The Evansdale Murders: A Conversation with the Documentarians Behind "Taken Together": Part One

Published on March 4, 2025, by MurderSheet

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "The Evansdale Murders: A Conversation with the Documentarians Behind 'Taken Together': Part One," MurderSheet hosts Áine Cain and attorney Kevin Greenlee delve deep into one of Iowa's most haunting unsolved cases. This episode features an insightful conversation with the creators of the documentary series "Taken Together," namely Dylan Syers, Ned Muhammad Agich, and Christian Day. Together, they explore the intricate details of the Evansdale Murders, the challenges faced during the investigation, and the ethical considerations of true crime reporting.

Overview of the Evansdale Murders

The episode centers around the tragic events of July 13, 2012, when two young cousins, 8-year-old Elizabeth Collins and 10-year-old Lyric Cook Morrissey, vanished while riding their bicycles in Evansdale, Iowa. Their disappearance quickly escalated into a national tragedy when, on December 5, 2012, hunters discovered their bodies in a remote area of Bremer County, 25 miles from where they were last seen. To this day, the double homicide remains unsolved, leaving families and the community seeking answers.

The Documentary "Taken Together"

In 2024, the documentary series "Taken Together" was released, providing an in-depth examination of the Evansdale Murders. Spearheaded by Dylan Syers, Ned Muhammad Agich, and Christian Day, the series garnered significant attention for its thorough reporting and compassionate approach. Áine Cain highlights their journalistic integrity, stating, “They ensured they had two or three sources for everything they ran with. They really weighed what details to include... They balanced the need to inform the public with that sense of caution.” (04:46)

Backgrounds of the Documentarians

Dylan Syers brings a robust background in documentary filmmaking, having partnered with Christian Day since their university days at the University of Northern Iowa. Their collaboration began on narrative projects before transitioning to true crime documentaries.

Ned Muhammad Agich shares his journey from working as a videographer at KWWL and the University of Northern Iowa to creating documentaries. "I reached out to Ned right away because we had worked at KWWL together... We put a lot of years into this together," explains Dylan Syers. (06:34)

Christian Day discusses his 15-year tenure in the film industry, including work on art house films, indie documentaries, and five seasons of "The Bachelor." His expertise in research and production management has been pivotal in assembling archival materials and evidence for the documentary. (06:58)

The Day of the Murders

On the day of the tragedy, July 13, 2012, Elizabeth and Lyric set out for a bike ride under the supervision of their grandmother, Wilma. According to Ned Muhammad Agich, the children left around noon and did not return by 2 PM, prompting their parents, Heather and Drew Collins, to alert authorities (04:17).

By approximately 5 PM, the girls' bicycles and purses were discovered near Myers Lake, raising immediate suspicions of foul play. The community’s response was swift, with an influx of volunteers and law enforcement personnel converging on the area. "There was a lot of people...they wanted to help," Ned recounts from his experience on the ground (29:56).

Investigation and Police Efforts

The investigation into the Evansdale Murders was extensive, involving multiple agencies including the Evansdale Police Department, Waterloo Police Department, the Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the FBI. Ned praises the dedication of the officers involved, noting, “The officers did an incredibly good job... there was nothing that I found that would, like, look like the cops messed the case up at all in any way.” (41:03)

The search for the girls was monumental, spanning over five months before their remains were found at Seven Bridges Wildlife Park. Ned describes the area as extremely rural and remote, making the discovery both challenging and significant. "Seven Bridges is a one way in, one way out park. It's extremely rural...you would never happen upon seven bridges because you have to take gravel roads to get to it." (30:46)

Challenges in Reporting the Case

The documentarians faced numerous challenges while covering the Evansdale Murders. Establishing trust with the families and the community was paramount. Ned emphasizes the ethical responsibility: “You want to do no harm... the ultimate goal at the end of the day is to get Lyric and Elizabeth justice and the families, you know, get them their justice.” (21:25)

Christian adds, “There’s a risk because people are going through grief and mourning and they’re looking for... You're here to document and report, not to solve the case.” (22:52) This delicate balance ensured that the documentary remained respectful and focused on bringing light to the case without sensationalizing the tragedy.

The Community and Its Impact

Evansdale, part of the Cedar Valley region encompassing Cedar Falls and Waterloo, is described as a close-knit, blue-collar community with a population of over 130,000. The murders deeply impacted the area, bringing the community together in unprecedented ways. Christian reflects, “Everyone kind of took responsibility and adopted them to try to find them.” (14:33)

The documentary highlights how such tragedies can change the fabric of a community, instilling long-lasting memories and a collective sense of loss and determination to seek justice.

Ethical Considerations in True Crime Reporting

Throughout the conversation, Ned and Christian stress the importance of ethical reporting in true crime. They caution against sensationalism and the spread of misinformation, which can hinder investigations. Ned mentions, “If you instill false hope... it’s not necessarily within our wheelhouse.” (24:54)

Furthermore, they discuss the dangers of public speculation and the influx of misleading tips, as seen when Ned recounts, “There was a lot of people... turning these same people into the police, but now they’re turning them into Dylan with all these wild facts like that.” (37:49)

Prospects for Solving the Case

Despite the exhaustive efforts, the case remains unsolved, raising questions about future prospects. Dylan inquires about the potential for DNA evidence to play a role in solving the murders. Ned responds cautiously, acknowledging the possibility but indicating that no information has been publicly released. “They have something... you have not enough to even test because it would just destroy the entire sample.” (46:14)

Áine adds clarity, “Having something doesn't mean that you have a full genetic profile... it can mean you have not enough to even test.” (46:32) This underscores the complexities and uncertainties involved in using DNA evidence years after the crime.

Conclusion

"The Evansdale Murders: A Conversation with the Documentarians Behind 'Taken Together': Part One" offers a profound exploration of a heart-wrenching unsolved case. Through candid interviews and meticulous research, MurderSheet sheds light on the challenges of true crime reporting, the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement, and the enduring impact on a small community. As the conversation sets the stage for the second part of the interview, listeners are left with a deep appreciation for the dedication required to document such tragedies and a lingering hope for eventual resolution.

Notable Quotes:

• Áine Cain (04:46): “They ensured they had two or three sources for everything they ran with... They balanced the need to inform the public with that sense of caution.”

• Ned Muhammad Agich (21:25): “You want to do no harm... the ultimate goal at the end of the day is to get Lyric and Elizabeth justice and the families, you know, get them their justice.”

• Christian Day (22:52): “There’s a risk because people are going through grief and mourning and they’re looking for... You're here to document and report, not to solve the case.”

• Ned Muhammad Agich (37:49): “There was a lot of people... turning these same people into the police, but now they’re turning them into Dylan with all these wild facts like that.”

• Ned Muhammad Agich (46:14): “They have something... you have not enough to even test because it would just destroy the entire sample.”

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn from the first part of the interview, providing a comprehensive understanding for those who haven’t listened to the episode.