Above: Katherine Lyon in 1975 (left) and an age-progressed image to 39, circa 2003 (right)


Above: Sheila Lyon in 1975 (left) and an age-progressed image to 41, circa 2003 (right)

Katherine Mary Lyon and Sheila Mary Lyon

Last seem in Wheaton, Maryland on May 25, 1975.

Vital statistics: Katherine was born on March 29, 1964. Blond hair; blue eyes. Katherine has a birthmark inside her upper thigh. Her nickname is "Kate." Last seen wearing a red jacket and Wrangler brand blue jeans with a front zipper. Was ten at time of disappearance. Sheila was born on March 30, 1962. Blond hair; blue eyes. Sheila wears eyeglasses. Last seen wearing a dark blue shirt and wheat-colored corduroy pants. Was twelve when last seen.

NCIC number: M-605329953 (Katherine) and M-6053299749 (Sheila)

Circumstances: Sheila and Katherine both were last seen inside the Orange Bowl restaurant talking to an unknown middle-aged man on March 25, 1975. They did not return home when they were supposed to, and haven't been heard from since. However, the girls were believed to have been spotted bound and gagged in the rear of a beige Ford station wagon on April 7. The car had the licence plate number DMT-6** (the last two digits are unknown due to the bending of the plate). A picture of the suspect is posted below. Later, this sighting was deemed "unreliable" for undisclosed reasons. This is the last noteworthy tip in the case. A ransom demand was not followed through on. Their father, John Lyon, was a well-known radio personality in the area. Classified as Endangered Missing.

Theories: There are two possiblities here. One is that Sheila and Katherine ran away together. However, there is nothing to indicate that is the case, and subsequent information seems to contradict this theory. With that out of the way, abduction seems to be the only other choice. With that, questions arise. Who was the man the girls were speaking to the day they vanished? What would he want with the girls? Why was a demand for ransom made when the girls were observed alive almost two weeks after their intial disappearence? The sighting of them alive also leads one to wonder if this was perhaps the intent all along, and the ransom demand was either not sent by the abductor or a ploy to lure people away from them. Both girls are very attractive, and the thought that another had dark designs for them must not be overlooked. Above all, we must remember that we are looking for two grown women, and not two bodies. In order to find a person, one must seek out a person.


Above: Sketches of possible abductor

If you have any information on the Lyon's wherabouts, please e-mail For The Lost at this address. Or you may call the Montgomery police department at 301-279-8000. All tips sent by e-mail will be kept confidential.


Information used to compile this case file came from the following locations:
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
The Charley Project
The Doe Network
Wikipedia

Back to the case files

Back home