Elizabeth Collins, Lyric Cook-Morrissey Update: Autopsy confirms bodies found are missing Iowa cousins

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Undated photos of missing Iowa cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey (left) and Elizabeth Collins (right)

/ Personal photos

(CBS/AP) EVANSDALE, Iowa - An autopsy confirmed Monday that two bodies found last week in a wildlife area are those of missing Iowa cousins Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook-Morrissey, police say.

PICTURES: Bodies of missing Iowa cousins identified

Police Chief Kent Smock said he received confirmation from the Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office that the bodies were the two cousins, who went missing on July 13. The full autopsy hasn't been released to police.

Elizabeth was 8-years-old and Lyric was 10-years-old when they went for a bike ride in the northeastern Iowa community of Evansdale and didn't return.

Hunters found their bodies last week in the Seven Bridges Wildlife Area in Bremer County, about 25 miles from where they were last seen. Authorities closed the park while they searched for evidence connected to the case but now have reopened the area.

Complete coverage of the case of the missing Iowa cousins on Crimesider

23 Photos

Bodies of missing Iowa cousins identified

View the Full Gallery »

5 Comments +

Add a Comment


by jewele74 December 12, 2012 12:41 AM EST: I haven't read anything in any of the media reports that relate exactly how the authorities are certain these girls were victims of foul play. Was the condition of the bodies such that foul-play was evident? Or are they running on the previous theory that the girls were abducted, and what evidence is there to support that? The way all the agencies are reporting this doesn't clarify WHY they think this was an abduction-turned-homicide rather than 2 girls getting lost in the woods and perishing to the elements....maybe I'm missing it.; Reply to this comment


by FormerUSMCSergeant December 11, 2012 10:28 PM EST: How does a child get a hyphenated name?; Reply to this comment

by txsunshyne December 11, 2012 1:24 PM EST

I wonder if it's conncted to the Oklahoma case from a few years back where the two girls were out riding there bikes and were also killed. I pray the family is finding some peace in this horrible tragedy.

Reply to this comment


by jewele74 December 12, 2012 12:35 AM EST: I think you're referring to best friends Taylor Paschal-Placker and Skyla Whittaker. A delusional man by the name of Kevin Sweat confessed and was arrested of those murders. There is very strong evidence to suggest he is the right man, and as he is in custody, I doubt these cases are related.


by VA_Jill December 11, 2012 11:38 AM EST: So very sad, but not unexpected. I wonder if they will ever be able to solve the case since so much time has passed.; Reply to this comment