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Person of Interest Named in Kidnapping of Lyon Sisters; Other Victims Sought

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Joint Press Release: FBI and Montgomery County Police Department

The Montgomery County Police Department-Cold Case Squad and FBI Agents in the Baltimore Division have named a person of interest in the disappearance of sisters, Sheila and Katherine Lyon, from a popular suburban Washington D.C. shopping center in 1975.  Investigators say Lloyd Lee Welch, dob: 12/30/1956, aka: Michael Welch, was noticed paying attention to the sisters the afternoon they disappeared.

Sheila and Katherine were last seen just after 2:00 p.m., walking between Wheaton Plaza (now Westfield Wheaton) and their home, only half a mile away.  Their mother told them to be home by 4:00 that afternoon, but they never returned.  They disappeared without a trace, and have not been heard from since.

Welch, a convicted sex offender, has been in prison in Delaware since 1997.  He traveled extensively throughout the U.S. from the 70’s through the mid 90’s.  Welch worked as a ride operator for a carnival company, often set up at malls.  He was arrested in several states, charged with sexual offenses against young girls.  There may be victims who have not come forward.

“We have all been haunted by the disappearance of the Lyon sisters.  Even though so much time has passed, we have not forgotten that those young girls deserve justice, and their family deserves closure.  We’re hoping one of you has information that will help us provide both,” said Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger.

“We understand we’re asking people to think back several decades to remember details they may not think matter.  However, the information you provide could be vital in our search for evidence, and put to rest difficult questions for the Lyon family and for any other victims who may exist,” said Steve Vogt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Maryland.

Anyone who may have encountered Michael Welch is asked to call investigators at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or they can submit a tip online at: http://tips.fbi.gov.

Please review the informational package and photographs below.  Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or they can submit a tip online at:  http://tips.fbi.gov.

Click here for Informational Package - Important Facts in Lyon Sisters Investigation

Below is a timeline of Welch's known whereabouts:































































































































































































































DateLocation
January 9, 1974Austin, Texas
March 25, 1975Wheaton Plaza in Wheaton, Maryland
April 1, 1975Address of 4714 Baltimore Avenue in Hyattsville, Maryland, provided to law enforcement
April 9, 1977Takoma Park, Maryland
November 1977Address of 1825 Main St. in Orlando, Florida, provided to law enforcemet
November 24, 1977Montgomery County, Maryland
March 13, 1980North Miami Beach, Florida
September 15, 1981Hyattsville, Maryland
April 15, 1982 to September 11, 1984Incarcerated (Maryland)
March 18, 1987Los Angeles, California
April 27, 1987Sioux City, Iowa
January 13, 1988Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
February 4, 1988Sioux City, Iowa
December 20, 1988Horry County, South Carolina
March 17, 1989Horry County, South Carolina
September 1992Lockhart, South Carolina
November 16, 1992Clover, South Carolina
May 19, 1993Union County, South Carolina
May 31, 1994Union County, South Carolina
June 13, 1994Baltimore, Maryland
June 21, 1994Address of Road 3, Box 86 in Bedford, Pennsylvania, provided to law enforcement
July 13, 1994Address of 1800 Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, provided for sex offender registry
1995Prince William County, Virginia
June 1996Address of 2242 Sussex Court in Woodbridge, Virginia, provided to law enforcement
March 1997New Castle County, Delaware
July 1997 to PresentIncarcerated (Delaware)


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February 11, 2014 Press Conference Announcing Person of Interest in Lyon case

 



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Release ID: 14-032
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases