IA IA - Elizabeth Collins, 8, & Lyric Cook, 10, Evansdale, 13 July 2012 - #31

[Marilynilpa]

One of the earlier articles made it sound like it is a HUGE overgrown area and that if the hunters had walked five feet to the right the girls still wouldn't be found. The pictures we see don't make it seem that way though, do they?

The photos we've seen weren't taken during the summer when trees, bushes and vegetation are in full growth. I imagine it is very dense and overgrown in July.

 

[georger]

One of the earlier articles made it sound like it is a HUGE overgrown area and that if the hunters had walked five feet to the right the girls still wouldn't be found. The pictures we see don't make it seem that way though, do they?

No they dont, at least not to me but this is something locals would know about firsthand ... what keeps almost haunting me is a possible vital connection between whoever did this and 7-Bridges. Drugs, hunting, a place to shoot guns, homeless person's sanctuary last year ??? I keep assuming LE is researching all of that and perhaps came up empty? LE has warned against independent action in this matter but the longer things go unresolved the more I wonder if private citizens could not be 'shaking the bushes' regarding people who are known users of 7-Bridges over the years?

I am sure I am not the only person has similar thoughts ?? Any opinions pro and con here?
I wonder what law enforcement's reaction would be, positive or negative? Maybe some local
has an opinion? Maybe I'm way out on a limb here and should just keep my "opinions" to myself!

 

[Squeeze]

No they dont, at least not to me but this is something locals would know about firsthand ... what keeps almost haunting me is a possible vital connection between whoever did this and 7-Bridges. Drugs, hunting, a place to shoot guns, homeless person's sanctuary last year ??? I keep assuming LE is researching all of that and perhaps came up empty? LE has warned against independent action in this matter but the longer things go unresolved the more I wonder if private citizens could not be 'shaking the bushes' regarding people who are known users of 7-Bridges over the years?

I am sure I am not the only person has similar thoughts ?? Any opinions pro and con here?
I wonder what law enforcement's reaction would be, positive or negative? Maybe some local
has an opinion? Maybe I'm way out on a limb here and should just keep my "opinions" to myself!

On this, I agree with you 100%. I think it would be helpful if LE would publicly state that they are looking for leads of people who may have a connection with both 7 bridges and Evansdale. To me, this would be obvious, but maybe that one tipster might realize that they might know something/someone and call it in.

LE may not want people poking around on their own, but IMO they absolutely appreciate any tips the public can provide.

 

[foxbluff]

There is another letter to the editor in today's Waterloo Courier about not forgetting the other angels who have been abused, molested, and murdered in the Cedar Valley. The writer would like a memorial built for them, too.

Ty Roses for this: http://wcfcourier.com/news/opinion/...cle_a700118e-b7ea-11e2-9fa1-0019bb2963f4.html

I have tried and failed to respond (3) times...

Perhaps I'm "timing out here(?)," but for whatever reason my responses have gotten lost... poof... grrrh...

Soooo (for what it's worth), I agree w/the writer's original premise but disagree w/her solution to the problem...

Perhaps our sleuths here would like to guess what my thoughts are on the subject... <just kidding ya> :floorlaugh:

 

[cindersoot]

Body found in field south of Readlyn, Iowa. The Bremer Co. sheriffs office responded to a report of a bodyfound shortly before 10am today in a field drive south of town. The body was identified as Jeffery Gossman 47 of Waterloo, the death is being investigated.

 

[Considering]

Body found in field south of Readlyn, Iowa. The Bremer Co. sheriffs office responded to a report of a bodyfound shortly before 10am today in a field drive south of town. The body was identified as Jeffery Gossman 47 of Waterloo, the death is being investigated.

The body wasn't found today (Saturday). I read the article several days ago. I'll search for the link. Another man was found not far from Ankney a few days later.

Here it is: http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/bo...cle_be37ab48-b699-11e2-be22-0019bb2963f4.html

"At this time, no foul play is suspected."



Body found around 10 miles north of Ankley on May 9: http://wcfcourier.com/news/state-an...cle_022bbda3-7bfd-5581-bd0e-c0d95c83d96f.html

"...no signs of foul play, though the location of the body is unusual."


Interesting locations.

 

[Bootsctr]

Just wanted to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers of Websleuths and especially to the ones here at Elizabeth and Lyric's place!

 

[Darcyline]

No they dont, at least not to me but this is something locals would know about firsthand ... what keeps almost haunting me is a possible vital connection between whoever did this and 7-Bridges. Drugs, hunting, a place to shoot guns, homeless person's sanctuary last year ??? I keep assuming LE is researching all of that and perhaps came up empty? LE has warned against independent action in this matter but the longer things go unresolved the more I wonder if private citizens could not be 'shaking the bushes' regarding people who are known users of 7-Bridges over the years?

I am sure I am not the only person has similar thoughts ?? Any opinions pro and con here?
I wonder what law enforcement's reaction would be, positive or negative? Maybe some local
has an opinion? Maybe I'm way out on a limb here and should just keep my "opinions" to myself!

I agree completely, but I think the potential issue is that 7 Bridges (from what I understand-if I have misunderstood anything I hope locals will jump in and correct me!) is fairly widely used. There are people who hunt, people who hike, people who camp there, people who have small parties there. Then, we would also have to cast a fairly wide net for time periods. Like, this could be someone in his 50s who knew of 7 Bridges when he was younger, but doesn't necessarily visit it all the time now. I almost feel like LE would have to narrow the search further than just who has any type of connection, but how would they or we do that? People who visit 7 Bridges and have a record? A certain type of record? Some type of connection to the family?

I wonder if they could say we need tips about people familiar with the 7 Bridges area in connection to the crime and maybe someone knows the person and has a gut feeling. I feel like at least one person has a gut feeling right now about someone in their lives and who knows what will make them come forward? Maybe it would be that.

Any local input on just how widely used the area is? I am assuming the perp had to have used the area before and felt comfortable with it so theoretically if we had that list we would have the perp's name. However, of course, that list doesn't exist.

 

[cindersoot]

The body wasn't found today (Saturday). I read the article several days ago. I'll search for the link. Another man was found not far from Ankney a few days later.

Here it is: http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/bo...cle_be37ab48-b699-11e2-be22-0019bb2963f4.html

"At this time, no foul play is suspected."



Body found around 10 miles north of Ankley on May 9: http://wcfcourier.com/news/state-an...cle_022bbda3-7bfd-5581-bd0e-c0d95c83d96f.html

"...no signs of foul play, though the location of the body is unusual."


Interesting locations.

I was adding it here verbatim. Not my words.

 

[Squeeze]

I agree completely, but I think the potential issue is that 7 Bridges (from what I understand-if I have misunderstood anything I hope locals will jump in and correct me!) is fairly widely used. There are people who hunt, people who hike, people who camp there, people who have small parties there. Then, we would also have to cast a fairly wide net for time periods. Like, this could be someone in his 50s who knew of 7 Bridges when he was younger, but doesn't necessarily visit it all the time now. I almost feel like LE would have to narrow the search further than just who has any type of connection, but how would they or we do that? People who visit 7 Bridges and have a record? A certain type of record? Some type of connection to the family?

I wonder if they could say we need tips about people familiar with the 7 Bridges area in connection to the crime and maybe someone knows the person and has a gut feeling. I feel like at least one person has a gut feeling right now about someone in their lives and who knows what will make them come forward? Maybe it would be that.

Any local input on just how widely used the area is? I am assuming the perp had to have used the area before and felt comfortable with it so theoretically if we had that list we would have the perp's name. However, of course, that list doesn't exist.

It must be fairly well known to the locals near Readlyn, Denver, Waverly, dunkerton. Like ive said before, I'm from Waterloo and have never heard of it, and we own property near Fairbank. So the key would be someone probably living in Evansdale or visits frequently, with ties to that area.

I don't think that the park is frequented much now. Maybe the occasional camper, but how many people camp anymore without modern amenities??

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

 

[cindersoot]

Yes, last time I went to seven bridges I forgot to take my directions with me and we got lost even though we had been there once before. We ended up in Gilbertville south of Evansdale and I stopped at a Caseys and asked for directions. The lady at the register didn't know, and two local men from Gilberville didn't know, then another man came in and said he thinks it's by Dunkerton, and told me to go that way. Which we did and once I drove thru Dunkerton I remembered how to get there. But, my point is, that even locals didn't know how to get to seven bridges. So I feel it was someone who has grown up in the area, like when the place was more popular.

 

[georger]

Yes, last time I went to seven bridges I forgot to take my directions with me and we got lost even though we had been there once before. We ended up in Gilbertville south of Evansdale and I stopped at a Caseys and asked for directions. The lady at the register didn't know, and two local men from Gilberville didn't know, then another man came in and said he thinks it's by Dunkerton, and told me to go that way. Which we did and once I drove thru Dunkerton I remembered how to get there. But, my point is, that even locals didn't know how to get to seven bridges. So I feel it was someone who has grown up in the area, like when the place was more popular.

... very good illustration! ... or who learned of it and then knew how to
get there ... in other words? A place one would not easily stumble on without
time to burn (without asking directions, being noticed) ??

Your illustration (experiment) suggests someone with a history at 7-Bridges.

 

[georger]

I agree completely, but I think the potential issue is that 7 Bridges (from what I understand-if I have misunderstood anything I hope locals will jump in and correct me!) is fairly widely used. There are people who hunt, people who hike, people who camp there, people who have small parties there. Then, we would also have to cast a fairly wide net for time periods. Like, this could be someone in his 50s who knew of 7 Bridges when he was younger, but doesn't necessarily visit it all the time now. I almost feel like LE would have to narrow the search further than just who has any type of connection, but how would they or we do that? People who visit 7 Bridges and have a record? A certain type of record? Some type of connection to the family?

I wonder if they could say we need tips about people familiar with the 7 Bridges area in connection to the crime and maybe someone knows the person and has a gut feeling. I feel like at least one person has a gut feeling right now about someone in their lives and who knows what will make them come forward? Maybe it would be that.

Any local input on just how widely used the area is? I am assuming the perp had to have used the area before and felt comfortable with it so theoretically if we had that list we would have the perp's name. However, of course, that list doesn't exist.

I will add this for whatever its worth -

There are some city types who would not venture into a rural place like
7-Bridges, undeveloped and virgin as it is/was.

7-Bridges suggests either someone not afraid to enter into a rural semi wild
place vs. someone who knew the place, rural type, someone who can take
care of themselves and feels comfortable in a natural setting of that kind..
or someone too drunk or stoned etc to care (in and out)! And someone
either with knowledge or without fear or being come upon there with the
girls ... just in case another visitor would arrive at the same time..

Locals who knew the place would have a definite advantage.

And locals might have an advantage knowing who has used the place
before on a regular basis - someone not suspected or expected in a
situation like (Cleveland) ? Maybe Cleveland's example is pointing the way ?

It has to be a short-list ! ???

 

[Darcyline]

I am not entirely convinced it would be a very short list or not many people know about it. I just say that because there is a "niche" market for people who do like that type of area. Like, I would have no idea how to get around hunting grounds around my town if anyone asked, but there would be a fairly sizable amount of hunters who would be able to tell you immediately. I feel like it would be the same there. Maybe the general population isn't that familiar with it, but if you rounded up every hunter, hiker, naturalist, camper, or partier who has ever used it the list would probably be pretty long.
It would be interesting to see some data though. Like I said, as a non-local I have seen people say it is pretty much abandoned and then I have also seen people say that there is a pretty significant amount of hunters or others who go there as well as partying teens.

Not saying this to be discouraging-I just think that this is what LE is coming up against. No real "official" list of who has been there and potentially when you consider a large time span a longer list than you might think-potentially hundreds of names all of whom could be suspects. I wonder how we could help or if that gets into vigilante territory

I definitely think it is someone local and a specific type of local and that gives me hope. There are only so many people that could fit that general profile.

 

[SapphireSteel]

The perp is definitely local imo - which makes one wonder why there has been no "there is a predator in our midst' type warnings such as with Jessica Ridgeway.

Perhaps because LE know there isn't?

o/t but kind of not - I've just read up on the mongrel who murdered Kaylie and Lana Bayley. Interesting as he was sentenced to jail for attempting to murder his boss, but prosecutors allowed him to plead down and he was out within a couple of years.

They allowed him to plead down because


Franklin County Attorney Stephen Hunting, who worked on the Free case and is leading the new case against Flack, said prosecutors downgraded the charges to what they could prove, as conflicting evidence weakened the case.

“There was evidence and information at that time that could not be strongly enough corroborated and proven at trial to secure the original conviction,” Hunting said.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2013/may/12/defendant-ottawa-homicide-case-facing-capital-murd/


I suspect something similar is going on here, evidence wise, hence no arrest - or, the perp is already incarcerated for something else so LE are taking their own sweet time building a bullet proof case.

:cow:

 

[katydid23]

I wonder if 7 Bridges was a place that the teens went to party. A local who grew up there would know about it then.

 

[SapphireSteel]

I wonder if 7 Bridges was a place that the teens went to party. A local who grew up there would know about it then.

It was and they did - still do I think.

There are locals who have posted on this, I'll see if I can find the link.

The park was very well used by campers and picknickers (and partiers) until the bridge went out IIRC, now it's almost become the town dump.

 

[Bootsctr]

7 Bridges had been a full-fledged park at one time but county officials ceased maintaining it several years ago.

&#8220;It&#8217; not really a park anymore, more of a hunting access,&#8221; Riley said. &#8220;Usually pretty quiet.&#8221;

Other residents said it is popular for fishing, mushroom hunting and underage beer parties.

The park has been used to dispose of evidence in the past. In November 2007, Martaves Keys went to the park to get rid of the gun he used to kill Anissa Schroeder and Ronald Scullark in Waterloo and burn his bloody clothing. A search diver recovered the weapon from the Wapsipinicon River after a witness came forward.

http://wcfcourier.com/news/evansdal...cle_394b71f6-3f2c-11e2-8ae9-0019bb2963f4.html

What kind of mushrooms grow in Iowa? I suspect mushroom hunters would be a relatively smaller group than people that fish and hunt. Underage beer partiers would more than likely include a large number of people that could date back for many years I agree.

 

[Bootsctr]

Timeline for July 13, 2012

"Friday, July 13, 2012

2:48 p.m., Cousins Lyric Cook Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins are reported missing.

2:50 p.m., Evansdale police search the home and the area using three squad cars.

3:15 p.m., Black Hawk sheriff&#8217;s office sends four cars to help. Fire department requested to help and uses a Gator to check bike trails.

4 p.m., Firefighters find the girls&#8217; bike at Meyers Lake.

4:30 p.m., Girls' names are entered into the National Crime Information Center, a nationwide FBI database that includes missing persons.

4:30 p.m., Fire department begins dragging Meyers Lake.

4:40 p.m., County Emergency Management Agency notified and begins Everbridge automated messages to phones in the area to alert residents.

5 p.m., Canvas of lake neighborhood beings.

5:30 p.m., Officer meets with Collins to obtain photos of the girls.

5:30 p.m., Media notified of the disappearance.

5:30 p.m., Divers with Cedar Valley Underwater Search and Rescue, a local team of volunteers, is called to help search the lake.

6:30 p.m., Law enforcement and civilians conduct search of wooded areas. This continues until about 3:30 a.m. the following day.

7 p.m., Iowa State Patrol airplane with forward-looking infrared joins the search. Authorities begin interviewing local people listed on the state Sex Offender Registry.

8 p.m., Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified. FBI brought in. STAR-1, an Iowa search and rescue group, is contacted.

8:30 p.m., NCMEC begins emailing and faxing photos and descriptions of the girls to truck stops, stores and public places within a 100 mile radius of Evansdale."

http://wcfcourier.com/news/evansdal...tml_c8ef29ca-d077-11e1-8635-001a4bcf887a.html

 

[Bootsctr]

Meyers Lake

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FBI agents examine the lake and determine the girls are not in the water. Authorities reclassify the case from a missing person case to an abduction. On July 21, the FBI states they believe the girls are still alive.