Her body was found in a creek bed.
Frederick, Md. (KM) – A Middletown man was sentenced on Friday for the murder of his wife two years ago. The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office says Thomas Anthony Lehan, 39, was given life with all but 50-years suspended for first-degree murder.
On March 22, 2020, Lehan reported to the Sheriff’s Office that his wife, Katie Lehan, was missing. He told authorities that she stepped out of their home in the 200 block of Broad Street in Middletown because she “needed air.” He said he took his young son to search for her.
The Sheriff’s Office conducted a search for Katie Lehan, and interviewed Thomas Lehan.
On March 26th, 2020, Thomas Lehan confessed his father-in-law that he strangled his wife. He also told investigators the location of Katie Lehan’s body. Lehan admitted to strangling his wife inside of the couple’s home, leaving her body along Lambs Knoll Road, and returning on March 23rd to move her body to another location. Katie Lehan’s body was found in a creek bed between Burkittsville and Brunswick.
“Domestic violence homicides are heinous enough on their own, but when you add that it was committed in front of a child is particularly egregious,” said State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, in a statement. “But more importantly, the family now has peace and certainty in the outcome and they were extremely relieved.”
Smith and Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Clinton represented the State in this case.
By Kevin McManus