Cause of Death Will be Kept Secret As Investigation Into Evansdale Cousins' Kidnapping Continues

Authorities will likely not release the cause of death or other details anytime soon in connection to the deaths of Evansdale cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, and Elizabeth Collins, 8.

The girls disappeared while riding their bikes near Meyers Lake in Evansdale July 13. Their bodies were found by hunters in Seven Bridges Wilderness Area in rural Bremer County Dec. 5.

With the investigation ongoing, how and when the cousins died has not been released.

"The only people that are going to know this information are the people who are responsible,” Evansdale Police Chief Kent Smock told The Des Moines Register. “At least until somebody is arrested and we’re comfortable with that, that’s information we’ll keep confidential.”

The Des Moines Register reported family members said they had been told the girls likely died within a few days of being kidnapped; however, authorities declined to confirm that information.

Investigators are still waiting for some test results to return from the medical examiner's office in Ankeny, where the bodies were taken for autopsy.

A $150,000 award is available for information leading to the capture of those responsible for the deaths. Anyone with information is asked to call the Evansdale Police Department at 319-232-6682 or the Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at 855-300-TIPS (8477).