There are no words that can truly offer much comfort to Jill's parents, Eric and Marilyn Behrman, or to her brother, Brian, as they await news about their loved one. But members of the community can still try to find the right words. And they can continue to do many things they have been doing. A prayer service was conducted at the IU Alumni Association building Wednesday, and no doubt private prayer is continuing all over town. Volunteers have combed the countryside looking for Jill, or for clues to where she might be.
Searches are most effective under the authority of law enforcement officers.
On the negative side, the rumor mill has worked overtime, dealing out the cruelty of false leads to the family, as noted in a letter to the editor from Brian Behrman published on Wednesday. The events have a wide impact. Precautions can and should be taken by people in their everyday lives. But there is no reason on earth why a young woman should not be able to take a bicycle ride by herself on a sunny morning. Meanwhile, the family is subjected to an anguished wait.