Details are emerging in connection with the suspected killer of Abby Williams and Libby German, two Indiana girls found murdered a little over six years ago.
As CrimeOnline previously, Indiana law enforcement announced Monday the arrest of Richard M. Allen, 50. 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 during a preliminary hearing and is expected back in court for a pre-trial hearing on January 13.
“I believe in a God of justice and righteousness,” Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby said during the press conference. “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.
“While I know you are all expecting final details today concerning this arrest — today is not that day…This investigation is far from complete, and we will not jeopardize its integrity by releasing or discussing documents or information before the appropriate time,” Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter added.
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.
Delphi Double Homicide Task Force Makes Arrest
NBC 13News reports that Allen was taken into custody on October 28 by the Delphi Double Homicide Task Force. He was initially taken to the Carroll County jail but has since been moved to White County jail.
Allen Lived Near the Crime Scene
According to Carroll County online property records, Allen lived around five miles away from the Monon High Bridge, close to where the girls were found slain. He has lived in Delphi since at least 2006 and has a wife and a daughter.
Daughter Takes School Photo on Monan High Bridge
Allen’s daughter reportedly took a school photo on the same bridge Abby and Libby disappeared from. The 63-feet bridge, built in 1891, is known as a “treasure” to locals, according to ABC Indianapolis. The abandoned bridge remains a popular landmark in Delphi, “despite its disrepair.”
Video Appears to Show Allen Wearing Similar Jacket Worn by Delphi Killer
Allen’s wife posted a since-deleted photo on Facebook that showed Allen wearing what appeared to be the same or similar jacket worn by the killer on the day the girls vanished.
Allen Worked as a Pharmacy Technician
On Friday, police arrested Allen at a Delphi CVS, where he worked as a pharmacy technician. At the time of his arrest, his pharmacy tech license was in good standing with the state of Indiana.
Mike and Becky Patty, who have been advocating for justice on Libby’s behalf since her death, said Allen processed photos for them while he was working at CVS.
Brick & Mortar Pub manager, Chandler Underhill, told Fox 59 that Allen appeared to be a normal guy during the time he visited the pub, where he was considered a regular.
“When I will go into CVS as a customer myself, he would say ‘do you need any help?’ I would be like ‘no.’ Just like a normal guy that I’ve seen for the last couple years, not really thinking anything.
“I would talk; he wouldn’t say much. He seems like a normal guy. One of my servers was telling me that he wouldn’t speak much.”
CVS confirmed Allen worked for the company and released a statement to 13News following his arrest.
“As members of the Carroll County community, we remain devastated by these murders and our hearts go out to the German and Williams families. We are shocked and saddened to learn that one of our store employees was arrested as a suspect in these crimes. We stand ready to cooperate with the police investigation in any way we can.”
Abby and Libby’s Death
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, although the manner of death hasn’t been publicly released. Investigators previously said the suspect “staged” the bodies.
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, leading to Allen’s arrest.
Meanwhile, detectives continue to ask anyone who may have additional information to email abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com or call 765-822-3535.
“This investigation is still very ongoing. We are keeping the tip line open, not only about Richard Allen but any other person,” Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland said. “We cannot talk about the evidence in the probable cause or the charging information … today’s about Abby and Libby, focusing on them.”
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: Richard Allen/ISP; Abby (R) and Libby (l)/Handout]
