IA IA - Elizabeth Collins, 8, & Lyric Cook, 10, Evansdale, 13 July 2012 - #18

[GrainneDhu]

Although it may not be a nice thing to do (or say,) I imagine that given the family's uh.. situation, other children may have been discouraged from associating with L and E.

It sounds to me like HC and DC have a sterling reputation in their community. It has been reported that they are active in their church, which is a big thing in Iowa. Ollipop said that they have the reputation of being stand-up people.

There have also been reports of Elizabeth playing with the neighbourhood children, which does not sound like shunning to me.

 

[Snowbunny]

Been trying to catch up ever since I got home from work. Elizabeth's family appears to be decent folks and I'm sure Elizabeth more than likely gets along with everybody from the sounds of it but I don't think Lyric has had it very easy. With her parents being in trouble with the law in the past or present, I'm sure there are parents that didn't want their kids around her because of her parents. Also I wanted to mention that if you do a bit of sleuthing you will find there have been a few attempts in the surrounding areas where someone in a white van has been approaching kids. That's more than likely where this white van theory comes from.

 

[CHERIE.T]

Although it may not be a nice thing to do (or say,) I imagine that given the family's uh.. situation, other children may have been discouraged from associating with L and E.

No kidding dotr and sadly I agree. I know children shouldn't be judged by their parents actions but it's likely that happened, Imoo.

 

[Elley Mae]

Been trying to catch up ever since I got home from work. Elizabeth's family appears to be decent folks and I'm sure Elizabeth more than likely gets along with everybody from the sounds of it but I don't think Lyric has had it very easy. With her parents being in trouble with the law in the past or present, I'm sure there are parents that didn't want their kids around her because of her parents. Also I wanted to mention that if you do a bit of sleuthing you will find there have been a few attempts in the surrounding areas where someone in a white van has been approaching kids. That's more than likely where this white van theory comes from.

You said what I have thought. I know that Lyric was older but I am sure she has seen and heard a whole different life. The white van, the dreaded white van. Back in the day (beltway sniper) they were looking for a white van, if you actually look around the next time your out driving count the white vans. They are everywhere. But... It is my opinion that the girls did get a ride to the lake, only it was to drop of the bikes. It could have been a white van. jmo

 

[CHERIE.T]

Hmm that is a very good point SapphireSteel. Come to think of it I guess that's mostly what my parents taught me. When I ran into an adult in trouble I usually looked for an adult to help. I hope the same is true for Lyric and Elizabeth. I wonder if that was part of the "stranger danger" talk with them.

Not being snarky at all but that didn't happen as I see it.
If it did the girls or at least one of them would have likely
escaped.

 

[CHERIE.T]

Breault said the search has been slowed because of the time required to drain the lake. The draining began Monday afternoon and could take up to three days. But local officials said the draining likely will go faster because of the already low level of the lake and the Cedar River into which it drains.
***
"We have no reason to believe there was any foul play at this time," he (ABBEN) said. "Everyone is suspect until we find something."

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/artic...a-cousins-near-lake-3711844.php#ixzz25ApENbLG

Interesting statement from FBI.
***
I don't understand Abben's statement at all. No foul play but everyone is a suspect??????? If no foul play how can anyone be suspect???

You know what bothers me about Abben's comment?
He said there was no reason to suspect foul play.......
that was IMO his first mistake.
Little 8 and 10 year old girls don't just go missing!
Did Abben's attitude impede the investigation?
Was precious search time lost?
:moo:

 

[CHERIE.T]

In that same article, TB "an aunt to both girls, said all the signs were pointing to a stranger — possibility a pedophile — abducting them from the area near the lake where their bikes were found." MOO

Again, that was awfully darn specific!

 

[CHERIE.T]

Hmm. What signs? I do remember thinking it was strange they were already suspecting a pedophile so early, IMO. Did they have some kind of warning, or someone they were already worried about, maybe?

It wasn't THEY who were suspecting!
It was one person, the aunt. :moo:

 

[nikb]

It wasn't THEY who were suspecting!
It was one person, the aunt. :moo:

Very good point. Thank you!

 

[Dr. Know?]

You know what bothers me about Abben's comment?
He said there was no reason to suspect foul play.......
that was IMO his first mistake.
Little 8 and 10 year old girls don't just go missing!
Did Abben's attitude impede the investigation?
Was precious search time lost?
:moo:

Abben was a spokesperson. He wasn't a lead investigator on the girl's case obviously by his statements made live and on the news. What's the lead investigators name Moss? The local detective in charge at one point?

 

[nikb]

Sorry for the repeat link but I thought it might be a somewhat inspiring start for the next weekend as we go into trying to find the girls.

Elizabeth Shoaf's story. I was really moved listening to her interview. She went through things so upsetting you could tell even the reporter was hesitant asking questions, but she's so strong IMO, made it home, and amazingly didn't even lose her sweet smile.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23522127/ns/dateline_nbc-crime_reports/#.UD1yddZlRvA

I keep hoping against hope that maybe 'our' Elizabeth will be the next to do such an interview, accompanied by her cousin Lyric. It's still a very upsetting scenario, but alive, they can recover from whatever happened/is happening IMO.

 

[GrainneDhu]

You know what bothers me about Abben's comment?
He said there was no reason to suspect foul play.......
that was IMO his first mistake.
Little 8 and 10 year old girls don't just go missing!
Did Abben's attitude impede the investigation?
Was precious search time lost?
:moo:

Respectfully, I interpreted Chief Deputy Rick Abben's comment quite differently.

I think he was speaking in the literal sense: they had not yet found any evidence of foul play, such as blood, bullet casings or any other forensic evidence.

Since he followed that statement up by saying everyone was a suspect, I believe that indicates he was speaking in terms of a crime rather than in terms of thinking the girls' disappearance was the result of an accident.

So far as I can see, no search time was lost. LE was prompt and quite thorough.

 

[rachaellouise]

Gotta ask at this point, what's the members theories? Do you think the girls are alive or dead?

 

[ttcRider]

Gotta ask at this point, what's the members theories? Do you think the girls are alive or dead?

I have been following this story since it began but haven't posted. Not sure what to add that hasn't been posted already. Sadly I do not believe they are still with us.

 

[Sunlight]

Okay, I have a theory I'm tossing around now, because of this:

TB "an aunt to both girls, said all the signs were pointing to a stranger — possibility a pedophile — abducting them from the area near the lake where their bikes were found."

Lyric and her cousin, TB's daughter, were so late a few days before the disappearance, the family was so worried about there whereabouts that they called the Waterloo PD. They had reportedly been at the park at one point while they were gone.

TB, according to Gracelin's thoughts, may have interrupted something involving one of her daughters plans on the day the girls went missing.

TB was the one whose lightbulb went on when she said they needed to go to the lake to find the girls, when GMA returned with her from Waterloo the day the girls went missing.

When she says, "from the area near" where the bikes were found...that is really specific. I think that sounds like the (Maiden Lane) woods...where she says the dogs scent led.
It could even mean a house nearby, but she says "area" and she stressed the scent went into the "forest", etc.


So...I'm thinking that TB's gut feeling was based on connecting some dots.

I think those are some of "the signs".

I don't think she knows who that person is, but she may have an idea and if she does, I'm sure LE is following that lead.

MOO

 

[Simp]

Gotta ask at this point, what's the members theories? Do you think the girls are alive or dead?

I have also been following this case from the beginning. I believe the girls were taken on the trail, where the bikes were found. I do not believe the girls are still alive, sad to say. I hope I am wrong, and we gladly eat a large serving of crow if I'm wrong!!!
MOO

 

[TxLady2]

No offense taken. Oops..my responses are showing in the quote...after each paragraph. Sorry.

Thanks. I knew about the sheriff saying he wasn't aware about that sighting but I took that to mean he couldn't confirm whether it was credible or not.

I suppose there are times when there is inaccurate information put out by some LE, but I assume it's for a reason we don't understand. As to the FBI, they are notoriously misleading, IMO.

I do believe LE should double check the information that's put on these missing posters before making them up, but sometimes that kind of thing is delegated to a clerk who may or may not take the time to check the facts before hitting print.

 

[iamnotagolem]

Gotta ask at this point, what's the members theories? Do you think the girls are alive or dead?

I personally think they were both killed before the police were contacted.

 

[Thespyma]

Gotta ask at this point, what's the members theories? Do you think the girls are alive or dead?

As time has passed, I hoped they were alive somewhere but my gut tells me this is probably not true...I think they are gone. I still hope I am wrong but the feeling is strong.

 

[southsleuth]

I personally think they were both killed before the police were contacted.

Sadly, I agree. Not sure about family involvement, but their lifestyle allows creepy people to be attracted to them.