EVANSDALE, Iowa (KWWL) -
For the first time, Heather Collins shared what she and her family are going through since learning their daughter and niece are gone.
On Monday, the Iowa Medical Examiner confirmed that missing Evansdale cousins, Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook were found dead.
"I do pray to dream with her in it and I do hear her voice when I'm dreaming," said Heather Collins.
Pictures, memories and dreams have been the only way Heather Collins has been able to see her daughter for the last 5 months.
However the mystery of Elizabeth and Lyric's whereabouts was solved just a few days ago.
"I was lying in bed and he said we've been called to City Hall and we don't know what it is, I had a feeling it wasn't good," said Elizabeth's mother.
In that meeting, Evansdale Police Chief Kent Smock revealed hunters had found two bodies in Bremer County.
"I was prepared for it, the crime scene, the things they shared with us, it was Elizabeth."
But Heather was spared any details or suspicions.
"All I know is, I don't have my daughter here anymore and she's with our Savior. And that's all I need to know. I don't need to know how she was murdered. I don't need to know what anybody has done to her. I don't need to know any of that because she's in God's hands and God will take care of that part on judgment day," she said.
Investigators insist they are getting closer everyday to finding who's responsible for taking the lives of the two young girls.
And when that person or persons is caught, Heather has already done, what many might have trouble doing, she's forgiven them.
"We have forgiven whoever did this and we still do. Whoever did this, we forgive you and it's not for us to judge you and what you've done to our daughter and our niece."
So while the nightmare is not over, Heather chooses to remember her daughter's smile, her laugh, and the short time she was here with her family.
