Person of Interest Named in Kidnapping of Lyon Sisters; Others Victims Sought
| FBI Baltimore February 11, 2014 |
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, (date of birth December 30, 1956), aka Michael Welch, pictured below, was noticed paying attention to the sisters the afternoon they disappeared.
Sheila and Katherine, pictured below, were last seen just after 2 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 that afternoon, but they never returned. They disappeared without a trace and have not been heard from since.
| Sheila Lyon | Katherine Lyon |
Welch, a convicted sex offender, has been in prison in Delaware since 1997. He traveled extensively throughout the U.S. from the 70s through the mid-90s. Welch worked as a ride operator for a carnival company, often set up at malls. He was arrested in several states on charges of sexual offenses against young girls. There may be victims who have not come forward.
“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.
“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.
Below is a timeline of Welch’s known whereabouts.
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| January 9, 1974 | Austin, Texas |
| March 25, 1975 | Wheaton Plaza in Wheaton, Maryland |
| April 1, 1975 |
Address of 4714 Baltimore Avenue in Hyattsville, Maryland, provided to law enforcement |
| April 9, 1977 | Takoma Park, Maryland |
| November 1977 | Address of 1825 Main St. in Orlando, Florida, provided to law enforcemet |
| November 24, 1977 | Montgomery County, Maryland |
| March 13, 1980 | North Miami Beach, Florida |
| September 15, 1981 | Hyattsville, Maryland |
| April 15, 1982 to September 11, 1984 | Incarcerated (Maryland) |
| March 18, 1987 | Los Angeles, California |
| April 27, 1987 | Sioux City, Iowa |
| January 13, 1988 | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |
| February 4, 1988 | Sioux City, Iowa |
| December 20, 1988 | Horry County, South Carolina |
| March 17, 1989 | Horry County, South Carolina |
| September 1992 | Lockhart, South Carolina |
| November 16, 1992 | Clover, South Carolina |
| May 19, 1993 | Union County, South Carolina |
| May 31, 1994 | Union County, South Carolina |
| June 13, 1994 | Baltimore, Maryland |
| June 21, 1994 | Address of Road 3, Box 86 in Bedford, Pennsylvania, provided to law enforcement |
| July 13, 1994 | Address of 1800 Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, provided for sex offender registry |
| 1995 | Prince William County, Virginia |
| June 1996 | Address of 2242 Sussex Court in Woodbridge, Virginia, provided to law enforcement |
| March 1997 | New Castle County, Delaware |
| July 1997 to Present | Incarcerated (Delaware) |
Welch is also believed to have spent time in New York, but the related dates are unknown.
Anyone who may have encountered Michael Welch is asked to call investigators at 1-800-CALL-FBI submit any details to http://tips.fbi.gov.