Five years after the murders of Delphi girls, Abby Williams and Libby German, Indiana law enforcement announced Monday the arrest of 50-year-old Richard M. Allen.
According to Indiana law enforcement, Allen has been charged with two counts of murder; the probable cause has been sealed and evidence won’t be shared at this time. He pleaded not guilty and is expected back in court in January.
“I believe in a God of justice and righteousness,” Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby said. “That same God has provided us with justice for Abby and Libby.”
Numerous law enforcement agencies were in attendance for the Monday morning press conference, including the Indiana State Police, the US Marshals Service, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and the Carroll County Prosecutor’s Office.
Abby and Libby’s family members were also in attendance.
Allen remains behind bars without bail. The investigation is still ongoing and the tip line in the case will remain open. No further details are available at this time.
BREAKING: “An arrest has been made.”
Suspect arrested in the 2017 murders of two girls in Delphi, Indiana, a case that has haunted the community for five years. https://t.co/iqxwYfopzD pic.twitter.com/WJclkpni96
— ABC News (@ABC) October 31, 2022
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Abby, 13, and Libby, 14, took a hiking trip at the abandoned Monon High Bridge in Delphi on February 13, 2017, in an outing that was meant to be for a few hours. The girls took photos while strolling across the bridge, but as time passed and their family didn’t hear from them, police were called for assistance.
Police found the girls’ lifeless bodies a short distance from the bridge the following day, near a trail close to the bridge. They had both been murdered.
The incident was nicknamed the “Snapchat Murders” after Abby took a photo of Libby at around 2:17 p.m. and put it on social media. Detectives said that after the photo was taken, a man approached the girls and apparently told them to “go down the hill.”
One of the girls, likely sensing danger, recorded the man’s voice on her cellphone. She also managed to take a photo and record a small clip of the suspect. Although his face isn’t clear in the picture, it was enough to give authorities a general description. Since then, they’ve been poring through thousands of tips.
Meanwhile, detectives continue to ask anyone who may have additional information to email abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com or call 765-822-3535.
WATCH HERE: VIDEO of the suspect
LISTEN HERE: AUDIO of the suspect
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Here is a previous episode on the case.
[Featured image: Abby (l) and Libby (r)/Handout]
