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

October

Northern Iowa's Jacqui Kalin during University of Northern Iowa media day at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

Northern Iowa's head coach Tanya Warren speaks during University of Northern Iowa media day at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

Northern Iowa's women's basketball players gather for a photo during University of Northern Iowa media day at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

From left to right, Kaley Bertch, Tammy Brousseau, Misty Cook, and Wylma Cook are joined by others to walk the bike trail around Meyers Lake as part of a lantern vigil in Evansdale, Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. The vigil marks three months since the disappearance of Misty Cook's daughter Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 11, and her niece Elizabeth Collins, 9, who were abducted, and their bikes found near the lake in July. (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

Shalee Boyles, left, roasts her marshmallow while her little sister match Syleena Swanson, right, 9, both of Waterloo, adjusts her own marshmallows at the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Halloween party at George Wyth Memorial State Park in Waterloo, Iowa on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. The two have been a match for about two and a half years. (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

Andrea Comini, of Verona Italy, participates in a hot yoga class at Sol Yoga in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. The class is taught in a dimly lit room with a minimum temperature of 95 degrees farenheit, and humidity of 40 percent.  (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

Kathy David, front right, owner/instructor of Sol Yoga, instructs Jed Smith, front left, of Cedar Falls, while leading a hot yoga class in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. The class is taught in a low-light room with a minimum temperature of 95 degrees farenheit, and humidity of 40 percent. (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

September

Robin Arnold, front, reads a poem that she wrote, while Drew and Heather Collins, at back, also of Evansdale, looks on during a prayer vigil held at Countryside Vineyard Church in marking two months since the abduction of the Collins' daughter Elizabeth Collins, 9, and her cousin Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, of Waterloo,in Evansdale, Iowa on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012. Today also marks the 15th wedding anniversary for the Collins. (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

The audience looks on at the Bengal Tiger Encounter show during Kids Day at the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo, Iowa on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

An audience volunteer participates in the Wild About Monkeys show during Kids Day at the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo, Iowa on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

Bengal Tiger Encounter tigers perform during an early afternoon show at the National Cattle Congress Fair in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

Swift Swine pigs race down the track during an early afternoon performance at the National Cattle Congress Fair in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

A hummingbird rests on a branch at Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

Holmes Junior High students, from right to left, Kenneth Lind, 12, Kyle Lovell, 12, and Sophie Blanchard, 12,  wear their 3-D glasses during a presentation of the The Virtual Reality Experience in the
Alliant Energy/Lee Liu Auditorium in Howe Hall at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012.(DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

Vijay Kalivarapu switches between the virtual reality screen and a power point presentation at the control board during the The Virtual Reality Experience in the
Alliant Energy/Lee Liu Auditorium in Howe Hall at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012.(DAWN J. SAGERT /  Courier Staff Photographer)

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

The Search For Lyric and Elizabeth

My heart goes out this family. My hope is that I can help to tell the story of their return.

Marcus Norman, of the Evansdale Fire Department, right, gives instructions to a search group before sending them out to an agricultural field East of Raymond to search for Lyric and Elizabeth. More than 1,000 volunteers helped with the search within the two days following the girls' disappearance.

Volunteer Earl Conerd, 77, of Quasqueton, kicks at a barrel to expose any possible content as he and others continue to search the sand pits and wooded areas of BMC Aggregates L.C. in rural Gilbertville. Conerd says he saw the story of the missing girls on the news the night before and knew that he needed to help with the search.

Curtis DeGroote, front left, hands out stacks of posters to Liz Chihak, of Waterloo, front center, and Brittni Gipper, front right, Michelle Kremer, back left, and Alexis Kremer, 10, back right, all of Fairbank, to post in their work places and neighborhoods in order to familiarize the public with Lyric and Elizabeth's faces in hopes that anyone with information would call the tip line.

 

 

Drew Collins, front, is comforted by his wife Heather Collins, center, during one of many prayer vigils held in honor of the Collins'  missing daughter Elizabeth Collins, 8, and her cousin  Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, of Waterloo, at Heartland Vineyard Church, the Collins' home church,  in Cedar Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

Curtis Bertch, front center, of Cedar Falls, releases his ballon as Tammy Brousseau, front right, of Waterloo, holds up a stuffed bear at a balloon releasing ceremony held to support the family of missing cousins Elizabeth Collins, 8, of Evansdale, and Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, of Waterloo, at Deerwood Park in Evansdale, marking one week since the girls' disappearance. Bertch is a cousin to the girls, and Brousseau is the girls' aunt.

Capt. Rick Abben responds to questions about the lack of new information available during a press conference, in Evansdale, regarding the continuing search for missing cousins Lyric and Elizabeth. Within the first week, volunteers searched Evansdale and surrounding communities, Meyers Lake was partially drained, and the FBI brought in a diving team to search deep pockets in the lake. The girls were not found.

 

Misty Cook, front, mother of  Lyric, prays aloud and encourages others to do the same during a candlelight vigil at Meyers Lake, marking one week since Lyric and her cousin Elizabeth's disappearance--which earlier in the day was officially reclassified as an abduction.

Brittnay Brousseau, front left, Haley Bertch, 14, front center, and Isabella Schlamann, 12, front right, comfort each other while  attending a candlelight vigil, for missing relatives Lyric and Elizabeth.

FBI spokeswoman Sandy Breault urges anyone who was at Meyers Lake on Friday, July 13, 2012 to come forward, even if they don't believe that they hold useful information. Breault also dispelled rumors about the investigation and discussed the ongoing search efforts for Lyric and Elizabeth.

 

Grace Burg, 5, at left, of Waterloo, looks down at the flower she has chosen as a crowd gathers for a candlelight vigil held for missing cousins Elizabeth and Lyric at Meyers Lake, marking two weeks since the girls' abduction.

Drew Collins, of Evansdale, takes a moment after tossing his flower into the water during a candlelight vigil for his missing daughter Elizabeth and missing niece Lyric, at  Meyers Lake in Evansdale, marking two weeks since the girls' disappearance.

Closing Out 2011

Here are just a couple more that I like from 2011.

Deputy Jordan Gallagher, front, makes a splash after being tugged into a mud pit as his team, the Sherriffs, take on Team Tyson during Tuggin' for Kids Tug of War Tourney at the Evansdale Fire Department in Evansdale, Iowa on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. The tournament was won by team Tyson, and all proceeds support the NE Iowa Food Bank, Salvation Army, and the United Way locally, in addition to Feeding America. Th event was organized by Tyson.
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Northern Iowa's Marc Sonnen, front, struggles with Milwaukee's Ryan Allen, center, for control of the ball while Milwaukee's Tony Meier, back, looks on during the second half of the game at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. Northern Iowa would win 67-51. 
 ©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Waterhawks

The Waterhawks Ski Team competes in a nine-team Mid-west Regional Water Ski Show tournament at Eagle Lake in Evansdale, Iowa, on Sunday, July 26, 2009.
©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier