Two Arrested in the 1975 Cold Case: Death Investigation of Laurel Jean Mitchell
On Monday February 6, 2023, the Indiana State Police arrested two men alleged to be responsible for the death of Laurel Jean Mitchell in 1975, an investigation which has spanned the course of nearly a half century.
(Synopsis of the overall case) On Wednesday August 6, 1975, at approximately 10:00 pm Laurel Jean Mitchell age 17, of North Webster Indiana left work at the Epworth Forrest Church camp on the North side of North Webster Lake in Kosciusko County. She did not arrive home. Her parents contacted Police to report her missing. The next day August 7th, at around 10:30 am, her body was found in the water, approximately 17 miles to the northeast of North Webster at the Mallard Roost public access site in western Noble County. Her cause of death was listed as drowning, and the autopsy report showed signs that she had fought for her life.
Investigators with the Indiana State Police- Ligonier Post initiated a Murder investigation along with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Noble County Sheriff’s Department and Noble County Coroner’s office. The initial investigators spent thousands of hours trying to solve her murder. Over the next five decades numerous Detectives would continue to work on her case, all the while her family would suffer with no answers.
On Monday February 6, 2023, forty-seven years and six months after her death, the Indiana State Police and the Noble County Sheriff’s Department arrested two individuals in Laurel Mitchell’s death.
- Fred Bandy Jr. (67), of Goshen, Indiana
- John Wayne Lehman (67), of Auburn, Indiana
Both men were taken into custody at their respective homes yesterday morning without incident. Both were charged with one (1) count of Murder, and both were incarcerated in the Noble County Jail, where they remain held without bond.
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 lead investigators to the two suspects.
In a press conference, Indiana State Police Captain Kevin Smith stated, “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.” Smith also thanked… “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 publics willingness to bring forward important information was key to solving this case and I thank them.”
The Indiana State Police has been assisted in this investigation by numerous detectives from both the Fort Wayne Post and Bremen Post, the Indiana State Police Laboratories in both Fort Wayne and Lowell, the Noble County Sheriff Department, the Kosciusko County Sheriff Department, Noble County Prosecutor’s Office, Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Noble County Coroner’s Office.
***Criminal Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted by a court of law
Committee clears Mayfield’s bill to support local meat processors, protect supply chain
The House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on Monday voted unanimously in support of State Rep. Peggy Mayfield’s (R-Martinsville) bill to improve food supply resilience through increasing local meat processing capacity and production.
During the pandemic, Indiana received a $4 million federal grant for small meat processors to improve facilities to meet a spike in demand and improve safety for workers. With that funding ending, Mayfield said she authored legislation to create a state Meat Processing Investment Grant Program and fund to be administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture along with a $10 million state investment.
If Mayfield’s bill passes, the maximum grant amount for each eligible applicant would be $500,000 and would require an equal investment from the applicant. Existing or startup commercial meat or poultry processors with under 500 employees that have a processing plant license in good standing with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health could qualify for funding. Grants could be used to buy land, construct or expand facilities, and modernize equipment and technology to better ensure food safety.
House Bill 1478 now heads to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration. For more information, or to watch session and committees live, visit iga.in.gov.
Ivy Tech offering Society for Human Resource Management course
Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington is offering a 12-week Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM®) certification preparation class. The course starts Feb. 20 and will be held Mondays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Students can attend the class via Zoom or in-person at Ivy Tech Bloomington.
To be eligible for the SHRM®-CP and SHRM®-SCP exams, participants must meet specific educational and work experience criteria at the time of application. For details on eligibility, visit shrmcertification.org/eligibility.
SHRM®-certified professionals report a greater understanding of necessary skills. This is an opportunity to demonstrate qualifications and become a recognized expert in human resources. Students will learn how to apply HR principles to real-life, ethical practices, and employee relations.
Short term training classes like SHRM are hosted by Ivy+ Career Link Workforce Training. This program takes the employee-employer relationship to a new level with opportunities to skill-up existing employees. Whether you are a small business, a start-up, or an enterprise level company, Ivy Tech will work with you to provide targeted professional development to help employees in your organization do their best work.
For cost information and registration, visit www.ivytech.edu/bloomington/careerlink.
This Week in Hoosier History
1923 – Hook’s Drug Stores had expanded to 13 locations in Central Indiana. They had stores in Indianapolis, Anderson, Kokomo, Lafayette, Marion, and Muncie. Specials for the week included hot water bottles for $1.39, alarm clocks at 98 cents, Bromo Seltzer for 89 cents, Carter’s Little Liver Pills at 19 cents, and a 5-pound box of Lowney’s Red Heart Valentine chocolates for $1.85.
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