Update on missing Evansdale, Iowa girls
Authorities have stopped draining a lake in Evansdale on Thursday and wait the arrival of the FBI dive team to search for the two missing girls.
The FBI would use two types on sonar in the search of the lake, reports CNN. The divers were set to arrive on Thursday but will likely start the search on Friday.
Elizabeth Collins and her cousin, Lyric Cook-Morrissey went missing near Meyers Lake at about 12:15 p.m. Friday. The girls were going to ride their bikes, according to Des Moines Register.
The girls’ bikes were found by the lake at about 4 p.m. Friday and Collins’ pursue and cell phone was found about 20 feet away.
Scent dogs have also been used to help find the girls, along with volunteers.
The home of Misty Cook-Morrissey, Lyric’s mother, and her grandmother’s home has been searched.
Lyric’s father Daniel Morrissey said he walked out of a police polygraph session because of accusations made against him hurting the girls and knowing their whereabouts.
Also, the family has all been polygraphed and questioned and had information taken from their cell phones.
Cook-Morrissey thinks it is very unlikely that the girls are in the lake and she suggests a possible kidnapping.
“They don’t swim there. My daughter is familiar with swimming in lakes, so I don’t think she would be scared of this lake, but they don’t come here and swim here,” she said. “Because we haven’t found them anywhere in the surrounding area, I feel like maybe they were taken.”
Elizabeth Collins is about 4 feet 1 inch, 80 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Lyric Cook- Morrissey is about 4 feet 11 inches, 145 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
“We’ve covered everything we can cover with civilian people,” said Marcus Norman, volunteer coordinator with Evansdale Fire Department. “Law enforcement is still working on the residential areas and things of that sort.”
According to the Quad City Times, officers are following all tips, conducting family and friend interviews, and contacting known sex offenders in the area.
“Just a continuous 24/7 operation,” said Abben, who’s acting as public information officer for the case.
There is a $15,000 reward offered for information resulting in the girls being found and also a Tip Line that is open 24 hours, (319) 232-6682. Donations towards the reward can also be made at the 1st Security State Bank in Evansdale.
