News Releases

Statement Regarding Lyon Sisters Investigation

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 20, 2015

For 40 years, the Montgomery County Police Department has continued to investigate the 1975 disappearance of sisters, Katherine (age 10) and Sheila (age 12) Lyon, with a focused purpose of bringing the person or persons responsible for their disappearance to justice.

In February of 2014, investigative leads brought detectives to the area of Bedford County Virginia; The Department and the FBI named Lloyd Lee Welch, also known as Michael Welch, as a person of interest in this case. Through investigation, detectives determined that Welch had a possible connection to Bedford County.

Since that time, Montgomery County detectives have been working tirelessly with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police, looking for evidence and gathering information that may indicate that Welch and other persons had a connection to the girls’ disappearance. We believe that there are people, including family members of Dick and Lloyd Welch, who have information that would further this investigation.

As part of this continuing investigation, search warrants have been executed at various residences; the content of these search warrants has since become public information.

As a Department and community, we must remember the ultimate goal of this investigation - holding the person(s) responsible for the girls' disappearance accountable for their actions.  Therefore, at this time,  and until this case reaches closure, the Department is unable to provide additional information or comment on the content of the search warrants.  The Department will not discuss details of this case that may jeopardize the integrity and ultimate resolution of the case.  We thank the media and public for understanding our position.

As we relentlessly pursue this case, be assured that our Department will not stop until those responsible for the Lyon sisters' disappearance are brought to justice.  As we get closer to determining what transpired in 1975, we ask that you continue to keep this case in your thoughts.

We continue to urge anyone with information about this case to call the Montgomery County Police Department-Major Crimes Unit immediately at 240-773-5070.

RLI

Statement by Chief J. Thomas Manger:

"We are unable to provide additional information or comment on the content of the recently unsealed search warrants as this is still an ongoing and active investigation.  Our Department and our partners in Virginia remain committed to determining what happened to Katherine and Sheila Lyon. We believe that there are people, including family members of Dick and Lloyd Welch, who have information that would further this investigation. Detectives are urging anyone with information to contact the Major Crimes Division immediately at 240-773-5070."

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Release ID: 15-049
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases