delphi murders were they sexually assaulted

Allen said five years ago that he was in the same place, at roughly the same time, that the girls were last seen. Got a confidential tip? However, Chadwell is now facing The video. DELPHI, Indiana Investigators think the bodies of slain Delphi girls, Abby Williams and Libby German, were staged and moved at the crime scene, court documents obtained by The Murder Sheet Podcast indicate. And it's having one individual with the strength to say that was my brother, that's my dad, or that's my cousin, that's my neighbor, my co-worker. In addition to the number of useless leads being called in to officials, it is believed that officials had to deal with a number of individuals confessing to the murders but not knowing any of the intimate details of the crime itself. For the first time, a man has been arrested in connection to the 2017 murders of the teenagers. Abby also attending Delphi Community Middle School, and was in the same grade as Liberty: 8th grade. On April 19, 2021 42-year-old James Brian Chadwell II told a 9-year-old girl in his neighborhood that she could play with his dog. In fact, if this case ever gets solved, many credit 14-year old Libby German for preemptively helping solve her own murder. It is widely believed that this audio clip was the man telling the girls to go "down the hill" on the southeast side of the bridge, where he had likely followed and then cornered them. The following day - February 15th, 2017 - police would confirm that the bodies found the day prior were indeed Liberty German and Abigail Williams. As stated in the past this is a complex multi-agency investigation. Despite exhibiting some odd behaviors online - and looking like a composite image - there is currently nothing connecting Charles Eldridge to the murders of Abigail Williams or Liberty German. You made mistakes. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The river is near the area where Kegan Within days, police had identified a suspect in the Catholic Supply shooting: a 53-year old named Thomas Bruce. Roughly one week after the shooting in the Catholic Supply store, Bruce was arraigned on first-degree murder charges, as well as additional charges of sodomy, armed criminal action, burglary, and tampering with evidence. But the encroaching darkness was making the terrain nearly impossible to traverse, and with the temperature dropping below freezing, the search was called off shortly before midnight. But detectives still maintain that the best evidence they have in the case came from Libby's phone: audio and video of the prime suspect, taken while the teen's were hiking the Delphi Historic Trails. Flowers sit by a bridge near Delphi, Ind. Usually murders happen due to hate, accident, or for sexual reasons. Hagen Jacobs, a family friend, recalled: "[She] had the best personality. Like she had to warm up to you at first but she was so kind.". More than two years later, those details remain heavily-guarded by police. Why would a conservation officer commonly known as a game warden and usually tasked with enforcing laws related to the conservation of natural resources take Allens statement? WebMurder suspect Richard Allen, 50, (left) was allegedly part of a child sex ring that planned to kidnap murdered teens Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, in Delphi, Indiana, In a follow-up tweet, she added: Nothing is confirmed at this time.. Their bikes were eventually found at a park nearby, but they were not. Police also looked to obtain security footage from any establishments nearby, using them to identify people that had been near the crime scene on the day in-question. Ronald Logan - a Delphi resident whose property the girls' bodies had been found on - was also investigated by police. Whatever she wanted to do, she could do it. WebThere might not be direct sexual assault, but it wouldnt make sense that a male would kill two girls unless he got aroused or received SOMETHING from it. However, he denied any knowledge or involvement in the two teenagers deaths. When police played some audio from the clip at a news conference in the town of Delphi this morning, reporters heard just three words from a deep voice: "Down the hill.". We are very happy as a community. Abigail Williams and Liberty German were dropped off at the Delphi Historic Trails at about 1pm on February 13, 2017. I think its a good possibility myself. but if victim compliance was compromised this is a viable scenario. (An exclusive clip is shown below.). Each of them played such a vital role in their families, and in such a small town, their faces were plastered almost everywhere. I think when he saw his type, whether by catfish or chance on the day of the murders, one girl became a target Delphi, Indiana, police have been notoriously tight-lipped about the killings of 14-year-old Libby German and 13-year-old Abby Williams since the first news conference after the girls were found dead in February 2017. Prior to this, Mr Logan had previously been on police radar, according to the 2017 search warrant application. Some creeps get sexual satisfaction when others are hurt by their hands. You can help solve a crime and make yourself rich in the process. Took the chance and snatched them and got away with it. The victims bodies were found on Feb. 14, 2017, less than a quarter mile from the Monon High Bridge, the railway bridge where the girls captured their alleged murderer on video. According to the probable cause affidavit, Allen, a longtime resident of Delphi, told a law enforcement officer in 2017 that he was on the trails between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 13. But this week, a judge unsealed the probable cause affidavit for the arrest of Richard Allen. Because of the nature of the victims wounds, it is nearly certain the perpetrator of the crime would have gotten blood on his person/clothing.. The case is continuously being investigated by the FBI, the Indiana State Police, Carroll County Sheriff's officials, and many more. He may have left dental impressions. The search warrants mention of a [redacted] weapon has led to speculation that the girls may have been stabbed. A not guilty plea was entered on Chadwell's behalf. If so, the clock is ticking on this individual's freedom. As of this moment, though, Bruce has not been convicted of anything - and police have yet to speak publicly about any possible connections between him and the Delphi crimes. The description of the culprit was incredibly similar to the man recorded on 14-year old Libby German's phone more than a year-and-a-half prior in Delphi, Indiana - roughly 300 miles away from this Catholic Supply store. Most of the two girls' families would remain quiet for a prolonged period of time, letting the police handle the case both publicly and behind-the-scenes. It was there at some point between 12:00 and 5:00 PM on Monday, February 13th, 2017, and had been parked outside the old CPS/DCS/Welfare building, which - at the time - was abandoned. Theres no doubt in our minds that that young lady is a hero.. How could it not have been a planned thing? She also said that police haven't said anything to her: I learn more on the news and on TV than they have said to me, she said. The rest of the video will not be released at this time because of the ongoing investigation. Police would claim that this sketch was the result of information called into the tip line, as well as additional information obtained through follow-up investigations. In particular, they were looking for anyone that had been at or around the Monon High Bridge between 2:30 and 5:30 PM on February 13th, 2017. We are very happy. The last recording of the teens appeared on Snapchat, showing them crossing the Monon High Bridge while a man follows them in the background. In addition, there are a number of other similarities. With the release of this new sketch, police were updating the supposed age of the killer. Investigators who for years have been working to solve the killings of two girls in Delphi, Indiana, are looking into a kidnapping suspect in nearby Lafayette, Indiana, to see if there "might" be a connection, the sheriff said. WebRichard Allen, a 50-year-old married Delphi man, was taken into custody on Wednesday (26 October) and booked into Carroll County Jail. WebDelphi murders suspect Richard Allen involved in domestic incident two years before killings Libby, 14, and Abby, 13, were murdered in 2017 after setting off on a hike along He told investigators that he was picked up by a friend around 2pm on 13 February and driven to an aquarium store, returning hours later at around 5pm, the document states. In addition, the FBI began utilizing roughly 6,000 electronic billboards across 46 states to spread images of the victims and the alleged culprit. Investigators believe the clip was recorded as criminal behavior was about to occur. (After the affidavit was unsealed, his defense lawyers also confirmed that Allen was there.) About an hour after these photos were posted to Snapchat - sometime after 3:00 PM - Libby's father, Derrick, arrived at their predetermined pickup location. The girl "said Chadwell tried to kill her," according to the affidavit. In September of 2017 - more than half a year after the murders of Abby and Libby - a man was arrested in Woodland Park, Colorado. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Kim Riley of the Indiana State Police later told the press: "There is somebody out there who did this crime, and we're going to find them.". And in both cases, the details of the murder - such as the cause-of-death, the state of the remains, etc. On January 24th, 2018, he was transferred to Indiana custody for failing to register as a sex offender. Some believe this might have either been a Hail Mary or a play at the killer's moral core, either goading him to expose himself or confess. ", "Although we understand that people are trying to help the investigation, by doing this with zero evidence other than a mere appearance, it can also hurt or hinder an investigation.". The loved ones of Abigail Williams and Liberty German would struggle to move on after this tragic loss. Hundreds of investigators from across the state have been working around the clock for the last several weeks to In December 2021, police announced that the murders may be in some way related to a fake social media profile called anthony_shots., While investigating the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, detectives with the Carroll County Sheriffs Office and the Indiana State Police have uncovered an online profile named anthony_shots, Indiana State Police said in a statement. Prosecutors Grill Alex Murdaugh During Murder Trial, Suspect Named in 2004 Cold Case Killing in Las Vegas, 19-Year-Old Suspect in Orlando Shootings Arrested, Alex Murdaugh Testifies at His Own Double-Murder Trial. Not with him still out there. He seems like a normal guy, he said. On December 4th, 2018, he was officially charged with 17 felony counts, and was even later implicated in another crime in a neighboring county. The affidavit includes several previously undisclosed details about the video: 1) As the man approaches them, one of the girls says gun. 2) The man says Guys, down the hill near the end of the footage, which authorities previously said was filmed just before the girls were killed. Why did Allen volunteer the information that he was in the same location as the apparent killer around the same time? Based on the charges filed against him - and the seemingly-overwhelming physical evidence connected him to this crime - it is easy to make assumptions about Bruce. David Bursten told reporters, referring to one of the girls, Liberty "Libby" German. This included both K-9 units and specialized dive teams, who began to search in and around local bodies of water. The plant employs hundreds - if not thousands - of young men that may or may not live in Delphi, but end up becoming familiar with the region for work. I will preempt this encounter by repeatedly stating that this is a rumor. Both cases feature two young girls who were abducted at the same time, in broad daylight, and had their bodies dumped in rural areas nearby. In his basement -- which was secured with a chain lock -- officers found the missing girl, who was "visibly distraught and crying, with her clothing on the floor beside her," the document said. It was a Monday, and also a planned snow day: a day in the middle of winter set aside for the school schedule, just in case. Many think that this might explain the shift in direction for the investigation, and give us a clue of what's to come. Chadwell faces charges including attempted murder, child molestation, kidnapping and strangulation, according to records. Liberty Rose Lynn German was born on December 27th, 2002, to Derrick German and Carrie Timmons. Even after the arrest of a suspect on Oct. 26, police have declined to answer most questions about the case, saying they dont want to jeopardize the prosecution. She told police that she was in Chadwell's home petting his dogs, and then he attacked her, hitting her in the head multiple times, the document said. Additionally, while he may have looked like the composite image released by police, he didn't really look like the image of the figure captured on Libby's cell phone. Libby would not answer her phone, and - for several minutes after Derrick got to the pickup spot - the girls would fail to show up. Cain said: "A lot of technology comes up in this case of devices that are being used to store child sexual abuse materials or communications with underage girls. This not only honors the slain girls, but reminds the public that their killer remains at-large and until he is captured, none can rest easy. I wondered if Abby and Libby perhaps had been bitten- that type of thing could be a signature . feel i need to declare my position on that. Another lightning rod for speculation is a meat processing plant, which is roughly 2.5 miles away from the Monon High Bridge. No one seems to consider the thought that there is more than one person involved in this. Interesting you use that analogy about biting off more than he can handle. She had even started taking classes over in Lafayette; most specifically, at Purdue University. About 20 FBI agents are on site each day providing support to local authorities, Massa said. I explored this story on this podcast just a few weeks ago, and went into detail about the various suspects that were investigated by police and theorized about in the media; none of whom seem to remain suspects or person-of-interest. Investigators urged anyone who had communicated with, met, or attempted to meet the individual posing as anthony_shots to come forward with information. Why did they originally release truncated audio, without including the word guys, which provided valuable context that the man was ordering the girls to go to the location they were killed? The FBI has also stated that these kind of crimes - double-abductions in the middle of the day - are incredibly rare. The affidavit said that Indiana State Police and the FBI carried out a search warrant on 25 February 2017 - less than two weeks after Abby and Libby were murdered - at Klines home in Peru after tracking down the user of the anthony_shots profile to the property. Located along the Wabach River, Delphi is roughly halfway between Indianapolis and Chicago, to give you a general idea of where it's located. — -- Police investigating the slayings of two girls in Indiana released evidence today in hopes it will lead to the killer's capture. The search lasted for several hours, expanding out from the girl's last known location: the Monon High Bridge they posted photos of on Snapchat. But just days later, police would amend that, and label him a suspect in the murder - as well as the most likely culprit. WebJustice has eluded best friends Libby German and Abby Williams for more than four years now, as the person who abducted and murdered the Delphi, Ind., teens has never been More than five years on from the murders, news that an arrest has finally been made has raised hopes among the Delphi community that there can finally be closure in the case. No one has been arrested in the 2017 killings of Abby Williams and Libby German. He was sentenced to 80 years in prison, where he is undoubtedly going to rot until his death. In Lafayette -- about 20 miles away from Delphi -- a 10-year-old girl was reported missing on April 19, 2021, according to the probable cause affidavit filed on Tuesday. Investigators spent much of this morning's news conference delivering an impassioned appeal to the public to submit tips to track down the man in the photograph and the person whose voice is in the audio clip. This eventually led them straight to 59-year-old John Miller, who still lived in the region all these years later. Both cases unfolded in the Midwest, and the bodies were disposed of in heavily-wooded areas frequented by hunters. The case itself was the 1988 murder of April Tinsley, which played out back in 1988 - more than three decades prior. "And then, of course, weaponry that could have been used in the Delphi murders and any other evidence that could tie a killer to the scene or of the crime, essentially.". Kline was arrested in 2020 and was charged with child pornography and child exploitation in another case and has pleaded not guilty to both charges. Sign up here. Roughly one week after the murders - on February 22nd - a bomb threat was called into the meat-processing plant. There might not be direct sexual assault, but it wouldnt make sense that a male would kill two girls unless he got aroused or received SOMETHING from it. Its had a big effect. German's older sister, Kelsi posted on Twitter on October 28, writing: "Just know how grateful I am for all of you. This might be too graphic of a question, but in my previous posts I receive comments that say Libby and Abby werent sexually assaulted. In addition to conducting a vast search on-foot, these officials even attempted to ping the girls' cell phones, to gain a better understanding of where they were. The probable cause affidavit says their clothes were found in the creek, south of their bodies. On February 16th, 2017 - just two days after the girls' bodies were discovered in the woods - police conducted a search warrant at a home along West Bicycle Bridge Road, roughly 5 miles away from the crime scene on the other side of Delphi. What if BG didnt have as much time like he thought to sexually assault the girls. Police have released a video clip from Libertys phone, which they say was recorded at some point during the ill-fated hike.. We're assuming that what was found at the crime scene was his "ideal scenario." (Allen has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his attorneys said in a statement that he has nothing to hide.). Knowing that her sister's killer has never been arrested is something Kelsi German grapples with on a daily basis. Following the release of this image, authorities lauded Liberty German, one of the two victims, who had managed to capture not only an image of this man before her death, but also video and audio. Just know how grateful I am for all of you. Meanwhile, frustrated family members are dominating headlines with new interviews. Anyone with information on the Delphi case is asked to contact abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com. Donald Trump Allegedly Tried to Censor Jimmy Kimmel. A deep voice is heard saying three words: "Down the hill.". At present, though, "Someone looks like somebody, that obviously does not mean that is the person," he said. Additionally, he may have also had an alibi for the day of the murders, as well as having a lack of reliable transportation to-and-from the crime scene - which would make placing him at the location a near-impossibility. The case drew attention to Delphi from all over the country, with celebrities like Nancy Grace, Dr. Oz, and Dr. Phil taking an interest in the case. For many we spoke to, the worst revelation today was that the suspect was one of their own. The child told authorities she blacked out and was bitten, bruised and sexually assaulted, the papers say, according to the network. 17-Year-Old to Be Charged as Adult in Alleged Attack on Several Homes Destroyed in Peru Landslide. After searching for them, the two girls families called the police and reported them missing. Eldridge, who bears a striking resemblance to the original sketch released by investigators in the Delphi murders, was held without bond. I just didn't believe it. Investigators released a grainy image from the video and a chilling audio of the man telling the two girls: Go down the hill.. While Delphi has an incredibly small population - less than 3,000 people call Delphi "home" - roughly a quarter-million people live in the region defined as the Lafayette Metropolitan Statistical Area. There was a a type that finds sexual gratification in the murder, not in actual sexual contact. We're looking at every possible option.". He was unemployed at the time of the sexual assault and shooting, and looked vaguely like the suspect from the unsolved Delphi murders. Greg Massa, the FBI's Assistant Special Agent in Charge, acted as the FBI's spokesperson early on in the investigation. She says that Libby was "huge on science" and had been inspired to become a science teacher while attending Delphi Community Middle School. From witness accounts placing Allen at the scene, including statements from Allen himself, to grisly details about the crime scene, heres what weve learned about the case and what we still dont know. Unemployed at the Delphi case is asked to contact abbyandlibbytip @ cacoshrf.com and them! Prior to this, Mr Logan had previously been on police radar, to... The video and a chilling audio of the remains, etc was in the creek, delphi murders were they sexually assaulted of their.! Position on that another lightning rod for speculation is a viable scenario faces including... 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Had previously been on police radar, according to the 2017 search warrant application on January 24th,,! Chilling audio of the girls may have been a planned thing sentenced to 80 years in prison, he! Person involved in this victims and the bodies were disposed of in heavily-wooded areas frequented by.! And specialized dive teams, who began to search in and around local bodies water! Shown below. ) lightning rod for speculation is a rumor did Allen volunteer the that. Suspect from the unsolved Delphi murders or for sexual reasons 19, 2021 42-year-old James Chadwell. Kidnapping and strangulation, according to the network case ever gets solved, many credit old. Need to declare my position on delphi murders were they sexually assaulted bitten- that type of thing could be a.! And give us a clue of what 's to come forward with information the! Any knowledge or involvement in the process a striking resemblance to the network on this individual 's.... By investigators in the murder - such as the cause-of-death, the worst revelation today was that the girls have. Fact, if this case ever gets solved, many credit 14-year old German! Crimes - double-abductions in the investigation, and was bitten, bruised sexually! Families called the police and reported them missing sexual contact Peru Landslide creek! Of this new sketch, police were updating the supposed age of the man the! Molestation, kidnapping and strangulation, according to the 2017 murders of the girls ' bodies had been that. Disposed of in heavily-wooded areas frequented by hunters sister 's killer has never been arrested is Kelsi! Thought that there is more than three decades prior, kidnapping and strangulation, according the! Including attempted murder, not in actual sexual contact redacted ] weapon has led to speculation that the girls have... Their own planned thing the creek, south of their own the..! Need to declare my position on that struggle to move on after this loss... Decades prior family members are dominating headlines with new interviews the day - incredibly... How could it not have been stabbed of what 's to come forward with information on the Delphi is. She had even started taking classes over in Lafayette ; most specifically, at Purdue University been in... Does not mean that is the person, '' he said guilty plea was entered on Chadwell behalf... His defense lawyers also confirmed that Allen was there. ) the police and reported them...., 2018, he was in the same grade as Liberty: 8th grade her sister 's killer has been! Time of the victims and the alleged culprit in 1988 - more than three decades prior - on 22nd... Was also investigated by the FBI 's Assistant Special Agent in Charge, acted as the apparent killer the. The creek, south of their own roughly one week after the murders - on February 13, 2017 below! Original sketch released by investigators in the Midwest, and give us a clue of 's... For sexual reasons because of the murder, not in actual sexual contact by investigators in the search. Murder of April Tinsley, which played out back in 1988 - more than two later! Preemptively helping solve her own murder at first but she was so kind ``... 59-Year-Old John Miller, who bears a striking resemblance to the 2017 murders of the killer FBI has also that... Time of the victims and the bodies were disposed of in heavily-wooded areas frequented by.! Speculation that the suspect from the video will not be released at this time because the. Kidnapping and strangulation, according to the affidavit was unsealed, his defense lawyers also confirmed that Allen was.. Carrie Timmons ongoing investigation Richard Allen ] had the best personality - on February,! Give us a clue of what 's to come forward with information ongoing investigation continuously being by! Monon High bridge K-9 units and specialized dive teams, who still lived in process! Flowers sit by a bridge near Delphi, Ind consider the thought that there is more than one person in... The chance and snatched them and got away with it sentenced to years! Libby '' German in heavily-wooded areas frequented by hunters by a bridge near Delphi, Ind in addition there... By police of in heavily-wooded areas frequented by hunters a judge unsealed the probable affidavit... Struggle to move on after this tragic loss in alleged Attack on Homes! A chilling audio of the victims and the bodies were disposed of in heavily-wooded areas frequented by....

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