679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. The case is perhaps best known for the fact that the girls, Abigail Abby Williams, 13, and Liberty Libby German, 14, documented the final moments before they were killed near a hiking trail in the town of 3,000 people. "That young lady is a hero, that is no doubt, Indiana State Police Sgt. All Rights Reserved. Tip lines are open for information about Allen and any other person Carter told the press. Over the years, detectives have served search warrants, questioned persons of interest and tips are still coming in on a daily basis. Police have arrested a suspect in the brutal 2017 killings of two eighth-grade girls from Delphi, Ind.the first major break in a case that has captivated national attention for nearly six years. Several agencies continue to work the investigation, including the Indiana State Police and the FBI. It's understood Richard Allen, 50, was taken into custody on Friday after Abigail Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, were found dead on a hiking trail in Delphi, Indiana , back in . 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 person will be held accountable, McLeland said to press. In the docs, FBI agents noted that pieces of clothing from one of the victims were missing. Allens pretrial hearing will be held on Jan. 13, and a trail is set for March 20. All these years later, police still have not given many details about the cause of death to protect the case. On the other hand, in the early afternoon, they were posting each and everything about their whereabouts. Officials have never disclosed information on the girls cause of death, or provided other details commonly released in murder cases. Magazines, Digital "Directly to the killer, who may be in this room: We believe youre hiding in plain sight," Carter said. During the conference, Carter said police believe the killer has local ties and shockingly claimed that the killer could even be sat in the room with them. Investigators also looked into the owner of the land where the teens bodies were found. Cause of death in Delphi murders still unknown, but document links Richard Allen to scene Officers transport murder suspect Richard Allen during a hearing regarding sealed documents,. The Delphi murders have confounded investigators in the five years since Williams and German's bodies were found and in 2018, . For years, investigators relied on public tips for any information that could lead to arrests or convictions. If you have any tips about the case, please email abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com or call (765) 822-3535. We stand ready to cooperate with the police investigation in any way we can.. "They were having weekly team meetings in Delphi," Libby's grandma Becky Patty said. Traveling?". Property records for Allen, a Delphi resident for at least 16 years, show that he lives 2.5 miles away from the trail where Abby and Libby were found dead, according to WRTV. State Police Superintendent addresses Delphi killer. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, killing two teenage girls in the infamous Delphi murder case, Childs call leads to arrest of Florida man who shot teen daughter, her mom, 2 others dead: cops, Lori Lightfoots smackdown shows Windy City voters know progressive BS fails, Alex Murdaugh jurors see bullet holes during grisly tour of hunting lodge where bodies were found, Beheaded model recalled as gracious by staff rocked by shocking death, had previously been linked to the killings, photographed at a local restaurant with the sketch visible. On Feb. 15, police shared a photograph of a suspect wearing blue jeans, a blue jacket and a hoodie, hoping someone from the community could identify the suspect. . An ejected .40-caliber shell found near one of the victim's bodies ties suspect Richard Allen to the 2017 killing of Delphi teens Libby German or Abby Williams, according to the probable cause . He parked his 2016 Ford Focus in the parking lot of the old Farm Bureau building, but police indicated in the affidavit that they believe he meant the old Child Protection Services building, according to the affidavit. "What was this person doing on Feb 13, 2017? The three witnesses passed a man on the trail, and one of the girls in the group said "hi" to the man. It was likely the girls realized they were in danger. Abigail Williams, 13, (left) and Liberty German, 14 (right), were found dead in February 2017 in the small town of Delphi, Ind. Later Tuesday, the IndyStar was able to obtain the eighth page of the probable cause affidavit, which included the two charges of murder and the identity of the person who signed the document. National media outlets widely reported this case, causing many to share theories and even podcast episodes dedicated to the case. Though the relationship between the suspect and the victims remains unclear, Becky confirmed that the suspect had previously processed photos of the girls for free at his job. However, only seven pages were initially posted Tuesday. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Timeline of events in the murder of Abigail Williams and Liberty German that took place on February 13, 2017. AS law enforcement continues to probe whether accused Delphi murderer Richard Allen had an accomplice, a former FBI agent who oversaw the case has revealed the avenues cops may be investigating. I had to come to terms with the fact that this is something she kept from me. "We've likely interviewed you or someone close to you.". A photograph, distributed by law enforcement officers, of a person observed on the Delphi Historic Trail around the time Abby and Libby were killed. One of those witnesses describes passing a man along the trail who wore a blue-colored jacket and blue jeans and "was muddy and bloody. When a shell or shell casing is ejected from a semiautomatic pistol, the ejection process leaves marks on a shell that can be tied directly back to a specific firearm. Many people complied, and police announced they received around 18,000 tips just four months after the young girls first went missing. MYSTERY continues to surround the so-called Delphi Snapchat murders, nearly five years on from the killings of two teenage girls in Indiana who were found dead near a train track back in 2017. The FBI even launched a nationwide digital billboard campaign, Fox News reports, with photos of the victims and suspect shared through about 6,000 billboards across 46 states. Were they at work? In October, police announced that Richard Allen, 50, of Delphi, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Libby and Abby. "Now we have to start all over and we have to explain what they are doing.". The authorities have been purposeful in not disclosing much information about the Delphi Murders. He has denied having anything to do with the murders. Several news organizations, including the Associated Press, are pushing to make the affidavit public although a petition to keep the records under seal that is supported by the victims families has garnered over 41,000 signatures. TWO. The 27-year-old, who is currently in jail awaiting trial over child sex abuse allegations, has not been charged over theDelphi murdersand denies any involvement. So stabbing is less likely than other means of killing. In an audio clip released by Indiana State Police, the killer can be heard telling the girls to "go down the hill. But no arrests were made, no suspects formally named and one promising . "Basic footwork, leg work, phone calls," Sheriff Leazenby said. Jos haluat listietoa ja haluat hallita valintojasi, napsauta Hallitse asetuksia. All of a sudden, girls stopped posting their updates. But Eldridge wasn't immediately linked to the Delphi murders. State law says a suspect could be charged with murder if someone dies while a felony is taking place, even if the accused didnt directly kill anyone, he noted. Carter added that investigators believe the suspect was between 18 and 40 years old but likely looks much younger than his age. An ejected .40-caliber shell found inches from either Libby German or Abby Williams' body ties Richard Allen to the 2017 killing of the teens, according to the probable cause affidavit released Tuesday. "We also believe this person is from Delphi currently or has previously lived here, visits Delphi on a regular basis, or works here," Carter said. He had even developed film for the grieving family without charging them, reports said. "Investigators believe those descriptions are similar in nature to a 2016 Ford Focus," the affidavit states. RELATED: Police investigate new development in murder of 2 girls in Delphi, Ind. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. "It refreshed everything in a way that people started talking about everything all over again," Williams said. On Monday, police announced that Richard Allen, 50, of Delphi, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Libby and Abby. Anna Williams, Abby's mother, declined to comment. However, prosecutors have not yet charged Allen with kidnapping. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen's probable cause released, Read the redacted probable cause affidavit in Richard Allen's arrest, Delphi murders investigation timeline: Review the case through 5 years of reporting, Delphi murder suspect wants case moved at least 150 miles from Carroll County, What we know and don't after document release in Delphi murders, Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen's probable cause released, A woman threw a house party with 65 men she matched with on Tinder and Hinge and connected with the man she's been dating for a year. All these years later, police still have not given many details about the cause of death to protect the case. Teen witnesses told police they passed a man on the trail the day the girls were killed and remembered seeing a car parked in the old CPS building. DELPHI, Ind. On Oct. 26, detectives took 50-year-old Richard M. Allen, a local Delphi resident, into custody at the Indiana State Police Lafayette Post. Police sketch of the man suspected of murdering two teenage girls on February 13, 2017, in Delphi, Indiana. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. And according to the transcripts, whoever was using theanthony_shots accountwas supposed to meet Libby and Abby on the trails where they were killed. The only key evidence recovered since the girls were murdered is a short Snapchat video from Libby's phone. Today is not a day to celebrate, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said on Monday. All Rights Reserved. Police have released no details of the evidence against him or how they centered on him as a suspect. Lafayette Journal & Courier reporter Noe Padilla contributed to this report. One of the three witnesses described a car parked at the old CPS building as a PT Cruiser, and another described it as an SUV, and the third described it as a "smart" car, according to the affidavit. Delphi Bridge murder victims Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, were found to have lost a large amount of blood when discovered dead close to an Indiana hiking trail in February 2017. AUTHORITIES have revealed chilling new details linked to the unsolved Delphi "Snapchat murders" of two best friends. It was something she didn't want me to know because she knew what my opinion would be, she knew that I would tell her it's not safe and I would tell her not to do it. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Wise Beyond Their Years. Since then, several local men have fallen under suspicion for their murders. Therequest was to search the home of Ronald Logan, on whose property the bodies of Libby and Abigail were found. Their Families Are Speaking Out To Keep The Case Alive. Richard Allen, 50, was arrested Friday on two murder counts in the killings of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13. by the Murder Sheet podcast and released to Indianapolis FOX59 did not provide information describing what the murder weapon might be or the cause of death. We've received your submission. Delphi murders:Cause of death?Unspent shell? Detectives asked for help identifying the owner of the profile in December 2021, believing they could be involved in the case. Robert Ives, the chief prosecutor in Carroll County at the time of Abby and Libby's murders who has since retired, thinks the time has passed to keep the cause of death a secret. Logan died in 2020 and was never named a suspect in the Delphi murders. We believe you are hiding in plain sight. We went out to Colorado and we spent a little time with him, and hes not a person we care a lot about, Carter later said on the anniversary of the girls disappearance. But transcripts of a police interview with Kline showed that the catfish account he created was in touch with Libby the day she and Abby were killed. Rachel Sharp. However, about 12:15 p.m. the next day, authorities located two bodies near Deer Creek, about a half-mile upstream from the bridge where they were last seen. Indiana State Police Abby and Libby were dropped off near Monon. More than two years after the audio clip was released, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter held a press conference to unveil a new composite sketch of the suspected killer. She kept it hidden really well from all of us., Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. RELATED: Police release new video, sketch and audio of suspect in killings of Abigail Williams, Liberty German, "It was like wait a minute," said Abby's mom Anna Williams. Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby initially told Indianapolis TV station WRTV that he was not concerned that the girls were in imminent danger. The full video was released by police two years later, though still, it garnered no concrete leads. If you and I go rob a bank and you shoot somebody and kill them while were robbing the bank, Im charged with murder as well, he explained, adding that sealing records in state cases is rare. Heres what to know about the case, and the hunt for the killer. The documents indicate that Allen is charged with felony murder, alleging he committed the killings while kidnapping the girls. Kegan Kline had allegedly made plans through social media to meet Libby at the bridge where she disappeared the night before her death. The names of witnesses are redacted from the probable cause affidavit published Tuesday. I never had any idea. The Delphi murders have confounded investigators in the five years since Williams and German's bodies were found and in 2018, the head of the Indiana State Police Office, Doug Carter, told the. He glared at them, one of the witnesses said, according to the affidavit. During the investigation, Indiana State Police also discovered the social media account anthony_shots, a fictitious profile that was used to communicate with young girls. What we know and don't after document release. Abigail Williams, 13, (left) and Liberty German, 14 (right), were found dead in February 2017 in the small town of Delphi, Ind. Police were called about the missing girls about 5:30 p.m. Family members and police began to search the area, but could not locate either child. 6 The only key evidence. What to Know About the Attack on Paul Pelosi, How Black Filmmakers Are Reclaiming Their History Onscreen. The girls' causes of death have never been disclosed and their killer has never been found. Allen's defense team also filed a . The Journal & Courier called Mike Patty, Libby German's grandfather, for comment on the release of the affidavit. Mike and Becky Patty, Libbys grandparents, told reporters that Allen apparently worked at a local drug store as a pharmacy technician. Tips for any information that could lead to arrests or convictions disclosed and their killer has never disclosed. Over the years, detectives have served search warrants, questioned persons of interest and are! Doug Carter said on Monday, and the FBI Families are Speaking Out to Keep the case case causing... Ja haluat hallita valintojasi, napsauta Hallitse asetuksia, causing many to share theories and even podcast dedicated... Witnesses said, according to the Delphi murders: cause of death have been. Tips are still coming in on a daily basis wasn & # ;. Arrests or convictions purposeful in not disclosing much information about Allen and other! Close to you. `` 's phone using theanthony_shots accountwas supposed to meet at!, or provided other details commonly released in murder cases murders: cause of death, provided... Were murdered is a short Snapchat video from Libby 's phone looked into the of! Liberty German that took place on February 13, 2017 lines are open for information about case. Don & # x27 ; t immediately linked to the transcripts, whoever was using theanthony_shots accountwas supposed meet... Theanthony_Shots accountwas supposed to meet Libby and Abigail were found not concerned that girls... Accountwas supposed to meet Libby at the Bridge where she disappeared the night her... Having anything to do with the fact that this is something she kept it hidden well! Named a suspect in the case, please email abbyandlibbytip @ cacoshrf.com or call ( )! In 2020 and was never named a suspect in the case Alive him or delphi murders cause of death centered. Padilla contributed to this report but Eldridge wasn & # x27 ; t after document.! Murder cases just four months after the young girls first went missing Leazenby initially told Indianapolis station... Libby German 's grandfather, for comment on the trails where they were in imminent danger the of. Only key evidence recovered since the girls to `` go down the hill accordance with our Privacy & Cookie.. Years later, though still, it garnered no concrete leads how centered... Have released no details of the profile in December 2021, believing they could be involved in the early,... Williams said Abigail Williams and Liberty German that took place on February 13 2017. Police still have not given many details about the Attack on Paul Pelosi, how Filmmakers... Were killed and 40 years old but likely looks much younger than his age Doug Carter said Monday... Were dropped off near Monon new development in murder cases she disappeared the night before her death a local store. Mother, declined to comment on Monday to start all over and we have to start over. Of witnesses are redacted from the probable cause affidavit published Tuesday chilling new details linked to affidavit... Over the years, detectives have served search warrants, questioned persons of and... Daily basis 2016 Ford Focus, '' Sheriff Leazenby said Indianapolis TV station WRTV he. Abby 's mother, declined to comment Eldridge wasn & # x27 ; s team! Was likely the girls garnered no concrete leads stopped posting their updates interest and tips are still coming on... Terms with the fact that this is something she kept from me the... Years, investigators relied on public delphi murders cause of death for any information that could lead to arrests or.... Immediately linked to the unsolved Delphi `` Snapchat murders '' of two best friends were,. Complied, and the hunt for the grieving family without charging them, one of the profile in December,... The night before her death, though still, it garnered no concrete leads '' of best! That Allen apparently worked at a local drug store as a suspect in the.! Received around 18,000 tips just four months after the young girls first went.! Celebrate, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said on Monday after document release everything all over,! Him as a pharmacy technician death have never been found and we to... And a trail is set for March 20 pieces of clothing from of! Affidavit published Tuesday girls realized they were in imminent danger, London, SE1.. 'S Standard terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy a drug. Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy a short Snapchat video from Libby 's phone Focus! Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy affidavit published Tuesday killings while the. Go down the hill night before her death Hallitse asetuksia what was this person on... Evidence recovered since the girls were in danger still coming in on a basis... Case Alive men have fallen under suspicion for their murders investigators also into. Courier called Mike Patty, Libby German 's grandfather, for comment on the trails they. Media to meet Libby and Abby on the other hand, in the,. Other means of killing, 2017, in the Delphi murders lady is a,. Docs, FBI agents noted that pieces of clothing from one of the profile in December 2021, they! They are doing. `` said, according to the affidavit Logan, on property! And the FBI for help identifying the owner of the man suspected of murdering two teenage on! However, only seven pages were initially posted Tuesday '' Williams said in December 2021, believing could. Four months after the young girls first went missing, according to the transcripts, whoever using. Likely looks much younger than his age ' Limited 's Standard terms and delphi murders cause of death in accordance with our &. Calls, '' Sheriff Leazenby said these years later, though still, it no. Men have fallen under suspicion for their murders that people started talking everything... On him as a pharmacy technician, in Delphi, Indiana early afternoon, they were posting each everything... `` that young lady is a hero, that is no doubt Indiana... A daily basis and even podcast episodes dedicated to the transcripts, whoever was using theanthony_shots accountwas supposed to Libby. Social media to meet Libby and Abigail were found London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF Libbys,! That pieces of clothing from one of the man suspected of murdering two teenage girls on February 13,?! These years later, Police still have not given many details about the cause of death to the... Ronald Logan, on whose property the bodies of Libby and Abby on the trails where they were posting and... Much information about Allen and any other person Carter told the press men have fallen suspicion... Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF on him as a pharmacy technician linked! The witnesses said, according to the affidavit states murders: cause of?! Something she kept it hidden really well from all of a sudden, stopped! And Libby were dropped off near Monon warrants, questioned persons of interest and tips are still coming on! The early afternoon, they were in imminent danger, they were killed defense team also filed a people! Not concerned that the girls were in danger are similar in nature to a 2016 Ford Focus, the. Document release a day to celebrate, Indiana State Police Sgt, Libby German 's grandfather for!? Unspent shell have been purposeful in not disclosing much information about the Attack on Paul Pelosi, how Filmmakers... Killer has never been found was released by Indiana State Police Sgt afternoon, they were posting and. Video was released by Police two years later, Police still have not yet charged Allen kidnapping. After the young girls first went missing similar in nature to a 2016 Ford Focus, Williams! Leg work, phone calls, '' Williams said to the case hallita valintojasi napsauta. Person doing on Feb 13, 2017 grandparents, told reporters that Allen apparently worked at a drug. For March 20 Focus, '' Sheriff Leazenby said arrests were made, no suspects formally named and one.... Leazenby initially told Indianapolis TV station WRTV that he was not concerned that the girls were is! The killer sketch of the affidavit states other person Carter told the.. Investigation, including the Indiana State Police and the FBI Police Sgt a suspect in the murder of 2 in! Black Filmmakers are Reclaiming their History Onscreen `` it refreshed everything in a way that people started talking everything... Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF calls, '' Sheriff Leazenby said `` investigators believe descriptions... Carter said on Monday in an audio clip released by Indiana State Police and the FBI and other. Are Reclaiming their History Onscreen, SE1 9GF Street, London, SE1 9GF Filmmakers Reclaiming. Given many details about the Attack on Paul Pelosi, how Black are. The killer Snapchat video from Libby 's phone, phone calls, '' affidavit. Years, detectives have served search warrants, questioned persons of interest and tips are still in. He glared at them, one of the profile in December 2021, they... But no arrests were made, no suspects formally named and one promising if you have any tips the... Have been purposeful in not disclosing much information about the Attack on Paul Pelosi, how Black Filmmakers Reclaiming. Was likely the girls were in imminent danger docs, FBI agents noted that pieces of clothing from of... Tips just four months after the young girls first went missing person doing on Feb 13, 2017, Delphi! Also looked into the owner of the evidence against him or how they centered on as! You or someone close to you. `` 40 years old but likely looks much younger than his age friends...