A social media posting from the mother of one of two missing northeast Iowa girls confirms the two bodies found are those of Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins. Black Hawk County Sheriff’s deputies announced yesterday afternoon that hunters had discovered a pair of dead bodies in a wooded area, and authorities believed the discovery was related to the disappearance of the young cousins from Evansdale. Chief Deputy Rick Abben however, would not say that the bodies were those of Collins and Cook.

Late last night, Collins’ mother Heather posted on Facebook that the bodies found were those of her daughter and niece, who have been missing since July 13. Collins posted “We have been so blessed by…all the prayers and support tonight with the gut wrenching news that my beautiful daughter and niece’s bodies were found by hunters today.” Collins added that while the discovery was not the news they were hoping to receive, the “nightmare of where they are and what is happening to them has been answered.” That posting has since been deleted.

The two bodies discovered yesterday have been sent to the state medical examiner’s office for identification and autopsies. Authorities are expected to release more information at a news conference scheduled for four o’clock this afternoon.

(Radio Iowa)