It's been 12 years since two young girls from Evansdale were abducted and murdered — but investigators are still looking into the case.
Elizabeth Collins, 8, and her cousin Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, were abducted on July 13, 2012. Their bodies were found five months later in rural Bremer County, about 25 miles away.
While no suspect has been identified, the case is still active, according to Special Agent Scott Reger with the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation.
"When it comes time for the anniversary, we just want to let people know it's still an active case," Reger said. "It's still being worked on."
What happened to Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook-Morrissey?
Elizabeth and Lyric were riding their bikes on Friday, July 13, 2012, at Meyers Lake in Evansdale, a town of around 4,500 people, when they were abducted. Only their bikes, a purse, and a cell phone were found on the trail, with no sign of the girls.
After the family reported them missing, thousands joined the search. Hunters eventually found their bodies Dec. 5, 2012, at the Seven Bridges Wildlife Area, about 24 miles north of Evansdale.
Investigators determined they were murdered.
The killings garnered national attention and left a lasting impact on the community.
Were there any suspects in the case?
No suspects have ever been publicly identified.
But police have looked into other high-profile cases involving children. Michael Klunder kidnapped two girls in Dayton in 2013 — one escaped, and Klunder killed the other and later himself. But investigators determined he was not a suspect in the Evansdale case.
Investigators' efforts to unlock information eventually led them to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Alexandria, Virginia, for advice. They believe the killer or killers were familiar with the Meyers Lake and Seven Bridges Wildlife Area and with the children.
How are Iowa agents investigating the case?
Reger has been on the case since 2012 and became the lead agent in 2017. Since taking over, he has received 547 tips, with 270 of those coming in since 2022, a decade after the girls were killed. Since the case began, more than 2,000 tips have been submitted to the DCI.
According to Reger, the DCI will investigate leads from recent tips during a dedicated three-day investigation period for this case.
Reger encourages anyone with information on the case to email a detailed tip to ourmissingiowagirls@dps.state.ia.us.
"It's important for it to be in people's eyes because they continue to need to provide information," Reger said.
Is there a reward for information?
Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the deaths of Elizabeth and Lyric. Anonymous tips can be made by calling 815-300-8477.
"The state of Iowa should be passionate about seeing this case resolved," Reger said. "That's what we're going to do — solve it."
How is Evansdale honoring the girls on the anniversary?
Evansdale's 12th annual memorial ride and drive for Elizabeth and Lyric will be held at 8 a.m. Sunday. The money raised from the event will be donated to Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers.
After the cousins' deaths, the city of Evansdale turned a small island at Meyers Lake into Angels' Park Memorial Island. It is a memorial not only to the girls but also to Evelyn Miller; Donnisha Hill, a 13-year-old Waterloo girl abducted in 2006 and found murdered in Illinois; and Lindsay Nichols, 22, murdered in March 2012 in Jesup by her boyfriend.
Who was Elizabeth 'Lizzy' Collins?
AGE: 8, when she disappeared.
FAMILY: Parents Heather and Drew Collins, and three siblings.
ABOUT ELIZABETH: She was a very social child, Elizabeth's third-grade teacher, Angel Munson, said in 2017. "She was always the last one to finish her lunch because she was always talking."
Elizabeth loved to play hockey.
Who was Lyric Cook-Morrissey?
AGE: 10, when she disappeared.
FAMILY: Misty Cook-Morrissey and Daniel Morrissey. Her grandmother and aunts helped raise her.
ABOUT LYRIC: She liked gymnastics and the Disney Channel.
Lyric and two other cousins gave themselves the nickname the "Bradford Badboys" after a music video by one of their favorite bands.
Kyle Werner is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@dmreg.com.
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