NOBLE COUNTY — More than 47 years after the homicide death of Laurel Mitchell in Kosciusko County, Indiana State Police have arrested and charged two men with murder.
On Monday, state police arrested Fred Bandy Jr., 67, of Goshen and John Wayne Lehman 67, of Auburn in connection with her death.
According to a release from state police, Mitchell, then age 17, was left work at the Epworth Forrest Church camp near North Webster Lake and never returned home.
Her body was found the following day, Aug. 7, 1975 in water 17 miles away from North Webster in Noble County.
For five decades investigators were left without an answer for Mitchell’s family
According to ISP, the much-needed break in the investigation came only within the last couple months, after Indiana State Police laboratory personnel were able to make an evidentiary correlation which led investigators to the two suspects.
“This case is a culmination of a decades-long investigation… and science finally gave us the answers we needed. Playing a significant role in charges being filed was the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division. We simply could not have solved this case without them.” Indiana State Police Captain Kevin Smith said. “The news media who gave this case coverage, which kept the public informed over the years and led to many citizens coming forward with valuable information. The public’s willingness to bring forward important information was key to solving this case and I thank them.”
-
Starbucks reveals new red holiday cups, plus seasonal menu return this year
Starbucks announced its holiday menu items and seasonal merch will be available in coffee shops nationwide starting Nov. 7.
Rainy conditions predicted for Election Day, looking at past election forecasts
Election Day 2024 will go down in the weather almanac as a rainy day. In Indianapolis, it has rained on five of the last 15 presidential elections.
Delphi Murders Trial: Day 15 | Video of Allen and expert witness on mental state
The trial of Richard Allen moves into its third week in Carroll County, IN. The defense continues to present its case to the jury.
Five-day trial for Herman Whitfield III to begin in December
Officers Steven Sanchez and Adam Ahmad face multiple charges for the death of Whitfield, who died on April 25, 2022, after police responded to his parents' home for a mental health crisis.
