A 52-year-old man from Delphi, Indiana, named Richard Allen was found guilty of murdering two young girls, Libby German and Abby Williams, over seven years ago. The arrest of Allen in 2022 was a surprising turn of events in a case that had remained unsolved for years. Libby, 14, and Abby, 13, went missing on Feb. 13, 2017, while hiking and were later found dead near a creek. Allen confessed to the murders multiple times while in prison awaiting trial, but his defense claimed that his mental health issues caused these confessions.
After a 17-day trial, Allen was convicted of two counts of murder and two counts of murder while kidnapping. The jury, composed of seven women and five men, deliberated for 18 hours over four days before reaching a verdict. The case had garnered widespread attention from true crime enthusiasts and online investigators due to the mystery surrounding the girls’ disappearance. A video from Libby’s phone capturing the moment the girls encountered their killer on a railroad bridge had baffled investigators for years.
Allen, also known as “Bridge Guy” by online sleuths, was identified as a suspect after a file clerk found a mislabeled record of him being on the hiking trail during the girls’ disappearance. The trial revealed disturbing details about the girls’ deaths, with the prosecution presenting evidence linking Allen to the crime scene. However, the defense argued that there was no DNA evidence implicating Allen. Emotional testimony from the girls’ family members underscored the impact of their loss and the quest for justice.
Despite the guilty verdict, Allen’s sentencing is scheduled for December 20th, and a gag order prevents anyone associated with the case from speaking publicly until after the sentencing. The families of the victims have endured years of pain and are eager to see justice served. The community has rallied around them, with a makeshift memorial set up in honor of Libby and Abby near where they were last seen and where their bodies were found.
The tragic case of Libby German and Abby Williams serves as a stark reminder of the importance of seeking justice for victims and their families. The tireless efforts of law enforcement, prosecutors, and the community have led to the conviction of Richard Allen, bringing some closure to a case that had haunted Delphi, Indiana, for years. As the sentencing date approaches, the families of the girls continue to honor their memory and seek solace in the pursuit of justice.
