Suspects in the 1975 murder of a teenager have pleaded not guilty and face life imprisonment if convicted

ALBION, Indiana (WANE) – The two men accused of kidnapping a Kosciusko County teenager and then drowning her in Noble County in 1975 pleaded not guilty on their first court appearance Wednesday.

Fred Bandy Jr. and John Wayne Lehman, both 67, were arrested Monday and taken into custody for killing Laurel Jean Mitchell, a 17-year-old girl from North Webster. Both men have been charged with murder and if convicted, both could face life sentences.

On August 6, 1975, Mitchell disappeared and her body was found by some fishermen in the Elkhart River the next day. An autopsy revealed that she had drowned but fought and her death was ruled a homicide. She had left work and was walking to meet up with friends when, according to authorities, she was kidnapped and later killed.

Authorities held a news conference Tuesday to announce the arrests, and at the time Noble County Attorney Jim Mowery said the investigation was ongoing.

WANE 15’s Rex Smith was in Albion for Bandy and Lehman’s court appearance and this story will be updated as more information emerges.