MURDERED: Lyric Cook-Morrissey & Elizabeth Collins, July 13, 2012, Evansdale, Iowa - Part One

On July 13, 2012, ten-year-old Lyric Cook-Morrissey and eight-year-old Elizabeth Collins went for a bike ride in the quiet town of Evansdale, Iowa and never came home. Their bicycles and a purse were found abandoned, sparking a massive search effort that gripped the community and the nation. Months later, their remains were discovered in a remote area over 20 miles away.

In this episode we will cover the timeline of their disappearance, the massive search effort, the investigation into their families, and the finding of their remains. 

To this day, their case remains unsolved. But that doesn't mean there is no hope. With the right tip, the right piece of evidence, or the right person coming forward, their families and the community can finally have answers. 

If you have any information about the circumnstances surrounding the disapearance and murder of Lyric and Elizabeth, the best way to submit a tip is to email [e-mail]. 

You can also call the Evansdale Police tip line at 232-6682 or Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at 855-300-8477.

For resources on substance use and domestic violence, please explore the following websites that offer resources: samhsa.gov, thehotline.org 

SOURCES: 

Misty Cook, mother of Lyric Cook-Morrissey, arrested on meth charges, KCRG, JUNE 8, 2023

Dan Morrissey, dad of missing Iowa girl Lyric Cook-Morrissey, faces possible trial amid search for cousins, CBS News, July 26, 2012

Heller, Aaron and Agee, Nicole, 10 years after Evansdale case, investigators inching closer to justice, July 15, 2022, KCRG TV9

Klingseis, Katherine, Body found in river identified as kidnapped Iowa teen, The Des Moines Register

KCCI, New DNA technology being used in Evansdale cousin abduction case 13 years later, Laura Terrell, July 14, 2025, KCCI

Lyric & Elizabeth: 10 Years Later - A Parent’s Perspective, May & June 2022, KCRG-TV9

Sederstrom, Jill, Grandfather of Teen Killed in Delphi Murders Says Girl and Her Friend “Had to be Scared Out of Their Minds”, February 21, 2025, NBC

Taken Together: Who Killed Lyric and Elizabeth, August 8, 2024, HBO Max

Bodies found believed to be Iowa girls who went missing in July, December 5, 2012, NBC News

Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Morrissey Case Summary, Jody Ewing, Iowa Cold Cases

Support the show

If you have any information on any of the cold cases covered, you can submit a tip here:

https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-crime-victims/iowa-cold-case/cold-case-tip-form

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