ELIZABETH COLLINS & LYRIC COOK: Young cousins kidnapped and murdered in Evansdale, IA - July 2012

On July 13th, 2012 Elizabeth Collins, age 8, and her cousin Lyric Cook, age 10, went for a bike ride in Evansdale. The two never returned and their abandoned bikes were later located on a trail in the southeast corner of Meyers Lake later in that day. A large search was executed in Evansdale and their disappearance was investigated by local, state and federal officials.

On December 5th, 2012 hunters in the Seven Bridges Wildlife Park discovered the bodies of Elizabeth and Lyric. Seven Bridges Wildlife Park is approximately 25 miles from where they disappeared.

To this day, no arrests in their disappearance and murder have been made.


Tips may be submitted by calling the Evansdale Police Department at 319-232-6682, emailing the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations at OURMISSINGIOWAGIRLS@DPS.STATE.IA.US, by calling Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at 855-300-8477, using Tipsoft by texting the word Cedar plus the tip to 274637 (Crimes), or by visiting WWW.CVCRIMESTOP.COM and submitting the information online. A person is eligible for the reward regardless of which of these specific methods is used to submit the information.

 

[Mel70]

yes I thought so as far as Evansdale and finding them and I have always thought the perp saw them and was not necessarily from the lake trail area. of course we can't know but that is my leaning.

yes, on wetterling too. from the midwest and know it well. it was huge and significant in its day long before perp was determined. @Mel70 knows it pretty well also. It was like home terriotry and scary as heck and nearby to both of us/our states.

I do NOT recall offhand or know of the other IA case where one teen got away. Sounds distantly familiar but not sure. As I have said too many cases over too long of a time and sadly a person used to be able to keep up with them but more crime and so constant now... I have a few I'd like to see added here but haven't had time to even bring it up or recall which ones just in the last couple of days.

yeah like i said i know it and pretty well but not as well as delphi. i was pretty sure they were found a ways away and not immediately or even a few days. You say months and that is what I thought for sure at least weeks, several.

Do you think it likely the same killer? As I said I have never been sold either way.

And yeah, I thought SA was never commented on or confirmed. In either case.

You seem to be open to the possibility it was the same killer from what you've said? Or open you said to a similar type right?

I am not sold myself either way and never have been but am open to it. I do find both crimes with TWO unusual and in neighboring states but this one could entirely be something or someone else/different as well. The perp/s in both cases needs to be taken out of society for good.

Yes ma'am. I am very familiar with the "Jacob Wetterling" Case. It was only 3 days after my maternal grandma died on 10/19/89. Yes, "Danny Heinrich" Had seen three boys riding their bikes to get a movie. It was the first time Jacob was allowed to go without an adult. He waited for them. Then asked their ages. For whatever reason. He honed in on Jacob. "Danny Heinrich" Was interviewed within days. By the end of the month. And AGAIN in December. He was caught when a teen he had assaulted turned in his sweatshirt from the crime from the 80's IIRC. "Heinrich's" Was searched. And 19 ring binders. Yes 19!!! We're found of child pornograpy. So a DEAL was made. "Heinrich" agreed to tell the "Wetterling's" Every detail in exchange for not being charged for his murder. And to serve his time in a federal prison. His sentence, I don't believe he will ever be released. I can't imagine being the "Wetterling's. I read the details. They are awful!!!

 

[Mel70]

yes I thought so as far as Evansdale and finding them and I have always thought the perp saw them and was not necessarily from the lake trail area. of course we can't know but that is my leaning.

yes, on wetterling too. from the midwest and know it well. it was huge and significant in its day long before perp was determined. @Mel70 knows it pretty well also. It was like home terriotry and scary as heck and nearby to both of us/our states.

I do NOT recall offhand or know of the other IA case where one teen got away. Sounds distantly familiar but not sure. As I have said too many cases over too long of a time and sadly a person used to be able to keep up with them but more crime and so constant now... I have a few I'd like to see added here but haven't had time to even bring it up or recall which ones just in the last couple of days.

yeah like i said i know it and pretty well but not as well as delphi. i was pretty sure they were found a ways away and not immediately or even a few days. You say months and that is what I thought for sure at least weeks, several.

Do you think it likely the same killer? As I said I have never been sold either way.

And yeah, I thought SA was never commented on or confirmed. In either case.

You seem to be open to the possibility it was the same killer from what you've said? Or open you said to a similar type right?

I am not sold myself either way and never have been but am open to it. I do find both crimes with TWO unusual and in neighboring states but this one could entirely be something or someone else/different as well. The perp/s in both cases needs to be taken out of society for good.

I find that true myself. I can't keep up on certain cases. The frequency, And number of cases. I find it not hard to confuse some cases sometimes.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I find that true myself. I can't keep up on certain cases. The frequency, And number of cases. I find it not hard to confuse some cases sometimes.

And no time doesn't help either.

Murdaugh and Delphi. Two of the most active threads. Alleged dirty clerk in one, alleged dirty judge in another, dirty defense in both imo, I have to remind myself to keep them straight even though the cases are completely different both have b.s. going on and appeals, etc.

No time and really only get to pop in, catch up barely etc.

I know the difference totally but if in a rush or no time and bounce from one to the other in catching up..

 

[GrandmaBear]

Yes ma'am. I am very familiar with the "Jacob Wetterling" Case. It was only 3 days after my maternal grandma died on 10/19/89. Yes, "Danny Heinrich" Had seen three boys riding their bikes to get a movie. It was the first time Jacob was allowed to go without an adult. He waited for them. Then asked their ages. For whatever reason. He honed in on Jacob. "Danny Heinrich" Was interviewed within days. By the end of the month. And AGAIN in December. He was caught when a teen he had assaulted turned in his sweatshirt from the crime from the 80's IIRC. "Heinrich's" Was searched. And 19 ring binders. Yes 19!!! We're found of child pornograpy. So a DEAL was made. "Heinrich" agreed to tell the "Wetterling's" Every detail in exchange for not being charged for his murder. And to serve his time in a federal prison. His sentence, I don't believe he will ever be released. I can't imagine being the "Wetterling's. I read the details. They are awful!!!

Yeah. The case was very memorable in our area. It struck my parents and yours too I'm sure. Our nightly news etc came from your market/news. It made news and struck my parents and such was rare or hearing of such so it stood out. In our midwest. The very area as you know and I do as well was just not somewhere you'd ever expect such. THREE boys, one taken. Took years before an answer and the dept. apologizes for screwing it up.

I could sidetrack easily into all that further with Wetterling but pulling myself back to say he only took one child and centered on one. Even though the other two were younger and arguably would have been an easier grab/easier to handle but he didn't try to take all even though two could be witnesses. He only needed one for his sick want and was after one possibly more than the others re age or whatever. In Delphi and this one, it was two. Girls of course but still...

Of course it could be that the perp just encountered two and was able to control two in a rural setting in each case, had a gun, no one around, etc. Or it could be two was their thing/plan.. They keep from us total confirmation in both cases of whether SA was a factor or attempted. In almost any "stranger" abduction or kill of children the purpose is SA is it not? Sadly yes children are beaten and tortured by parents and others but in a "stranger" abduction and murder most of the time there is one purpose. And again we have two. Victims in each I mean.

I don't know. I don't think Delphi was happenstance or no intent/planning. Even if not being sure long ahead of when, etc. I think it was planned and thought on. This one, I'm not as sure. I lean similar though.

And in both cases I think online stuff, gaming, SM played in.

But again the fact there are two. That could be happenstance or intent and a person could go down a lot of holes with it but let me just touch on this one. In either case whether different perps or the same one, is this a first kill? Straight to TWO...? I'd hazard a guess that either or both (if different) had killed before OR two were the fantasy. And again it could have just been happenstance, these are the vulnerable unprotected victims a murderer just happened upon but i don't think that's the case in Delphi, not sure on this one... He may have had more an obsession with one but I think two were the point/plan...

d upon BUT I don't think Delphi unplanned.

 

[Mel70]

Hai @Whatsnext mein freund. Und albern hund Benny.

 

[Regina]

yes I thought so as far as Evansdale and finding them and I have always thought the perp saw them and was not necessarily from the lake trail area. of course we can't know but that is my leaning.

Right, as I recall, where their bikes (and other personal items) were found is the furthest, most secluded part of that trail and so if he wasn't already in that particular area, he must have seen them earlier.

Do you think it likely the same killer? As I said I have never been sold either way.

You seem to be open to the possibility it was the same killer from what you've said? Or open you said to a similar type right?

Yeah, similar type.
Until Allen's arrest, I thought it was possibly the same perp but since LE has said they've found no connection, I'd be very surprised, shocked, actually, if it turned out they are.

And yeah, I thought SA was never commented on or confirmed. In either case.

In this case, I don't know what evidence of sexual assault could have existed by the time they were found. To my knowledge, LE's revealed little to nothing about the scene.
In the Delphi case, I think if there was no evidence of a physical sexual assault, then it could have been part of why LE found it difficult to interpret the scene. In other words, the motive wasn't obvious.

 

[Regina]

I never heard any comment on assault either. IMO. It was not someone they knew, But an opportunistic killer that had been thinking about it for years. And I would venture to say, Has/Had a violent criminal record that includes crimes against children. It seems to be a pattern. I am always surprised when I see a perpetrator that doesn't have one. But to me l. That just means they haven't been caught. Or charges were dropped. But a look into their background, There were signs.

I don't know if you've heard of Russell Williams. He was a would-be serial killer and an unusual perp in that he was a late bloomer and I don't think there were signs in his background. (If there were, I don't know what they were.)

 

[Regina]

I could sidetrack easily into all that further with Wetterling but pulling myself back to say he only took one child and centered on one. Even though the other two were younger and arguably would have been an easier grab/easier to handle but he didn't try to take all even though two could be witnesses. He only needed one for his sick want and was after one possibly more than the others re age or whatever. In Delphi and this one, it was two. Girls of course but still...

Of course it could be that the perp just encountered two and was able to control two in a rural setting in each case, had a gun, no one around, etc. Or it could be two was their thing/plan.. They keep from us total confirmation in both cases of whether SA was a factor or attempted. In almost any "stranger" abduction or kill of children the purpose is SA is it not? Sadly yes children are beaten and tortured by parents and others but in a "stranger" abduction and murder most of the time there is one purpose. And again we have two. Victims in each I mean.

I don't know. I don't think Delphi was happenstance or no intent/planning. Even if not being sure long ahead of when, etc. I think it was planned and thought on. This one, I'm not as sure. I lean similar though.

In the Delphi case, I think there's no question about it that perp went there with the intent to commit murder but I don't think he went there knowing ahead of time who his victim would be.
In the Evansdale case, I think it's possible that the perp could have been somehow familiar with one or both girls.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Right, as I recall, where their bikes (and other personal items) were found is the furthest, most secluded part of that trail and so if he wasn't already in that particular area, he must have seen them earlier.

Yeah, similar type.
Until Allen's arrest, I thought it was possibly the same perp but since LE has said they've found no connection, I'd be very surprised, shocked, actually, if it turned out they are.

In this case, I don't know what evidence of sexual assault could have existed by the time they were found. To my knowledge, LE's revealed little to nothing about the scene.
In the Delphi case, I think if there was no evidence of a physical sexual assault, then it could have been part of why LE found it difficult to interpret the scene. In other words, the motive wasn't obvious.

Good points.

I think it is almost always sexual when it comes to crimes like these but I sure don't know either and I sure don't mean normal as in sexual but that gratifies in some perverted sexual way but whether they were SAed or not is a different story.

I'd venture a guess though that both crimes were and one indication even after time would be nudity. I mean I guess that could result for other reasons such as humiliation or to cause fear or some such but I'd still venture to say it gives them some sick sexual thrill which quite honestly I think things like power and control do as well in such types.

However, whether evidence of SA or DNA or intent is a different story I guess.

I do think there's a lot of similarities and I could believe either way, like I said I've never been sold one way or the other. I don't insist it has to be the same killer in both but I also could believe it is depending on.

Just as Allen was local to Delphi, these girls killer could be to their area as well and so on.

But the I could argue in the idea it is the same killer too. Two girls, neighboring states, similar looks, and some other things, all of which have been discussed by people over all these years.

It would be awesome to see an arrest and conviction in this one and we have to pray we get one in the Delphi one. Way too much and too many years for these families.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't know if you've heard of Russell Williams. He was a would-be serial killer and an unusual perp in that he was a late bloomer and I don't think there were signs in his background. (If there were, I don't know what they were.)

the military guy. right?

 

[GrandmaBear]

In the Delphi case, I think there's no question about it that perp went there with the intent to commit murder but I don't think he went there knowing ahead of time who his victim would be.
In the Evansdale case, I think it's possible that the perp could have been somehow familiar with one or both girls.

I think perp in Delph did know. Evansdale I'm not sure but believe it likely as well. Not an argument, just my opinion.

I think in Delphi perp knew at least one girl if not both were going to be there or may be there. Evansdale, I think perp knew girls and their habit of being out and about, etc. perhaps.

 

[Regina]

the military guy. right?

Yeah, he was a Canadian Airforce pilot.
He was especially stealthy and one thing about his MO I find interesting is that in most instances, he'd entered homes more than once, and once he left a message on the victim's computer screen. (I don't see you agreeing with me but I find that the Ramsey perp might share a lot of the same characteristics except that I think that the Ramsey perp was much younger.)

 

[Regina]

I think perp knew girls and their habit of being out and about, etc. perhaps.

Perhaps. You know, it was summer break and I can imagine the girls having established a routine of riding their bikes around the lake.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Preventing child abduction & exploitation the focus of a Free Elizabeth Collins Foundation Event April 22

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (KWWL

www.kwwl.com

Preventing child abduction & exploitation the focus of a Free Elizabeth Collins Foundation Event April 22​

Keeping kids safe is the top priority of the Elizabeth Collins Foundation, a non-profit created following the abductions and murders of cousins, Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook-Morrisey, on July 13, 2012.

As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, The Elizabeth Collins Foundation invites the public to a free, ‘keeping kids safe,’ event Monday morning, April 22, 9am-Noon, at the Central Rivers Area Education Agency in Cedar Falls.

This free, public event, will feature guest speakers and a Memorial presentation for those who have lost their lives to homicide.

Resources on prevention of child abduction, exploitation and trafficking will be available at Central Rivers on April 22. For additional information contact Amy Neisen at 319-239-9236.

Keynote Speaker will be Patty Wetterling, whose 11-year old son, Jacob Wetterling, was kidnapped from his hometown of St. Joseph, Minnesota, on October 22, 1989.

 

[Sunburst]

I would agree in that two are unusual. And two girls. And two preadolescent or thereabouts girls. And in adjoining states. For ALL of the crime we know of and hear of it is uncanny as we don't hear of such or so many similarities of again TWO out on a hike or bike ride, etc. It isn't like it is IN and OR, these are bordering states with TWO girls and VERY similar crimes. Also not like they are 20 years apart either.

I can't ignore it either. It is not off my radar. And I am midwest and know traveling to adjoining states as we all do where we live... It is not far fetched and again, for all of the crime most of us have followed of which there are too many, two girls around this age murdered on a carefree day off seemingly out of the blue is unusual. In two adjoining states with, as you say, many similarities.

Is this a unique sick fantasy (two young girls) or is it an SK or budding one who wants to come in as different and superior to all SKs with TWO victims in every crime who he so magnificently (in his opinion) controlled and killed in his murders and was not caught for (or so he hoped/planned) to be more important, more significant, more newsworthy and historical in his pervert mind than any before him?

Yeah I have not dismissed it believe me. Abby and Libby they tried to say through the years it had nothing to do with social media but it did imo. If you take away SM, internet, etc. these seem like very opportunistic random crimes on days two girls just decided to go do something...

It ABSOLUTELY cannot be ignored unless they have absolute proof it could not be the same killer. AGREE.

So many are seeing Allen (and sadly a lot of others) as this poor abused innocent could do no wrong average quiet unassuming man. I don't see him that way at ALL. I see a monster. I see mind games. I see his ways and silence as a deeply disturbed man living a double life which most of these types are. Imo. Make no mistake about it, Allen is running the show/his own show. This is not at you, it is my strength in my belief as to what is going on.

I will however state that of course he is not convicted and I could be wrong but this is my opinion. He placed himself there. He admits to seeing certain people because he knew they saw him at this spot or that spot. LE did not frame him and manufacture that he was there.

He definitely could be responsible for Lyric and Elizabeth. Or as you say a similar type could. I agree. Too much to be ignored.

The physical resemblances between all 4 victims. Not coincidences. That is part of what does it for me as far as believing they are connected.

SKs tend to be attracted to the same general physical attributes in their victims. Bundy predominately preyed on girls and women with long dark hair parted in the middle. Larry D. Hall mostly killed brunettes with a slim, athletic build. To name just two.
I know for a fact that in the summer of 1982/83, Hall, or his identical twin brother, was on the Purdue campus because I saw him there. He was in an area called "The Mall" where students would congregate to sit outside on the grass to study and socialize in nice weather. John Purdue's grave is on The Mall, and there is/was a flagpole near the grave. The hairs on my neck were standing up as he stared at me for a couple of minutes. I must have stared him down or he saw something in my face, because he didn't walk any closer. Maybe I was too curvy for his preferred victim type.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Yeah, he was a Canadian Airforce pilot.
He was especially stealthy and one thing about his MO I find interesting is that in most instances, he'd entered homes more than once, and once he left a message on the victim's computer screen. (I don't see you agreeing with me but I find that the Ramsey perp might share a lot of the same characteristics except that I think that the Ramsey perp was much younger.)

Apparently I never saw this back when, no surprise with how hard it is for me to keep up with much these days.

I can see what you mean about the Ramsey perp but you are right I don't tend to agree as for me it was a family member. However, if here was a real outside perp, I see where you could get that. I just don't think that.

So I guess I'm not disagreeing other than I don't lean towards an intruder for tons of reasons.

I think who would perhaps e a similarity is Brian Kohberger. I'd almost suspec he was in the home before. I recall this Pilot's thing quite well, I am running out of time though and don't recall why he was mentioned in relation to this case. Off the top of my head I see no similarity. I'd have to look back. Maybe later I can but wouldn't count on it. I will try. Really behind on things this week in life.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Perhaps. You know, it was summer break and I can imagine the girls having established a routine of riding their bikes around the lake.

It is my leaning or around town and then the lake, etc. Or just the lake. Just knew their routine...

I'm not sold on anything over much in this one though I have to say. There just isn' enough to be very solid with an opinion.

This could be anyone, local or otherwise, much like Delphi was for many years as in who knows... And in that one there was a video but still took forever, in tis one far less.

 

[Regina]

Apparently I never saw this back when, no surprise with how hard it is for me to keep up with much these days.

I can see what you mean about the Ramsey perp but you are right I don't tend to agree as for me it was a family member. However, if here was a real outside perp, I see where you could get that. I just don't think that.

So I guess I'm not disagreeing other than I don't lean towards an intruder for tons of reasons.

I think who would perhaps e a similarity is Brian Kohberger. I'd almost suspec he was in the home before. I recall this Pilot's thing quite well, I am running out of time though and don't recall why he was mentioned in relation to this case. Off the top of my head I see no similarity. I'd have to look back. Maybe later I can but wouldn't count on it. I will try. Really behind on things this week in life.

I had to go back to see why on earth was I talking about the Ramsey case in this thread, lol!
I was responding to whether the perp had a criminal record and I mentioned Russell Williams because he'd started his crimes later in life and hadn't had a prior record and then I went on to mention that I see some of the same behaviors in him that I see in the Ramsey perp....Anyway...
Before I digressed into the Ramsey case (lol) I'd mentioned another case in Iowa where I thought that perp was a good suspect in this case but he was ruled out and I hadn't remember why but I've looked-up the case and found that apparently, LE had conclusive evidence that he was at home or near home in another town. (I'll go find an article to link.)
Here's one: Police: Klunder didn't kidnap Evansdale cousins

 

[GrandmaBear]

I had to go back to see why on earth was I talking about the Ramsey case in this thread, lol!
I was responding to whether the perp had a criminal record and I mentioned Russell Williams because he'd started his crimes later in life and hadn't had a prior record and then I went on to mention that I see some of the same behaviors in him that I see in the Ramsey perp....Anyway...
Before I digressed into the Ramsey case (lol) I'd mentioned another case in Iowa where I thought that perp was a good suspect in this case but he was ruled out and I hadn't remember why but I've looked-up the case and found that apparently, LE had conclusive evidence that he was at home or near home in another town. (I'll go find an article to link.)
Here's one: Police: Klunder didn't kidnap Evansdale cousins

I no longer recall how it relates either or did and no idea about this other man that was ruled out lol but it would relate if we were talking about like RA as he had no prior history anyone is aware of. For me never being caught doesn't mean they weren't doing any crimes throughout their lives though necessarily. Wheher Russell Williams, Richard Allen, Crybaby/Lisk/Heuermann who has no crimes other than some tax evasion and fraud and sh*t like that maybe but no killings, assaults and so on. Madlelinei Soto, Stephan has no records prior, of course he is not as old as some of these perps but still... Chad Daybell. Lori Daybell. Alex Cox. Not a thing on their record as to murders or felonies except I think for Alex's assault on Joe with a stun gun. Nada. There are many so I guess for me it doesn't mean anything or mean there aren't other victims either in some cases like in LISK he MAY well have been responsible for decades back... In Ramsey well, like in any where no one has been arrested and charged and people don't agree on nor can we know for certain who the perp was, that's a bit different than where there has been an arrest.

I do not recall what the point was or what I even said in response lol so just talking to this post here of yours now, and those without records and so on or who appeared to have never done anything bad until later in life.

In this one sadly, so little is known, at least by us, the perp could have been absolutely anyone and still could be, record or not, area person or not etc. MUCH like Delphi but with one big difference, in that one they have always had a video, witnesses who saw THE MAN that hem in THAT MAN. I am talking before Allen's arrest they had that much at least. In this one they don't. In both though the man still could have been just about anyone from anywhere as far as we knew. Of course we never knew a local guy had placed himself there. And early on.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Iowa Attorney General announces new cold case unit

There are more than 400 cold cases in the state including unsolved murders, suspicious disappearances, and unidentified human remains.

www.kcrg.com

Iowa Attorney General announces new cold case unit​

Iowa has a new task force focused on cold cases.

There are more than 400 cold cases in the state including unsolved murders, suspicious disappearances, and unidentified human remains.

The state’s Attorney General introduced the effort Tuesday. The unit will feature a team of a one prosecutor and three investigators. They will collaborate with local law enforcement officials.


Drew Collins also supported the creation of the new unit. Collins is the father of Elizabeth Collins, an Evansdale girl who disappeared with her cousin Lyric Cook-Morrisey almost twelve years ago. Their bodies were found months later.

“I think people think with time, it just heals. And really, time doesn’t heal these kinds of wounds,” he said.

Technological advancements give Collins hope..

“I think if they just work them a little more with new technologies, we’re going to probably see some of these old cases get solved. So that’s exciting for me to see some of these other families get justice. And we’re just hoping someday we do too,” he said.