DELPHI, Ind. (Court TV/Scripps News Indianapolis) — Richard M. Allen, the man accused of killing two Indiana teens, dubbed the “Delphi Murders,” faces two counts of murder six years after the bodies of Abigail (Abby) Williams, 13, and Liberty (Libby) German, 14, were found in the woods near the Monon High Bridge.
Richard Matthew Allen has been arrested and faces two counts of felony murder in connection with the 2017 killings of Abby Williams and Libby German. (Indiana State Police)
What’s the latest information on the Delphi Murders?
On the eve of Allen’s June 15 bail hearing, the defense filed a motion to throw out evidence related to the single bullet found at the crime scene that investigators believe came from Allen’s gun. Upon their review of the probable cause affidavit, Allen’s attorneys Bradley Rozzi and Andrew Baldwin, referred to the evidence of the bullet as “flimsy.” Shortly after their statement, a gag order was issued by Judge Fran Gull.
When did the girls go missing?
On Feb. 13, 2017, Abby and Libby were dropped off by Libby’s older sister, Kelsi German, at 1:49 p.m., near the entrance of the Delphi Historic Trial by the Mears farm, located on the north side of County Road 300 north.
Where were the girls found?
On Feb. 14, 2017, the girls’ bodies were found in the woods, approximately 0.2 miles northeast of the Monon High Bridge in Carroll County, Indiana, on the north side of Deer Creek.
L too R: Abigail “Abby” Williams and Liberty “Libby” German (Family Photos)
How were Abby and Libby murdered?
The exact cause of death has not been released. Despite ballistics evidence recovered at the crime scene, police have never confirmed if Abby and Libby died from gunshot wounds. Only a single unspent round was recovered from the scene, according to the probable cause affidavit. In that document, Carrol County Sheriff’s Department detectives who have been involved in the investigation since it started in 2017 outlined what they believe happened on Feb. 13, 2017.
“At 2:13 p.m., investigators believe Richard Allen approached Abby and Libby on the Monon High Bridge and forced them down the hill to the area where he allegedly killed them.” Clothing belonging to the girls was discovered in Deer Creek, south of where their bodies were found, according to the affidavit. After the victims were murdered, investigators believe Allen returned to his vehicle parked next to the former Child Protective Services building near the trail entrance by walking down CR 300 North, where a witness reportedly saw a man that matched Allen’s description returning to his car, “muddy and bloody”.
More: Probable Cause Affidavit
Who is the suspect in Delphi Murders?
Richard Matthew Allen, then 50, was arrested on two murder counts in the killings of Libby and Abigail, State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said at a news conference on October 31, 2022. Allen was a licensed pharmacy technician who worked at a local CVS store.
Officers escort Richard Matthew Allen, out of the Carroll County courthouse following a hearing, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, in Delphi, Ind. Allen was charged last month with two counts of murder in the killings of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Libby’s grandmother, Becky Patty, told reporters that Allen once processed photos for the family at the CVS store in Delphi where Allen worked. He didn’t charge them for the photos, she added. A judge found probable cause to arrest Allen, who entered a not-guilty plea at his initial hearing, authorities said.
Since his arrest, Allen has faced intense media scrutiny, prompting his attorneys to request and obtain a gag order in his case. Despite the order, public filings have painted a vivid picture of Allen’s life since his arrest.
After being placed in the Westville correctional facility for safety, Allen and his attorneys filed an emergency order on April 5 to have him removed from the facility due to poor conditions. His attorneys claim Allen had been sleeping on a pad on a concrete floor inside of a cell that is “no larger than that of a dog kennel.” They said he’s given “little, if any” time outside and forced to wear the same clothes, including underwear, for days with only one to two showers each week. They also argued that his isolation has made him unable to visit his wife or other family members and that he’s only allowed to make calls to family members through a tablet, which is monitored by prison officials.
This court exhibit shows murder suspect Richard Allen in court in 2023 (L) and a ‘year or two’ prior to his arrest (R). (Carroll Circuit Court via WRTV)
Two photos were provided as evidence supporting the motion to move Allen, one allegedly shows Allen currently incarcerated, while the second allegedly shows Allen a “year or two” before his arrest.
In a Nov. 2022 handwritten letter to the judge, Allen begged the judge for a public defender and said his wife was forced to leave their home in Delphi, Indiana for her own personal safety.
More: Allen’s handwritten letter to the judge
According to public records, Allen’s prior criminal history, including two misdemeanors for driving while intoxicated in 2016, and disorderly conduct and public intoxication in 2011.
What else did investigators learn about Richard Allen?
Investigators encountered a tip narrative from an officer who interviewed Richard Allen in 2017. The details were spelled out in the affidavit.
A van leaves the Carroll County courthouse with Richard Matthew Allen, following a hearing, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, in Delphi, Ind. Allen was charged last month with two counts of murder in the killings of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
“Mr. Allen was on the trail between 1330-1530. He parked at the old Farm Bureau building and walked to the new Freedom Bridge. While at the Freedom Bridge, he saw three females. He noted one was taller and had brown or black hair. He did not remember description nor did he speak with them. He walked from the Freedom Bridge to the High Bridge. He did not see anybody, although he stated he was watching a stock ticker on his phone as he walked. He stated there were vehicles parked at the High Bridge trail head, however did not pay attention to them. He did not take any photos or video.”
Investigators believe Mr. Allen was referring to the former Child Protective Services building, the affidavit added.
Further investigation revealed Richard Allen owned two vehicles in 2017, a black Ford Focus and a 2006 gray Ford 500. Investigators observed a car that they believe was the black Ford Focus at 1:27 traveling west bound toward the trails, which coincided with his statement of arriving at the trails around 1:30 p.m. Investigators believe it was the black Ford Focus that witnesses saw parked outside the CPS building, according to the affidavit.
Who is Kegan Kline?
While investigating the deaths of Abby and Libby, investigators were led to Kegan Kline, who used the social media profile “anthony_shots” to interact with underage girls, according court documents. In March 2023,
Kegan Kline (Miami County Sheriff’s Office)
Kegan Kline pleaded guilty to child exploitation and child pornography charges.
Was Kline involved in the Delphi Murders?
No, while the social media account Kline created “anthony_shots” is part of the larger case involving the deaths of Libby German and Abby Williams, Kline has not been tied to the case.
Initially, Kline was charged with 30 counts, but five were dismissed in November 2022.
What evidence was found at the crime scene?
Investigators found a cellphone, clothing and an 0.40 caliber bullet, according to the probable cause affidavit.
One of the victim’s phones was located during the search for the girls. It showed one of the girls walking southeast on the Monon High Bridge, while a male subject wearing a dark jacket and jeans walks behind her. As the man approaches the girls, one of the victims mentions, “gun.” Near the end of the video, the man is seen and heard telling the girls, “Guys, down the hill.” The girls then begin to proceed down the hill and the video ends.
Some of the victims’ clothes were found in Deer Creek, south of where the bodies were found.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter announces during a news conference in Delphi, Ind., Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, the arrest of Richard Allen, 50, for the murders of two teenage girls killed during a 2017 hiking trip in northern Indiana. Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, were killed in February 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The 0.40 caliber unspent round was discovered less than two feet away from one of the girls, between the two bodies. The round was unspent and had extraction marks on it.
A video was recovered from the Hoosier Harvestore surveillance camera that shows vehicles traveling to and from the trails entrance on CR 300 North.
Other evidence gathered in the case was taken from Allen’s home after his 2022 arrest, including:
-
- Jackets, including the blue Carhartt jacket he wore on the trails in 2017
- Boots
- Knives
- Gun: Sig Sauer, Model P226, 0.40 caliber pistol
Were there any witnesses near the crime scene?
Yes. The affidavit details multiple witnesses who were out on the trails on Feb. 13, 2017. Interviews were conducted with three juveniles on the Monon High Bridge trail. They told investigators they were walking home on the trail toward Freedom Bridge when they encountered a man, who they described as “kind of creepy” wearing blue jeans, and a light blue duck canvas-type jacket.
Flowers are placed at the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Ind., Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, near where Liberty German and Abigail Williams were last seen and where the bodies were discovered. The Indiana State Police announced an arrest in the murders of the two teenage girls killed during a 2017 hiking trip in northern Indiana. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Investigators spoke with another witness who was alone at the trails that day to go for a walk. As she was parking, she observed four girls walking on the bridge over Old State Road 25 as she drove under it. She told investigators that while walking to the Monon High Bridge, she saw a man that matched the description from the victim’s phone. She said the man was wearing blue jeans and a blue jacket standing on the first platform of the Monon High Bridge, about 50 feet away from her. She turned around once she reached the bridge to continue her walk. Halfway between the bridge and the parking area, she believes she saw Abby and Libby, who were headed toward the Monon High Bridge. She finished her walk and told police there were no other adults, other than the man she saw, on the bridge. Her car is seen leaving the trails westbound at 2:14 p.m. The woman told police she noticed a vehicle parked in an odd manner at the old Child Protective Services building while she was leaving.
Investigators received a tip from a man who saw a purple PT Cruiser or small SUV type vehicle parked at the old CPS building. He said it appeared to be back in as to conceal the license plate of the vehicle. He described it as possibly being a “smart” car. Investigators asked both the female walker and the male driver to draw a diagram of the vehicle they saw parked outside the CPS building. Both generally matched the area and position the vehicle was parked.
Investigators spoke with another driver who said she was traveling East on 300 North on Feb. 13 and saw a man walking west, on the North side of 300 North, away from the Monon High Bridge. She said the man was wearing a blue colored jacked and blue jeans, and described him as “muddy and bloody,” as if he had gotten into a fight.
Scripps News Indianapolis, an E.W. Scripps Company, contributed to this story.
