Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"It's really painful because when you don't know where they're at for five months and then they find them you feel relieved and then you feel guilty. And that crushes you because it's like when they find them, you are relieved that they're at least found. But then you've got guilt. It's the worst thing. I can't think of anything worse." — Drew (Father of Elizabeth)
"Now the girls were found in an especially remote part of seven bridges, which is only accessible via one particular road. And the fact that they were found in seven bridges at all gives investigators some important insight into their killer because this area isn't known to everyone." — Britt (Co-Host/Investigator)
"The passion for justice was reignited thanks in large part to the work you're all doing. After much soul searching, lots of therapy and self-reflection, I realized that I am the only one who gets to decide my destiny." — Jennifer H. (Listener)
The episode begins by referencing the recently concluded Delphi Murders trial and transitions to the unresolved case of Lyric Cook Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins, two young girls who disappeared in Evansdale, Iowa, in July 2012. The initial investigation focused on the area around Myers Lake after their bikes were found abandoned, but subsequent searches, including draining the lake, yielded no results. As the case was reclassified as an abduction, investigators began to look beyond the immediate family, focusing on Lyric's parents, Misty and Dan, due to their criminal histories. However, polygraph tests for both parents returned inconclusive results, leading to strained relationships with investigators.
The narrative then explores the possibility of a connection to Michael Clunder, a convicted sex offender with a history of violence, including other rare double abductions in Iowa. Clunder was known to the Seven Bridges Wildlife Area, where Lyric and Elizabeth's remains were eventually discovered. Despite numerous similarities and circumstantial evidence, investigators ultimately ruled Clunder out, citing his cell phone's location during the time of the girls' disappearance. The investigation also considered Jeff Altmeyer, another suspect with a history of attempted abductions, but his modus operandi did not fully align with the circumstances of Lyric and Elizabeth's case.
The episode concludes by highlighting the enduring impact on the families, particularly Drew, Elizabeth's father, who has dedicated himself to fundraising and establishing the Elizabeth Collins Foundation to support other families with missing loved ones and promote child safety. The case remains cold, with investigators continuing to seek new leads, and the podcast urges listeners to come forward with any information. The episode also touches on the broader themes of grief, resilience, and the importance of pursuing justice, as exemplified by a listener's inspiring letter about starting a new career path later in life.