7/15/12, 6 PM Press Conference: Black Hawk County Sheriff’s deputy Rick Abben Discusses Searches for Missing Lyric Cook-Morrissey & Her Cousin Elizabeth Collins in Evansdale, Iowa

This evening at 6 pm CT, authorities gave a press conference for missing 8 year old Elizabeth Collins and her her cousin 10 year old Lyric Cook-Morrissey. The two have been missing since Friday, July 13 when they were last seen a little after noon in downtown Evansdale near the Lederman’s Safety Shoe shop.

LIVE Press Conferences can be see HERE.

Black Hawk County Sheriff’s deputy Rick Abben addressed the media following Sundays search efforts for missing Elizabeth Collins and her her cousin Lyric Cook.  Abben stated that the search area had been expanded and are now searching 12-square mile area. That search is being conducted on foot, on horseback and on 4 wheelers. Door to door searches in Evansdale continue by authorities.

Deputy Rick Abben also stated that the dragging operations at Myers Lake have stopped and that they are confident that Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook are not in the lake.

The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department asked the public that anyone who was in the area of Meyers Lake on Friday on foot or on the bicycle paths and who might have seen anything to please call the tip line, Evansdale police at 319-232-6682.

900 volunteers showed up on Sunday for the search. No organized volunteer search is planned for Monday tomorrow, however, authorities are meeting to go over events of the day to determine whether they will conduct a search for tomorrow, stay tune.

LE is talking to parents, relatives, friends and other people in the community, not interrogated.

No new clues and nothing was found today in the searches of any use as evidence.

Backgrounds of construction workers in the area are being checked. There is also concern that Hwy 20 is so close to the location of where the bikes, purse and cell phone was located.

Deputy Rick Abben stated that the two girls do not have any history of running away.