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EVANSDALE, Iowa - A bright new bouquet of flowers is carefully tied to the wooden fence that surrounds the Meyers Lake parking lot. The multi-colored buds are a stark contrast to the now-wilted pair of roses tied to the same fence post just a few feet away.

But, both mean the same thing. The community, the state and even the nation are still waiting. Still praying. Still holding out hope that Elizabeth Collins, 8, and Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, will return home safely.

Capt. Rick Abben said Tuesday that investigators continue to follow every lead, but they still have no solid evidence that can point them to the girls. Abben, during his final daily press briefing, said he had no idea where the cousins might be. The girls were last seen riding their bikes about 12:15 p.m. in downtown Evansdale on July 13.

This is a nationwide search going on now, Abben said. We have no indication that they are in Evansdale. We have no indication that they are not in Evansdale. I dont know where they are at. No one know where they are. If we knew where they were at they would be back. We would go after them and get them.

Abben said they are seeking help from law enforcement in other states to help track down tips. The tipline has also been flooded with people claiming to be psychics or mediums. Abben said between 80 and 90 have called in with their vision and officials are checking into each of those leads as well. He added that no two have had the same vision.

We are taking seriously everything. I mean, there is no reason for us not to, he said.

Officials last week said they had evidence the girls were still alive. Abben said Tuesday they have received no additional evidence leading them to that conclusion. We hope so, but we are now in our 11th day, he said. As you know, the longer it goes on the statistics show that probabilities go down, but we want to remain upbeat and hopeful. And we have nothing to indicate anything other than that.

Law enforcement officials are still seeking people who may have seen the girls on or after July 13. Anyone with any information is asked to call us no matter how trivial you think that information may be, he said. They are also seeking anyone with home or business videos who may have seen the girls.

The tipline at (319) 232-6682 is being answered 24 hours a day.

We are not scaling back on the investigation, Abben said. He added that all law enforcement agencies are continuing to vigorously pursue this case.

See the original post:
Mementos Renewed, Hope Endures for Word of Missing Girls