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→Persons of interest: Added info on another lead in the disappearance, and better sourced quotes. |
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On April 27, 2021, Indiana State Police detectives named another suspect as a new person of interest in the Delphi murders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2021/04/27/attempted-murder-defendant-investigated-ties-delphi-murders/4852721001/|title=Attempted murder defendant investigated for possible ties to Delphi killings|first=Ron|last=Wilkins|newspaper=Journal & Courier|date=April 27, 2021|access-date=April 30, 2021}}</ref> |
On April 27, 2021, Indiana State Police detectives named another suspect as a new person of interest in the Delphi murders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2021/04/27/attempted-murder-defendant-investigated-ties-delphi-murders/4852721001/|title=Attempted murder defendant investigated for possible ties to Delphi killings|first=Ron|last=Wilkins|newspaper=Journal & Courier|date=April 27, 2021|access-date=April 30, 2021}}</ref> |
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On December 6, 2021, at approximately 9:50 pm, Sgt. Jeremey Piers, Public Information Officer with Indiana State Police, announced the discovery of a fictitious online persona, “Anthony_Shots”. Sgt. Piers said this profile had been uncovered during the course of the investigation into the murders and was believed to have been used in 2016–2017. The press release requested that anyone who had had social media contact with a user by that name during that time to come forward via the Abby and Libby tip line. A day or two later, ISP released an additional statement alleging that the account belonged to a 27-year-old man named Kegan Anthony Kline of [[Peru, Indiana]]. At the time of the press release, Kline was being held in the Miami County Jail for 30 alleged crimes including child exploitation, possession of child pornography, child solicitation for sexual intercourse and obstruction of justice. Kline set up the fake social media accounts, in which he used photos of a police officer (who was horrified to learn that his photos were used)<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2021 |title='It breaks my heart' {{!}} Officer whose photos were stolen by 'anthony_shots' profile wants justice for Delphi victims |url=https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/delphi-girls-murdered/officer-photos-anthony-shots-profile-delphi-murder-investigation/531-0d6b295a-98e8-448e-8348-f8a358075ccb |access-date=2022-10-29 |website=wthr.com |language=en-US}}</ref> to [[catfishing|catfish]] potential underage victims. In an interview with police in 2020, Kline had admitted to talking to German the night before she went missing <ref>https://fox59.com/news/man-tied-to-delphi-murder-investigation-to-have-pretrial-hearing/</ref>, and had planned to meet her on the date of her disappearence. Kelsi German, Libby's sister, said of Kline being a potential suspect, "They never told us how or if he is connected," she says. "I'm not sure this guy is the guy, but they are looking very hard into this account. For whatever reason, they think the account is important."<ref>https://people.com/crime/delphi-murders-5-years-later-victims-sister-clinging-to-hope-killer-will-be-caught/</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-anthonyshots-account-tied-delphi-slayings-charged-separate-child-e-rcna8082|title=Creator of "anthony_shots" profile charged in child exploitation case, officials say|first=Antonio|last=Planas|website=[[NBC News]]|accessdate=January 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/who-is-kegan-kline-the-alleged-catfisher-being-investigated-in-delphi-girls-murder-case/ar-AAS7DIx?ocid=uxbndlbing|title=Who Is Kegan Kline, the Alleged Catfisher Being Investigated in Delphi Girls' Murder Case?|first=Harriet|last=Sokmensuer|website=[[MSN]]|accessdate=January 4, 2021}}</ref> |
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=== Developments === |
=== Developments === |
Revision as of 04:09, 29 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] Time magazine described the arrest as "the first major break in a case that has captivated national attention for nearly six years."[7]
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.[8] 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.[9] The bodies were found on the north bank of Deer Creek.
Investigation
Police have not released details of how the girls were murdered.[10] 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.[8] A few days later, the person in the photograph was named the prime suspect in the double-homicide.[9]
On February 22, law enforcement released an audio recording where the voice of the suspect,[11] 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.[9]
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.[9]
On April 19, 2019, Indiana State Police announced a "new direction" in the case and released a new sketch of the suspect.[12][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 a suspect 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]
On April 27, 2021, Indiana State Police detectives named another suspect as a new person of interest in the Delphi murders.[16]
On December 6, 2021, at approximately 9:50 pm, Sgt. Jeremey Piers, Public Information Officer with Indiana State Police, announced the discovery of a fictitious online persona, “Anthony_Shots”. Sgt. Piers said this profile had been uncovered during the course of the investigation into the murders and was believed to have been used in 2016–2017. The press release requested that anyone who had had social media contact with a user by that name during that time to come forward via the Abby and Libby tip line. A day or two later, ISP released an additional statement alleging that the account belonged to a 27-year-old man named Kegan Anthony Kline of Peru, Indiana. At the time of the press release, Kline was being held in the Miami County Jail for 30 alleged crimes including child exploitation, possession of child pornography, child solicitation for sexual intercourse and obstruction of justice. Kline set up the fake social media accounts, in which he used photos of a police officer (who was horrified to learn that his photos were used)[17] to catfish potential underage victims. In an interview with police in 2020, Kline had admitted to talking to German the night before she went missing [18], and had planned to meet her on the date of her disappearence. Kelsi German, Libby's sister, said of Kline being a potential suspect, "They never told us how or if he is connected," she says. "I'm not sure this guy is the guy, but they are looking very hard into this account. For whatever reason, they think the account is important."[19][20][21]
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.[22][23] Two public defenders were appointed to represent the suspect.[24][25]
On November 29, Judge Frances Gull issued an order to unseal the probable cause affidavit that led to the suspect's arrest. According to the redacted document, video footage recovered from German's phone showed one the victims mentioning "gun" as a man wearing a dark jacket and jeans approached them and ordered them to go "down the hill". Investigators believe the suspect is the man seen in the video.[26] Investigators also found a ".40-caliber unspent round" less than two feet away from one of the victim's body and between two victims; they later determined that the round came from a gun owned by the suspect.[27] A witness said she saw a man walking away from the bridge "wearing a blue colored jacket and blue jeans and was muddy and bloody." Another witness and a tip mentioned that a car was parked "oddly" and appeared to be parked in a way as if to hide its license plate. Investigators said the description of the vehicle matched a vehicle that the suspect owned in 2017.[26]
According to a probable cause affidavit, the suspect was interviewed by the police in 2017, and said he was on the trail that afternoon for around two hours.[27] The document also said that in a subsequent interview in October 2022, the suspect told authorities he had worn "jeans and a black or blue jacket" that day and had gone to the bridge to "watch fish".[26]
On December 2, Judge Gull issued a gag order until January 2023. The suspect's defense attorneys argued in a motion to move the trial out of Carroll County, based on concerns about juror bias due to what the attorneys described as the "extensive media attention" and the "highly publicized nature of the case" in the local area.[28][29]
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.[30]
In August 2017, the families announced their plans to build a sports complex for Delphi in memory of the girls.[31] 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."[32] 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.[33] In 2020, the L & A Park Foundation was named a recipient of the NBA All-Star 2021 Legacy Grant.[34]
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.
- ^ "Inside the Years-Long Hunt for Justice in the Delphi Murders". Time.
- ^ a b Cox, Megan (February 13, 2019). "DELPHI TIMELINE: The search for Libby & Abby's killer". WRTV. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "'It breaks my heart' | Officer whose photos were stolen by 'anthony_shots' profile wants justice for Delphi victims". wthr.com. December 20, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ https://fox59.com/news/man-tied-to-delphi-murder-investigation-to-have-pretrial-hearing/
- ^ https://people.com/crime/delphi-murders-5-years-later-victims-sister-clinging-to-hope-killer-will-be-caught/
- ^ Planas, Antonio. "Creator of "anthony_shots" profile charged in child exploitation case, officials say". NBC News. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ^ Sokmensuer, Harriet. "Who Is Kegan Kline, the Alleged Catfisher Being Investigated in Delphi Girls' Murder Case?". MSN. Retrieved January 4, 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.
- ^ "Attorneys appointed for man charged with killing 2 girls". AP NEWS. November 14, 2022.
- ^ "EXPLAINER: Why are court records sealed in 2 girls' deaths?". AP NEWS. November 21, 2022.
- ^ a b c Razek, Raja; Iden, Drew; MacDonald, Barbara (November 30, 2022). "A newly unsealed affidavit details the clues that led investigators to the suspect in Delphi teen girl killings". CNN.
- ^ a b Shapiro, Emily. "Delphi murders: Suspect's gun matched bullet found by girls, according to newly released document". ABC News.
- ^ "Judge issues gag order in Delphi case". Fox 59. December 2, 2022.
- ^ "Defense and law enforcement spar over Delphi murders investigation". Fox 59. December 2, 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.