IA IA - Elizabeth Collins, 8, & Lyric Cook, 10, found deceased, Evansdale, 13 Jul 2012 #38

[otto]

The only real similarities in the cases are that they both took place in eastern Iowa as well as the mass media coverage. I can't see them being connected.

I think the massive media coverage is due to the fact that the Evansdale cousins, and Mollie, vanished in extremely unusual circumstances that led to the immediate suspicion of a stranger abduction. Police spent days searching Meyers Lake because the bikes, as well as Lizzie's phone and purse, misled police to believe that the girls were in the area. The predator deliberately left evidence that led police in the wrong direction. I suspect that the digital trail that led police to the Guernsey area is the same tactic - deliberate evidence to mislead police. This suggests to me a very calculating predator with a good understanding of technology who cleverly uses an understanding of investigative techniques to manipulate investigators into wasting time looking in the wrong place.

The fact that social media suspected Lyric's parents due to drug problems is nothing new, but parental drug problems has yet to lead to directly causing the murder of a child. For example, when Jessica Ridgeway disappeared, social media focused on "single mom" issues and questioned drug use, when Victoria Stafford was murdered, social media was rabid with accusations against her mom due to her drug use. In both cases, the victim's mothers had nothing to do with the disappearances.

What is most significant for me is the July 13, 2012 abductions of Lyric and Elizabeth, and the July 18, 2018 abduction of Mollie. I'm of the opinion that everyone who lives in the farming community between Evansdale and Brooklyn should be reflecting on the behavior of family and friends around those two time periods.

 

[thecatmeows]

Most (locals and social media) suspected Lyric's parents' circle of acquaintances or friends because her dad was set to go on trial the next day. It was believed Lyric was grabbed to keep him quiet.

This suggests to me a very calculating predator with a good understanding of technology who cleverly uses an understanding of investigative techniques to manipulate investigators into wasting time looking in the wrong place.

It could be a technology savvy perp who was well-aware that her father would be going on trial and that would be a decoy/distraction.

There's also banter between Mollie/her brothers on social media, so I've seen a lot of social media groups accusing them (even though LE has cleared them). The perp could have been aware of this (say, he was following Mollie for a while), and he knew the brothers would be a distraction. If this is the situation, he would have also known about Cheney - the guy the police keep questioning about Mollie. If it's the same perp, he's scarily clever.

 

[otto]

Most (locals and social media) suspected Lyric's parents' circle of acquaintances or friends because her dad was set to go on trial the next day. It was believed Lyric was grabbed to keep him quiet.

It could be a technology savvy perp who was well-aware that her father would be going on trial and that would be a decoy/distraction.

There's also banter between Mollie/her brothers on social media, so I've seen a lot of social media groups accusing them (even though LE has cleared them). The perp could have been aware of this (say, he was following Mollie for a while), and he knew the brothers would be a distraction. If this is the situation, he would have also known about Cheney - the guy the police keep questioning about Mollie. If it's the same perp, he's scarily clever.

Social media relied on drug use history to accuse Lyric's parents of being responsible for the abductions and murders of Lyric and Elizabeth. No offense intended, but that as a ring of small town thinking. There's correlation, and causation. There was a correlation between the day that Lyric was abducted and the day that her father was to appear in court on drug related charges. The abduction of Lyric did not cause her father to have the court appearance, and the court appearance did not cause Lyric to be abducted. No causation.

I doubt that a calculating tech-savvy predator is going to bank on family members bickering with social media to distract police. Lyric and Elizabeth's abductor deliberately stalled the investigation by leaving evidence (bikes, purse, phone) at Meyer's Lake. This distraction ensured that police spent a lot of time searching the lake, town, pathways, and nearby river before realizing that the girls simply were not in Evansdale. As we know, they were found 20 miles North of Evansdale.

We know that this predator deliberately planted evidence to mislead and distract police. That is very likely one of the most identifiable traits of this predator. If there are any other similar cases of missing girls and young women, and there is also a deliberate attempt to mislead investigators by planting evidence far from the body, we might want to consider a connection.

I think it's possible that a tech savvy predator who intended to abduct someone like Mollie might pre-plan a location to leave evidence, such as a digital signature, 15 miles South of the abduction site.

 

[otto]

Since I am inclined to believe that there is a possible connection between Lyric and Elizabeth, and Mollie, this is a map I put together showing a 25 mile radius with an additional 20 mile distance associated with abduction and evidence.

Regarding the dates, Lyric and Elizabeth were abducted on Friday the 13th, 2012. Mollie was abducted on 18-07-18. That's also a nice number if someone is looking for an interesting date to abduct someone.

I am happy to assure everyone that I have been wrong more than once.

 

[otto]

I read an article related to Jessica Ridgeway about "Awareness Space", something like that, so wondering what that awareness space would look like if this was a serial killer.

Awareness space includes familiar transportation corridors.

Are there any farm supply companies in the area?

 

[Shiressleuth]

Were there any county fairs in the county around the time? Or in neighbouring counties? I mention it because of the influx of workers and visitors for the duration of these events. (In Mollie's case there was a fair that she was due to attend the next day).

Eta. Great map, Otto. Jake would be in the big circle too. ( La Porte)

IA - IA - Jake Wilson, 16, La Porte City, 07 Apr 2018 *autistic*

 

[dotr]

Since I am inclined to believe that there is a possible connection between Lyric and Elizabeth, and Mollie, this is a map I put together showing a 25 mile radius with an additional 20 mile distance associated with abduction and evidence.

Regarding the dates, Lyric and Elizabeth were abducted on Friday the 13th, 2012. Mollie was abducted on 18-07-18. That's also a nice number if someone is looking for an interesting date to abduct someone.

I am happy to assure everyone that I have been wrong more than once.

Awesome and intriguing map,nice to "see" you again otto!

 

[K.jill]

I read an article related to Jessica Ridgeway about "Awareness Space", something like that, so wondering what that awareness space would look like if this was a serial killer.

Awareness space includes familiar transportation corridors.

Are there any farm supply companies in the area?

I can’t help but wonder if/ how Delphi might fit into this map.

 

[otto]

I can’t help but wonder if/ how Delphi might fit into this map.

Me too! Although officials have said that they have no evidential connection between Delphi and Evansdale, it's quite a striking coincidence that in each case 2 young girls go to a secluded part of a park, without full permission from parents, and they are murdered.

 

[dotr]

I read an article related to Jessica Ridgeway about "Awareness Space", something like that, so wondering what that awareness space would look like if this was a serial killer.

Awareness space includes familiar transportation corridors.

Are there any farm supply companies in the area?

Thinking that this is the article..
rbbm
Boulder Weekly by Wehaa
"When it actually comes to solving child abduction murder cases, the research suggests that the two most important elements, barring an eyewitness to some portion of the crime, is determining the relationship between the murderer and the victim and examining the murderer’s “awareness space.”

"In the vast majority of cases of child abduction murder, the victim and perpetrator are at least familiar with one another, having actually met or at least noticed each other at school, church, a friend’s house, walking within the neighborhood or along some route or transportation corridor that the victim frequently traveled. The most rare type of relationship in child abduction murder cases is that of complete stranger."
"This same research found that a surprising number of child abduction murderers even lived on the same street as their victims."

"If, in fact, Jessica’s neighborhood is near the home of her killer, then looking for the transportation corridors out of that neighborhood that offer the quickest, least-inhabited, least-traveled and therefore safest pathways away from the neighborhood and into more secluded settings where disposing of evidence could occur would make good sense for investigators."

 

[Seattle1]

Lyric & Elizabeth: Murder-suicide investigation leads to tip in their murder case

BELLE PLAINE (KWWL) -June 1, 2018

An investigation into a murder-suicide led to a tip in the unsolved kidnapping and murder of two Evansdale cousins.

A mother and her eight-year-old son were killed in Belle Plaine on May 4 after they were hit by a train. In an investigation done by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, it was determined that 36-year-old Teresea Gerleman committed suicide, and pulled her son, Henry Fields, into the path of the train along with her.

That investigation would also lead DCI agents to revisit the unsolved murders of Evansdale cousins, Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins. The two cousins were kidnapped nearly six years ago. Their bodies were found months later.
Lyric & Elizabeth: Murder-suicide investigation leads to tip in their murder case

 

[always reading]

Lyric & Elizabeth: Murder-suicide investigation leads to tip in their murder case

BELLE PLAINE (KWWL) -June 1, 2018

An investigation into a murder-suicide led to a tip in the unsolved kidnapping and murder of two Evansdale cousins.

A mother and her eight-year-old son were killed in Belle Plaine on May 4 after they were hit by a train. In an investigation done by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, it was determined that 36-year-old Teresea Gerleman committed suicide, and pulled her son, Henry Fields, into the path of the train along with her.

That investigation would also lead DCI agents to revisit the unsolved murders of Evansdale cousins, Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins. The two cousins were kidnapped nearly six years ago. Their bodies were found months later.
Lyric & Elizabeth: Murder-suicide investigation leads to tip in their murder case

According to DCI agent, Mike Krapfl, who has been working on the Lyric and Elizabeth case, a third-party gave them a tip that Gerleman may have had information about the cousins, detailed in a letter, after comments she previously made. Krapfl said the described letter was found during the search of the home but that it contained "old information", information the DCI already had. He said also factoring in Gerleman's "mental state" at the time, the letter provided no new leads for the case.

 

[carbuff]

Since I am inclined to believe that there is a possible connection between Lyric and Elizabeth, and Mollie, this is a map I put together showing a 25 mile radius with an additional 20 mile distance associated with abduction and evidence.

Regarding the dates, Lyric and Elizabeth were abducted on Friday the 13th, 2012. Mollie was abducted on 18-07-18. That's also a nice number if someone is looking for an interesting date to abduct someone.

I am happy to assure everyone that I have been wrong more than once.

Another odd number thing: the date Libby and Abby were killed is the reveral (palindrome) of the date Lizzy and Lyric were killed (7-13-12) and (2-13-17) as pointed out by kat913 (Found Deceased - IA - Elizabeth Collins, 8, & Lyric Cook, 10, Evansdale, 13 July 2012 - #37)

 

[carbuff]

Since I am inclined to believe that there is a possible connection between Lyric and Elizabeth, and Mollie, this is a map I put together showing a 25 mile radius with an additional 20 mile distance associated with abduction and evidence.

Regarding the dates, Lyric and Elizabeth were abducted on Friday the 13th, 2012. Mollie was abducted on 18-07-18. That's also a nice number if someone is looking for an interesting date to abduct someone.

I am happy to assure everyone that I have been wrong more than once.

If I'm reading the map on Mollie's website (https://findingmollie.iowa.gov/) correctly, one of the places they're interested in is about where your "digital signature" dot is.

 

[otto]

If I'm reading the map on Mollie's website (https://findingmollie.iowa.gov/) correctly, one of the places they're interested in is about where your "digital signature" dot is.

It is coincidental. The far left bottom location on the map, I don't know what to make of it other than a general farm area that includes one person who has a criminal history. RPaul posted a wifi tower link on the Mollie thread. Anyone have the link?

I'm more curious about similarities between the two cases?

 

[Jax49]

It is coincidental. The far left bottom location on the map, I don't know what to make of it other than a general farm area that includes one person who has a criminal history. RPaul posted a wifi tower link on the Mollie thread. Anyone have the link?

I'm more curious about similarities between the two cases?

Who's the Best Carrier In Brooklyn? 20 People Agree It's This.

 

[str8nightowl]

Lyric & Elizabeth: Murder-suicide investigation leads to tip in their murder case

BELLE PLAINE (KWWL) -June 1, 2018

An investigation into a murder-suicide led to a tip in the unsolved kidnapping and murder of two Evansdale cousins.

A mother and her eight-year-old son were killed in Belle Plaine on May 4 after they were hit by a train. In an investigation done by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, it was determined that 36-year-old Teresea Gerleman committed suicide, and pulled her son, Henry Fields, into the path of the train along with her.

That investigation would also lead DCI agents to revisit the unsolved murders of Evansdale cousins, Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins. The two cousins were kidnapped nearly six years ago. Their bodies were found months later.
Lyric & Elizabeth: Murder-suicide investigation leads to tip in their murder case

That article mentions that she worked for Genesis. Genesis does a lot of jobs including making and hauling customized boxes in large white trucks.

 

[str8nightowl]

If you take this picture (which I got off Google) of the Delphi murders and copy it into your computer and scan it up close you can see what looks like a white van or SUV or truck at the end of the bridge (of course it doesn't look like a Genesis truck, but you never know).

 

[otto]

Comparison of Evansdale cousins Lyric Cooke and Elizabeth Collins, and Brooklyn's Mollie Tibbetts:

• disappeared without a trace in broad daylight or in the early evening before dark
• lived in small town Iowa
• Lyric and Mollie were similar in height and build
  • Lyric was 4'11 and 140 lbs (looking for wt. confirmation)
  • Mollie was 5'2" or 5'3" and 120 lbs
• Evidence : possible decoy
  • Evansdale : bikes, phone, and purse misled police throughout the investigation for missing persons Lyric Cooke and Elizabeth Collins
  • Brooklyn/Guernsey : digital signature led to Guernsey, no sign of Mollie so far, could separation of Fitbit and cell phone near Guernsey leave misleading digital signature
• occurred during the month of July 6 years apart: 13-07-12, 18-07-18
• perp may be familiar with Iowa party, fishing, hunting, and wildlife areas
  • location of Evansdale cousins abduction
  • location of Evansdale cousins' bodies
  • digital signature in wildlife area near Guernsey (real or digital)
• Dis-similarity :
  • Lyric was 10 years old
  • Mollie was 20 years old
  • Lizzie was 8
• Lyric was tapped to go to a remote park with a different cousin shortly before she vanished, there was sufficient concern that parents contacted police, then Lyric vanished - was a digital signature missed?
• Mollie was jogging when she was grabbed - was it easier to snatch a young woman than a child or two 6 years later?
• predators are known to evolve
  
• predator is likely not from Evansdale or Brooklyn, but possibly familiar with the communities

Additions or subtractions from the list? Am I missing something, am I making unrealistic assumptions?

 

[Considering]

Looks great, otto. Lyric and a different cousin did go to to a park without permission shortly before the abduction but I believe it was a neighborhood park in Waterloo.