EVANSDALE, IOWA (AP) -- Evansdale police say an autopsy has confirmed that two bodies found last week in a wildlife area are
those of Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook.
Police Chief Kent Smock says he received confirmation Monday from the Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office that the bodies were the two cousins, who had been missing since July 13. The full autopsy hasn't been released to police.
Elizabeth was 8 and Lyric was 10 when they went for a bike ride in the northeastern Iowa community and didn't return.
Hunters found their bodies last week in the Seven Bridges Wildlife Area in Bremer County, about 25 miles from where they were last seen.
Authorities closed the park while they searched for evidence connected to the case but now have reopened the area.
Read Governor Branstad's statement here.
Related stories:
Bodies discovered believed to be missing girls
Parents write letter to abductor of missing Iowa girls
Hunters asked to help look for missing cousins
Authorities say missing Iowa cousins are alive
Search continues for two missing Iowa girls
FBI dogs joining search for Iowa cousins, 8 and 10
Authorities need your help locating two missing girls from eastern Iowa
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO