It was a Monday. Unseasonably warm for February in northern Indiana. February 13, 2017, to be exact. Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, headed out to the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi. Just two friends hanging out on a day off from school. They never came home.
The next day, their bodies were found in a wooded area near the bridge.
What followed was years of silence, grainy video footage, and a community looking over its shoulder. People wanted to know about the Delphi murders: what happened in those final moments, and why did it take half a decade to make an arrest? The case didn’t just haunt a small town; it became a global obsession because of a phone. Libby German had the presence of mind to record her killer. She captured a video of a man walking across the bridge and a haunting four-word command: "Down the hill."
The Day Everything Changed in Delphi
The Monon High Bridge is high. It’s rusted. It’s intimidating. It’s the kind of place kids go for the view and the "thrill" of walking across old railroad ties. Libby and Abby were dropped off around 1:35 p.m. by Libby’s sister, Kelsi. They were supposed to be picked up later that afternoon. When they didn't show, the panic started.
Initially, authorities didn't issue an Amber Alert. They thought maybe the girls were lost or stayed out late. But the locals knew better. Delphi isn't the kind of place where kids just vanish. By the next morning, the search parties found them.
The discovery shifted the investigation into high gear immediately. Police soon revealed they had a "person of interest." They had the video. They had the audio. But they didn't have a name. For years, the "Bridge Guy" was a ghost. He wore a blue jacket and jeans. He walked with a specific gait. Yet, despite thousands of leads and two different sketches that looked like two different people, the case went cold. Or at least, it felt cold to the public.
The Arrest of Richard Allen
Fast forward to October 2022. The breakthrough everyone stopped expecting finally happened. Richard Allen, a local pharmacy technician who lived right in Delphi, was arrested. This wasn't some drifter or a high-profile serial killer from out of state. He was a guy who worked at the local CVS. He had even processed photos for the families.
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Honestly, the realization that the suspect was hiding in plain sight the whole time was a gut punch to the town.
When the probable cause affidavit was unsealed, it revealed a stunning detail. An unspent .40 caliber round was found between the bodies of the girls. Forensic analysts linked that round to a Sig Sauer P226 semi-automatic handgun owned by Richard Allen. Allen had actually spoken to police back in 2017, admitting he was on the bridge that day, but his statement was seemingly lost in a filing error or simply overlooked in the mountain of early data.
The Trial and the "Odinism" Theory
The legal proceedings have been anything but simple. If you’ve followed the Delphi murders: what happened in the courtroom, you know it’s been a circus of motions, gag orders, and bizarre defense theories.
Allen’s defense team—Andrew Baldwin and Brad Rozzi—dropped a bombshell in 2023. They suggested the girls weren't killed by Allen, but were victims of a ritualistic sacrifice performed by followers of Odinism, a pagan Norse religion. They pointed to the way the bodies were positioned and "sticks" placed over them as evidence. The prosecution called this a distraction.
There's also the matter of confessions. While in prison, Allen reportedly confessed to the murders multiple times—to his wife and his mother during recorded phone calls. The defense argues these were the result of a "psychotic breakdown" caused by the harsh conditions of his solitary confinement at Westville Correctional Facility.
Key Evidence That Defined the Investigation
The evidence in this case is a mix of high-tech digital footprints and old-school ballistics. It's weirdly lopsided.
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- The Phone Video: Libby’s phone is the star witness. It recorded "Bridge Guy" approaching them. The fact that a 14-year-old had the instinct to hit record is why we have a case at all.
- The Unspent Round: This is the physical anchor for the prosecution. Finding a bullet that matches a specific gun owned by a man who admitted being on the trail at the exact time the girls disappeared is hard to explain away.
- The Clothing: Witnesses reported seeing a man matching Allen's description walking away from the area, looking "muddy and bloody."
- The Timeline: Police used a combination of trail cameras, witness statements, and the girls' own social media posts to pin down a very narrow window of time—roughly between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Misconceptions and Internet Sleuthing
We have to talk about the "true crime" effect. This case was dissected by thousands of amateur detectives online. For years, people pointed fingers at various local men. Ron Logan, the owner of the property where the bodies were found, was a primary suspect for a long time. He died before Allen was arrested, but the FBI had served search warrants on his home early on.
Then there was the "Kegan Kline" connection. Kline was linked to a social media profile under the name "anthony_shots," which had been communicating with Libby German. For a while, everyone thought this was the "smoking gun." While Kline was eventually sentenced for other crimes, the direct link to the murders themselves became less central once Richard Allen was identified.
The internet often gets things wrong. It creates noise that makes it harder for the families to find peace. The constant speculation about "multiple killers" or "staged scenes" often ignored the simpler, grimmer reality of a lone predator.
Why This Case Still Matters
The Delphi murders changed how people in small-town Indiana live. Doors are locked now. Parents don't let their kids wander the trails alone anymore. But more than that, it highlighted the power of digital evidence in the 21st century.
We saw a transition from a grainy photo to a specific ballistic match. We saw how a community's collective memory can be both a tool and a hindrance. The trial of Richard Allen isn't just about a verdict; it's about the final chapter of a story that has been open for too long.
Understanding Delphi murders: what happened requires looking at the failures and the triumphs of the investigation. It was a failure of data management that let Allen stay under the radar for five years. It was a triumph of a young girl's courage that provided the evidence to eventually catch him.
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Actionable Steps for Staying Informed and Safe
If you are following this case or similar true crime investigations, there are constructive ways to engage without falling into the trap of misinformation.
Verify through Court Documents
Don't rely on TikTok summaries. Most major filings in the Richard Allen case are public record. Use sites like the Indiana transparency portal to read the actual motions. This cuts through the "ritual sacrifice" sensationalism and lets you see what the judge actually allowed into evidence.
Support Victim Advocacy
Libby and Abby’s families have worked tirelessly to keep their daughters' memories alive. The "Abby and Libby Memorial Park" in Delphi is a real, tangible result of their efforts. Supporting such initiatives is a better use of energy than speculating on anonymous forums.
Practice Trail Safety
The Monon High Bridge was a secluded spot. If you hike or use public trails, always use the buddy system, share your GPS location with a family member in real-time, and stay aware of your surroundings. Most importantly, trust your gut. If someone looks "off," leave the area immediately.
Monitor Local Law Enforcement Updates
In ongoing cases, the Indiana State Police remain the primary source of truth. Avoid "leak" accounts that claim to have inside info. Reliable news outlets like the Indianapolis Star or local Delphi affiliates provide the most consistent, vetted reporting on trial dates and witness testimonies.
The resolution of the Delphi case is a slow-moving machine. While the arrest brought some relief, the legal battle ensures that the full story is still being written in a courtroom, one exhibit at a time.