March 28, 2024

Iowa scam: Cash sought for slain cousins

EVANSDALE (AP) — Scammers have been going from door to door in some parts of Black Hawk County, seeking cash they say is for two slain cousins.

Elizabeth Collins was 8 and Lyric Cook was 10 when they were last seen in July 2012 riding their bikes near Meyers Lake in Evansdale. Their bodies were later found in a wooded area in December. No arrests have been reported.

An acquaintance of Elizabeth’s mother, Heather Collins, told her about two boys who had knocked on her door Sunday. Heather Collins soon notified the county sheriff’s office. Collins told Waterloo television station KWWL the scammers are “taking advantage of a tragedy.”

Sheriff’s Capt. Rick Abben advises people to ask solicitors for literature that can be checked out and any donations made later.