A news conference was planned for 4 p.m. Thursday to update the ongoing investigation into the recovery of bodies thought to be two missing Iowa girls.
The families are mourning after hunters discovered two bodies believed to be those of Iowa girls missing since July.
Police were waiting for positive identification from the state medical examiner but all signs indicated the bodies were those of Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook.
The girls disappeared after going on a bike ride. Their bicycles and a purse were found near Meyers Lake. Volunteers, investigators and family members spent months searching for the girls.
Hunters found two bodies that could be the girls in an undisclosed location Wednesday, December 5, 2012.
That same night, investigators reportedly converged on Seven Bridge Park, about 20 miles from where the girls’ bicycles were found.
A candlelight vigil was held at the lake the same day authorities announced the discovery of the bodies.
Authorities stopped short of confirming the bodies are Elizabeth and Lyric, but Elizabeth’s mother posted a Facebook status offering some confirmation:
“We have been so blessed by the (outpouring) of all the prayers and support tonight with the gut wrenching news that my beautiful daughter and niece’s bodies were found by hunters today. This was (not) the outcome we wanted but we know that they are up in heaven with our savior and (our) nightmare of where they are and what is happening to them has been answered.
“Lord we know that you have them in your loving arms and we are so blessed (for) that.”
Another news conference updating the ongoing investigation into what happened to the girls was planned for Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 4 p.m. To watch it live, click here.
