On July 13, 10-year-old Lyric Cook and her 8-year-old cousin, Elizabeth Collins disappeared from Evansdale, Iowa–just fifty miles from where I live in Marion.
They left for a bike ride, and hours after they were reported missing, the girls’ bikes and purses were found near Meyers Lake. A search of the lake turned up no evidence, and Lyric and Elizabeth were believed to be abducted.
The FBI was called in and stated they believed the girls to be alive but declined to share the evidence leading them to that conclusion. Volunteers from all over the state launched a massive search effort in the small town of Evansdale, but there was no sign of the cousins.
On December 5th, two bodies were found by hunters in the Seven Bridges Wildlife Area. Investigators believed the remains to be that of Elizabeth and Lyric.
Days later, the state medical office confirmed the remains were in fact the missing girls. No cause of death or state of the bodies has been released.
Despite the amount of time the cousins had been missing, the family and residents had maintained hope. The small community is devastated and has rallied around the families.
Heather Collins, Elizabeth’s mother, posted the following message on Facebook after the news was released.
“We know that they are up in heaven with our savior,” she wrote. “Lord we know that you have them in your loving arms and we are so blessed.”
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad released the following statement after the positive identification was made:
“It was with great sadness that I learned of the deaths of Lyric and Elizabeth. I want to commend the thousands of family members, friends and volunteers who never lost hope that they might be found alive. With this closure now comes great grief. The thoughts and prayers of my administration go out to those affected by this terrible tragedy. I want to assure everyone that our Department of Public Safety will continue working with local law enforcement officers. We want justice served for the taking of these young lives.” SOURCE
My deepest sympathies go out to the families of Lyric and Elizabeth. As a parent, my worst nightmare is something happening to my child. I’m not sure I could recover, and I pray these parents are stronger than I am. I sincerely hope this case is solved, and I will continue to update you as we learn more.
This Christmas, as you are safe and warm with your families, say a prayer for Lyric, Elizabeth, and their families.
Stacy Green, Psychological Suspense Author 
I don’t know that “Like” is appropriate. Many prayers for the families.
Yeah, this is one time when a “dislike” button is really needed. Thanks for commenting.
This is a sad story that is unfortuneately repeated all over the continent. But God loves all the little children and judges their slayers harshly as will the courts, I’m sure when he or they are caught.
Yes it is. I can understand the criminal mind – to an extent – but child killers are beyond my comprehension. Absolutely!
That was beautiful! My heart breaks for their families and hope they continue to be comforted in the fact that their precious babies are now being held in the arms of angels.
Thank you. It’s just so awful. On the one hand, they have closure, but on they other, they also have no hope.
I don’t know how widespread this story was, but we live very close to where Laura Smithers, an 8th grader, was abducted. She was found dead days later. I can’t imagine the grief that the family felt. In her honor, they launched the Laura Recovery Center, which pools together resources to search for missing children–especially in those first, critical 48 hours. My heart goes out to the parents of Elizabeth and Lyric. Thanks for honoring them here, Stacy.