Creek search uncovers new evidence

Crews working all day Monday to search Salt Creek discovered new evidence police say could be linked to missing IU student Jill Behrman.\nBPD Detective Marty Deckard, a member of the Jill Behrman Task Force, said investigators will forensically analyze the evidence to determine whether it has any value.\nSalt Creek was extremely muddy Monday, but work did not cease. With an initial river depth of 19 feet, the river is now down to three to three-and-a-half-feet. Crews, using large and small pumps and two dams, have drained the majority of a 1.4 mile stretch of the creek.\nCrews are concentrating on three "pools," named the Northern Pool, Middle Pool and Southern Pool, with the final pool capturing the main attention of the search effort. Efforts will be concentrated on the North pool, which is currently four to four-and-a-half-feet deep, to eliminate the majority of the water to continue the search.\nFederal, state and local law enforcement officers have spent the past week with members of state and local environmental agencies and companies. Department of Natural Resource employees have been out at the scene from before sunup to after sundown every day maintaining equipment used on the scene, such as pumps that continue to drain water, Deckard said. \nSince the creek bank was exposed, members from three different canine search and rescue units have combed the banks of the river.\nLaw enforcement officers from the Indiana State Police, IU Police Department, Bloomington Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff's Department have provided security, search members and divers. The United States Army Corps engineers brought their knowledge of the lake and lake area.\nSince Saturday, Bloomington and Ellettsville Fire Department members have helped with moving pumps and equipment and assisted other crew members.\nDeckard said he feels all the crews have given more time and effort than was expected.\n"These guys (from the fire departments) are working as volunteers. They are doing all of this on their time off. It's very moving," Deckard said.\n"Lt. Dennis Kuntz from the Department of Natural Resources has had his men and women come out not only in their dive apparatus, but coming out with their incredible expertise and knowledge of the area so they can assist us in every way.\n"Honestly, this is a heroic effort on many agency parts," he said.\nDeckard noted some of the most heroic work was done by law enforcement divers back in April and June.\n"Earlier this year, we had divers in that water. Now that the water's down and we can see what the divers had to deal with, it truly is a testament to the divers that they risked their lives in the debris-strewn, murky water," he said. "We now see fallen trees and trees from the banks of the river before the creation of Lake Monroe. It's a very treacherous environment. It's pretty amazing and honestly pretty moving to know what these guys went through to assist us."\nEric Behrman, Jill's father, says his family is very appreciative to all those involved in the search.\n"We're pleased with the dedication and the determination of the investigators. They have been the ones who have coordinated this effort, making it possible to hopefully find Jill and bring her home," Behrman said. "That's also in cooperation with a great many other people around the Bloomington community, as well as various construction and trucking companies and all the law enforcement people who have helped out in many, many ways."\nWhile almost all of the search and rescue efforts have been concentrated at Salt Creek, investigators are still receiving tips and information regarding the case because of large amounts of media coverage from newspapers and TV stations. \nDeckard explained that while most people believe their information might already be known or is unimportant, he encourages people with information to report what they know.\n"The truth of the matter is it's an active investigation, and it's like putting together a puzzle. Even though someone might feel like their information is not important, it might be the piece of the puzzle we might be looking for," he said.\nThose with information are asked to call Deckard at (812) 349-3325 or FBI Special Agent Gary Dunn at (812) 332-9275.