Saturday, January 19, 2013

Not the Ending We Had Hoped For

On Wednesday, December 5th, I was with my boyfriend at a large auction for the liquidation of Russ Wasendorf Sr's property, and was scheduled to work later in the day. My editor was covering the auction, and told me that a press conference had been called in Evansdale, in about an hour. I told him I was going, even though there was another photographer there. It may sound strange, but I needed to go. On my way there, he called and said it sounded like they had found the bodies, and he was glad I was on my way. My heart raced, and sank at the same time. My heart ached for the girls' families. My job as a photographer in covering stories like this seems pretty far removed, but I have children too. As a mom, thankfully, I've never had to deal with such loss, but I can empathize. It's every parent's fear that something like this should happen.
After nearly five months of covering the search for Lyric and Elizabeth, I felt like I knew them and their families. Strange. I do know my place; I am aware that I am the media. I do my best to respect their privacy. I am also compelled to tell their story. Memory is fleeting...which is one of the many reasons that I do what I do. This has been the toughest story that I have had to cover, and my heart has been in it every step of the way. I will tell their story because they deserve to be remembered. They won't be forgotten.



Captain Rick Abben, Chief Deputy of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office speaks at a press conference in Evansdale, Iowa on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Abben said that today, at approximately 12:45 pm, law enforcement were notified by hunters that they had discovered two deceased bodies in a wooded area. The bodies are being transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny for positive identification. The families of missing cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 11, of Waterloo and Elizabeth Collins, 9, of Evansdale who have been missing since July 13, have been notified of the finding.

Sarah Curl addresses those gathered at a vigil held at Meyers lake in Evansdale, Iowa on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. The meeting was called in light of an afternoon press conference where Captain Rick Abben, Chief Deputy of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office speaks at a press conference in Evansdale, Iowa on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Abben said that today, at approximately 12:45 pm, law enforcement were notified by hunters that they had discovered two deceased bodies in a wooded area. The bodies are being transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny for positive identification. The families of missing cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 11, of Waterloo and Elizabeth Collins, 9, of Evansdale who have been missing since July 13, have been notified of the finding.


Michelle Bruno, front left, is leaned on by Nate Johannes, front center, 10, and joined by daughter Olivia Riley, 12, behind Johannes, all of Waterloo, as they come together for a vigil held at Meyers lake in Evansdale, Iowa on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. The meeting was called in light of an afternoon press conference where Captain Rick Abben, Chief Deputy of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office speaks at a press conference in Evansdale, Iowa on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Abben said that today, at approximately 12:45 pm, law enforcement were notified by hunters that they had discovered two deceased bodies in a wooded area. The bodies are being transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny for positive identification. The families of missing cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 11, of Waterloo and Elizabeth Collins, 9, of Evansdale who have been missing since July 13, have been notified of the finding.


Crime scene tape remains on a log near the Wapsipinicon River where the bodies of missing cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins were discovered by hunters last week, in Seven Bridges Park in Readlyn, Iowa on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012.

Pictured, is the scene where officials have been investigating the finding of the bodies of missing cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins, at Seven Bridges Park in Readlyn, Iowa on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012.


Heather Collins, left, and Drew Collins, right, both of Evansdale, speak at a press conference before the Life and Love of Elizabeth Celebration at Heartland Vineyard Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012.

Heather Collins, front center at bottom, receives a hug from Megan Dobbs, of Stratford, while hundreds wait in line during the visitation held before the Life and Love of Elizabeth Celebration at Heartland Vineyard Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012.

Heather Collins, left, and husband Drew sit together with their children Callie Collins, Amber Collins, and Kelly Collins during The Life and Love of Elizabeth Collins celebration at Heartland Vineyard Church at Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Drew Collins, center, left, hugs his daughter Callie, 4, while his wife Heather worships on her knees during the Life and Love of Elizabeth Celebration at Heartland Vineyard Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012.

Bows are secured on the pillars  marking the entrance of Heartland Vineyard Church before the Celebration of Lyric's Life in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012.  Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, and her cousin Elizabeth Collins, 8, were abducted while riding bicycles in Evansdale, Iowa on July 13. The girls bodies were found Dec. 5 in Bremer County, ending a five month search.

Bows are secured on the pillars  marking the entrance of Heartland Vineyard Church before the Celebration of Lyric's Life in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012. The public was invited to attend the celebration for Lyric, but the media was asked not to attend.
©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

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