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Missing Cousins Case Hits 4-Month Mark

Tuesday night dozens of people are gathering in Evansdale to mark four months since Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins went missing.

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Reporter: WOWT

Tuesday night dozens of people are gathering in Evansdale to mark four months since Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins went missing.

The cousins were last seen July 13th, while riding their bikes near Meyers Lake in Evansdale. Investigators believe the two were kidnapped, although they have not found any evidence to suggest where they are being held.

The families are holding a prayer vigil at Countryside Vineyard Church Tuesday night, but as they mark this four month milestone, the families are trying to think of new ways to get Lyric and Elizabeth's story out, or keep it fresh in people's minds.

"There's not much we can do. This is what we CAN do," said Drew Collins.

Drew Collins considers everyday another day to search, and another day to hope. He refused to let his family and friends spend November 13th dwelling on their pain.

"We wanted to do something that was productive. It was Drew's idea, actually," said family friend Sara Kipp.

Tuesday morning, several people fanned out over Iowa, heading to Des Moines, Mason City, Sioux City, and Davenport. Their goal is to get new fliers up in as many places as possible state-wide.

With the time that has passed, the posters, ribbons, and images of the girls have lost their luster.

"We were seeing some of the fliers after four months they were so roughed up from the wind..." Collins noted.

"It shows how long they've been gone. It's not -- they were up for a week and in pristine condition and got to be taken down. They're still up and getting worn and sometimes to the point where you can't read them," said Kipp.

They know it only takes one tip to lead investigators to the cousins. The hope is, these efforts will bring Lyric and Elizabeth home, so the Cook and Collins families don't have to spend another day without their girls.

"We got Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up so I'm just speaking to whoever might know anything. Please bring them home. You can do something by not telling somebody what you know and maybe they can come home for Christmas and Thanksgiving," said Collins.

"We continue to be strong in our faith, but it's tough everyday just to get out of bed," Heather Collins said.

The girls' families also wrote an emotional open letter to the kidnapper, or kidnappers, in Tuesday's edition of the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. In it, they plead with the person or people who took Lyric and Elizabeth to do the right thing and let the girls come home.

Once again, investigators are asking anyone with information, or anyone who thinks they might have seen the girls on July 13th between 12:00 and 6:00 PM in Evansdale, to call the tipline -- 319-232-6682 or 1-800- 346-5507.