Tennessee sheriff's office inadvertently put out wrong info on Delphi double killings

Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, vanished while hiking on Feb. 13, 2017.

ByABC News
January 15, 2018, 2:09 PM

— -- The Indiana State Police says a sheriff's office in Tennessee inadvertently released incorrect information on the mysterious killings of Delphi, Indiana, eighth-graders Abby Williams and Libby German.

According to the state police, the Bledsoe County Sheriff Department wrote on Facebook that “FBI has extended the search" for Abby and Libby's killer or killers into southeastern Tennessee counties, including Bledsoe.

Authorities initially published a grainy image of who they say is the prime suspect in the investigation and broadcast a chilling recording found on Libby's phone with just three audible words: "Down the hill."

Police later released a composite sketch of a man believed to be connected to the killings.

PHOTO: Indiana State Police released a composite sketch of a man believed to be connected to the deaths of Abby Williams and Libby German.
Indiana State Police released a composite sketch of a man believed to be connected to the deaths of Abby Williams and Libby German.

The state police in a news release said the post by the sheriff's office was incorrect, stressing, "In fact, this is a NATION WIDE search for the person or persons wanted for the murders of Abby and Libby."

The sheriff's department wrote in a new Facebook post, "To Clarify this suspect HAS NOT BEEN SEEN IN BLEDSOE COUNTY or any other counties in Tn. It is a nationwide search."

Bledsoe County Sheriff Jimmy Morris told ABC News the initial Facebook post was "just a misunderstanding."

Over 11 months ago, on Feb. 13, Abby, 13, and Libby, 14, who became good friends as volleyball teammates, were enjoying a day off from school when they disappeared on a hiking trail near their rural hometown of Delphi.

Their bodies were found the next day.

PHOTO: A makeshift memorial for Abby Williams and Libby German next to a trail they were hiking the day they disappeared, Feb. 14, 2017, in Delphi, Indiana.
A makeshift memorial for Abby Williams and Libby German next to a trail they were hiking the day they disappeared, Feb. 14, 2017, in Delphi, Indiana.
PHOTO: A makeshift memorial for Abby Williams and Libby German, who disappeared Feb. 14, 2017 along a hiking trail in Delphi, Indiana, and were later found dead.
A makeshift memorial for Abby Williams and Libby German, who disappeared Feb. 14, 2017 along a hiking trail in Delphi, Indiana, and were later found dead.

In the nearly a year since their deaths, no arrests have been made.

PHOTO: Photos of Abby Williams, left, and Libby German, right, at police headquarters in Adelphi, Indiana.
Photos of Abby Williams, left, and Libby German, right, at police headquarters in Adelphi, Indiana.

As the months have ticked by, clues in the mysterious double killing have been few and far between.

The Indiana State Police today said the investigation is ongoing with over 26,000 tips investigated.

PHOTO: A sign in Delphi, Indiana, for Abby Williams and Libby German, who disappeared Feb. 14, 2017 and were found dead near a hiking trail.
A sign in Delphi, Indiana, for Abby Williams and Libby German, who disappeared Feb. 14, 2017 and were found dead near a hiking trail.

"We are confident someone knows who was responsible for these murders and we encourage them to come forward with their tip information," the state police said in a news release.

Anonymous tipsters can call 844-459-5786 or email abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com.