Delphi murders: A man has been arrested and charged in the 2017 killings of 2 teen girls in Indiana, authorities say

CNN
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A man has been arrested in the 2017 killings 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 sure a major step in leading to the conclusion of this long term 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 you are all expecting final details today concerning this arrest, today is not that day,” he said.

“We are going to continue 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 Prosecuting Attorney Nick McLeland said at the news conference.

Abby and Libby set out 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 teens failed to meet Libby’s dad that afternoon for a ride home. Eighteen hours later, their bodies were found in the woods, close to an abandoned railroad bridge they’d been photographing during their hike.

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

But it was another image Libby captured that drew headlines across the country – a grainy, pixelated image of a man in a blue jacket and jeans on the bridge. Shortly after the killings, Indiana State Police released that image of the man they believed to be a suspect in the double homicide, CNN previously reported.

State police also released an audio recording of the alleged killer saying the four words that continue to terrorize Delphi: “… guys … down the hill,” in the hopes the public might identify the suspect’s voice.

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

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

Libby’s grandparents, Mike and Becky Patty, issued a passionate appeal for help in 2021.

“Realizing life goes on, life is busy, people forget,” they said in a letter to the public. “Please understand, at one time that was us also. But not now, we are stuck in time looking for a monster that murdered two young girls. We are only asking for one minute out of your day. If it was your child or loved one, would you think that is too much to ask?”

In December 2021, detectives with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and 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 media sites, according to a state police news release.

The catfish account “used images of a known male model and portrayed himself as being extremely wealthy and owning numerous sports cars,” the release said. “The creator of the fictitious profile used this information while communicating with juvenile females to solicit nude images, obtain their addresses, and attempt to meet them.”

Investigators have identified the model pictured in the photos and said, “he 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 news release.

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

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

Delphi resident Shirley Goyer said the town “is ready for the news” on Monday and many people will be present during the news conference in anticipation that police might have caught the person responsible for Abby’s and Liberty’s deaths.

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