Lauren Spierer's parents appeal negligence suit in daughter's disappearance

The parents of missing Indiana University student Lauren Spierer have appealed a federal judge's decision to dismiss a civil negligence lawsuit that they filed against the men who were last seen with their daughter the night she disappeared three years ago.

The appeal was filed Friday in the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, three days after the judge ruled in favor of defendants Corey Rossman and Jason Rosenbaum.

In a 20-page ruling issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt wrote that "although the Court has great sympathy for the Spierers," they have failed to present sufficient evidence that Rossman and Rosenbaum were at fault for their daughter's disappearance.

The Spierers also are trying to bring back the lawsuit against a third defendant, Mike Beth. They are appealing Walton Pratt's decision to dismiss the claims against him.

The lawsuit was originally filed in 2013 against the three men, all of whom were seen with Spierer at various times the night she disappeared. Walton Pratt dismissed the suit against Beth in December, saying he was not negligent toward Spierer.

The IU fashion merchandise major from Greenburgh, N.Y. disappeared early June 3, 2011, after a night of partying with friends. Her disappearance remains under investigation.

Andrew Klein, dean and professor at the Indiana University Robert McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, said the Spierers face an uphill battle in winning an appeal, and the appellate court likely will defer to Walton Pratt's judgment.

Contact Star reporter Kristine Guerra at (317) 444-6209. Follow her on Twitter: @kristine_guerra.