Delphi murders
The Delphi murders refer to the 2017 killings of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, two Indiana teenagers whose bodies were found near the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Indiana.
The Delphi murders refer to the 2017 killings of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, two Indiana teenagers whose bodies were found near the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Indiana. The case drew national attention for years and ended with the 2024 conviction and sentencing of Richard Allen to 130 years in prison.
Background
Abigail Williams and Liberty German were two middle-school students from Delphi, Indiana. They were last seen on February 13, 2017, while walking near the Monon High Bridge Trail.
Investigation
The girls were found dead the next day, and the investigation remained open for years. Public interest was heightened by limited evidence released by police and the length of time before an arrest.
Trial and verdict
Richard Allen was arrested in October 2022 and later tried in Carroll County. In November 2024, a jury convicted him of the murders and related charges.
Sentencing and aftermath
In December 2024, Allen received a 130-year sentence. The case remains significant in Indiana criminal history because of its long investigation and extensive media coverage.
Key facts
- Williams and German disappeared while hiking on February 13, 2017, and were found dead the next day near the trail system in Delphi.
- The case remained unsolved for years and became widely known through public attention to available video and audio evidence from German's phone.
- Richard Allen was arrested in 2022 and charged with the murders.
- A jury found Allen guilty on all counts in November 2024.
- He was sentenced in December 2024 to 130 years in prison.
The case was widely reported in Canadian media as part of international true-crime coverage, but it has no direct Canadian connection.
Frequently asked questions
Who were the victims in the Delphi murders?
When did the Delphi murders happen?
Who was convicted in the case?
What sentence did Richard Allen receive?
Why did the case receive so much attention?
Where did the killings occur?
References
- NPR — https://www.npr.org/2024/12/20/nx-s1-5235362/delphi-indiana-teen-murders-sentencing-richard-allenSupports: Sentencing date, sentence length, victims, and case outcome.
- ABC News — https://abcnews.com/amp/US/delphi-double-murder-trial-graphic-crime-scene-photos/story?id=114989103Supports: Victim names, location, disappearance date, arrest, and trial context.
- CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/28/us/delphi-murders-richard-allen-caseSupports: Case timeline, victims' identities, and investigation background.
- The Indianapolis Star — https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2024/10/14/richard-allen-delphi-murders-trial-date-libby-german-abby-williams-key-facts-trial/75612913007/Supports: Case number, arrest date, and local procedural context.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murders_of_Abigail_Williams_and_Liberty_GermanSupports: Broad case overview, dates, conviction, and sentencing; used only where corroborated by higher-authority reporting.