Murders Of Abigail Williams And Liberty German
Child Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Delphi, Indiana
TIME PERIOD
February 13, 2017
VICTIMS
2 confirmed
Deer Creek, near the Monon High Bridge Trail, on February 14, 2017, following their disappearance the previous day. The victims, 13-year-old Abigail Williams and 14-year-old Liberty German, were last seen hiking in the area after being dropped off by German's sister. The case remained unsolved for five years until Richard M. Allen was arrested in 2022 and subsequently charged with two counts of murder. In 2024, Allen was found guilty and sentenced to 130 years in prison. Key evidence included video and audio recordings from German's smartphone, which captured a suspect believed to be the perpetrator.
Richard Matthew Allen is believed to have acted alone in the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, with speculation suggesting he may have been familiar with the area where the girls were killed. Some theories propose that he may have had prior interactions with the victims or was stalking them before the incident. Additionally, there are discussions about the possibility of other individuals being involved or having knowledge of the crime, given the lack of immediate evidence linking Allen to the scene before his arrest.
Murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German
A Day in Delphi
On a seemingly ordinary winter afternoon, February 13, 2017, the small town of Delphi, Indiana, was rocked by a crime that would haunt the community for years. Thirteen-year-old Abigail Joyce Williams and fourteen-year-old Liberty Rose Lynn German were dropped off by Liberty's older sister, Kelsi German, near the Monon High Bridge Trail. It was a place known for its scenic beauty, a part of the Delphi Historic Trails, where the girls intended to spend their day hiking.
At 2:07 p.m., Liberty captured a photograph of Abigail crossing the bridge. It was an innocent moment, the last trace of their presence before they vanished. When the girls failed to meet Liberty's father at the designated time of 3:15 p.m., concern started to ripple through their families. By 5:30 p.m., panic set in, and the search began, initially led by the families themselves. The authorities were called, and although they initially found no evidence of foul play, everything changed when the girls' bodies were discovered the next day, on the north bank of Deer Creek, half a mile from where they were last seen.
The Investigation Begins
The mystery of what happened to Abigail and Liberty deepened as investigators withheld specific details about the manner of their murders. By February 15, 2017, a grainy image emerged, showing a man on the Monon High Bridge Trail. Dubbed the "Bridge Guy," this individual was captured on Liberty's smartphone, a spontaneous act of bravery that provided crucial evidence. This image, along with an audio clip of a voice saying, "Down the hill," was released to the public. Liberty was hailed as a hero for her quick thinking.
As the investigation progressed, police released a composite sketch of the suspect. This sketch was based on eyewitness accounts from a hiker on the day the girls disappeared. Despite the grainy image and muffled audio, these pieces of evidence ignited a nationwide search, with a reward for information reaching $41,000.
In 2019, investigators announced a new direction, releasing an updated sketch and urging the public to scrutinize the suspect's walk and voice. They believed the suspect was familiar with Delphi, possibly living or working in the area. A plea was made for information about a vehicle abandoned near the Hoosier Heartland Highway on the day of the murders.
The Arrest of Richard M. Allen
The case saw a breakthrough in September 2022 when a misfiled tip resurfaced, leading investigators to Richard Matthew Allen. His last name had been incorrectly recorded, resulting in the tip being marked as "cleared." Allen had self-reported being on the trails the day of the murders, claiming to have seen three girls but denying any involvement.
On October 26, 2022, Allen was taken into custody. By October 31, the Indiana State Police had charged him with two counts of murder. He pled not guilty, and the case, which had captivated national attention, finally saw its first major break.
Trial and Sentencing
The trial commenced on October 18, 2024, amid concerns of juror bias due to the extensive media coverage. During the proceedings, prosecutors revealed that both girls had their throats cut. Abigail was found in Liberty's clothes, while Liberty was discovered nude. An unspent .40 caliber bullet linked to Allen's gun was found at the crime scene.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Allen had confessed to the murders over 60 times while incarcerated, to various individuals, including his family and prison staff. A State Police Master Trooper testified that Allen's voice matched the "Bridge Guy" from Liberty’s recording.
Despite defense arguments highlighting Allen's mental health issues, the jury found Allen guilty on all counts on November 11, 2024. He was sentenced to 130 years in prison, 65 years for each murder, to be served consecutively.
A Community's Tribute
In the wake of this tragedy, the community of Delphi came together to honor the memory of Abigail and Liberty. Orange porch lights symbolized hope and a reminder that justice was still being sought. Plans were made for the Abby and Libby Memorial Park, a testament to the girls' love for sports and nature. The Delphi Community Middle School renamed its library in their honor, ensuring their legacy lived on.
Sources
For more information, you can visit the original article on Wikipedia: Murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German
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Murders Occur
Abigail Williams and Liberty German are murdered near Monon High Bridge.
Bodies Discovered
The bodies of the two girls are found near Deer Creek.
Suspect Image Released
Indiana State Police release a still image of a suspect seen near the crime scene.
Audio Recording Released
Law enforcement releases an audio clip of the suspect saying 'Down the hill'.
Richard Allen Arrested
Richard Allen is arrested and charged with the murders of the two girls.
Allen Found Guilty
Richard Allen is convicted on all counts in the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German.
Sentencing
Richard Allen is sentenced to 130 years in prison for the murders.
Confession Videos Released
Interrogation videos and prison confessions of Richard Allen are made public.
Deer Creek, near the Monon High Bridge Trail, on February 14, 2017, following their disappearance the previous day. The victims, 13-year-old Abigail Williams and 14-year-old Liberty German, were last seen hiking in the area after being dropped off by German's sister. The case remained unsolved for five years until Richard M. Allen was arrested in 2022 and subsequently charged with two counts of murder. In 2024, Allen was found guilty and sentenced to 130 years in prison. Key evidence included video and audio recordings from German's smartphone, which captured a suspect believed to be the perpetrator.
Richard Matthew Allen is believed to have acted alone in the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, with speculation suggesting he may have been familiar with the area where the girls were killed. Some theories propose that he may have had prior interactions with the victims or was stalking them before the incident. Additionally, there are discussions about the possibility of other individuals being involved or having knowledge of the crime, given the lack of immediate evidence linking Allen to the scene before his arrest.
Murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German
A Day in Delphi
On a seemingly ordinary winter afternoon, February 13, 2017, the small town of Delphi, Indiana, was rocked by a crime that would haunt the community for years. Thirteen-year-old Abigail Joyce Williams and fourteen-year-old Liberty Rose Lynn German were dropped off by Liberty's older sister, Kelsi German, near the Monon High Bridge Trail. It was a place known for its scenic beauty, a part of the Delphi Historic Trails, where the girls intended to spend their day hiking.
At 2:07 p.m., Liberty captured a photograph of Abigail crossing the bridge. It was an innocent moment, the last trace of their presence before they vanished. When the girls failed to meet Liberty's father at the designated time of 3:15 p.m., concern started to ripple through their families. By 5:30 p.m., panic set in, and the search began, initially led by the families themselves. The authorities were called, and although they initially found no evidence of foul play, everything changed when the girls' bodies were discovered the next day, on the north bank of Deer Creek, half a mile from where they were last seen.
The Investigation Begins
The mystery of what happened to Abigail and Liberty deepened as investigators withheld specific details about the manner of their murders. By February 15, 2017, a grainy image emerged, showing a man on the Monon High Bridge Trail. Dubbed the "Bridge Guy," this individual was captured on Liberty's smartphone, a spontaneous act of bravery that provided crucial evidence. This image, along with an audio clip of a voice saying, "Down the hill," was released to the public. Liberty was hailed as a hero for her quick thinking.
As the investigation progressed, police released a composite sketch of the suspect. This sketch was based on eyewitness accounts from a hiker on the day the girls disappeared. Despite the grainy image and muffled audio, these pieces of evidence ignited a nationwide search, with a reward for information reaching $41,000.
In 2019, investigators announced a new direction, releasing an updated sketch and urging the public to scrutinize the suspect's walk and voice. They believed the suspect was familiar with Delphi, possibly living or working in the area. A plea was made for information about a vehicle abandoned near the Hoosier Heartland Highway on the day of the murders.
The Arrest of Richard M. Allen
The case saw a breakthrough in September 2022 when a misfiled tip resurfaced, leading investigators to Richard Matthew Allen. His last name had been incorrectly recorded, resulting in the tip being marked as "cleared." Allen had self-reported being on the trails the day of the murders, claiming to have seen three girls but denying any involvement.
On October 26, 2022, Allen was taken into custody. By October 31, the Indiana State Police had charged him with two counts of murder. He pled not guilty, and the case, which had captivated national attention, finally saw its first major break.
Trial and Sentencing
The trial commenced on October 18, 2024, amid concerns of juror bias due to the extensive media coverage. During the proceedings, prosecutors revealed that both girls had their throats cut. Abigail was found in Liberty's clothes, while Liberty was discovered nude. An unspent .40 caliber bullet linked to Allen's gun was found at the crime scene.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Allen had confessed to the murders over 60 times while incarcerated, to various individuals, including his family and prison staff. A State Police Master Trooper testified that Allen's voice matched the "Bridge Guy" from Liberty’s recording.
Despite defense arguments highlighting Allen's mental health issues, the jury found Allen guilty on all counts on November 11, 2024. He was sentenced to 130 years in prison, 65 years for each murder, to be served consecutively.
A Community's Tribute
In the wake of this tragedy, the community of Delphi came together to honor the memory of Abigail and Liberty. Orange porch lights symbolized hope and a reminder that justice was still being sought. Plans were made for the Abby and Libby Memorial Park, a testament to the girls' love for sports and nature. The Delphi Community Middle School renamed its library in their honor, ensuring their legacy lived on.
Sources
For more information, you can visit the original article on Wikipedia: Murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Murders Occur
Abigail Williams and Liberty German are murdered near Monon High Bridge.
Bodies Discovered
The bodies of the two girls are found near Deer Creek.
Suspect Image Released
Indiana State Police release a still image of a suspect seen near the crime scene.
Audio Recording Released
Law enforcement releases an audio clip of the suspect saying 'Down the hill'.
Richard Allen Arrested
Richard Allen is arrested and charged with the murders of the two girls.
Allen Found Guilty
Richard Allen is convicted on all counts in the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German.
Sentencing
Richard Allen is sentenced to 130 years in prison for the murders.
Confession Videos Released
Interrogation videos and prison confessions of Richard Allen are made public.