Delphi murders: Man arrested and charged in 2017 slaying of 2 Indiana teens, authorities say

CNN
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A man has been arrested in the 2017 slayings of Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, in Delphi, Indiana, authorities said Monday.

Richard M. Allen, of Delphi, was arrested on two counts of murder, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said at a news conference.

“The arrest of Richard M. Allen of Delphi on two counts of murder is certainly a major step toward the conclusion of this long and complex investigation,” Carter said.

“This investigation is far from complete,” the superintendent said. “And we will not jeopardize its integrity by releasing or discussing documents or information before the appropriate time.”

“While I know everyone is waiting for the final details today on this arrest, today is not that day,” he said.

“We will continue to take a very methodical and committed approach to ensure that, if any other person had any involvement in these murders in any way, that person or persons will be held accountable.”

Allen pleaded not guilty during an initial hearing, Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland said at the news conference.

Abby and Libby go on a hike at the Delphi Historic Trails during a day off from school on February 13, 2017 – but never returned.

A massive search began after the teenagers failed to meet Libby’s father that afternoon for a ride home. Eighteen hours later, their bodies were found in the woods, near an abandoned railroad bridge that they had photographed during their walk.

Abby posted a Snapchat photo of the girls crossing the railroad bridge shortly before they were killed.

But it was another image Libby captured that grabbed headlines across the country — a grainy, pixelated image of a man in a blue jacket and jeans on the bridge. Shortly after the murders, Indiana State Police released images of the man they believe is a suspect in the double murder, CNN previously reported.

State police also released an audio recording of the alleged killer saying the four words that continue to terrorize Delfi: “…guys…in the mountains,” in the hope that the public might be able to identify the suspect’s voice.

In 2019, police released a new sketch and additional video from one of the girl’s cell phones.

The murders devastated the community of Delphi, which gathered to find the killer. Investigators received a dozen or more new tips each day, Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland said in 2019.

Libby’s grandparents, Mike and Becky Patty, he launched an impassioned appeal for help in 2021.

“Life goes on, life is busy, people forget,” they said in a letter to the public. “Please understand, at one time it was us too. But not now, we are stuck in time looking for a monster who murdered two little girls. We only asked for a minute from your day. If it was your child or a loved one, do you think that’s too much to ask?”

In December 2021, detectives from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and the Indiana State Police asked for the public’s help regarding the social media profile for “anthony_shots,” which was used from 2016 to 2017 on Snapchat, Instagram and possibly other social networking sites a state police press release.

The catfish account “used the image of a well-known male model and presented himself as extremely wealthy and owned numerous sports cars,” the release said. “The creator of the fictitious profile used this information while communicating with juvenile females to request nude images, obtain their addresses, and try to meet them.

Investigators have identified the model pictured in the photos and said she is “not a person of interest in the investigation.”

Detectives, however, are seeking information about “the person who created the anthony_shots profile,” according to the press release.

Last week, Cynthia Rossi, a friend of Abby and Liberty who grew up near them, told CNN that there was “a lot of hope” that Monday’s announcement would bring closure to the case.

“I’m glad that justice will be served, hopefully, that’s what the news is, but a part of me will always die with them that day, and a part of me will never find peace and justice,” he said Red. .

Delphi resident Shirley Goyer said the city “is ready for the news” Monday and many people will be present during the press conference in anticipation that police may have caught the person responsible for the deaths of Abby and Liberty.

“There are a lot of people who will be here. We’ve been waiting for this, so it’s a good thing that we’re finally getting to the end, I hope,” said Goyer.