On the morning of May 31st, 2000, 19-year-old IU student Jill Behrman went on a morning bike ride in Bloomington and never returned.
Behrman was supposed to work at the Student Recreational Sports Center that day before meeting her parents and grandparents for a late lunch.
Authorities found Behrman’s bike a few days later and uncovered her remains in woods near Warthen and Duckworth roads in Morgan County three years after her disappearance.
Almost 21 years later, her mother and IU Media School undergraduate administrative services coordinator Marilyn Behrman along with IU Police Department Chief Jill Lees hosted a Zoom conversation on how to stay safe on campus and in the community.
“I hadn’t heard from her that day, but that wasn’t unusual,” Marilyn Berhman said. “At any rate, that evening we get home and still no Jill – it’s getting dark. And we had had a discussion a week before about whether or not she needed a headlight on her bike before she went up to Wisconsin. And she goes, ‘Mom, I never ride after dark.’ So, it’s getting dark and Jill and her bike are missing. And so at this point it is truly obvious something is wrong.”
Marilyn Behrman, Jill Behrman’s mother and IU Media School undergraduate administrative services coordinator, share’s her daughter’s story via Zoom.
An IU Bloomington graduate, IUPD Chief Jill Lees joined the IU Cadet Program in 1993 before graduating in 1995 with one goal in mind: to serve the IU community.
“Unfortunately, police officers can’t turn off our self-awareness,” Chief Lees said. “That’s why we don’t sit with our backs to a door at a restaurant. I sit in the last row at church, and I know people probably stare at me but that’s where I want to sit so I can see everyone in front of me.”
After Marilyn Behrman told Jill’s story in a Zoom conversation, Chief Lees joined the zoom conversation in order to provide IU faculty and students with ways to ensure their own personal safety.
“Yell to where someone can understand what you’re saying,” Chief Lees said. “And use your words to describe what’s going on. And that’s important when we talk about this to students, faculty and staff, of making sure not to scream but yell.”
IUPD Chief Jill Lees shares tips on how to stay safe both on campus and in the community.
Marilyn Berhman says she lives each day of her life trying to do things that would make Jill proud.
“Things that she would want to happen,” Behrman said. “I try to see that that happens.”
To learn more about how to keep you and those around you safe on campus and in the community, visit Protect IU.
Marilyn Behrman shares photos of Jill Behrman throughout her life.
Marilyn Behrman shares photos of Jill Behrman throughout her life.
Marilyn Behrman shares photos of Jill Behrman throughout her life.
Marilyn Behrman shares photos of Jill Behrman throughout her life.
Marilyn Behrman shares photos of Jill Behrman throughout her life.
Marilyn Behrman shares photos of Jill Behrman throughout her life.
Marilyn Behrman shares photos of Jill Behrman throughout her life.
Marilyn Behrman shares photos of Jill Behrman throughout her life.
Marilyn Behrman shares photos of Jill Behrman throughout her life.
Marilyn Behrman shares photos of Jill Behrman throughout her life.
Marilyn Behrman shares photos of Jill Behrman throughout her life.
Marilyn Behrman shares photos of Jill Behrman throughout her life.
