Authorities were digging property in an Evansdale neighborhood Thursday, apparently looking for evidence in the month-long search for a missing Arizona man and his step-daughter who are believed to have been murdered.

Evansdale Police Chief Mike Dean said the search was part of an investigation, but he couldn't give any more details about what authorities were looking for. Dean said the public is not in any danger.

According to Dean, the FBI was involved in the search and referred all questions concerning the probe to the agency's office in Omaha, Neb.

The property being searched was near the end of Timber Oak Road, a cul-de-sac. Digging equipment and officials dressed in white hazmat suits were seen carrying shovels near a chicken coop on the undeveloped property. Officers from several agencies were involved in the search, along with the FBI.

Late Thursday afternoon, police in Chino Valley, Ariz., confirmed the digging was connected to the disappearance of 45-year-old David "Nick" Batten and 28-year-old Elissa Landry, who have both been missing since April 19. Landry's boyfriend, 24-year-old Mitchell Mincks, formerly of Waterloo, is a person of interest in the Arizona homicide case. He was arrested April 28 at a rural Waterloo home on unrelated charges.

Authorities have said that two pets belonging to Landry were found in Waterloo last month. Her missing vehicle is also believed to be in the Waterloo area.

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