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| Richard Allen, 50, has been charged with murder in the Delphi Teens Murders. |
Murders of Abigail Williams
A local man has been arrested in the 2017 murders of Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, in Delphi, Indiana, officials said Monday, adding that, as with the investigation, the case has Clues remain, he added.
Richard M. Allen, 50, has been charged with two counts of murder, said Superintendent Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police. Police arrested him on Wednesday and formally charged him before taking him to the White County Jail on Friday, according to a news release.He is being held without bail.
"Today is not a day of celebration, but the arrest... is certainly an important step in ending this long and complex investigation," Carter told reporters. German, left, sketch in question, center, Abbie Williams, right.
Indiana State Police release new sketches as they search for the man who murdered two teenage girls.
Allen pleaded not guilty at the first hearing, said Carroll County Attorney Nick McClelland. He is scheduled to return to court for his pretrial hearing on January 13. His trial is scheduled to begin on the morning of March 20, according to prosecutors.
McClelland said the judge had found a possible reason to charge Allen with murder, but said the indictment and affidavit of probable cause were sealed, and would not elaborate on the reasoning. He said the court would reconsider its decision to seal the documents at a later date.
Meanwhile, the hotline remains open and investigators are looking for information "not just about Richard Allen, but about anyone else you may have," he said. McClelland declined to elaborate on whether authorities are looking for additional suspects.
Pictures
I know it's frustrating," he said. ``My goal is to protect the integrity of this case.'' , was "bittersweet".
Carter also declined to provide many details, stating, "We cannot be certain that this person or people are responsible."
"This investigation is far from over. By disclosing documents and information prior to a proper investigation, we will continue to take a very methodical and dedicated approach."
Asked about the family's reaction to Allen's news, Carter said of the arrest, "It's been very difficult and rough, but it's also been a very humbling experience."
Please wait until I am arrested
Carter said it has been 2,086 days since authorities began investigating. Abby and Libby set out to hike the Delphi Historic Trail on February 13, 2017, during the school holidays.
A search began after the teens failed to see Libby's father on the way home. Eighteen hours later, their corpses were found in the woods near an abandoned railway bridge that they had photographed during their trek. Abby posted a photo on Snapchat of the girls crossing a railroad bridge just before she was killed. Investigators with the Indiana State Police have released the photo and believe the man is a double-murder suspect.
In 2019, police released a new sketch and additions from one of the girl's cell phones. has released a video of
Murders have ravaged Delphi. In 2019, McClelland said investigators received more than a dozen leads every day.
Libby's grandparents, Mike and Becky Patty, filed a petition for help in 2021.
"We are looking for the monster that killed the two girls. We are asking for a little bit of your day," they wrote in a letter to the public. or loved ones, do you think that's asking too much?" They called for help, which they said was used on Snapchat, Instagram, and possibly other social media sites from 2016 to 2017.
Catfish's account, according to a press release, was described as "a well-known He used an image of a male model and claimed to be very wealthy and the owner of numerous sports cars." "The creator of the fictitious profile used this information to contact, ask for nude photos, obtain addresses, and attempt to meet with female teens."
Investigators identify model Did. Investigate," they said. But investigators are looking for information about who created the profile, they said.
Last week, Cynthia Rossi, a friend of Abby and Liberty who grew up close to her, expressed hope that Monday's announcement would bring an end. I hope that is the message, but part of me will always die that day with them and part of me will never find complete peace and justice.”
Delphi's Shirley Goyer added: I've waited so long and I'm glad it's finally nearing its end. ”