Delphi murders live updates: Suspect arrested

(DELPHI, Ind.) — A Delphi, Indiana, man, Richard Allen, has been arrested for the 2017 murders of eighth graders Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter announced at a news conference Monday.

Best friends Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13, were on a hiking trail in rural Delphi when they were killed in the middle of the day on Feb. 13, 2017.

The shocking slayings cast fear across the small Indiana town and garnered national intrigue.

This marks the first time a suspect has been named in the mysterious double murder.

Police still ask anyone with information to submit a tip at abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com or 765-822-3535.

Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:

Oct 31, 12:55 PM EDT
‘Right here among us’

Libby German’s grandmother and guardian, Becky Patty, was surprised to learn the man arrested for the murders of Libby and Abby Williams was a Delphi resident.

“It’s a small community,” she told ABC News hours after Richard Allen’s arrest was announced. “For it to be one of us, it’s hard.”

“How can somebody do that and then just go on living life like nothing happened?” Libby’s grandfather, Mike Patty, added.

Libby’s sister, Kelsi German, said she always felt the girls’ killer must be someone familiar with the Delphi area, but she said she didn’t want to believe the suspect “was right here among us.”

Mike Patty commended the police officers who he said were diligent and “sacrificed their own family time” to work on his granddaughter’s case.

“They never let up,” he said.

“There’s a lot of questions we have that are unanswered,” he added, “but all in due time that will come.”

For Libby’s sister, the arrest brings “new obstacles and emotions that we have to learn how to deal with.”

German said she visited her sister’s grave on Sunday to talk to her about the updates in the case.

Oct 31, 12:36 PM EDT
More than 70,000 tips submitted

More than 70,000 tips have been submitted since the murders in 2017, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter told ABC News.

“The eyes of America were on this” case, Carter said, because Delphi — a “wonderful community” — is like so many other American towns.

“We committed a long time ago this day would come,” he said of the arrest.

“Evil never wins,” he added.

As for the girls’ families, Carter said, “I wish I could take their hurt away, but I can’t.”

Carter would not talk about the suspect, Richard Allen, or what led police to him.

Oct 31, 10:22 AM EDT
Suspect enters not guilty plea

The man charged with the girls’ murders, Richard Allen, had his initial hearing and entered a not guilty plea, Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland said.

He’s being held without bond and is set to return to court in January, he said.

“Per the court order, we cannot talk about the evidence that’s in the probable cause” affidavit, McLeland said.

The prosecutor would not say when Allen became a suspect or if he knew Abby or Libby.

McLeland said it’s “concerning” to him that Allen is a local Delphi resident. He called the arrest a “step in the right direction.”

Oct 31, 10:13 AM EDT
Police ask for more tips

In the wake of the arrest, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said, “Peace came over me — and I didn’t expect that to happen.”

He said in a message to the families that he hopes they “have found some peace in this complicated world.”

Carter urged the public to “please continue offering tips,” as the investigation is ongoing.

Oct 31, 10:08 AM EDT
Man arrested in Delphi murders

A Delphi, Indiana, man, Richard Allen, has been arrested for the 2017 murders of eighth graders Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter announced at a news conference Monday.

The 50-year-old was arrested Friday and has been charged with two counts of murder, Carter said.

If anyone else was involved, that person will be held accountable, Carter vowed.

Carter said “today is not a day to celebrate,” but called the arrest a “major step.”

“This investigation is far from complete,” Carter said.

The probable cause affidavit has been sealed, Carter said.

“The time will come when additional details can be released,” Carter added.

Oct 31, 5:57 AM EDT
The video, recording and sketch

In 2017, authorities released a grainy image of the suspect, who they say was on the trail the day the girls went missing. In 2019, police released a brief video clip — footage taken from Libby’s phone — showing a grainy image of the suspect walking on the bridge near where the girls were last seen.

Police also publicized the suspect’s voice — a recording of him saying “guys … down the hill” — which was recovered from Libby’s phone.

Authorities in 2019 released a new suspect sketch that officials said was based on a witness’ recollection of what he or she saw.

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