New details in Behrman case released

The case of missing former IU student Jill Behrman is one step closer to solved.\nThe vehicles involved in the disappearance of the bicycle rider can now be more-accurately identified with the public's help, Bloomington police and the FBI said. The search for Behrman hinges on this information.\nBehrman was last seen May 31, 2000, riding her bike in southern Bloomington around 9:30 a.m. She had just completed her first year at IU. Authorities believe she was struck by a vehicle while riding. Her bicycle was found in Ellettsville soon after her disappearance. \nThe two investigating groups held a press conference Friday announcing new details surrounding the case. Information was found concerning vehicles involved in the disappearance, and investigators are asking for help from the public in discerning the three vehicles and their occupants.\nThe first vehicle is described as one used for an escort service. It is a late model, two-door, light colored or white convertible believed by police officials to have been driven by a white male in his late teens or 20s, with at least one woman in the car.\nThe second vehicle is being called a "social taxi," or a car used in association with an escort service. It is a small or medium-sized, late-model sedan of light color, believed to have been driven by a stocky white male with a white male passenger.\nThe third vehicle has been dubbed the "accident truck." It was described as an older, possibly 1980s-model, full-sized pickup with a standard cab, bench seat, automatic shift on the column, dirty, rusty and possibly missing a right side mirror. The bed contained a toolbox behind the cab, concrete or cinder blocks, heavy-duty plastic and assorted trash.\nAuthorities say these descriptions should not be taken as exact, but believe they are close to the actual vehicles and people involved. The uncertainty of details concerning the police scenario as to the sequence of events should be considered, police said.\n"The theory has been strengthened in recent months by a series of interviews, by some corroboration and verification we have been able to accomplish and with items we have discovered," FBI Special Agent Gary Dunn said.\nBehrman had just finished her freshman year at IU when she disappeared during a morning bike ride on May 31, 2000. \nDunn said investigators are still working with their theory that Behrman was hit by a pickup truck driven by someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The theory is that several people had been out all night and accidentally struck Behrman while under the influence. \nPolice said they believe her body was then dumped into Salt Creek and her bicycle was removed from the scene, where it was later found and identified. The last search of the creek in early August revealed some undisclosed evidence, which is currently undergoing forensic analysis.\n"We firmly believe Jill is in that creek," Dunn said in a statement released by IU. "Otherwise, we wouldn\'t be there. We plan on future searches at that site. We're not going to give up. We're going to be back there and we're going to find what we\'re looking for."\nPolice said they believe those who may have information about the vehicles could be unaware that they have anything to do with this case. Therefore, no one should assume their information is not valuable. Those with information are encouraged to call the Bloomington police at (812) 349-3325 or the FBI's Bloomington office at (812) 332-9275. \nThe Associated Press contibuted to this story.