mother Heather attends.
The service will happen Thursday, December 13 at 5 p.m.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20292381/2012/12/07/life-and-love-service
Shortly after Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins were abducted, many people raised concerns over how long it took to get word out to the public.
Out of that concern came a petition for the Cousins' Law, calling for a statewide alert -- and fast reaction -- whenever a child is missing.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20291353/2012/12/07/cedar-falls-senator-plans-to-submit-cousins-law-in-2013-session
The Waterloo Black Hawks will honor Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook with a "Pink Out" at tonight's hockey game.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20288895/2012/12/07/pink-out-planned-for-black-hawks-hockey-game-for-lyric-elizabeth
An eastern Iowa family knows how greatly community support is needed to cope with the loss of a child. Linda and Richard Christie of Waterloo are the grandparents of five-year-old Evelyn Miller. Miller was kidnapped and murdered in Floyd county seven years ago.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20282792/2012/12/06/fate-of-missing-cousins-resonates-with-evelyn-millers-family
On Thursday afternoon, investigators said with confidence what many people expected to hear: They believe the bodies discovered by hunters Wednesday afternoon are those of Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins.
Just as the community spent months searching together and praying together, now they're grieving together.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20283098/2012/12/06/friends-say-the-pink-isnt-going-anywhere
"We wanted to have the trees decorated for them to see when they got home," Tammy Marvets said.
Marvets said although the girls' bodies were found Wednesday afternoon, they still want to decorate the trees in memory of the two cousins.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20284279/2012/12/06/community-decorates-christmas-trees-in-memory-of-evansdale-girls
Officials with Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers say the reward offered in the case of the missing cousins will now go towards an arrest.
Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers says 100 percent of the donations collected between Nov. 19 and Dec. 19 will be awarded to information leading to an arrest.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20279675/2012/12/06/crime-stoppers-150k-for-arrest-in-elizabeth-and-lyric-case
The tragic ending to the missing cousins case has hit the Waterloo Community School District especially hard.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20281543/2012/12/06/grief-counselors-meet-with-lyric-and-elizabeths-classmates
A community came together Wednesday night to hold a prayer vigil and mourn the loss of two young Evansdale girls.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20273847/2012/12/05/community-holds-vigil-and-mourns-murder-of-evansdale-girls
The bodies found by hunters in Seven Bridges Wildlife Area in Bremer County are likely those of missing cousins Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins, police said Thursday.
Capt. Rick Abben with the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office told the media that there has not yet been confirmation of the identification of two bodies found Wednesday afternoon, but that police believed them to be Lyric and Elizabeth.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20270787/2012/12/05/police-bodies-found-at-seven-bridges-likely-lyric-and-elizabeth
Every Christmas, the Marvets deck their lawn with festive decorations. This year, there's a new addition to the display -- and one that holds a great deal of meaning for those still searching for two missing cousins.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20260032/2012/12/04/evansdale-family-creates-christmas-tree-for-missing-cousins
Friday afternoon, a concerned Cedar Valley resident notified KWWL that they will match the reward fund for Elizabeth and Lyric, up to $100,000, for critical information leading to the whereabouts of the girls, their safe return and the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the kidnappings.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20231860/2012/11/30/concern-citizen-will-match-reward-money-in-missing-girls-case
A solemn candlelight prayer vigil Thursday evening for missing Evansdale cousins Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins lent support to the girls' family members.
The event happened outside on the Loras College campus as part of the school's Stop the Hate Week, during which events aim to promote peace and diversity. As part of that, the vigil also supported anybody who has suffered violence or bullying.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20223193/2012/11/29/candlelight-vigil-held-in-dubuque-for-missing-evansdale-cousins
On Thursday, Stop the Hate Week is holding a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. on Loras's Academic Resource Center Lawn (rain site Wahlert Hall Lobby). Its main focus is the missing Evansdale girls and showing continued support for them and their family members.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20189704/2012/11/26/loras-students-observe-stop-the-hate-week
Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins have been missing since July 13th. While the search for them continues, a benefit dinner took place in Evansdale to raise money for the families of the missing girls.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20180213/2012/11/25/chili-benefit-for-missing-girls
It was just a simple piece of candy, but it was accompanied by a powerful picture and message.
Instead of shopping, Heather Collins decided to spend Black Friday at Gino's Pizza in Crossroads Center in Waterloo handing out hundreds of candy canes with Elizabeth Collins' and Lyric Cook's pictures on them.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20170964/2012/11/23/thanksgivingblack-friday-without-elizabeth-and-lyric
It's been just more than 4 months since two young girls disappeared on a bike ride through Evansdale.
Now, a new reward fund may spur someone to come forward with information leading to Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20141290/2012/11/19/new-reward-in-evansdale-missing-girls-case-donations-accepted
Dozens of people gathered at Countryside Vineyard Church in Evansdale on Tuesday night to mark four months since Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins went missing.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20082342/4-months-since-the-missing-cousins-went-missing
The federal court hearing for Misty Cook-Morrissey, mother of missing Evansdale girl Lyric Cook, was cancelled at the last minute Wednesday morning without any explanation.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20076727/misty-morrissey-summoned-to-federal-court
The trial for Dan Morrissey, father of Lyric Cook, has been continued.
Morrissey requested a change in venue, which was denied.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/20054102/trial-continued-for-dan-morrisey
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.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/19871263/hunters-asked-to-look-for-signs-of-missing-cousins
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.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/19849548/missing-girls-investigators-recanvassing-evansdale-neighborhoods
Saturday marks a difficult day in the search for two missing cousins. Three months ago, on July 13th, 11-year-old Lyric Cook and 9-year-old Elizabeth Collins went missing while riding their bikes in Evansdale. Investigators say the girls were kidnapped, and have reason to believe the cousins are still alive.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/19813367/three-months-passed-since-lyric-elizabeth-went-missing
Tuesday marks a bittersweet day in the search for Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins. The cousins went missing from Evansdale more than two and a half months ago. Tuesday night, family members are celebrating a milestone in Lyric's life -- her eleventh birthday.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/19701888/family-and-friends-gather-for-lyrics-11th-birthday
As the search continues for cousins Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins, a can and bottle drive held at the National Cattle Congress grounds raised awareness and money for the Missing and Exploited Children's Foundation.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/19613179/can-drive-to-benefit-missing-girls
Dan Morrissey appeared in court Friday for a pretrial conference.
He's the father of Lyric Cook, who's been missing with cousin Elizabeth Collins since July 13th.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/19605749/dan-morrissey-appears-in-court-friday
Family members of missing Evansdale cousins Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook continue to push for changes to the Amber Alert guidelines.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/19553944/missing-girls-dubuque-family-members-push-cousins-law
Evansdale cousins Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook, who have been missing now for nine weeks, will be part of a national missing children car race, called the Fireball Run, the girls' families learned just this week.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/19549695/missing-cousins-to-be-featured-in-national-search-effort
Thursday marks two months since Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook disappeared in Evansdale. Investigators believe someone snatched the cousins while they were riding their bikes near Meyers Lake on July 13th.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/19540976/marking-two-months-since-elizabeth-lyric-disappeared
This Friday marks eight weeks since 9-year-old Elizabeth Collins and 10-year-old Lyric Cook disappeared from Evansdale.
Authorities believe the people involved in the abduction may have been recorded on a surveillance camera. Officials have hundreds of hours of footage collected, but they need your help to find what to look for.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/19487211/surveillance-video-may-help-find-missing-girls
Friday night there will be a gathering for anyone who wants to join. It will be at 7:00 p.m. at Meyers Lake. People plan to join together for prayer as well as a large group walk in honor of the missing girls.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/19245380/vigil-planned-for-elizabeth-and-lyric
Four weeks ago, family members first stood on the shores of Meyers Lake waiting to hear where their girls had gone. Friday night, they stood in the same spot, with the same hope -- to find Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins, and bring them home.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/19252010/family-and-community-marks-four-weeks-since-elizabeth-lyric-disappeared
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