Abigail Williams and Liberty German, often referred to as Abby and Libby, were two teenage girls from Delphi, Indiana, whose tragic deaths in February 2017 captured national attention. Abigail Joyce Williams was born on June 23, 2003, and Liberty Rose Lynn German on December 27, 2002. The girls were best friends, known for their close bond and shared interests, which included sports, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. They were both students at Delphi Community Middle School, where their friends and teachers remembered them as kind-hearted, enthusiastic, and full of life. Abby loved photography and was described as artistic, while Libby was known for her adventurous spirit and love of softball.
The Day They Went Missing
The day Abigail Williams and Liberty German went missing, February 13, 2017, started out as an ordinary winter day in Delphi, Indiana. The two best friends were enjoying a day off from school due to a “snow make-up” day, and like many teenagers, they decided to make the most of it by spending time outdoors.
Abigail Williams and Liberty German both enjoyed the Monon High Bridge Trail, a scenic part of the Delphi Historic Trails system. Known for its rustic beauty and the towering old railway bridge spanning Deer Creek, the trail offered a peaceful escape. Although popular among hikers, it was somewhat isolated, which only added to its quiet appeal.
A Simple Hike
At around 1:35 p.m., Liberty’s older sister, Kelsi German, dropped the girls off near the trailhead on County Road 300 North. The plan was simple: Abby and Libby would spend the afternoon hiking and taking pictures. The girls appeared to be in good spirits, and at 2:07 p.m., Libby posted a photo of Abby walking along the old Monon High Bridge on her Snapchat account. It was an innocent and carefree image, capturing a moment of friendship in the quiet beauty of nature.
A Search For The Girls
The plan was for the girls to be picked up by Libby’s father later in the afternoon. However, when they failed to meet him at the prearranged location around 3:15 p.m., concern began to grow. Initially, their families thought they might have lost track of time or wandered off the trail. But as time passed and there was no sign of the girls, their families began searching the area.
When it became clear the girls were not nearby, their families quickly contacted authorities, prompting a formal search. By 5:30 p.m., officials had officially reported the girls missing. Despite an extensive search that began that evening and continued through the night, searchers found no immediate clues. The once peaceful hiking trail had now become a site of fear and uncertainty.
The Next Morning
The discovery of the bodies of Abigail Williams and Liberty German on February 14, 2017, brought a tragic end to the initial hopes of finding the two girls alive. After someone reported them missing the previous evening, both their families and local authorities immediately launched a search effort. The search continued through the night, but the dense woods and rugged terrain surrounding the Monon High Bridge Trail made it difficult to locate any signs of the girls. As daylight broke on February 14, searchers resumed their efforts with renewed urgency, hoping to find Abby and Libby safe.
Around noon, about a mile from the trail where the girls were last seen, searchers made a devastating discovery: they found the bodies of the two girls in a wooded area on the north side of Deer Creek. This location, approximately 0.5 miles from the Monon High Bridge, lay somewhat hidden by the landscape, not far from the trail. The discovery shocked everyone involved in the search. The tight-knit community of Delphi united in the hope of bringing the girls home safely. However, a nightmare of grief and confusion suddenly engulfed them.
The Cause Of Death Was A Mystery
Authorities were careful at first not to release specific details about the condition of the bodies, and for a while, the cause of death remained a mystery to the public. As the investigation progressed, investigators revealed that both girls had suffered violent deaths. Prosecutors stated during the trial that their throats had been cut. The precise location where their bodies were found and certain other details were withheld to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
Investigators quickly made the scene where Abby and Libby were found a focal point in the investigation. The secluded nature of the area suggested that the killer had intimate knowledge of the surroundings. The scene’s proximity to the trail where the girls had last been seen indicated that they had not ventured far before encountering their assailant. Adding to the horror of the discovery was the fact that Libby, in her final moments of life, had managed to capture audio and video footage of the man who approached them, providing vital evidence that would later play a critical role in the investigation.
Police Looked For The Killer
The connection between Kegan Kline and the Delphi murder investigation began to emerge when police were searching for any leads that could help solve the case. Investigators made their initial breakthrough by focusing on an Instagram account with the username “anthony_shots.” This account had communicated with Liberty German in the days leading up to the murders. This account, posing as a young, attractive male model, was used to lure underage girls into sending explicit photos and engaging in inappropriate conversations.
They Executed A Search Warrant
The police executed a search warrant on February 25, 2017, shortly after the murders, which led them to Kegan Anthony Kline, a resident of Miami County, Indiana. When confronted, Kline admitted to creating the fake profile and using it to communicate with multiple underage girls, including Liberty German. His method was to contact girls on Instagram and then shift the conversation to Snapchat, where he would request explicit photos and videos. Kline told police that he had received hundreds of sexually explicit images from young girls and had engaged with them in predatory conversations.
Authorities Did Not Link Anthony Kline To The Murder.
Despite the disturbing nature of Kline’s activities, investigators did not immediately charge him in connection with the Delphi murders. However, his communication with Liberty German just before her death created a possible link between Kline and the case. This connection fueled speculation and led to public scrutiny of Kline’s potential involvement. Yet, as investigators continued to dig deeper into his online activities, no concrete evidence emerged that directly tied him to the murders. Instead, in August 2020, authorities charged Kline with 30 counts related to child exploitation, including possession of child pornography and child solicitation.
Even though authorities never formally charged Kline with the murders of Abby and Libby, his link to the Delphi case continued to draw attention. His arrest and subsequent conviction in 2023 for child exploitation charges led to a 40-year prison sentence, but his involvement in the Delphi case remains speculative.
Police Then Focused On Richard Allen
The investigation into the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German remained unsolved for several years, despite an extensive investigation and public appeals for information. However, in 2022, police made a breakthrough when they began to suspect Richard Allen, a local Delphi resident. For years, Allen had lived in plain sight in the small community, even continuing to work at the local CVS pharmacy, where he interacted with customers daily. His eventual arrest in connection with the murders came as a shock to many in the tight-knit community.
Previously, Authorities Interviewed Him
In 2017, shortly after the murders, police interviewed Allen as part of their initial canvassing of individuals who had been near the trail on the day of the crime. Although Allen admitted he was on the trail that day, authorities did not consider him a prime suspect. However, the investigation took a new turn when forensic analysis linked an unspent bullet found at the crime scene to a gun owned by Allen. In their investigation, police discovered a bullet near the victims’ bodies that had not been fired. Consequently, this bullet became a critical piece of physical evidence tying Allen to the scene of the crime.
In October 2022, authorities arrested Allen and charged him with the murders of Abby and Libby. His arrest provided a sense of relief and closure to a community that had been haunted by the unsolved case for over five years. Additionally, many found it shocking that authorities accused the man who had lived among them for so long of such heinous crimes. As a result, the revelations surrounding Allen’s arrest reignited national interest in the case.
The Trial Continues
The trial of Richard Allen, accused of the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, is one of the most anticipated legal proceedings in recent memory, particularly for the tight-knit community of Delphi, Indiana. After years of waiting, the trial officially began in October 2024, marking a pivotal moment in the quest for justice for the two young victims. The trial has garnered widespread attention not only because of the horrific nature of the crime but also due to the long and complex investigation that eventually led to Allen’s arrest in 2022, more than five years after the murders.
How The Prosecution Built The Case
From the outset of the trial, both the prosecution and defense have presented their narratives with intense scrutiny. Prosecutors have built their case around forensic evidence, witness testimonies, and Richard Allen’s own alleged confessions.
Investigators found an unspent bullet at the crime scene and linked it to a gun owned by Allen. Consequently, this bullet became one of the most compelling pieces of evidence. This forensic link is critical in placing Allen at the scene of the crime. Additionally, prosecutors have pointed to statements made by Allen, including alleged confessions to his wife and others after his arrest, as further proof of his involvement in the murders.
The Defense Challenges The Handling Of The Case
The defense, however, has vigorously challenged the prosecution’s case, aiming to create reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury. Defense attorneys have argued that investigators mishandled the investigation from the start by losing or overlooking key evidence. They have also questioned the credibility of the forensic evidence linking Allen to the crime, suggesting that there may be other explanations for the presence of the bullet at the scene.
The defense team has emphasized that there is no direct physical evidence, such as DNA or fingerprints, tying Allen to the murders. Moreover, they have highlighted the length of time between the crime and Allen’s arrest, arguing that the case against him is circumstantial at best.
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FAQ On The Richard Allen Case
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Hey there! My name is Olivia Ramirez, I graduated from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor’s of science in Psychology. I can’t help but scour the web for crime news and interesting stories. I write mostly true crime, anything from white collar crimes to the tragic murders across America. I try to mix in local news updates with big hitting scandals.
When I’m not typing away or searching for crime news, you’ll find me in bookstores looking for the new books to add to my backlog. Hanging out with my family or just relaxing with some cozy games to unwind from the day.
