New Details Surface In Case Against Man Accused Of Murdering Lyon Sisters

WHEATON, Md. (WJZ) -- New developments in the murder mystery case of two Montgomery County girls who went missing 40 years ago. A relative of the suspect may have more ties to the disappearance of the Lyon sisters.

Tracey Leong explains what a newly unsealed search warrant reveals.

This warrant suggests the relative Lloyd Welch, who was recently indicted on murder charges for the disappearance of the Lyon sisters, may have helped dispose of the bodies.

Police believe Lloyd Welch abducted, raped and murdered Sheila and Katherine Lyon. The two sisters vanished from a mall in Wheaton on March 25, 1975. Welch is facing two counts of murder.

Investigators say his cousin, Connie Akers, also played a crucial role. Akers was served a search warrant at her home in Salem, Virginia. Police were looking for writing, cell phones, computers and hard drives to trace her communication with Welch.

Akers is considered a witness and possibly a participant in the disposal of the 10 and 12-year-old sisters. She told investigators Welch came to her home in 1975, carrying two duffel bags with bloody clothing and she refused to wash them.

Welch told his cousin the blood was from ground beef that had spoiled.

Another relative admitted to police he helped Welch burn two heavy, red-stained bags that smelled of death and neighbors recall a fire that burned for days, smelling like a cremation.

Now, four decades later, investigators are hoping to finally offer justice to the girls' family.

Lloyd Welch is a convicted sex offender and is currently in a Delaware prison.

Court documents also reveal other family members knew Welch was involved with the Lyon sisters' disappearance and helped cover it up.