Delphi murders: Suspect charged in killing of teen girls

The two girls were on a hiking trail when they were killed on Feb. 13, 2017.

ByEmily Shapiro
Last Updated: October 31, 2022, 4:20 PM EDT

A Delphi, Indiana, man, Richard Allen, has been arrested for the 2017 murders of eighth graders Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter announced at a news conference Monday.

Best friends Libby and Abby were on a hiking trail in rural Delphi when they were killed in the middle of the day on Feb. 13, 2017.

The shocking slayings cast fear across the small Indiana town and garnered national intrigue.

This marks the first time a suspect has been named in the mysterious double murder. Police have still not released how the girls were killed.

Police still ask anyone with information to submit a tip at abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com or 765-822-3535.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Oct 31, 2022, 10:08 AM EDT

Man arrested in Delphi murders

A Delphi, Indiana, man, Richard Allen, has been arrested for the 2017 murders of eighth graders Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter announced at a news conference Monday.

The 50-year-old was arrested Friday and has been charged with two counts of murder, Carter said.

If anyone else was involved, that person will be held accountable, Carter vowed.

Flowers sit by a bridge near Delphi, Ind. where Liberty German and Abigail Williams were seen before they were reported missing by their families on Feb. 13, 2017.

Carter said "today is not a day to celebrate," but called the arrest a "major step."

"This investigation is far from complete," Carter said.

The probable cause affidavit has been sealed, Carter said.

"The time will come when additional details can be released," Carter added.

Oct 31, 2022, 5:57 AM EDT

The video, recording and sketch

In 2017, authorities released a grainy image of the suspect, who they say was on the trail the day the girls went missing. In 2019, police released a brief video clip -- footage taken from Libby's phone -- showing a grainy image of the suspect walking on the bridge near where the girls were last seen.

This Feb. 13, 2017, file photo released by the Indiana State Police shows a man walking along the trail system in Delphi, Ind., authorities say is the suspect in the killings of two teenage girls.
Indiana State Police via AP, FILE

Police also publicized the suspect's voice -- a recording of him saying "guys ... down the hill" -- which was recovered from Libby's phone.

Authorities in 2019 released a new suspect sketch that officials said was based on a witness' recollection of what he or she saw.

Indiana State Police released a new sketch of the suspect in the unsolved murders of two teen girls.
Indiana State Police