Missing Lyon Sisters: Second Person of Interest Named

Montgomery County Police want to talk to the uncle of a convicted sex offender earlier named as a person of interest in the 1975 disappearance of two Wheaton sisters.

At a Thursday news conference in Bedford County, VA, about five hours south of the girls’ home, Montgomery Assistant Police Chief Russ Hamill said they believe Richard Allen Welch Sr. was a security guard in the Wheaton area decades ago.

Sisters Sheila Lyon, 12, and Katherine Lyon, 10, had gone to Wheaton Plaza (now known as Westfield Wheaton Mall) on March 25, 1975, but never returned, Patch previously reported.

“There’s people out here in these communities that know what happened back then and carry it with them today,” Hamill said. “It’s their responsibility to step forward and bring closure to this heart-wrenching matter. The two little girls are the main victims, but there are many victims.”

Hamill said Richard Welch is in his 70s. While authorities know his location, he declined to share specifics.

Investigators believe Richard Welch owned property at Taylor’s Mountain in the Thaxton area of Bedford County, WJLA TV reports. On Thursday, Hamill said he thinks “there’s a good chance” the girls are on the mountain.

Authorities in both states are working to pinpoint where Richard Welch worked in the 1970s, and asked businesses to contact police if they have insight into his work history.

Police are combing through the Bedford County property, in southwest VA, that once belonged to the family of Lloyd Lee Welch, the nephew of Richard Welch. Lloyd Welch, also known as Michael Welch, was named a person of interest in the case earlier this year.

Montgomery County Police said Lloyd Welch was “noticed paying attention to the sisters the afternoon they disappeared. Since 1997, Lloyd Welch has been in a Delaware prison, and he is a convicted sex offender. He was charged with sex offenses against young girls in several states, according to police, who said there could be additional victims who have not yet come forward.

Anyone who may have encountered either Welch may call investigators at 1-800-CALL-FBI or can submit a tip online.