ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. — An arrest has been made in a nearly two-decade-old cold case involving the death of Delia Lerma.

A St. Joseph County grand jury returned a murder indictment on March 19, 2026, against Lucio Lerma Sr., the victim’s husband, after reviewing evidence and hearing testimony from multiple witnesses. The indictment remained sealed while authorities worked to locate him.

Lerma was taken into custody and appeared before a St. Joseph County magistrate on March 23, when the indictment was unsealed. Because the case was presented through a grand jury, no formal probable cause affidavit was filed. Instead, a summary of the evidence was presented in court.

The judge ordered Lerma held without bond.

The case has been assigned to St. Joseph County Superior Court Judge Christopher Fronk. Lerma’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 6, 2026.

Authorities say the victim’s family has been notified of the indictment and arrest.

Investigators credited members of the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit, who originally worked the case in December 2007, along with the South Bend Police Department’s Cold Case Unit, for developing the evidence that led to the indictment.