DELPHI, Ind. Indiana State Police also release a photo of a man reportedly seen on the trail around the time the girlsdisappeared. The suspect in a still from the video taken on Libby German's phone. 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. The girls' families and friends gather tospeak with Inside Edition. Here's the Update in His Case. If you know anyone who fits any of these behavioral changes the FBI wants to know. The murders On 13 February, 2017, Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, went for a hike over the Monon High Bridge in Carroll County, Indiana. Speaking to Inside Edition, Libby's grandparents say they will wait for information from authorities before getting too hopeful. Each tip - whether it receives media attention or not - is investigated for any connection to the Delphi case.. We are very happy as a community. Dozens of people walked the Monon High Bridge trail together. Citizen sleuths, including Nancy Grace, offeredtheir theories about the killer. According to the warrant, Logan said he was in Lafayette on the day of the murders, visiting an aquarium. Ron Logan lied to investigators about where he was the day Libby and Abby went missing. "Somebody has to know who this guy is. I always use the adage of, If you see something, say something. Nothing is going to be considered a dumb tip or a tip that we dont want. "It's really disturbing to read it and think about the two girls at the heart of this and what they may have gone through," said ine Cain, an Indiana podcaster who helped retrieve the new documents. Logan is later sentenced to two yearsfor operating a vehicle after being a habitual traffic offender. The girl was discovered locked in Chadwell's basement during a search of his home. [8] A few days later, the person in the photograph was named the prime suspect in the double-homicide. CVS offered its condolences to the victims families and said it would cooperate with the investigation in any way it can. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. Police reiterated that it's important to be as specific as possible. Man Accused of Holding Woman Captive for Month and Sexually Assaulting Her Could Face Life in Prison, On Night Her 3 Kids Were Killed, Lindsay Clancy Was 'Smiling and Happy,' Husband Told Police, Suspect Arrested in 2017 Delphi Killings of Indiana Teens Liberty German and Abigail Williams, Accused Delphi Killer 'Is Not the Only Actor Involved in This,' Says Prosecutor, Mass. She spoke highly of relatives who had been smeared online and noted their alibis and other proof she said showed they had nothing to do with the killings. Mr Allen had no explanation as to how the spent bullet ended up in between the bodies of the two teenage victims, the document states. WebThomas Bruce, a killer and former pastor, resembled the man in the Delphi video Thomas Bruce Thomas Bruce, a former pastor, was charged with fatally shooting one woman and "Were going to get to the bottom of this, Leazenby says, and do everything we can to use our resources.". However, Chadwell is now facing attempted This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Web The murder of two teen girls rocked the small town of Delphi. The warrant also indicates that investigators want a warrant to search the property of Ronald Logan. Miller was later convicted of the murder of Tinsley and sentenced to 80 years in prison. We are very happy. I mean in the beginning we didnt trust people we were always looking behind our back, she told Fox59. READ MORE|FBI seeks tips on behavioral changes to help catch Delphi killer. Got a tip? [9], On February 22, law enforcement released an audio recording where the voice of the suspect, although muffled, is heard to say, "Down the hill. and that he was likely familiar with the Monon High Bridge. More than two years later, authorities have yet to catch their murderer. He detailed other information about the crime scene, and the differences in the girls' apparent injuries. But there's more proof on that video!". The Girls Went Missing Last Monday After Going Hiking. WebThe townsfolk felt like they were holding their breath all that time, and on October 31, 2022, they could finally exhale. They say they know the man responsiblewill be caught andbrought to justice. Abigail and Liberty were murdered on February 13, while Lyric and Elizabeth vanished on July 13. Its like I had open-heart surgery, but they never used any anesthetic and they say, 'Im sorry, you're just gonna have to live this way, with part of your heart missing the rest of your life,'" says Diane Erskin, Abigails grandmother. One of the photos used on the bogus online account where the individual posed as this male model. Kim Riley would not comment. A group of local residents organize a community outing to the trail that the girls hiked the day they were killed. They're not coming back. The person depicted in the composite sketch is described as a white male between 56 to 510, weighing 180 to 220 pounds, with reddish brown hair and eye color unknown. I can promise you this:When an arrest is made of a suspect identified as the alleged perpetrator of the Delphi Murders, rest assured, we will let everyone know," Bursten said in a statement. On the afternoon of Feb. 13, 2017, a family member drops off Abby and Libby at a trail near the scenic Monon High Bridge, an abandoned railroad bridge over Deer Creek in Carroll County, Indiana. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. They say the girls were murdered. Investigators tracked Logans activities on the day of the murders and determined he was not forthcoming. [9], On April 22, 2019, Indiana State Police announced a "new direction" in the case and released a new sketch of the suspect, while urging the public to look at the sketch, listen to the audio, watch how the man walks on the bridge and send tips to the tipline email. One of the girls, likely sensing danger, recorded the mans voice on her cellphone. Here is a previous episode on the case. His family home is less than a five-minute drive away from where the bodies of Libby and Abby were found, residing in a neighborhood southwest of the Monon High Bridge. [34] 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. In a news release, Randolph County police said "outside of the person resembling the sketch, there is currently zero evidence that ties him to this case and he is not a suspect in the case.". ", "A newly unsealed affidavit details the clues that led investigators to the suspect in Delphi teen girl killings", "Delphi murders: Suspect's gun matched bullet found by girls, according to newly released document", "Defense and law enforcement spar over Delphi murders investigation", "7 months after Delphi murders orange lights still burn bright in search for Libby and Abby's killer", "Delphi Murders: Plans unveiled for Libby & Abby memorial park and softball field", "NBA All-Star 2021 Host Committee Announces Statewide Legacy Grant Recipients", Seeking Information on Unknown Suspect in Indiana Double-Murder Investigation, Information Sought in Investigation into Deaths of Liberty German and Abigail Williams, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murders_of_Abigail_Williams_and_Liberty_German&oldid=1139671059, February 2017 crimes in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 08:23. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled to begin in March 2023. On the day the girls went missing, Libby had posted photos on Snapchat of her and Abby walking along the trail. Libby and Abby went missing on 13 February 2017 after they set off on a hike along the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Indiana. Sister of Delphi Murder Victim Says 'Every Day I Pray for Answers,' as Killer Remains at Large, Cold Cases Heat Up: How Advances in DNA Technology Are Helping to Bring Justice for Victims, All About Kara Robinson, Whose Daring Escape from Captivity Led to Her Predator's Capture, Mo. [30] 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". A suspect can be heard saying down the hill in an audio clip taken from a video file found on the phone. Germans family has always refused any donations offered directly to them, saying at first they should be made to the reward fund, and after deciding to erect the park, they created a fund for that as well, German said. WebSpeculation swirls that a man arrested in connection with a 30-year cold case could also be linked to the Delphi murders. In August, Indiana State Police were spotted searching the Wabash River in Peru around 40 minutes east of Delphi in connection to the case. Capt. The warrant was based on a tip that came in, but no arrests Though theirkiller has not been caught or identified, authorities said during their investigation, they had looked at Paul Etter. Investigators have asked for any evidence they get to be fast-tracked, however they will not comment on what evidence they may have found. 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. During a bail hearing on 22 November, prosecutors asked a judge to keep affidavits in the case sealed as they believed Mr Allen may not have acted alone. Grace tells ABC News. It is not clear what information has led to Mr Allens arrest now, more than five years on from the 2017 murders. However, no arrests have ever been made in the case. "The reality is that evil happened here, and so we want to reclaim this ground," Rev. Although his face isnt clear in the picture, it was enough to give authorities a general description. Did Murdered Indiana Teens Capture the Voice of Their Killer? But Etter followed her and when she pulled into a friends driveway, he pulled in as well and attacked her. He is wearing jeans, a navy blue jacket and a hat. "No, that's not her nor Libby," he wrote in his text response. Two months after the two-year anniversary, Indiana State police released an updated sketch of the suspect on April 22, 2019. Police gave the description of the man as a white male aged between 16 and 40 years old, between 5 6 and 5 10 in height and weighing between 180 and 200 pounds. -- to which we bring finger foods. In 2015 we began a new annual tradition by hosting the Boys and Girls Club for a dinner and some dancing after. Allen was formally charged with murdering His name has come up through the process," Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby told reporters, according to the Lafayette Journal & Courier. The selfie was posted on social media the same month investigators issued a fresh appeal urging members of the public to come forward with information about an online catfishing account thought to be tied to the murders. Since the Club is comprised of three square dance levels Basics, Mainstream and Plus we take turns for the teach part of the evening, and then dance to ensure we have knowledge of the new moves. Ms Patty, who raised Libby from the age of three along with her husband Mike Patty, also said she had never heard of Kline before investigators released the information about the social media profile to the public. Ronald Logan was never named a suspect, despite the warrant. After receiving multiple calls,Capt. He also noted that it appeared to him as if Libby German may have been personally attacked based on the extent of her injuries. Aprils body was discovered by a jogger three days after her disappearance in a water-filled ditch in a rural field. Abigail "Abby" Williams, 13, and Liberty "Libby" German, 14, werefound dead off a rural hiking trail near Delphi, Indiana, on Feb.14, 2017. We want to encourage people to continue to call in with any information that they may have, McLeland said. The Swinging Swallows Square Dance Club is a registered not-for-profit Ottawa Valley organization. Since then, theyve been poring through thousands of tips. He appears to have no prior criminal record though jail records list him as also going by the alias of Craigh Ross Rentfrow. Loved ones and community members gatheredto remember the girls two years after their bodies were found. To hear the Murder Sheets most recent podcast on the new developments, go HERE. It provides lots of information, including news from other clubs in the Eastern Ontario Square Dance area, and details about conventions, jamborees, and dances. My fear is that we could be here 10 years from now, and we wont know what happened or why, Abigails mother, Anna Williams, says on the show. 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. [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. In December 2021, Indiana State Police announced that officials had uncovered a fake online profile called anthony_shots. Officials would not rule out the possibility that other individuals were also involved in the teenagers brutal murders and, if so, vowed that they will also face charges. It is important to note that the validity of the text messages has not and cannot be corroborated at this time. Abby Williams' grandparents leave an emotional note at police headquarters to expresses their gratitude for those investigating the case. The word for the weapon was redacted in the document. Though autopsies were performed on both girls, neither police nor the FBI has released the cause of death of either girl, or information about what, exactly, Ahead of the first anniversary of the girls' deaths, authoritiessay Daniel Nations is not a suspect, KRDO reported. Copyright 2023 Distractify. One of my servers was telling me that he wouldnt speak much.. The Sig Sauer Model P226, which the suspect owned since 2001, was found during a search of Mr Allens home last month. Abigail Abby Williams, 13, and Liberty Libby German, 14, disappeared on February 13 after being dropped off to go hiking near the Monon High Bridge. The friend texted a man named David, who claims to have found the bodies, because there were alleged crime scene photos leaked online. The full video from Libby's phone has not been released, nor did police elaborate on what was happening when the recording was made. That afternoon,Indiana State Police and the Carroll County Sheriffs Department hold a news conference and confirm the bodies do belong to Liberty and Abigail. More than five years on, Richard Allen is facing murder charges, reports Rachel Sharp, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile, Libby German and Abby Williams were killed back in 2017. The Hall is an excellent facility that provides two floors for dancing, if needed, and the use of a kitchen for our party nights. 8 Weirdly Specific True Crime Shows That Actually Exist, Chris Watts Bombed His Polygraph Test, and It Led to His Confession, Where Is Convicted Murderer Jeffrey MacDonald Now? [12][13][14] READ MORE|ISP: Man in photo considered suspect in Delphi teen murder case, Audio clip down the hill released by police, To generate more tips, Indiana State Police released more clues found on Libbys phone. The evidence released to the public has been minimal, but here's what we know so far: Social media photos give snapshot of teens location. He faces multiple charges, includingtwo counts of child molestation, and is currently being held without bond. Libby German posted a Snapchat as the girls walked along the trail. Authorities also releasemore phone audio in which a man apparently orders them "down the hill.". However, he denied any knowledge or involvement in the two teenagers deaths. His home had been searched on suspicion of child porn charges just two weeks after the 2017 murders. WebOn October 31, 2022, Indiana State Police announced that the suspect had been charged with two counts of murder in the case. Kline allegedly told investigators he would use social media accounts to talk to underage girls and had exchanged messages with and received about 100 sexual photos and about 20 sexually explicit videos from around 15 underage girls. Autopsies are conducted on the bodies. [29], 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. The happy image of the two best friends is believed to be the last photo of them before they died. Before his sudden arrest, Mr Allens name was never publicly linked to the case. I dont think anybody can remember something [specific] after something tragic like that happens.". Police do not call the man a suspect but say they would like to talk with him. They believe he still visits the area. Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to contact law enforcement by emailing abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com or calling 844-459-5786. A timeline below shows how the case has unfolded so far. Kline was charged with 30 felonies in 2020 over the case. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until TUE 6:00 AM CST, Lake County, Kenosha County, from WED 12:00 PM CST until FRI 12:00 AM CST, Cook County, Lake County, have identified another person of interest, State Farm reportedly raising rates for Illinois drivers here's how much, Feds raid suburban Chicago home of businessman who ran for state office, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K, LIVE ELECTION RESULTS: Votes tallied in Chicago's mayoral race, Cook County man found dead on Munster street identified, Suspects robbing victims in Chicago who are withdrawing money from ATM: police, Illinois man intentionally drove car into tree during argument with passenger: sheriff's office, Homicide investigation underway after woman found dead in northwest Indiana home, Chicago election results: Map shows breakdown of votes for mayor by neighborhood. which has been viewed more than 18,000 times. Indiana State Police say they are still actively investigating more than 500 people from those tips. He seems like a normal guy, he said. But those girls loved each other. Their bodies were discovered the next day in a wooded area around half a mile off the trail. Anyone who comes forward with the information is asked to include, if possible, a suspects name, date of birth or approximate age, physical description, their address, vehicle information, a specific reason why they believe this person should be considered a suspect, a possible motive and any connection that person may have to Delphi. Richard Allen pictured in mugshot after arrest for Delphi murders. What do you all think?" ", "There'll never be closure," Patty said. Etter took his own life June 27 after being surrounded by law enforcement on a county road north of Lebanon. He has since been moved to a state facility for his own safety. We invite people to come and see what modern square dancing is all about as it is quite different from traditional square dancing. After posting a few updates on Snapchat in the early afternoon hours, the girls were not seen or heard from again. The affidavit is currently under seal, with officials declining to provide additional details about the bombshell development in the high-profile case that has rocked the small, close-knit community of Delphi and gone unsolved for more than half a decade. If you know anything about this case, you are asked to contact, Indiana State Police. While walking on the trail, Libby posts a photo to Snapchat showing Abby crossing the bridge. Indiana police say there is no evidence thus far to suggest Eldridge has any connection to the case. Missing, Libby had posted photos on Snapchat of her injuries `` no, that 's not her nor,... ] a few days later, authorities have yet to catch their.! 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' families and friends gather tospeak with Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies murdered Indiana Capture. 2021, Indiana State Police announced that the validity of the suspect owned 2001... Sheets most recent podcast on the new developments, go here two months after the 2017 murders remember girls! Has to know them before they died is scheduled to begin in March.! With information on the phone seen or heard from again was likely familiar with the Monon High.... Last photo of them before they died speak much posed as this male model, McLeland.... ] a few days later, authorities have yet to catch their.. Enforcement by emailing abbyandlibbytip @ cacoshrf.com or calling 844-459-5786 also noted that it important. From authorities before getting too hopeful the 2017 murders that they may have, McLeland said authorities releasemore! For those investigating the case are asked to contact law enforcement by emailing abbyandlibbytip @ cacoshrf.com or calling.. 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