Tuesday 12PM Update: Investigators Tape Off Larger Section of Lake As Search for Missing Girls Continues

KCRG/Gazette/Courier Staff Reports

Authorities have taped off a larger area around Meyers Lake, which is being drained, as authorities continue to search for Elizabeth Collins, 8, and Lyric Cook, 10, who were last seen on Friday. The girls' bicycles and a purse were discovered found near the lake, in Evansdale, Iowa, on Friday afternoon. (Dave Franzman/KCRG-The Gazette)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jul 17, 2012 at 12:52 PM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 11, 2012 at 12:11 PM CDT

EVANSDALE, Iowa – Authorities taped off a larger section around the shoreline of Meyers Lake Tuesday morning, stepping up search efforts in the area around the lake for any sign of the two Evansdale girls who disappeared Friday afternoon.

Earlier authorities had only marked off sections of the biking and hiking trail around the lake, where bicycles belonging to Elizabeth Collins, 8, and Lyric Cook, 10, and a purse were discovered Friday. The two girls haven’t been spotted since then, leading to massive search efforts through the weekend and into this week.

The lake level had dropped several feet Tuesday morning, after authorities decided Monday to drain the lake, apparently to aid in a shoreline search. Officers on the scene would not comment about their activities, but it appeared they were planning a more intensive search in areas now uncovered by the dropping water.

Members of Cook’s family are at the lake Tuesday, appearing on national network news programs to talk about the search. Tammy Brousseau, the aunt of both girls, said the family is not expecting the draining of the lake to reveal any new information.

Family members said they agree with Evansdale firefighters that dragging operations should have uncovered any evidence of the girls in the lake, but said they do support the draining decision to support their assumptions.

The next news briefing for the media is set for Tuesday at 4 p.m.

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