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On October 26, 2022, a suspect was taken into custody and appeared in court on October 28.<ref name="arrest" /> On October 31, 2022, Indiana State Police announced that the suspect had been charged with two counts of murder in the case. He has pleaded not guilty, with the start date of his trial scheduled to begin in March 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Noe |last1=Padilla |first2=Ron |last2=Wilkins |title=Delphi man charged with murder in killings of Libby German and Abby Williams |url=https://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2022/10/31/delphi-man-arrested-charged-murder-killings-of-libby-german-abby-williams/69600844007/ |date=2022-10-31 |access-date=2022-11-01 |newspaper=Journal & Courier |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last3=McLaughlin |first1=Emma |last1=Tucker |first2=Barbara |last2=MacDonald |first3=Eliott C. |date=2022-10-31 |title=A man has been arrested and charged with murder in the 2017 killings of 2 teen girls in Indiana, authorities say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/31/us/delphi-teen-killings-indiana-state-police-update/index.html |access-date=2022-11-01 |work=CNN |language=en}}</ref> |
On October 26, 2022, a suspect was taken into custody and appeared in court on October 28.<ref name="arrest" /> On October 31, 2022, Indiana State Police announced that the suspect had been charged with two counts of murder in the case. He has pleaded not guilty, with the start date of his trial scheduled to begin in March 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Noe |last1=Padilla |first2=Ron |last2=Wilkins |title=Delphi man charged with murder in killings of Libby German and Abby Williams |url=https://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2022/10/31/delphi-man-arrested-charged-murder-killings-of-libby-german-abby-williams/69600844007/ |date=2022-10-31 |access-date=2022-11-01 |newspaper=Journal & Courier |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last3=McLaughlin |first1=Emma |last1=Tucker |first2=Barbara |last2=MacDonald |first3=Eliott C. |date=2022-10-31 |title=A man has been arrested and charged with murder in the 2017 killings of 2 teen girls in Indiana, authorities say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/31/us/delphi-teen-killings-indiana-state-police-update/index.html |access-date=2022-11-01 |work=CNN |language=en}}</ref> |
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On November 29, Judge Frances Gull unsealed the probable cause affidavit which led to the suspect's arrest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richard Allen probable cause affidavit reveals unspent round from his gun was found near victim's body |url=https://www.abc57.com/news/richard-allen-probable-cause-affidavit-reveals-unspent-round-from-his-gun-was-found-near-victims-body |website=ABC57 |language=en}}</ref> A redacted version of the probable cause affidavit stated that an "unspent .40 caliber round" was found close to the bodies of the victim and that it came from a gun the suspect owned.<ref>{{cite web |title=Delphi murders: Affidavit says Richard Allen linked to bullet at crime scene |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/delpi-murders-richard-allen-affidavit-release-b2235609.html |website=The Independent |language=en |date=29 November 2022}}</ref> |
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==Memorials== |
==Memorials== |
Revision as of 00:20, 26 January 2023
Date | February 13, 2017 |
---|---|
Time | 2:07 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (EST) |
Location | Near Monon High Bridge, Deer Creek Township, Carroll County, Indiana, U.S. |
Coordinates | 40°35′20.7″N 86°38′34.2″W / 40.589083°N 86.642833°W |
Type | Murder |
Deaths |
|
Burial | IOOF Memorial Gardens (Liberty German)[1] IOOF Riverview Cemetery (Abigail Williams) |
Coroner | Jordan Cree, Carroll County |
Arrests | 1 |
On February 14, 2017, the bodies of Abigail Williams (June 23, 2003 – February 13, 2017) and Liberty German (December 27, 2002 – February 13, 2017) were discovered near the Monon High Bridge Trail, which is part of the Delphi Historic Trails in Delphi, Indiana, United States, after the young girls had disappeared from the same trail the previous day. The murders have received media coverage that included reports of a video and audio recording of an individual believed to be the girls' killer were found on German's smartphone.[2][3][4]
On October 26, 2022, a suspect was taken into custody,[5] and was subsequently charged with two counts of murder on October 31.[6]
Murders
At 1:35 p.m. on February 13, 2017, 13-year-old Abigail Joyce "Abby" Williams and 14-year-old Liberty Rose Lynn "Libby" German were dropped off by German's older sister, Kelsi German, on County Road 300 North, east of the Hoosier Heartland Highway. The girls were hiking on the Monon High Bridge over Deer Creek, among woodland in remote Deer Creek Township. At 2:07 p.m., Libby posted a photo of Abby walking the bridge; after this, they were not heard from again.[7][better source needed] They were reported missing at 5:30 p.m. after they failed to meet Liberty's father at 3:15 p.m. The families initially searched for the girls themselves before calling the police. Authorities who quickly searched the area did not initially suspect foul play in the disappearance. However, this changed when the bodies of the girls were found around noon the next day, about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) east of the abandoned Monon High Bridge.[8] The bodies were found on the north bank of Deer Creek.
Investigation
Police have not released details of how the girls were murdered.[9] As early as February 15, 2017, Indiana State Police began circulating a still image of an individual reportedly seen on the Monon High Bridge Trail near where the two friends were slain; the grainy photograph appears to capture a Caucasian male, hands in pockets, head down, walking on the rail bridge, towards the girls.[7][better source needed] A few days later, the person in the photograph was named the prime suspect in the double-homicide.[8]
On February 22, law enforcement released an audio recording where the voice of the suspect,[10] although muffled, is heard to say, "Down the hill." At this news conference, officials credited the source of the audio and imagery to German's smartphone and further regarded her as a hero for having had the presence of mind and fortitude to secretly record the exchange. Police indicated that additional evidence from the phone had been secured but would not release further details so as not to "compromise any future trial." By this time, the reward offered in the case was set at $41,000.[8]
On July 17, officers distributed a composite sketch of someone who, at that time in the investigation, was sought as a person of prime interest in the murders. It had apparently been drawn by police from eyewitnesses to a certain hiker of the Delphi Historic Trails on the day that the girls vanished.[8]
On April 19, 2019, Indiana State Police announced a "new direction" in the case.[11] On behalf of State Police and the Multi-Agency Taskforce, Superintendent Doug Carter released more materials a few days later in a press conference held on April 22. The new materials included a short video recording in which the blue-jeaned and jacketed suspect is seen walking along the rail bridge for a little over a second. Carter stated that, because of the deteriorated condition of the bridge, the suspect was not walking naturally due to the spacing between the ties.[citation needed]
An updated sketch of the suspect was also unveiled, as well as an extended version of the audio recording, in which a slight rise in the suspect's voice can be detected as he utters the word "Guys...", before the phrase "Down the hill."[7][better source needed] It was further explained that the previously released sketch, showing an older man with a goatee and cap, was now considered secondary; by contrast, the clean-shaven individual of the newly revised composite became the primary sketch of the prime suspect.[12] Police said this person might range from age 18 to 40 but cautioned that his "youthful appearance" could make him look younger than his true age.[citation needed]
Investigators revealed they had reason to believe that the suspect might well be hiding in plain sight and that the person was almost certainly familiar with the area of Delphi, whether it be from living or working there or for another reason.[13] An additional plea was made for help in identifying the driver of a vehicle left abandoned off the Hoosier Heartland Highway in Delphi, at the former Child Services office, between noon and 5 p.m. on the day of the murders.[14]
Persons of interest
On July 23, 2019, Paul Etter, who had been wanted for the kidnapping and rape of a 26-year-old woman on June 22 in Tippecanoe County was named as one of multiple suspects being investigated for the Williams and German murders, according to Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby. On June 27, 2019, the suspect was surrounded by police, and after a five-hour stand-off, he died by suicide.[15]
Another suspect, a registered sex offender from Indiana, was arrested in Woodland Park, Colorado in September 2017 and charged with threatening strangers on a Monument trail with a hatchet.[7][better source needed] In early February 2018, authorities said the suspect was no longer considered an active person of interest in the Delphi murders.[citation needed]
On April 27, 2021, Indiana State Police detectives named another suspect as a new person of interest in the Delphi murders.[16]
Developments
On October 26, 2022, a suspect was taken into custody and appeared in court on October 28.[5] On October 31, 2022, Indiana State Police announced that the suspect had been charged with two counts of murder in the case. He has pleaded not guilty, with the start date of his trial scheduled to begin in March 2023.[17][18]
On November 29, Judge Frances Gull unsealed the probable cause affidavit which led to the suspect's arrest.[19] A redacted version of the probable cause affidavit stated that an "unspent .40 caliber round" was found close to the bodies of the victim and that it came from a gun the suspect owned.[20]
Memorials
In response to a request from German's mother, homeowners across central Indiana have had orange lights installed on their front porches, both to commemorate the girls as well as to indicate that the murderer remains at large.[7][better source needed][21]
In August 2017, the families announced their plans to build a sports complex for Delphi in memory of the girls.[22] A non-profit organization, L & A Park Foundation, was formed to "celebrate and commemorate the lives of Libby German and Abby Williams by creating a place for the appreciation of nature, art, play, and athleticism for generations to come."[23] A site was procured a mile north of Delphi, and in the years following the girls' deaths, continued progress has been made in the development of Abby and Libby Memorial Park.[24] In 2020, the L & A Park Foundation was named a recipient of the NBA All-Star 2021 Legacy Grant.[25]
See also
References
- ^ "Family and friends say goodbye to Delphi teens at private funerals". FOX59. February 19, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- ^ Bloyd, Kyle (June 16, 2017). "Police: Delphi homicides far from cold case; 18K tips received". WISH-TV. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Shapiro, Emily (April 13, 2017). "Indiana teens' mysterious murders still unsolved 2 months later, leaving fear, frustration in Delphi". ABC News. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- ^ Lewbel, Paris; Sanchez, Rafael; Cox, Katie (April 25, 2017). "Delphi: The Investigation". WRTV. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
- ^ a b "Arrest made in Delphi murder investigation, sources say". WRTV Indianapolis. October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ "Delphi suspect charged with 2 counts of felony murder". Fox 59. October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Case 119: Abigail Williams and Liberty German". Casefile: True Crime Podcast. July 27, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Timeline – Disappearance and deaths of Liberty German and Abigail Williams in Delphi". FOX 59. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- ^ Mack, Justin. "2 months later, 5 questions about the Delphi killings". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
- ^ "Audio clip released in Delphi double homicide". Journal & Courier. February 22, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
- ^ "Delphi Homicide Investigation Moves in New Direction". Indiana State Police. April 19, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Hughes, Rebecca (April 22, 2019). "New Face Of Delphi Murder Suspect Shown In Sketch: Police". Patch. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "New 'Face' of the Delphi Murder Suspect". Indiana State Police. April 22, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Fedschun, Travis (April 22, 2019). "Delphi murder investigation features new sketch, background on 'heartless' killer of 2 Indiana girls". Fox News. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Man Who Committed Suicide In Indiana Police Standoff Also A Possible Suspect In Delphi Murders Of Abby Williams And Libby German". CBS Chicago. WBBM-TV. July 23, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Wilkins, Ron (April 27, 2021). "Attempted murder defendant investigated for possible ties to Delphi killings". Journal & Courier. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Padilla, Noe; Wilkins, Ron (October 31, 2022). "Delphi man charged with murder in killings of Libby German and Abby Williams". Journal & Courier. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ^ Tucker, Emma; MacDonald, Barbara; McLaughlin, Eliott C. (October 31, 2022). "A man has been arrested and charged with murder in the 2017 killings of 2 teen girls in Indiana, authorities say". CNN. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ^ "Richard Allen probable cause affidavit reveals unspent round from his gun was found near victim's body". ABC57.
- ^ "Delphi murders: Affidavit says Richard Allen linked to bullet at crime scene". The Independent. November 29, 2022.
- ^ Cox, Katie (September 14, 2017). "7 months after Delphi murders orange lights still burn bright in search for Libby and Abby's killer". WRTV. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Cox, Katie (August 26, 2017). "Delphi Murders: Plans unveiled for Libby & Abby memorial park and softball field". WRTV. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Nonprofit L & A Park Foundation". Retrieved July 7, 2020.
- ^ "Abby & Libby Memorial Park". Retrieved July 7, 2020.
- ^ "NBA All-Star 2021 Host Committee Announces Statewide Legacy Grant Recipients". Indiana Pacers. Retrieved March 4, 2021.