Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) The process to extradite Lloyd Welch to Virginia started Thursday. Welch was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder Wednesday for allegedly abducting and killing 10-year-old Katherine and 12-year-old Sheila Lyon in 1975.
“Because Mr. Welch is an inmate in a Delaware state prison we have to go through the process of having him transported and turned over to Bedford County authorities,” said Bedford County Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Krantz.
Welch is in the Vaughn Correctional Center serving a 30-year sentence for molesting a 10-year-old girl in 1997.
Krantz filed the initial documents to enter Welch into the system so detainers may be filed against him in Delaware. Once that process is completed, Krantz’s office, the Delaware Attorney General’s Office and the Delaware Department of Corrections will file additional legal motions to make arrangements for Welch to be brought to Bedford, a process Krantz estimates will take between 30 and 60 days.
With Welch charged, Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown said at a press conference Thursday the investigation will focus on identifying anyone else involved in the heinous crime.
“Any of those who were involved in a concert of action who aided Lloyd Welch, who abetted Lloyd Welch also could have criminal culpability,” said Bedford County Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Krantz.
Lloyd’s uncle Dick, aunt Pat and cousin Henry Parker are all being investigated for their possible involvement in the case.
Lloyd told police he saw Dick molesting one of the sisters in his home shortly after the girls were abducted from the shopping center.
In 2014, Pat was charged with lying to a grand jury about the disappearance of the Lyon sisters.
According to court documents unsealed Wednesday, Parker spoke to police in 2014, telling them he saw Lloyd pull up to a family house in Taylors Mountain Road in Bedford back in 1975 and remove two stained and smelly duffel bags from his car. Parker said Lloyd then built a fire and threw the bags into it.
“Those that have been involved in the actual crimes or the recent cover-ups – obstruction, non-cooperation – here’s what I would say, ‘Examine your conscience,’” said Krantz.
Captain Darren Franke with Montgomery County Police echoed the Krantz’s call adding, “We will be relentless in finding the facts of this case.”
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