Monday 2PM Update: "We Just Want These Girls Back", Few Clues in Search for Missing Girls

KCRG/Gazette/Courier Staff Reports

Sarah Staebell ties pink ribbons for Lyric Cook- Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins, missing since last Friday, on light poles along Lafayette Street in Evandale Monday, July 16, 2012. (BRANDON POLLOCK / Courier Staff Photographer)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jul 16, 2012 at 1:06 PM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 11, 2012 at 12:06 PM CDT

EVANSDALE, Iowa – The search in Evansdale for two missing girls has entered day four with authorities saying they have found few clues along the way.

"We really have nothing new that I can tell you," Black Hawk County Capt. Rick Abben said during the press conference. "The search is continuing."

The search for Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, of Waterloo, and her 8-year-old cousin, Elizabeth Collins of Evansdale began Friday after the girls were last seen at 12:15 p.m. in downtown Evansdale. Their bikes were recovered about four hours later on the southeast corner of Meyers Lake along the bike trail.

During a morning press conference, Capt. Rick Abben with the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office said no clues have been recovered since Sunday evening. "We just want these girls back," Captain Abben said.

The only thing of significance that has been recovered since the search began Friday was Elizabeth's purse, which was located near the bikes.

Police are now walking through area businesses and knocking on doors in hopes of finding some information.

Authorities are also working to put together a timeline for Friday, the day the girls went missing. The two were last spotted riding their bikes near downtown Evansdale. When they didn’t return home, people started looking for them. Then, their bikes were found near Lake Meyers.

Throughout the weekend, hundreds of people gathered to search for the two girls, but the searches came up empty. Now, officers are telling volunteers they’re not needed to continue the search. Authorities say volunteers already did their part by covering a 12 square mile area in and around Lake Meyers. The heat is also a concern.

Family members believe abduction may be the explanation behind the disappearance. Police, however, said they don’t have any theories as to how the girls disappeared.

Authorities are continuing to look into any tips that are called in. They said they haven’t come up with any strong leads through that process. Police continue to encourage anyone with any information to call Evansdale Police at 319-232-6682.