Five days earlier, Etter is believed to have abducted a 26-year-old woman and sexually assaulted her on his familys farm. 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. The Indiana State Police release new audio, new video and a new sketch of the suspect as they announce a "new direction" at a press conference. Detectives said that after the photo was taken, a man approached the girls and apparently told them to go down the hill.. More than five years on from the murders, news of an arrest has finally been made has raised hopes among the Delphi community that there can finally be closure in the case. He handcuffed her and forced her into his car, driving to his familys property on County Road 750 East, where he sexually assaulted her during the five hours he held her captive, officials said. I dont even think its possible, German said. Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most your children. WebOn Monday, police announced that Richard Allen, 50, of Delphi, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Libby and Abby. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? "Until somebody is arrested, were interested in almost everybody.". According to online records, Mr Allen has lived in Delphi there since at least 2006, and in Indiana his whole adult life. The documents, filed in 2020 and heavily redacted, do not mention the murders of Libby and Abby and he was not accused of involvement in their deaths. 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. The Swallows dance most Thursday evenings, from 7:00 to about 9:30. But at least it would allow us to move on from this chapter to the next so we could all start to heal because right now, it's just kind of an open wound.". "The reality is that evil happened here, and so we want to reclaim this ground," Rev. The murderer would have been covered in the victims blood in the aftermath of the slayings due to the large amount of blood was lost by the victims at the crime scene, it reads. Investigators believe the suspect is the man seen in the video. "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. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Teenagers Libby German and Abby Williams were murdered back in February 2017. "No, that's not her nor Libby," he wrote in his text response. WebDelphi murders autopsy. Allen was formally charged with murdering On my property! At 1:35p.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. They have also suggested that the crime scene was odd in nature. She also managed to take a photo and record a small clip of the suspect. The document also says that his voice was not inconsistent with the man captured in the video by Libby. [19]A 27-year-old man from Peru, Indiana who was being held in custody for alleged sex crimes against children, later stated in an interview that he had created the account. Authorities revealthe reward has jumped to $224,000 and police have received more than 11,000 tips, Fox 59 reported. Miller, who was arrested after DNA found on April was sent for testing, lived just two hours from Delphi. WebThe victims bodies were found on Feb. 14, 2017, less than a quarter mile from the Monon High Bridge, the railway bridge where the girls captured their alleged murderer on video. The affidavit said that Indiana State Police and the FBI carried out a search warrant on 25 February 2017 - less than two weeks after Abby and Libby were murdered - at Klines home in Peru after tracking down the user of the anthony_shots profile to the property. Based on investigators experience it is reasonable to believe that the creation of an alibi prior to the discovery of a crime indicates culpability or knowledge of the crime, the agent wrote. He can be heard saying, "Guys, down the hill," in the short video and investigators created two composite sketches based on this evidence. The word for the weapon was redacted in the document. This case is not closed. Were willing to wait as long as it takes.. Investigators stated they had reason to believe that the suspect might well be hiding in plain sight and the person was almost certainly familiar with the area of Delphi, whether it be from living or working there or for another reason. State police said that in the wake of the new evidence released in April, more than 3,000 new tips have come in, including thousands of emails, more than 500 calls to the tip line and nearly 150 calls and/or walk-ins to local police departments. He currently works at the local CVS store coming into contact with members of the community as part of his job. After authorities said Libbys phone pinged off two towers the day she disappeared, armchair detectives theorized it must have been because the device was moving around town, but German said that was not the case. Authorities say he is between 18 and 40, but said he may appear older than he is. Investigators with the FBI have asked people to think back to the day the girls disappeared - do you know anyone who exhibited strange behavior that day or in the days following their murders? He also thanked the community for its support. [18], In December 2021, the Indiana State Police announced the discovery of a fake social media account which had been uncovered during the course of the investigation into the murders. [29] 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. We are very happy. In a chilling photo, posted by Mr Allens wife Kathy on Facebook in December 2021, Mr Allen is seen smiling alongside his wife in a local bar in Delphi. [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. We keep a copy on the Info Table for dancers to look at. 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. 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. Kegan Anthony Kline fell under the spotlight last year when the online account he used to groom underage girls online was tied to the teenage victims. ", Inside Edition's Steven Fabian asked, "If this does pan out, what would that mean to you and your family? Authorities in Colorado arrest a man named Daniel Nationsfor having expired Indiana license plates. Investigators said the person behind the account was Kegan Anthony Kline, 27-year-old man with addresses in Kokomo and Peru, close to Delphi. They're not coming back. However, after so many leads had gone cold she said she was not going to get her hopes up that it was the breakthrough the families had been waiting for. After receiving multiple calls,Capt. John Miller, 59, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was arrested in the 1988 strangulation of 8-year-old April Tinsley. Here are five things to know about the homicide case of Abigail Williams and Liberty German. If you have any information on the case, no matter how small, contact authorities using the tip line at 1 (844) 459-5786 or emailAbbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com. He passed away in 2020. Weve been dancing at Wesley United Church Fellowship Hall at 275 Pembroke Street East in Pembroke since the club was formed. For the latest true crime and justice news,subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. WebThe townsfolk felt like they were holding their breath all that time, and on October 31, 2022, they could finally exhale. Now they are only releasing a portion of it, why? 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. Although authorities share the information with the media, they do not reveal the identity of the bodies. Dave Bursten of the Indiana State Police assuresthe public the task force dedicated to finding the teens' case investigates every tip. WebDELPHI, Ind. WebHe later discussed the placement of Abby Williams' body at the crime scene, and he claimed that the victims were not sexually assaulted (none of this information has been publicly The Advertizing and Publicity persons are Doug & Gloria Bateman. [30] 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." The girls took photos while strolling across the bridge, but as time passed and their family didnt hear from them, police were called for assistance. All Rights Reserved. This came after a fresh appeal was launched in December urging people to come forward with information about an online catfishing account. WebOn Oct. 26, detectives took 50-year-old Richard M. Allen, a local Delphi resident, into custody at the Indiana State Police Lafayette Post. Investigators have explained that the details of the crime scene indicate a signature, which can help them identify the killer. DOWNLOAD THE FOX 32 CHICAGO APP FOR BREAKING NEWS ALERTS. Kim Riley. A sexual predator who killed himself during a standoff with police is being looked at as a possible suspect in the murders of Libby and Abby, according to a report. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 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. Investigators said the description of the vehicle matched a vehicle that the suspect owned in 2017. These dance performances are done strictly on a volunteer basis. According to the warrant, Logan said he was in Lafayette on the day of the murders, visiting an aquarium. I mean in the beginning we didnt trust people we were always looking behind our back, she told Fox59. Investigators have long suspected that this man is the girls killer and have praised the girls for documenting the video as evidence. Though there was no press conference held on the third anniversary of the murders in February of 2020, investigators said that the case was not cold. "We've been down this path a few times on a few other tips similar to this," Libby's grandfather, Mike Patty, said. 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. "Although we understand that people are trying to help the investigation, by doing this with zero evidence other than a mere appearance, it can also hurt or hinder an investigation,"the department said. You just can't put words to it, he said. We invite people to come and see what modern square dancing is all about as it is quite different from traditional square dancing. A police sketch of the man believed to have killed Abby and Libby. "As you all know, we went out to Colorado and we spent a little bit of time with [Daniel Nations], and he's not a person we care a whole lot about at this time," Superintendent Douglas Carter with the Indiana State Police says at the news conference, KKTV reports. Detectives working on the case believe that Mr Allen is the man captured in the video, known as bridge guy, the affidavit states. They say the girls were murdered. Abigail and Liberty were murdered on February 13, while Lyric and Elizabeth vanished on July 13. Up until now, the man has never been identified. 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, One of the girls, likely sensing danger, recorded the mans voice on her cellphone. Logan is later sentenced to two yearsfor operating a vehicle after being a habitual traffic offender. Ron Logan lied to investigators about where he was the day Libby and Abby went missing. We have a party night nearly every month Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day, etc. As CrimeOnline previously reported, 13-year-old Abby and 14-year-old Libby were murdered in 2017, but the killer remains elusive. If you know anything about this case, you are asked to contact, Indiana State Police. The girls' families appearon the Dr. He says he gave DNA samples to Indiana authorities. Married to his wife Kathy with whom he shares an adult daughter, Mr Allen is a trained pharmacy technician, receiving his most recent pharmaceutical licence in February 2018 one year on from the murders. A huge search gets underway but is called off when it gets too dark. The suspect had died by suicide the previous month. We have an Executive, a Caller and a fun bunch of members! However, this changed when the bodies of the girls were found around noon the next day, about 0.5 miles (0.80km) east of the abandoned Monon High Bridge. WebOn February 16, police executed a search warrant of a home on Bicycle Bridge Road in connection with the deaths. Based upon my training and experience it is common for perpetrators of this type of crime to take a souvenir or, in some fashion, memorialize the crime scene, the agent wrote. 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. Investigators tracked Logans activities on the day of the murders and determined he was not forthcoming. Thad Miller said, according to the Journal & Courier. We like to visit retirement and long-term care homes and other community events to dance for their entertainment and our well-being, as a Club and as a person! If he didnt complete the assault, it doesnt According to an affidavit, Kline posed as the model in order to groom underage girls and get them to send nude photos and their addresses and try to get them to meet him. Instead, cellphone location data placed Mr Logan in the area around the trail at the time Abby and Libby disappeared. He detailed other information about the crime scene, and the differences in the girls' apparent injuries. "That is a very big misconception Weve been very open and gave the police everything that we know.. On Feb. 13, 2017, 13-year-old Libby and 14-year-old Abby were abducted and murdered while hiking a trail in Delphi. Although his face isnt clear in the picture, it was enough to give authorities a general description. 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. If you know anyone who fits any of these behavioral changes the FBI wants to know. But no arrests were made, no suspects formally named and one promising lead after the next went cold. Here's the Update in His Case. He has since been moved to a state facility for his own safety. It doesnt heal the hurt or, you know, change anything for the families, but maybe this will bring some sort of ease to them.. If youre already a dancer and new to the area, or just returning to square dancing, email or call to ensure there will be someone to greet you, and come out on Thursday evening. Dance nights are comprised of lessons and dancing what has been taught, and then its practice, practice, practice! 1. They say they know the man responsiblewill be caught andbrought to justice. The investigators do believe that the suspect either lives or works in Delphi, Ind. Indiana State Police, the FBI and Carroll County sheriff's deputies serve a search warrant at the homeof Ron Logan, who owns the 30-acre property where Abby and Libby were found. [6] Time magazine described the arrest as "the first major break in a case that has captivated national attention for nearly six years."[7]. Their bodies were found on a piece of private property less than a mile away the next morning. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Further, although the public has only heard a few seconds of a recording made by one of the victims before her death, the agent wrote in the warrant that the full recording is 43 seconds long. The Swinging Swallows gather on Thursday evenings to start dancing at 7:00 pm. Indiana State Police also release a photo of a man reportedly seen on the trail around the time the girlsdisappeared. Authorities also announce a $41,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Since then, theyve been poring through thousands of tips. He has not yet entered a plea. 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. (For more information on how the dancing is different, visit theModern Squares?in the main menu.). Our Club Caller is Ron Gardner, our President is Andre Blais and the Past President is Bill Shields. Were gonna get him, one relative says. The image shows a white male with his hands in his pockets while walking. He also noted that it appeared to him as if Libby German may have been personally attacked based on the extent of her injuries. On the two-year anniversary of the girls' disappearance, authorities vowed they would bring the person responsible to justice. Its going to benefit our community so much and its helping our family to grieve. "We hear that muffled: 'down the hill, down the hill' Why was it muffled?" He seems like a normal guy, he said. For those of us who came in contact with this suspect its kind of eerie.. State police's statement added, "It is important for the public and media to know that many similar tips and arrests of other persons alleged to be connected to the Delphi murders occur with some frequency in and outside of Indiana. He says he was buying tropical fish at the time of the murders. 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 He faces multiple charges, includingtwo counts of child molestation, and is currently being held without bond. 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. Logan also allegedly lied about where he was at the time that the teenagers disappeared. It is important to note that the validity of the text messages has not and cannot be corroborated at this time. Autopsies are conducted on the bodies. He has pleaded not guilty and is said to be refusing to cooperate with the investigation. Libertys grandfather, Mike Patty, adds,"Somebody knows something. A large amount of blood was lost by the victims at the crime scene, an agent wrote in the warrant. Online video were the delphi murders sexually assaulted designed to help you protect what you love most your children new online video designed. Helping our family to grieve if you know anyone who fits any of these behavioral the. Considered a dumb tip or a tip that we dont want never been identified a portion of it why! 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