2026-07-15 22:10:28 WTOP reflects on John Lyon’s decadeslong search for closure in his daughters’ 1975 disappearance – NEW WTOP Skip to main content

WTOP reflects on John Lyon’s decadeslong search for closure in his daughters’ 1975 disappearance

By WTOP Staff

A prominent radio voice who’s also connected to one of the D.C. area’s most memorable crimes has died.

John Lyon’s 22-year career at WMAL radio in D.C. coincided with his family’s search for answers in the 1975 disappearance of his young daughters, Sheila and Katherine. John Lyon was 85.

Sheila and Katherine disappeared from Wheaton Plaza during Easter vacation in 1975. WTOP’s Neal Augenstein has been covering the story for decades and joined WTOP anchor Mark Lewis to talk about it.

The following transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.

Help and assistance programs for furloughed federal workers in the DC region

By Jessica Kronzer
We want to know your thoughts on the government shutdown. How are you and your family affected? Share your story — Send us a message or a voice note through the WTOP News app on Apple or Android. Click the “Feedback” button in the app’s navigation bar. Some companies and local governments in the D.C. region are offering help to federal workers, many of whom are being furloughed and won't be paid during the government shutdown.
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