Cardinal Crimes
At Cardinal Crimes, we want "true crime" to have a purpose.
Here, we aim to raise awareness of cases, deepen understanding of various types of crime and the psychology driving them, and explore ways to prevent future crime—whether through individual actions, community efforts, societal change, or policy reform.
We do this by speaking with survivors, victims, experts, policymakers, offenders, and more to learn all that we can about crime and how to stop it.
Cardinal Crimes
MURDERED: Lyric Cook-Morrissey & Elizabeth Collins, July 13, 2012, Evansdale, Iowa - Part One
On July 13, 2012, ten-year-old Lyric Cook-Morrissey and eight-year-old Elizabeth Collins went for a bike ride in the quiet town of Evansdale, Iowa and never came home. Their bicycles and a purse were found abandoned, sparking a massive search effort that gripped the community and the nation. Months later, their remains were discovered in a remote area over 20 miles away.
In this episode we will cover the timeline of their disappearance, the massive search effort, the investigation into their families, and the finding of their remains.
To this day, their case remains unsolved. But that doesn't mean there is no hope. With the right tip, the right piece of evidence, or the right person coming forward, their families and the community can finally have answers.
If you have any information about the circumnstances surrounding the disapearance and murder of Lyric and Elizabeth, the best way to submit a tip is to email ourmissingiowagirls@dps.state.ia.us.
You can also call the Evansdale Police tip line at 232-6682 or Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at 855-300-8477.
For resources on substance use and domestic violence, please explore the following websites that offer resources: samhsa.gov, thehotline.org
SOURCES:
Misty Cook, mother of Lyric Cook-Morrissey, arrested on meth charges, KCRG, JUNE 8, 2023
Dan Morrissey, dad of missing Iowa girl Lyric Cook-Morrissey, faces possible trial amid search for cousins, CBS News, July 26, 2012
Heller, Aaron and Agee, Nicole, 10 years after Evansdale case, investigators inching closer to justice, July 15, 2022, KCRG TV9
Klingseis, Katherine, Body found in river identified as kidnapped Iowa teen, The Des Moines Register
KCCI, New DNA technology being used in Evansdale cousin abduction case 13 years later, Laura Terrell, July 14, 2025, KCCI
Lyric & Elizabeth: 10 Years Later - A Parent’s Perspective, May & June 2022, KCRG-TV9
Sederstrom, Jill, Grandfather of Teen Killed in Delphi Murders Says Girl and Her Friend “Had to be Scared Out of Their Minds”, February 21, 2025, NBC
Taken Together: Who Killed Lyric and Elizabeth, August 8, 2024, HBO Max
Bodies found believed to be Iowa girls who went missing in July, December 5, 2012, NBC News
Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Morrissey Case Summary, Jody Ewing, Iowa Cold Cases
Save $20 on a Buzzsprout paid plan using this referral link!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2372693
You can follow Cardinal Crimes on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @CardinalCrimes. The best way to support the podcast is to follow/like/subscribe, share with friends and family, and write us a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!
Theme Song: Shrouded Lament by james.lfo, William Claeson