Delphi Murders — Abby & Libby
The murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, also known as the Delphi murders, occurred on February 13, 2017, in Delphi, Indiana, United States. Their bodies were discovered near the Monon High Bridge Trail, part of the Delphi Historic Trails, from where the girls disappeared the previous day. The murders received extensive media coverage, in part due to video and audio recordings released by law enforcement that came from German's smartphone, which recorded an individual believed to be the killer.
Featured Coverage
Case overview
On the afternoon of February 13, 2017, Abigail "Abby" Williams, 13, and Liberty "Libby" German, 14, were dropped off at the Monon High Bridge trailhead near Delphi, Indiana, for a hike. When friends came to pick them up, the girls were missing. Their bodies were found the following morning in a wooded area near Deer Creek, approximately a quarter mile from the trailhead. Both had been killed by sharp-force injuries, with staging characteristics at the crime scene.
Libby German had been recording video on her cell phone while on the trail. A photograph and short video clip investigators released showed a man walking the suspended Monon High Bridge toward the girls; audio captured a male voice saying "guys, down the bridge." That footage became the central investigative tool. Multiple suspect sketches were released and revised over nearly six years. The case generated an enormous volume of public tips but remained unsolved.
In October 2022, [Richard Allen, 50, a local CVS Pharmacy manager in Delphi, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder](https://apnews.com/article/9d9756a1e076edaa2f0694a2b54ab3da). Allen had been interviewed by investigators in February 2017, shortly after the murders, but was not then identified as a suspect. Forensic evidence linking an unspent cartridge found at the crime scene to a gun Allen owned was a key element of the prosecution case.
The trial was moved from Carroll County to Hamilton County due to pre-trial publicity. [Allen was convicted on both counts on November 1, 2024](https://apnews.com/article/delphi-murders-richard-allen-trial-verdict-guilty), and sentenced to 130 years in prison.
Arrest & Charges
Richard Allen was arrested October 26, 2022, in Delphi, Indiana, and charged with two counts of murder and two counts of felony murder in Carroll County. He was held without bail.
Trial & Conviction
Trial began October 18, 2024, in Hamilton County Superior Court (venue moved from Carroll County due to pre-trial publicity). [On November 1, 2024, the jury found Allen guilty on all four counts](https://apnews.com/article/delphi-murders-richard-allen-trial-verdict-guilty). Judge Fran Gull sentenced him on December 20, 2024 to two consecutive 65-year terms — 130 years total — without the possibility of parole.
Appeal Filed (December 2025)
In December 2025, Allen defense attorneys filed a 113-page appellate brief with the Indiana Court of Appeals. The appeal argues three main grounds: (1) that a detective who applied for a search warrant of Allen home misrepresented witness descriptions; (2) that statements Allen made while in solitary confinement for 13 months were improperly admitted; and (3) evidentiary and procedural errors at trial. The State of Indiana is expected to file its response, after which the court may issue a ruling or schedule oral arguments.
Current Status
Allen is incarcerated in Indiana serving 130 years. His appeal is pending before the Indiana Court of Appeals. No appellate ruling has been issued as of March 2026.
December 20, 2024
Richard Allen Sentenced to 130 Years in Prison
Richard Allen was sentenced to 130 years in prison — 65 years per victim — for the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, with no possibility of early release.
Source →October 31, 2024
Richard Allen Convicted
Allen was found guilty of both murders on Halloween 2024 and sentenced to two consecutive 65-year sentences.
Source →October 19, 2024
Murder Trial of Richard Allen Begins in Wabash County
Due to extensive pretrial publicity, Allen's trial was moved to Wabash County, Indiana. Opening statements began October 19, 2024 with prosecution presenting digital evidence from Libby's phone.
Source →June 1, 2023
Defense Files Runic Symbols Theory; Case Moved to Wabash County
Richard Allen's defense attorneys raised a controversial theory involving Norse runic symbols found at the crime scene, suggesting a pagan group called Odinism was responsible. The case was moved on a change of venue to Wabash County due to concerns about jury selection in Carroll County.
Source →October 28, 2022
Richard Allen Formally Charged with Two Counts of Murder
Richard Allen, a local pharmacist, was formally charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, two days after his arrest.
Source →October 26, 2022
Richard Allen Arrested
Local pharmacist Richard Allen was arrested; unspent cartridges from his gun were linked to the crime scene.
Source →April 22, 2019
Police Release Second Sketch and Announce New Direction in Investigation
Indiana State Police released an updated composite sketch and announced a new direction, stating investigators believed the suspect likely lived or worked in the Delphi area.
Source →July 17, 2017
New Composite Sketch of Suspect Released by Indiana State Police
Indiana State Police released a composite sketch of the primary suspect, created from eyewitness accounts of a hiker seen on the Delphi trails the day of the murders.
Source →February 22, 2017
Audio Recording of Suspect Released — Down the Hill
Police released a muffled audio recording from Libby's phone capturing the suspect's voice saying Down the hill. The recording was credited as evidence of Libby's bravery and quick thinking.
Source →February 15, 2017
Police Release Suspect Image Captured on Libby's Phone
Police released a still image captured from Liberty German's smartphone showing a man walking toward the girls on the Monon High Bridge. German had secretly recorded her killer.
Source →
Douglas G. Carter
Douglas G. Carter is the Indiana State Police Superintendent known for his leadership in high-profile cases. He became widely recognized as the public face of the Delphi murders investigation, delivering poignant messages to the suspect.
Richard Allen
Convicted of 2 counts murder (2024); sentenced to 130 years; conviction under appeal
Pharmacist from Delphi, Indiana, arrested in October 2022 and convicted in October 2024 for the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German. He was identified after a gun registered to him was linked to shell casings found near the victims.
Liberty German
Liberty German was a vibrant 14-year-old from Delphi, Indiana, known for her love of sports, photography, and her close-knit family. She was a bright student with a passion for learning and a caring friend to many. Her life was tragically cut short in 2017, but her bravery in capturing crucial evidence on her phone remains impactful.
Abigail Williams
Abigail Williams was a vibrant 13-year-old from Delphi, Indiana, known for her love of photography and art. She was a bright student and a beloved friend to many. Her life was tragically cut short on February 13, 2017, on the Monon High Bridge Trail.
DNA Evidence from Crime Scene
Forensic analysis revealed DNA that matched Richard Allen, linking him directly to the crime scene where Abby Williams and Libby German were murdered. This evidence is crucial in establishing his presence at the location.
Indiana State Police / Carroll County Jail Booking Photo, Oct 2022Video Footage from Libby's Phone
Libby German recorded a video of the suspect on her phone shortly before the murders, providing a visual identification that is significant in the investigation. This footage has been pivotal in connecting Richard Allen to the crime.
CBS News Chicago — Updated Delphi Suspect Sketch (from Libby German's phone video), Apr 2019Items Found at the Scene
Various personal items belonging to the victims were recovered from the crime scene, providing context and confirming the violent nature of the crime. These items help establish the timeline and circumstances of the murders.
en.wikipedia.orgSocial Media Activity
Analysis of social media accounts revealed interactions and potential motives related to Richard Allen, suggesting a deeper connection to the victims. This digital evidence adds layers to the investigation.
en.wikipedia.orgWitness Testimony
Several witnesses reported seeing a man matching Richard Allen's description near the Monon High Bridge at the time of the murders. Their testimonies helped establish a timeline and location for the suspect.
en.wikipedia.org
