Delphi murders - update: Richard Allen charged as victim’s family says killer was ‘hiding in plain sight’
Follow live updates about the arrest of Richard Allen for the 2017 Delphi murders
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Police in Indiana have charged a 50-year-old local man with the 2017 Delphi murders – more than five years after the bodies of best friends Libby German and Abby Williams were found close to a wooded trail.
Richard Allen was charged with two counts of murder on Friday and has pleaded not guilty.
His mugshot bears a resemblance to the police sketch of the man long suspected of killing the teenagers.
Mr Allen – whose name has never before been publicly tied to the case – is a married father and trained pharmaceutical technician who works at the local CVS store in the heart of the tight-knit community.
Libby’s grandfather told reporters Monday the suspect had been “hiding in plain sight” this whole time.
Investigators are remaining tight-lipped about what led to Mr Allen’s arrest – a staggering 2,086 days on from the murders – and remain tightlipped about the cause of death of the victims.
Libby, 14, and Abby, 13, were murdered after setting off on a hike along the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi on 13 February 2017. Their bodies were found in a wooded area around half a mile off the trail the next day.
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How to watch police update on case:
Officials from multiple law enforcement agencies – including Indiana State Police, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Carroll County Prosecutor’s Office and the US Marshal Service – as well as members of the victims’ families are scheduled to hold a press conference shortly.
Indiana State Police said that the briefing will begin promptly at 10am EST.
It will be broadcast live via Facebook Live on the Indiana State Police Public Information Office page here:
The Independent will be post live updates on this blog.
Press conference underway
The first speaker at the press conference is Doug Carter, superintendent of the Indiana State Police.
He says: “Today is not a day to celebrate, but the arrest of Richard Allen on two counts of murder is the next step leading to the conclusion of this long-term and complex investigation.”
Mr Carter officially confirmed that Mr Allen was arrested on Friday.
So far there is no mention of any charges.
Superintendent Carter says further details or documents will not be released regarding the arrest — “today is not that day”.
He reminds the assembled media that when someone is arrested they are considered innocent until proven guilty.
The police line appears to be that further details will be provided as and when appropriate as the investigation proceeds.
Breaking: Richard Allen charged with Delphi murders
A 50-year-old local man has finally been charged with the 2017 Delphi murders – marking the first step towards justice for teenage best friends Libby German and Abby Williams who were brutally killed more than five years ago.
Indiana State Police announced at a press conference on Monday morning that Richard Matthew Allen, a local Delphi man and married father to an adult daughter, is charged with two counts of murder.
Rachel Sharp has been following the case.
Delphi man charged with murders of Libby German and Abby Williams
Murders of Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13, had gone unsolved for more than half a decade
Allen pleads not guilty
Mr Allen has entered a preliminary plea of not guilty and is police remind the press conference that he is innocent until proven guilty.
Law enforcement will not reveal what the evidence was that led to Mr Allen’s arrest per a court order.
Mr Allen is being held without bond.
Despite the arrest of Mr Allen, officials stress the investigation is still ongoing and that they will keep the tip line open on both phone and email, encouraging more members of the public to come forward with any additional information.
Police statement in full - Arrest made for the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German
Here is the full statement regarding the arrest of Richard Allen.
After an extensive investigation, the Delphi Double Homicide Task Force made an arrest for the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German.
On February 13, 2017, Abigail Williams and Liberty German were tragically murdered while visiting the Monon High Bridge in Delphi, IN. Shortly after, the Indiana State Police and Carroll County Sheriff’s office created the Delphi Double Homicide Task Force, which encompassed federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. This task force has worked diligently the last five and a half years to ensure this horrendous crime did not go unsolved.
On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, detectives with the Delphi Double Homicide Task Force took Richard Allen, 50, from Delphi Indiana into custody at the Indiana State Police Lafayette Post for the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German. Allen was transported to Carroll County Jail, where he was being held.
On Friday, October 28, 2022, Allen was formally charged with two counts of murder and transported to the White County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond.
We would like to thank everyone who was involved throughout this investigation, which included the Indiana State Police, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Delphi Police Department, Carroll County Prosecutor’s office, United States Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and numerous other federal and local agencies. These agencies have invested countless hours and resources into this investigation.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. There is no further information to release at this time.
*All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Police not ruling out other assailants
In the press conference, officials would not rule out the possibility that other individuals were also involved in the brutal murders of Libby German and Abby Williams and vowed that – if the investigation leads them to other suspects – they will also face charges.
“If any other person had any involvement in the murders in any way, that person will be held accountable,” said Indiana State Police Supt Doug Carter.
Members of the public were urged to continue to submit tips – not only about Richard Allen but about any other information regarding the case.
Richard Allen pictured in mugshot
Richard Allen has been pictured in his mugshot following his arrest for the 2017 murders of Libby German and Abby Williams in Delphi.
Mr Allen was arrested on Wednesday before being charged on Friday with two counts of murder.
Here is his mugshot:
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