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Two Indiana men including known child molester arrested for 1975 murder of church camp worker, 17

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Two Indiana men including known child molester arrested for 1975 murder of church camp worker, 17


Laurel Mitchell disappeared in August 1975, and was discovered drowned in a river 17 miles from her residence

Two 67-year-old males in Indiana have been arrested for the homicide of a 17-year-old church camp employee who was killed virtually 50 years in the past whereas strolling residence from work. 

Laurel Mitchell’s kinfolk raised the alarm on August 6, 1975 after she disappeared following her shift at Epworth Forest Church camp, 40 miles north west of Fort Wayne.

Her physique was discovered the next day in a river, 17 miles from her residence.

Some native residents claimed they heard a voice saying ‘let’s get her’, and the slamming of a automobile door, however Captain Kevin Smith spent a long time looking for her killer, with out having the ability to make any arrests.

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On Tuesday, nonetheless, Smith instructed a press convention that two native males had been arrested the day past and charged along with her homicide.

Considered one of them, Fred Bandy Jr., had served time in jail for little one molestation.

In 2001, he pleaded responsible to little one solicitation and contributing to the delinquency of a minor; in 2016, he pleaded responsible to 2 counts of kid molestation and served almost six years.

His childhood pal who was additionally arrested for the homicide, John Wayne Lehman, doesn’t seem to have a felony report. 

Fred Bandy Jr, 67, was arrested on Monday

John Wayne Lehman, also 67, was arrested at his home on Monday

Fred Bandy Jr (left) and John Wayne Lehman (proper), each 67, have been each arrested on Monday

An post-mortem report beforehand acknowledged that she ‘confirmed indicators that she had fought for her life.’ 

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‘This case is a end result of a a long time lengthy investigation,’ stated Smith on Tuesday.

‘And science lastly gave us the solutions we would have liked.

‘Taking part in a big position in costs being filed was the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division. We merely couldn’t have solved this case with out them.’ 

Smith despatched {the teenager}’s garments for a brand new DNA evaluation in 2019, and fashionable know-how gave a extra complete image.

Three suspects have been eradicated as potentialities, paperwork stated, consideration shifted to Bandy.

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They’re believed to have used genealogical databases to trace him down, and he voluntarily gave a DNA pattern earlier than Christmas. 

The cheek swab confirmed that he’s ’13 billion (13,000,000) occasions extra more likely to be the contributor of the DNA in Laurel J. Mitchell’s clothes than another unknown individual,’ stated charging paperwork obtained by Regulation and Crime.

Investigators concluded that Lehman and Bandy took Bandy’s Oldsmobile and, ‘with premeditated malice’, snatched her from the street and took her to the ‘Mallard Roost public entry web site’ in Noble County.

They stated the pair dragged her from the car, and ‘intentionally drowned’ her. 

Captain Kevin Smith announced the arrests, nearly 50 years after the young girl was killed

Captain Kevin Smith introduced the arrests, almost 50 years after the younger woman was killed

The pair got here on police radar in 2013, when a girl, Ranae Sexton, got here ahead and stated that Lehman — after a date and a celebration when she was 16 in 1975 — admitted to her that he and his pal Bandy dedicated a criminal offense. 

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A 12 months later, in July 2014, Invoice McDonald – recognized as a highschool sophomore on the time of the homicide – instructed police that Bandy additionally confessed to the crime whereas at a celebration. 

Paperwork alleged that Bandy additionally revealed Lehman’s alleged involvement.

Sarah Knisley, Mitchell’s sister, praised Smith for his dogged dedication to unravel the case.

She instructed The New York Occasions that Smith carried round ‘huge books’ that detailed the names and addresses of everybody the authorities had interviewed over time.

‘There have been over 1,000 names in there,’ she stated.

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She stated she was unhappy their dad and mom weren’t alive to see the arrests. 

‘I simply all the time questioned, you understand, how would have turned out,’ Knisley stated of her sister. 

‘She missed promenade, she missed commencement, she missed getting married, and having youngsters and a all that stuff. 

‘It was simply such a waste and I did not have anyone to share all of that with. Anybody to get info, to assist me develop up.’ 



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These are four of Indiana’s most treasured views. How to find and enjoy them

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These are four of Indiana’s most treasured views. How to find and enjoy them


Outsiders might not associate the Crossroads of America with scenic beauty, but get beyond Hoosiers’ Midwest modesty and Indianapolis residents will point you to some truly inspiring views in their home state.

You can drive from Fremont in far northeast Indiana to Mount Vernon in the state’s southwest in less than six hours, and there are ample day trips to be had in the spaces between. While not an exhaustive list of Indiana’s most treasured places, these sites offer varied experiences that are all breathtaking in their own right.

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[ Most Treasured Views in America: National | West | South | Middle America | Northeast ]

Brown County’s fall colors from Bean Blossom Overlook

A day trip to scenic Brown County is a fall rite of passage for many Hoosiers. With acres of wooded hills, Indiana’s “Little Smokies” offer a unique rural refuge only an hour’s drive south of downtown Indianapolis.

From Nashville’s quaint shops and restaurants to Brown County State Park’s numerous trails and views from its 90-foot fire tower, there are relaxing options for all abilities and interests. A five-minute drive north of Nashville on State Highway 135 will take drivers to the Bean Blossom Overlook, one of the best vistas for fall foliage peeping in the county.

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Brown County offers year-round cultural and recreational activities, but peak visiting season comes between October and early November when leaves from the region’s American beech, sugar maple, black walnut, shagbark hickory and white ash turn vibrant hues of yellow, orange and red.

Things to do:

  • Pull off at the Bean Blossom Overlook, 3.7 miles north of Nashville on State Highway 135, and soak in the views from the easily accessible roadside stop.
  • Visit Brown County State Park for miles of hiking, horseback riding, or even an overnight stay at the park’s historic Abe Martin Lodge. Brown County State Park offers a variety of free and paid activities, which visitors can research on its website. The daily entrance fee is $7 for Hoosiers and $9 for nonresidents.
  • Tour downtown Nashville’s eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and historical landmarks. From fine dining to ice cream, artisan shops and a pioneer museum, Nashville can offer a fun break and fuel for further outdoor exploration.

Indiana Dunes National Park’s expansive Lake Michigan vistas

With sand between your toes, Lake Michigan gently lapping at its southern shore, and abundant birdwatching, Indiana Dunes National Park brings Hoosiers beach vibes without the full-day drive to Florida or the Carolinas.

Dedicated as a national park in 2019, this 15-mile stretch of sandy beaches, rising dunes and wildlife-filled marshes is unlike anything else in Indiana. Today’s dunes, a 2 ½-hour drive north of Indianapolis, are the result of more than a century of struggle to preserve this ecologically diverse stretch of lakeshore from development and decline.

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Park explorers can learn about the dunes’ shifting sands, Great Lakes ecosystem and more through interpretative offerings, or just kick back and enjoy some sand and sun on a hot summer day.

Things to do:

  • Take a hike. The park’s 1966 Hiking Challenge is inspired by its 19 hikes covering 66 miles of trail. Ranger-led hikes are held at 8 a.m. Saturdays from late April through August. Those who complete all 19 treks, with a ranger-led group or on their own, can earn a commemorative sticker.
  • Plan a beach day. Most of the park’s beaches are open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., while West and Porter beaches close at 9 p.m. West Beach offers locker rooms, showers and lifeguards from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend.
  • Contemplate the cosmos. The park’s Kemil Beach is open 24 hours, allowing stargazers a chance to enjoy dark skies afforded by the park’s remote nature and nearby Beverly Shores’ designation as an International Dark Sky Community.

Indiana Dunes charges a $25 entrance fee per vehicle. America the Beautiful pass holders can enter for free. Learn more about the park, fees and activities at www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm.

University of Notre Dame’s majestic campus

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Few university campuses can claim to match the instantly recognizable grandeur of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend. The golden dome of the Main Building towers over a campus filled with iconography of the Catholic faith, Hoosier history and college football tradition.

Campus explorers can find the Gothic-inspired Basilica of the Sacred Heart next to the Main Building, reflect at the Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes, take in the famous mural of “Touchdown Jesus” on the Hesburgh Library and circle legendary Notre Dame Stadium on their own, or as part of one of the university’s guided tours.

Things to do:

  • Tour Notre Dame Stadium. Football junkies can schedule a paid tour, ranging from $10 per person to $300 for a private group of 10. The private tours and $20 North Tunnel Experience include a stop at the iconic “Play Like a Champion” sign.
  • Shop at the bookstore. The Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore, 1 Eck Center, is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Sure, it sells college essentials, but the wide variety of Fighting Irish memorabilia is the real draw for visitors. Pro tip: Notre Dame is a cashless campus, so be ready to break out your debit or credit card.
  • Dine on campus. Exploration is hungry work, and Notre Dame has numerous options for visitors seeking a step up from the dining halls. Legends of Notre Dame and Rohr’s are both open to the public and take reservations. Legends pub is just south of Notre Dame Stadium, while the more upscale Rohr’s is located in Morris Inn.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, right before the Indy 500

You didn’t think we’d forget “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” did you?

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You don’t have to be here on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend to enjoy Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A newly renovated museum, the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course, and IndyCar Experience two-seat race car rides are among the diverse options to take in racing’s hallowed grounds.

But there’s nothing else in the world like the moments before the Indianapolis 500, as more than 300,000 fans gather for “(Back Home Again in) Indiana,” the national anthem and military flyover, and the unmistakable roar after “Gentlemen, start your engines!”

Race fans can enter the grounds and browse the IMS Museum’s gift shop for free outside of event days, or pay to attend any number of events on the track. Outside of the Indy 500, the annual IMS schedule stretches into October, with NASCAR’s Brickyard 400, the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks, and the Indy 8 Hour Intercontinental GT Challenge among the late summer and early fall offerings.

Things to do:

  • Kiss the bricks: Recreate this Indy 500 tradition by kissing the bricks at the track’s finish line. The track’s “Kiss the Bricks Tour” runs $15 for adults with discounted rates for kids and seniors. Museum admission is required for all tours and costs $25 for adults.
  • Take in a race: Visit indianapolismotorspeedway.com/season-schedule for a full schedule of upcoming events and plan a visit around a day of racing.
  • Grab some gear: The official IMS shop is attached to the speedway’s museum, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, though hours vary in May. Race junkies need to be prepared for impulse buys, though, as everything in the store is an eye-catcher. The museum is at 4750 W. 16th St., in the track’s infield.

Eric Larsen is IndyStar’s executive editor. Reach him at ericlarsen@indystar.com

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1.7 million dozen eggs recalled after salmonella outbreak. Where they were sold in Indiana

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1.7 million dozen eggs recalled after salmonella outbreak. Where they were sold in Indiana


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Be careful with breakfast.

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About 1.7 million dozen shell eggs are being voluntarily recalled after being linked to a salmonella outbreak, officials say.

Indiana is among nine states where the eggs were sold.

The salmonella outbreak is linked to 79 hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.

The recall was issued on June 6 after brown cage-free eggs and brown certified organic eggs distributed by August Egg Company and sold under different brand names and restaurants were linked to the outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration says.

“FDA is working with the firm to determine if eggs were distributed elsewhere and will update the advisory as information becomes available,” the FDA states on its website.

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The outbreak has led to an investigation, the FDA says.

Which brands sold recalled eggs?

The eggs were sold under the following brands, according to the FDA:

  • Clover
  • First Street
  • Nulaid
  • O Organics
  • Marketside
  • Raleys
  • Simple Truth
  • Sun Harvest
  • Sunnyside

Where were the eggs sold?

The eggs were sold in Walmart locations across nine states:

  • California
  • Washington
  • Nevada
  • Arizona
  • Wyoming
  • New Mexico
  • Nebraska
  • Indiana
  • Illinois

Eggs recalled from Walmart were distributed from Feb. 3 to May 6, and sell-by dates ranged from March 4 to June 19.

How can I tell if I purchased the recalled eggs?

The eggs were sold under the plant code numbers P-6562 or CA5330 and include organic and cage-free eggs, the FDA says.

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Other stores that sold the recalled eggs

Eggs were also sold in the following locations in California and Nevada:

  • Save Mart
  • FoodMaxx
  • Lucky
  • Smart & Final
  • Safeway
  • Raleys
  • Food 4 Less
  • Ralphs

The eggs sold in the stores listed above were distributed from Feb. 3 to May 15, and had sell-by dates that ranged from March 4 to June 4.

What to do if you purchased the recalled eggs

Anyone who has purchased the recalled eggs should throw them away or return them to the store where they were purchased, according to the CDC. People should also wash anything the eggs may have touched using “hot soapy water or a dishwasher.”

Anyone who is experiencing the following severe symptoms should call their health care provider immediately, the CDC says:

  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees
  • Diarrhea for more than three days
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Vomiting with inability to keep liquids down
  • Signs of dehydration:
    • Lack of urination
    • Dry mouth and throat
    • Feeling dizzy when standing up

Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com:@cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.



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Pacers fans flock to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for NBA Finals watch party

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Pacers fans flock to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for NBA Finals watch party


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Game 2 of the NBA Finals tips off tonight in Oklahoma City. Back here Indiana, the Pacers are hosting a watch party at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. 

Official watch party tickets sold out within 30 minutes of being released. But you can still attend the watch party according to Ticketmaster, verified resale tickets are available for resale. 

Gates for the watch party open at 7 p.m., with the game tipping off at 8 p.m. 

Concessions are open and the jumbotron is lowered. Inside the arena, fans will also be able to check out the massive Larry O’Brien trophy.  

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This evening will also feature  in game giveaways, the Pacers Entertainment Team and Concourse Entertainment. 

“I think the Pacers will be ready to go. Rick will have it ready to go. But here, it’s a watch party again. I’m looking forward to it,” play-by-play announcer for the Pacers Chris Denari said. “I’ve helped host two of them. I was in Oklahoma City for Game 1, but I’ll be right here tonight with all the great Pacers fans at the Fieldhouse.”

With Game 2 tipping off this evening, we asked Denari about the keys to the Pacers winning and going up 2-0.

“Well they’ll hopefully get off to a little bit better start than they did in Game 1. We know this team is capable of a comeback — but get off to a better start, take care of the ball,” he said. “… Don’t get behind so early, but if they do, don’t go away. Because you’ll never want to go away from this Pacers team.”

Denari says he can feel the energy from all of Indianapolis and the state.

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“It’s something special to go around town seeing people with their Pacers gear on. You go in the neighborhoods, people are flying Pacers flags. This is just a chance to bring people together, right?” Denari said.



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