Saturday 10AM Update: Investigators in Evansdale Moving Out of Poyner Elementary School

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

FBI spokeswoman Sandy Breault talks during a news conference about the ongoing investigation for two missing girls, Sunday, July 22, 2012, in Evansdale, Iowa. The girls, cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, of Waterloo, Iowa, and Elizabeth Collins, 8, of Evansdale, were last seen on Friday, July 13 at Meyers Lake. (AP Photo/The Waterloo Courier, Dawn J. Sagert)

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By Belinda Yeung

Story Created: Jul 28, 2012 at 9:22 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 31, 2012 at 5:17 PM CDT

EVANSDALE, Iowa --- Investigators searching for two missing girls are moving out of the school that has served as their command center for nearly two weeks.

Capt. Rick Abben said Friday investigators are leaving Poyner Elementary School and heading back to the Evansdale Police Station inside the town’s Community Response Center.

Abben said the agents, who come from local departments, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, worked out of the center on Evans Road the first weekend they were in town.

“We are not cutting back on the agents,” he said.

The investigators have been searching for Elizabeth Collins, 8, and Lyric Cook-Morrissey 10, since July 13. He said the agents had originally moved to the school for more space and more privacy but “now the school system wants the school back.”

“The teachers are coming back on Monday,” he said.

Poyner Principal Trista Manternach said the investigators have been welcome at the school from the beginning, but as the school year approaches her teachers needed less restricted access to their classrooms.

“They were all very nice people, but we just felt like we were in the way,” she said. “We were more than willing to accommodate them, but as the year gets closer to starting the teachers like to get into their classrooms and get all ready so when school starts they don’t feel all rushed.”

Video


The Life & Love of Elizabeth Collins Celebration


Parents of Elizabeth Collins Speak to the Media on 12/13


Authorities Confident Remains Belong to Missing Girls


Authorities Announce Discovery of Two Bodies

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Photo Gallery


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Tip Line

Authorities are asking anyone who has any information on the case to call the tip line, at 319-232-6682 or send an e-mail to ourmissingiowagirls@dps.state.ia.us.

A reward of $150,000 has been established for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.



Timeline

Friday, July 13, 2012
  • 2:48PM Cousins Lyric Cook & Elizabeth Collins are reported missing      
  • 2:50PM Law enforcement begin searching the girls
  • 4PM Firefighters find the girls’ bike at Meyers Lake
  • 4:30PM Search of Meyers Lake begins
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