Who Killed Abigail Williams and Liberty German? (Work in progress) FBI Website - https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/abigail-williams FBI Website - https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/liberty-german Indiana Government Website - https://www.in.gov/isp/crime-reporting/delphi-homicide-investigation/ IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL THE ANONYMOUS TIP LINES Phone Number - 844-459-5786 Email - abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com =================================================================== IF YOU'D LIKE TO HELP RAISE THE REWARD FUND Mail your donation to: Indiana State Police Alliance 1415 Shelby Street Indianapolis, IN 46203 Officials ask that people make checks payable to the Indiana State Police Alliance Foundation. On the memo line, write “Delphi reward.” =================================================================== IF YOU'D LIKE TO HAND OUT FLYERS Website - http://www.abbyandlibby.org/flyers/ =================================================================== Timeline of Events Friday, December 27, 2002 Liberty German is born in Lafayette, Indiana. Monday, June 23, 2003 Abigail Williams is born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. ? ?, ???? Abigail and Liberty became good friends as teammates on their seventh-grade volleyball team. Sunday, February 12, 2017 ? Monday, February 13, 2017 Delphi Community Middle School has a scheduled day off. Liberty was wearing a tie died shirt, fringed at the bottom, gray sweats with unknown black lettering, and black Nike shoes. Photo - ? Abigail was wearing a gray zip up sweatshirt with a burgundy t-shirt underneath and blue jeans. She was possibly wearing tennis shoes but no description was available at the time of the report. Photo - https://i.imgur.com/mv9e25T.jpeg ~1:35 PM* Abigail and Liberty were dropped off by Kelsi German(Liberty's older sister) on County Road 300 North, east of the Hoosier Heartland Highway. Map - https://goo.gl/maps/M2CUBGPCkrzHQzpn9 *Fox59 has 1:00 PM listed as the drop off time in their original timeline article. The girls began hiking on the Monon High Bridge over Deer Creek, among woodland in remote Deer Creek Township, Carrol County, Indiana, USA. Map - ? 2:15 PM* Liberty posted a photo of Abigail walking on Monon High Bridge to her Snapchat. Photo - https://i.imgur.com/mv9e25T.jpeg Photo - https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/liberty-german-abby-williams-snapchat.jpg *Heavy has ~2:00 PM listed as the time of the Snapchat photo. Fox59 has ~2:15 PM. ~3:15 PM Liberty's father arrived as planned to pick the girls up. ?:?? PM Liberty's father contacted family members. ?:?? PM Family members immediately showed up to look for the girls. ~5:30 PM Abigail and Liberty were reported missing to the police. ?:?? PM The police arrived and searched the area. ?:?? PM A massive search of the area began, led by local and state police. A drone was used during the search and hundreds of people, including police, firefighters, DNR officers, family, friends and residents of the surrounding community, searched for the girls into the night. As many as 100 volunteers helped in the search. 10:29 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/search-underway-for-two-13-year-old-caroll-county-girls-missing-after-being-dropped-off-to-go-hiking Two 13-year-old Carroll County girls are missing after they were dropped off to go hiking Monday afternoon. Carroll County Sheriff Toby Leazenby said Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German were last seen around 1 p.m. when they were dropped off near an abandoned railroad bridge known as "Monon High Bridge," east of Delphi. The girls were supposed to meet at the same location to be picked up later in the afternoon, but they never showed. The family contacted police around 5:30 PM and crews have been out searching the area around the old railroad bridge. The girl's cell phones are either dead or turned off. Libby is described as standing 5'4" tall with a heavy build. She has blonde shoulder-length hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a tie-dyed shirt with fringe at the bottom, gray sweat pants with unknown black lettering and black Nike shoes. Abby is described as standing 5'4" tall with a small build, medium length blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a gray zip-up sweatshirt with a burgundy T-shirt underneath and blue jeans. Anyone with information on where they might be is asked to contact the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office at (765) 564-2413 or call 911. Phone Number - (765) 564-2413 Tuesday, February 14, 2017 12:00 AM Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby, based on the information given by family and friends, says in a news release that there is no reason to suspect foul play or to believe the girls are in immediate danger. The biggest concern is exposure to the elements. Officers looked into issuing an Amber Alert, but were informed this incident does not meet the criteria. ?:?? AM The family and volunteers from the community continued to search throughout the night. 1:00 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/morning-news/carroll-county-authorities-continue-search-for-missing-teenagers/ ~11:45 AM* The search resumes with teams of volunteers and police officers. The effort also includes K-9 units and dive teams. *According to WRTV.com 11:26 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/community-concerned-about-safety-after-two-bodies-found-near-where-two-teens-went-missing ~12:00 PM* Abigail and Liberty were both found dead in the woods by volunteers on the back end of a private piece of property owned by Ronald Logan, about 50 to 60 feet from the water, about a quarter mile away from the bridge where they were last known to be and about a half mile away from where they were dropped off. *Heavy has ~12:15 listed as the time the bodies were found. Fox59 has ~12:00. Map* - https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1e0aL9gKhwDBc1LBIwEJVkzwMbkI *According to WRTV. 12:39 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/homepage-showcase/an-amber-alert-can-only-be-issued-if-certain-criteria-are-met An Amber Alert for Abigail and Liberty was never issued. Why? The report must meet the following criteria set by the U.S. Department of Justice; There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred, The law enforcement agency believes that the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death, There is enough descriptive information about the victim and the abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child, The victim of the abduction is a child aged 17 years of younger, The child's name and other critical elements, including Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center system. 1:05 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/officials-give-update-on-two-missing-carroll-county-teens/ 1:06 PM Online News Article - https://cbs4indy.com/news/indycrime/carroll-county-authorities-provide-update-on-two-missing-13-year-old-girls/ 1:09 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/missing-13-year-old-girls-found-in-carroll-county-official-says-its-not-good Delphi Assistant Fire Chief Curtis Borden told RTV6 two missing 13-year-old girls from Carroll County were found, calling it "not good,". 2:00 PM During a news conference police say two bodies were found in Deer Creek in Delphi about a half mile from the bridge but give no indication of their identities and they cannot comment on any injuries or trauma. They say foul play is suspected, and they are currently conducting a death investigation. There is no information on any potential suspects. At this time, authorities haven’t officially called off the search for the two missing girls, Liberty and Abigail. “I think people are smart enough in our community to draw their own conclusions about what they should feel and what they shouldn’t feel,” said Mullin. “Our people are very smart, and it’s a very good community, and they’re very strong, and they’re able to draw their own conclusions about this whole situation quite successfully.” Autopsies have been scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 8:00 AM, according to police. 3:52 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/map-where-the-two-bodies-were-found-near-delphi-indiana 4:00 PM Delphi Community Schools Superintendent Gregory Briles releases a statement saying that the bodies found in the afternoon are those of two “missing Delphi Community Middle School students” despite no confirmation from police. Briles says grief counselors will be made available to students and staff. Briles later says school security will be stepped up. All after school activities at Delphi Community Middle School are canceled for the remainder of the week. “It is a small community and the community is going to wrap its arms around these families and is going to take very good care of them,” Briles said. Administrators also plan to step up security until police release more details about the investigation. 7:00 PM The Delphi United Methodist Church in Delphi, Indiana opens for a vigil. 7:41 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/community-in-shock-after-teens-go-missing-bodies-found-near-delphi It’s been a terrible 24 hours for people living in the small town of Delphi after Abigail and Liberty went missing on Monday and their bodies were located less than 24 hours later nearby. “I think it’s very scary, I was raised in Delphi, grew up in Delphi and we’ve never had anything like this happen in Delphi, so it’s very concerning,” said Melissa Schwartz. A lady who identified herself as the “lunch lady” at Delphi Middle School said she and the rest of the community were devastated by the events of the last 24 hours. “I’ve cried a lot, especially today,” she said. “Probably most of this town didn’t get much sleep last night worrying about them. I mean, any time you lose a child it’s horrible.” Delphi has a population of just under 3,000 and a situation like this doesn't just impact those involved, it impacts the whole community. And with police being tight-lipped about the details, and no arrests in sight, it's left them concerned for the safety of their children. “I would always be concerned about that until they find whatever murderous beast did this. I would watch my kids very carefully,” said Kevin Kologinski. “Mine are all grown up, my grandchildren are too young to be off on their own, but for any other kids that are out I’d keep a very close eye.” 9:58 PM Online News Article - https://heavy.com/news/2017/02/liberty-libby-german-abigail-abby-williams-delphi-indiana-girls-dead-missing-snapchat-facebook-photos-family-bridge/ 11:42 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/heres-why-an-amber-alert-wasnt-issued-for-missing-carroll-county-teens/ While there are hundreds of missing children reported in Indiana, police say only 21 amber alerts were activated in the state over the past ten years. There’s a specific set of guidelines a case must meet to become an Amber Alert and police said if it’s used too much it’s simply not as effective. “An Amber Alert is not a give all, save all to locating a child it’s just one tool of many that’s used by law enforcement to try and locate an abducted child,” Indiana State Police Captain David Bursten said. Sgt. Kim Riley said it didn't meet the necessary criteria for an Amber Alert anyway. "Even if we would've put an Amber Alert out, it would not have done this case any good," Riley said. "In the short period of time, and the location that the bodies were found, it would not have helped us in finding any leads at all." According to state police, there were two Amber Alerts activated so far this year and seven last year. In the case of a 5-month-old, police believed he had been abducted by his mother over the weekend and in the case of two missing 13-year-old girls in Carroll County, there were no Amber Alerts, but police said information was quickly given out to the public. “If we put out an Amber Alert every time a child ran away or didn’t come home on time and mom and dad didn’t know where they were, on average we would have an Amber Alert every 45 minutes, 24 hours a day,” Bursten said. Bursten said for a case to qualify, the child must be under 18 years old and in imminent danger of death or bodily injury. There must be substantial descriptive information on a possible abductor and a request from the investigating agency. “Since Amber Alert’s inception there have been 857 children recovered directly because of an amber alert,” Robert Lowery said. He’s the vice president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. He credits the Amber Alert system for helping children who have been abducted. “We’re doing a pretty good job I think here in the U.S. We can always do better, we’re always striving to do better when it comes to protecting our children and we can never let our guard down,” Lowery said. Over the past ten years in Indiana, police said only two children who had Amber Alerts issued were found dead. Wednesday, February 15, 2017 ?:?? A friend, Michael Dilligaf, created a video in tribute to Abigail. Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urgjKJAgbhE 7:17 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/police-expected-to-release-new-information-in-case-of-missing-carroll-county-teenagers/ 8:00 AM Autopsies are conducted in Terre Haute on the bodies discovered during Tuesday’s search. Local authorities convene a meeting after the autopsies are complete. 10:00 AM Sgt. Kim Riley with Indiana State Police provides a brief update on the investigation. He says the autopsies are complete but declines to confirm the identities or discuss a suspect or person of interest in the case. He says police have received “hundreds of tips” from the community. Riley advises parents to keep a close eye on their children and monitor their whereabouts. 10:58 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/delphi-indiana-missing-girls-isp-ken-riley-amber-alert-would-not-have-done-any-good 3:00 PM Indiana State Police and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department hold a news conference. Officials said the bodies were transported to Terre Haute where a coroner conducted the autopsies confirming that the bodies found Tuesday are those of Liberty and Abigail. They can’t release the girls’ cause or manner of death at this time. They say the case is being investigated as a double homicide. Officials believe this is the first double homicide investigation in Carroll County. Riley said police all the way from Lowell, Indiana to Fort Wayne, Indiana have helped with the investigation. Police said they do not have any suspects in custody at this time, but they say they don’t believe there’s any immediate danger to the community. “There is someone out there that did this crime and we’re going to track them down,” Sheriff Tobe Leazenby said. “Folks should continue with business as usual but be more mindful and watch your surroundings a little closer.” Sgt. Kim Riley said parents should keep a close eye on their children. “I think people need to be cautious and careful,” Riley said. “Parents should make sure they know where their children are and what their children are doing, and if nothing else, know what’s going on in their lives. That’s the most important thing I can say at this point in time.” 7:00 PM Indiana State Police release a photo of a man reportedly walking on the Delphi Historic Trails on February 13th around the time of the girls’ disappearance. The man was thought to be wearing blue jeans, a blue coat/jacket and a hoodie. Photo - https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/liberty-german/suspect-1.jpg/@@images/image/large Police say they want to talk to the individual about what he may have seen, but stop short of calling him a suspect. They would also like to speak with anyone who was parked at High Bridge Trail Head on February 13, 2017, between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Phone Number - 844-459-5786 7:01 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/help-isp-identify-this-man-who-was-on-the-walking-trails-monday-near-delphi Indiana State Police said there have been a few rumors on Facebook that they have found the man and spoken to him, but officers said this is not true. Thursday, February 16, 2017 ?:?? ISP and FBI cleared the scene on Ronald Logan's property. 7:36 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/friend-of-delphi-girl-i-question-everything Hagen Jacobs, a family friend of Abigail Williams, spent summers with the girl riding 4-wheelers. She said Williams was daring, kind and a sweet person who'll be missed. "I just picture scenarios in my head," Jacobs said. "I question everything." Jacobs especially questions who would target children in Delphi. "[Williams] had the best personality," Jacobs said. "She was seriously so fearless and loving like, she loved. Like she had to warm up to you at first but she was so kind." Jacobs remembers happier times, like the white-knuckle ride she once took where Williams had control of the wheel. "Everytime I get on a 4-wheeler I'm going to think about Abigail and how scared I was that day but how happy she was," Jacobs said. That was just a few summers ago but now those memories are paired with something so sinister it keeps her up at night. "I can't sleep just knowing that there is someone walking the streets, knowing what they did and it's not even bothering them and it destroyed someone's whole world," Jacobs said. 12:41 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/timeline-disappearance-and-deaths-of-liberty-german-and-abigail-williams-in-delphi/ 4:15 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-man-talks-about-discovery-of-missing-teens-bodies-on-his-property/ Ronald Logan, the property owner of the 40-acre lot where the bodies of Abigail and Liberty were found by a neighbor who volunteered to help with the search, is speaking out as police continue to search for their killer. Giving FOX 59 News a look at the crime scene that sits deep in the woods on his private lot. “I’m going to take you down here and show you everything on how they could have got here. You are going to be just as confused as I was as to how did these two little girls got here from the high bridge with all of this rough terrain without somebody making them come here,” said Logan. The discovery was less than a mile from the spot where missing teens Liberty German and Abigail Williams were last seen. Now Logan’s property is a crime scene, filled with investigators, the FBI, and dive teams. “There were hundreds of cars and vehicles and generator trucks that keep the lights going. They had the whole woods lit up like a football field,” Logan said. Officials searched every inch of Logan’s 40 acres and the woods behind the nearby Morning Heights Cemetery which is just across the stream from the Monon High Bridge, the last spot the girls were seen. Logan has lived on the property for 50 years and he believes it would have been a tough area for the girls to hike through. “The high bridge is right across the creek here, and it runs all the way down across the creek and the land joins together. The spot where they join together is the last area where there were photographs of the girls. They would have had to come over through this territory…not an easy trip,” said Logan. Police are processing the evidence gathered here. Hoping for clues that lead to the person who killed Abigail and Liberty. Although the scene is clear, Logan tells us his property will never be the same. “I can’t imagine how something like this would happen here because we have had nothing, nothing has happened here,” said Logan. 5:58 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/police-set-up-tip-line-for-information-in-deaths-of-delphi-teens/ ~6:00 PM Police set up a tip line for anyone with information in the case to call. Anyone who knows about the pictured man or has any information is asked to call: 844-459-5786. Information provided will be followed up on by officers working the case. Tips can be submitted anonymously. They say they’ve had upwards of 250 tips so far. Photo - https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/liberty-german/suspect-1.jpg/@@images/image/large Phone Number - 844-459-5786 6:40 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/community-rallies-around-families-of-murdered-delphi-teens/ The tight-knit community of Delphi is in mourning after authorities discovered the bodies of Abigail and Liberty this week. Now, some residents are trying to support the victims’ families. Lisa Delaney owns the Stone House restaurant in downtown Delphi. A sign that reads “Justice for Libby and Abby” is posted right outside the restaurant’s door. “There are a lot of broken hearts and there are a lot of people that want to try to help fix that broken heart by extending a helping hand in some way,” Delaney said. Delaney says she has several connections to the victims. She told FOX59 German and her father moved in across the street from her when they returned to the area. Her son is married to German’s cousin. “We’ve been very fortunate to know this family,” Delaney said. Delaney is using her love for baking to help the Williams and German families. She’s now selling heart-shaped cookies with the teens’ names on them. According to Delaney, all the money from the cookies will be going to the girls’ loved ones. “Whatever they need it to be used for, that’s where it’s going to go,” she said. 6:42 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/funeral-arrangements-set-for-14-year-old-delphi-teen/ Funeral arrangements have been announced for Abigail and Liberty. Their visitations are scheduled at the Delphi Community High School Gymnasium from 4:00 - 8:00 PM on Saturday, February 18, 2017. A lantern release will follow the visitation. Private family services for Liberty will be at Delphi United Methodist Church on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow in I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens in Pittsburg, Indiana. Davidson Funeral Home of Delphi, Indiana will be assisting with the services. Pastor Todd Ladd officiating. Website - https://www.davidsonfh.com/ Memorial Contributions in Libby’s memory may be made to the Liberty German Scholarship Fund at the Industrial Federal Credit Union, care of Mike and Cody Patty. Website - http://cfcarroll.org/liberty_german_scholarship_fund_ca.html Abigail will also have a private family funeral and burial on Sunday, February 19, 2017. Abbott Funeral Home of Delphi, Indiana is in charge of those arrangements. Website - http://www.abbottfuneralhome.com/ 7:42 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/isp-serving-search-warrant-at-delphi-home-in-connection-to-teens-murders Members of the Indiana State Police had a large presence at the home on Bicycle Bridge Road Thursday night where they were taking photos and collecting evidence from the scene. Indiana State Police Sgt. Kim Riley said the search was in response to the hundreds of tips they have received over the last 24 hours in connection with the case. No arrests have been made. Police say nobody at the home is being considered a suspect in the Delphi murder investigation at this time. 8:31 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/delphi-indiana-families-of-teen-murder-victims-get-lift-from-community As people living in the tight-knit community of Delphi come to grips with this week's tragedy several public events are being scheduled to honor the lives of the murdered teens and help their families. Brad Henry, a longtime friend of the Williams family, said Abby was a wonderful young girl, taken way too soon. “Abby was a great child,” said Henry. “She was shy, but once she warmed up, she was just an outgoing teenager.” “You’ve gone from wonder to angry to heart broke. It’s tragic, and there are really no words to describe it,” said Henry. Henry said the lack of answers is what has their small community rattled the most. “It impacts everybody, especially if you have children,” said Henry. “People move away from the city to small towns to get away from this kind of thing, and you think it’s never going to happen and when it does it's total chaos and it's total shock.” Henry is organizing a benefit ride on Saturday to help the two families with the unexpected costs. The benefit ride is scheduled for Saturday at 11:30 AM and will go from Office Tavern on Main Street to Whiskey Wine Saloon on White Point Drive in Monticello. Flyer - http://mediaassets.theindychannel.com/photo/2017/02/16/Benefit%20Ride_1487285412843_55272943_ver1.0_900_675.jpg Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/abbylibbyride/ 11:06 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/expert-provides-tips-on-talking-to-your-kids-about-delphi-teen-homicides/ As the search for answers continues to grow, so does the speculation about how Abigail and Liberty German died—speculation that can cause stress and anxiety in kids, especially teens. Experts say in situations like this parents are the ones who need to take the first step in making sure their own kids feel safe and secure. It’s a story playing out on TV, in newspapers and at break-neck speed on social media. And for kids hearing about the deaths of those Delphi teenagers, it can lead to a lot of stress. “I think for teens absolutely parents can initiate [a conversation], and for smaller children, if they don’t know about it I don’t think there’s a need to initiate in that aspect unless they bring it up,” said psychologist Kimble Richardson, a mental health counselor with Community Health Network. He says in a situation like this, a parent’s goal should be to reassure; especially when so much anxiety comes from speculation. “You really want to try to quell the rumors as much as possible, understand what the facts really are,” said Richardson, “and then listen to what the fears and concerns are.” On Tuesday, February 14, 2017, as word spread that the girls’ bodies had been found, Delphi Schools Superintendent Gregory Briles said how important it was to have resources on hand for kids at school. “At that time we had guidance counselors, grief counselors, and other individuals available for our students if they needed them,” said Briles. And that’s especially important, says Richardson, because some adolescents might not be as comfortable opening up to their mother or father as they would someone else. As long as parents understand that, he says, it’s OK. “Sometimes parents want to know ‘Who are my other resources?’ and so for kids it could be counselor, a guidance counselor at school, a priest, a minister,” said Richardson. Friday, February 17, 2017 ?:?? A sketch artist draws the sketch of the suspect that was releasaed to the public on Monday, April 22, 2019. It’s unclear why the sketch was withheld for over 2 years. Photo - https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/liberty-german/updated-delphi-composite-sketch-of-suspect.jpg/@@images/image/large ?:?? Obituaries for Abigail and Liberty were published by Journal & Courier. Obituary - https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/jconline/name/abigail-williams-obituary?id=10873296 Obituary - https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/jconline/name/liberty-german-obituary?id=7730200 12:49 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/delphi-indiana-a-look-at-the-property-where-the-bodies-of-two-missing-teen-girls-were-found After over 48 hours of searching the property and area around where the bodies of two Delphi girls were found, police and FBI cleared the scene on Thursday. The bodies of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, were found on the back end of a private piece of property about half mile from where they were dropped off to go hiking on Monday. Ron Logan has owned that piece of land for 53 years and said that the discovery of the girls’ bodies on his property is something he still hasn’t been able to come to terms with. “To have something like this in your own house, your own home - I just can’t get my mind around it yet, it’s really difficult,” said Logan. “I can’t comprehend it.” Like most in the community, Logan never expected a tragedy like that would hit so close to him or literally in his back yard. "When they said the two girls were missing I never thought the worst," said Logan "I just figured well they got into the car and got with someone else like teenagers do." Logan said that with the steep embankments and rough terrain on the back end of his property, it would be difficult to even make it to the location, let alone carry two bodies down and drop them off. “For them to get from there to all the way here with that rough territory they had to walk, you couldn’t carry them in a million years or drag them or drop them off,” said Logan. “They had to walk.” Indiana State Police along with local authorities continue to follow up on the hundreds of tips they’ve received in the case. A search warrant was served at a home Thursday evening based on one of those tips, but police say no arrests were made. 3:53 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/retired-homicide-investigator-offers-insights-into-how-delphi-double-murder-case-might-be-solved/ The murder mystery near the Monon High Bridge Trial has so far gone unsolved, but like most murders investigators likely started the same way. “The first thing you look for is a motive,” said retired IMPD homicide captain Robert Snow. “Quite often, 90 percent of the time that will lead you to a suspect.” Focusing on everyone who knew the two victims, Abigail Williams and Liberty German, is another critical early step. “In any case you always look at the victim too. Not that they`re responsible, but you want to know who were they interacting with,” said Snow. Snow doesn`t have any inside information about the Carroll County deaths, but says truly random killings are very unusual. “If it turns out to be a random case, that makes it much more difficult because the motive isn’t there to point to someone,” said Snow. Snow says if he were in charge, given the young age of the two girls, he’d also focus on all registered *** offenders who live in the Delphi area. “It could have nothing to do with it. It could be something else, but I would want to look into my *** offender registry list who’s around there I might want to talk to,” said Snow. Snow has written 17 books about different murders. One involved the case of 13-year-old Dawn Marie Stuard who was murdered in 1986. It took 26 years for prosecutors to convict Paul Reese Sr. for that crime. Snow says detectives tend to take murders involving children personally. “When a homicide detective has a truly innocent victim they stick with you. They won’t go away. You can`t brush them aside and move to the next case,” said Snow. 11:11 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/communications-dishes-brought-in-to-help-isp-with-tips-about-delphi-murders Indiana State Police say agencies from all across the state have offered their services to help with the search for the girls’ killer. The Department of Homeland Security brought in a special communications dish to help with the overwhelming number of tip-line calls coming into the department. “We’re checking their cell phones, we’re checking their social media places Twitter, Facebook and that to see if there’s some type of connection there,” said Sgt. Riley. “We’re looking at every possible option.” The FBI Evidence Recovery Team is also working on a profile of the person that may have committed the crime. “Everybody is a suspect,” said Sgt. Riley. Indiana State Police served a search warrant at a home on Bicycle Bridge Road Thursday evening. They collected evidence and took dozens of photos, but police say they’re not confident that any arrests will come from that search. Police are still urging anyone who recognizes the man in this photo to contact them on the tip line at 844-459-5786. “At this point in time if we can get him to talk he may have the key to what we need to solve this,” said Sgt. Riley. Police say even the smallest tip could help them get closer to finding the killer. “If you see something, call us. If you know something, call us. I just want to emphasize that no tip is too small. Nothing is too small for us to look into,” said Sgt. Riley. 11:59 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/delphi-indiana-delphi-business-selling-t-shirts-to-honor-murdered-teens-support-family Flags were flown at half-staff in honor of two teens who were murdered earlier in the week and the community is rallying around the families of those two girls. George Mendel owns Hometown Shirts and Graphix. The store has created a special T-shirt design, with the help of family, to honor Abby and Libby. Mendel said it’s hard for any community to deal with such a tragedy, but especially such a small town as Delphi. “You walk a block, and you know two or three people you see,” said Mendel. He said the trails where the girls went missing are a staple to the community – a community that until earlier this week everyone felt safe in. “Everybody walks those trails; they go from here to there. You see kids walking the streets all the time, and it’s kinda tough. It’s going to change, it’s going to change things I think,” said Mendel. For now, Mendel says he will do what he can to help the family by selling t-shirts and showing his support. “You let law enforcement do their job, and our job is to do whatever we can to help people move on with this , and that’s the best way to do it,” said Mendel. All proceeds from the shirts will be given to the families of the two girls. The shirts read “Fly High Sweet Angels” and have the girl's names printed on the front. On the back is the phrase “Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” The first order will be placed on Tuesday and Mendel said they will continue placing more orders for the shirts as necessary. They can also be ordered on the Hometown Shirts and Graphix website. Flyer - http://mediaassets.theindychannel.com/photo/2017/02/17/t-shirts_1487392862546_55372173_ver1.0_900_675.jpg Link* - http://design.hometownshirts.com/libbyandabby *The website still exists but there is no longer a listing for the memorial shirt. Saturday, February 18, 2017 11:30 AM Organizers estimate around 4,000 motorcyclists gathered in Delphi on Saturday for a motorcycle ride benefiting the families of Abigail and Liberty. Registration for the event began at 11:30 AM at the Office Tavern Bar at 201 West Main Street. Organizers collected $20 for every bike and $5 for passenger cars. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/abbylibbyride/ 12:30 PM Participants of the motorcycle ride benefit took up their kickstands and kicked off the ride at 12:30 PM. The ride was set to conclude at the Whiskey And Wine Saloon in Monticello Indiana for 50/50 raffles and Pizza provided by the Whiskey And Wine Saloon. Donations can be made or mailed to Whiskey And Wine Saloon at 4986 East White Point Drive Monticello, IN 47960. It is asked that check donations be made to Whiskey and Wine Saloon in attention to Abby Williams or Libby German. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/abbylibbyride/ 1:48 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/motorcycle-ride-in-delphi-benefits-families-of-teenage-murder-victims/ 4:00 PM A public visitation for the girls is held at Delphi Community High School. 7:40 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/isp-serves-search-warrant-in-connection-with-deaths-of-delphi-teens-no-arrests-made/ Sunday, February 19, 2017 ?:?? The funeral services for Abigail begin. 12:30 PM Indiana State Police say preliminary evidence led authorities to the conclusion that the man photographed on the trail where Abigail and Liberty were last seen is now considered “the main suspect” in their murders. Photo - https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/liberty-german/suspect-1.jpg/@@images/image/large “During the course of the investigation, preliminary evidence has led investigators to believe the person, in the distributed photo, is suspected of having participated in the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German,” said Indiana State Police in a press release. Delphi resident Mary Harrington says she saw a flurry of activity, with local, state and federal officers and agents rushing in and out of the municipal building Sunday. “I was hoping that meant they had detained someone,” said Harrington. “It’s a worry for this community. It’s a worry for everybody.” 12:36 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/man-photographed-on-trail-now-officially-a-suspect-in-deaths-of-delphi-teens/ 1:11 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/isp-man-in-photo-considered-suspect-in-delphi-teen-murder-case "It's nice to know that they're actually getting somewhere," said Joshua Flora. "Rather than throwing it out there, now they're saying he's a suspect. We really need to figure out who he is. It shows good progress I think." 1:24 PM Online News Article - http://local.nixle.com/alert/5854983/ 2:00 PM The funeral services for Liberty begin. Hundreds of people were in the procession to I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens in Pittsburg, Indiana, where her obituary indicated she would be laid to rest. 4:47 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/family-and-friends-say-goodbye-to-delphi-teens-at-private-funerals/ Families and friends are saying goodbye to Abigail and Liberty. “It is, as you can see around Delphi, it’s always quiet but today feels different,” said Delphi resident Yolanda Cruz. “You can feel the pain. Everybody’s devastated.” Community members prayed for them during a Spanish-language mass and continued to raise money for the girls’ families. “I know that there are a lot of people in this community, a lot of different people in this community, who have been pulling together to do thing,” said Delphi resident Mary Harrington. Monday, February 20, 2017 7:54 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/prosecutor-urges-calm-in-delphi-as-police-search-for-suspect-linked-to-teens-deaths/ Carroll County Prosecutor Robert T. Ives took to Facebook to caution Delphi residents. "Carroll County: Please do not harass, bother, or accuse anyone. There are no charges pending against anyone as a result of the pending investigation. No one at the home searched is suspected of committing any cime. Please, please leave these people alone and let the police work. As always, if you have any information, call: 844-459-5786. I encourage you to share this post." Photo - https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/20/16/3D7414F200000578-0-image-m-29_1487608569428.jpg Phone Number - 844-459-5786 “We encourage folks to give us those tips. We do have an anonymous tip line. Any information, whether how minute you might believe it to be, it might the one piece of the puzzle that solves this case for us,” said Sgt. Tony Slocum with Indiana State Police. “There are officers from police agencies from your local agency, all the way to the federal level that are working tirelessly, trying to follow every lead,” he said. 10:29 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/carroll-county-prosecutor-do-not-harass-anyone-related-to-delphi-killed-girls-search-warrant 1:56 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/saw-somebody-walking-along-road-near-delphi-police-want-to-talk-to-you 3:22 PM Mike Pelton tweeted, "Flowers now at spot where Delphi teens were last seen near Monon High Bridge @rtv6". Twitter - https://twitter.com/MikePeltonAZ/status/833773731323461633 5:16 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/delphi-indiana-family-friend-describes-loss-of-delphi-girls-wait-for-police-to-find-their-killer People living in the small town of Delphi remain on edge as police widen their search for the person responsible for the murder of two young girls, but for the families of those victims the wait has been agonizing. “Shock I think would be the best way to explain it,” said Lisa Boyd, a friend of the German family. “You don’t expect something like this around here.” Boyd said Liberty was full of life and loved her family and she will forever remember the last conversation that she had with the girl. “She was very funny, outgoing, friendly, energetic. She was a good kid,” said Boyd. Boyd said there's nothing that can replace what the families have lost. “We took food out there, that’s not going to make it better. You can buy flowers, you send cards, you can be there very minute of every day if you want to and if they want you around, but it’s not going to make it better. It’s not going to take it away, and even once they get answers it’s not going to make it better because she’s still not here,” said Boyd. Indiana State Police on Sunday officially named the person in the photo below a suspect in the girls’ murders. They’ve received over 100 new tips since that update, but so far none of them have led police to the man in the photograph. “If it were me I’d say it’s me; I was out there, this is what I may have seen this is what I may not have seen. The fact that it’s been a week now and he has not come forward, that’s what makes him look suspicious to the public’s eye,” said Boyd. The mystery surrounding the two girls' murders has been troubling for everyone living in the tight-knit community. Boyd said she refuses to give up hope that police will catch the person responsible. “I’m hopeful, I’m not going to say optimistic, but I’m hopeful," said Boyd. "I know they’ve been working around the clock tirelessly, so I’m very hopeful.” 6:42 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/all-out-manhunt-for-main-suspect-in-murders-of-two-delphi-teens/ Police say they’re conducting a statewide manhunt for the man seen in the photo. Photo - https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/liberty-german/suspect-1.jpg/@@images/image/large “We are asking people that were driving through the Hoosier heartland that might have seen a hitchhiker or saw somebody walking. We are asking people in Logansport all the way to Lafayette if they saw somebody around that late afternoon on February 13 walking down the roadway. We would like to know about that person,” said Indiana State Police Sgt. Kim Riley. Police believe the man may have changed his look to try and hide his identity. They are asking every Hoosier to keep their eyes and ears open. “You may be out at a restaurant and you hear somebody say something about it or talking to somebody else. Any information that we can find on this case. Nothing is too small for us to look into,” said Sgt. Riley. “This person can be anywhere. He still could be here, he could be down the road somewhere. We want to catch this guy, we want to talk to him, we want to get this case solved,” said Sgt. Riley. “We are all involved in this. I think everybody is felling stressed, frustrated, scared, sorrowful. Everybody is trying to find the words to describe the evil that was inflicted to these girls,” said Mayor Evans. Mayor Evans is asking everyone to be careful of what they are posting online. “Please leave it to the police. Everybody has speculations but to put it out there publicly it is a lot of stress for the families,” said Mayor Evans. Police continue to request that Hoosiers provide any information via the hotline set up for tips in the case. Phone Number - 844-459-5786 Tuesday, February 21, 2017 10:55 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/dont-share-the-delphi-suspect-sketches If you see supposed "sketches" of a Delphi suspect on your Facebook pages, don't share them -- they haven't been verified by the Indiana State Police. Instead, share the photo below of the man police consider to be a suspect in the killing of teenagers Abigail Williams and Liberty German. 11:16 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/officials-to-provide-update-in-murder-investigation-of-delphi-teens/ 10:41 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/delphi-indiana-security-cameras-could-go-up-on-delphi-trails-where-two-girls-were-killed The non-profit group that oversees the trail systems in Carroll County is working on ways to add security to the trails where two young girls were found murdered last week. Dan McCain is president of The Wabash and Erie Canal Association. McCain said he believes the trails are safe but he understands the community’s concern. He's working to address those concerns but hopes that people will continue to use the trails. “Go out on the trails with groups. Take your friend or family or dog and go out and enjoy the trails for what they are," said McCain. McCain said they were already considering adding cameras to the entrance and exit of the trails but still need to determine how much they will cost and where they will get the money. “We are just about to put some cameras in our canal park anyway through a grant that we got last fall. So maybe we can put all this into one system which could also be accessed by police,” aid McCain. Adding the cameras to the trail is still in the planning phase, but McCain said they are working with Security Federal Savings Bank managers to set up a donation fund to raise some of the money they will need to install them. That fundraising could begin as early as Friday. “If we would have had the right camera in the right place before this happened we would have caught a license plate or a person leaving,” said McCain. 11:34 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/organizer-says-cameras-could-be-coming-to-trail-where-delphi-teens-were-last-seen-alive/ An official says the teens’ deaths could lead to security changes along the Monon High Bridge Trail. Currently there are no security cameras on the trail, but a local bank is reportedly offering to pay to have that changed. Dan McCain, President of the Wabash and Erie Canal Association and President of Delphi Historic Trails, told FOX59 the bank reached out to him about the possibility of paying thousands for the cameras. Those plans are still in the early stages, but McCain said the cameras could be coming soon. McCain said even before the murders, there were plans in place to install some security cameras using grant money. He said Delphi Historic Trails recently received the money to install $80,000 worth of cameras in the park area of the trail system, which isn’t where the girls went missing. Wednesday, February 22, 2017 9:32 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/updates-expected-today-on-delphi-teen-killings 10:00 AM Investigators from several different agencies, including the FBI, hold a news conference at Delphi United Methodist Church to update the status of the investigation. Investigators released an audio clip of the voice of a suspect in the homicides of Abigail and Liberty. Police said the voice is saying, “Down the hill.” Audio* - https://www.fbi.gov/audio-repository/indiana-voice-022217.mp3 *includes an additional word that was released later. Investigators believe the girls met the suspect in a chance encounter on the trail or the person knew they were going to be there. Capt. Dave Bursten with Indiana State Police revealed to the public that Liberty, who had the presence of mind, made the recording using her cell phone. Liberty's decision to make a recording provided police with their best clues in the case. Bursten played the clip multiple times during the news conference. Sgt. Tony Slocum said the search continued for the man seen in the previously released photo. Investigators revealed that the photo also came from Liberty’s phone. They said it’s possible the voice in the recording is that of the man in the photo. They also acknowledged that it’s possible more than one person may be involved. “We are actively looking for this person. This person is our suspect,” Slocum said of the man in the picture. “This young lady is a hero, no doubt,” Slocum said. Photo - https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/20/16/3D7414F200000578-0-image-m-29_1487608569428.jpg ISP Superintendent Doug Carter became emotional when he spoke during the news conference. “Why Libby? Why Abby? Why Delphi? Why Carroll County?” Carter asked struggling to control his emotion. Carter revealed that he’d talked to Gov. Eric Holcomb about the case. “We’re not stopping…someone knows who this individual is,” Carter said. He and other investigators again appealed to the public to continue to send in tips. He believes someone knows the man in the photograph. “Libby and Abby need you. Please don’t rationalize tips away,” he said. Carter maintained that tips are anonymous and urged people to call the tip line at 844-459-5786. Tips can also be emailed to abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com. Photo - https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/20/16/3D7414F200000578-0-image-m-29_1487608569428.jpg Phone Number - 844-459-5786 Email - abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com If someone has been exhibiting strange behavior in the last week or changed their habits, he said that’s noteworthy. Maybe someone suddenly canceled an appointment or has been following the Delphi case much too closely. He also had a message for the killer. “If you’re watching, we’ll find you,” Carter said. Greg Massa with the FBI said as many as 20 agents were working on the case on any given day. “Nine days ago, the FBI stood shoulder-to-shoulder with you. We’re not going anywhere,” Massa said. Police said they were withholding some information in the case for investigative purposes. Authorities announce a $41,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the teens’ killings. The money comes from several sources; the FBI, a local business and a local family. Private investigator Tim Wilcox said a cell phone or audio clip could help catch a suspect by matching a suspect's voice to the one in the recording. "But you have to have a suspect," Wilxcox said. "You have to have a voice example to make the comparison. The accuracy is pretty high. It is not like DNA where you can go into a database and pick out somebody on the DNA." Wilcox said it's about matching the waves in the audio. Investigators can use as little as one word. 10:40 AM Online News Article - https://heavy.com/news/2017/02/liberty-german-abigail-williams-delphi-suspect-audio-murder-video-cell-phone-photo-indiana/ 12:26 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/indiana-state-police-call-liberty-german-a-hero-for-capturing-audio-photos-of-suspect 1:48 PM Mike Pelton tweeted, "ISP calls Libby German (right) a 'Hero' for recording suspect on phone. Good family friend: "She would do anything to protect herself" @rtv6". Twitter - https://twitter.com/MikePeltonAZ/status/834475006482591744 2:07 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/how-to-donate-to-the-reward-fund-for-information-in-case-of-murdered-delphi-teens/ Sgt. Tony Slocum provided the latest updates during an interview with FOX59’s Ray Cortopassi and Aishah Hasnie Wednesday afternoon. If you’d like to help raise the fund, mail your donation to: Indiana State Police Alliance 1415 Shelby Street Indianapolis, IN 46203 Officials ask that people make checks payable to the Indiana State Police Alliance Foundation. On the memo line, write “Delphi reward.” 8:06 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/mixed-reaction-in-delphi-after-latest-investigation-update/ It was a mixed bag of community reaction in Delphi. After the press conference in which authorities revealed an audio clip of the voice of a suspect in the death of Abigail and Liberty, some residents were left to wonder if more information could have been provided. “It’s just frustrating, kind of takes you back down again,” Tamara Anderson said. Anderson said her frustration lied mostly in the fact that it appeared authorities hadn’t gotten any closer to catching the suspect. However, Anderson noted that she felt comforted by the emotion officials displayed during the press conference. “They really want to solve this. And it sounds like they’ll continue doing what they’re doing until they do,” she said. Another resident, Gayle Hildreth said he felt comforted by the press conference due to the presence of the FBI; which leads him to believe that the case might soon find resolution. “I hope they manage to get the job done and find whoever did this,” Hildreth said. Bob Duke, the Pastor at Delphi Christian Church, says it’s important for community members to lean on each other during this tough time. Adding that more than ever it’s important for people to have faith that investigators will resolve the case and the community will see brighter days again. “Yes we’re going to continue to have some bad times, but hopefully something good can come out of it. We don’t know when that resolution will happen, but as the sheriff said we will find the culprit or culprits. And we will make it right,” he said. 10:50 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-call-center-fielding-more-than-1000-tips-in-abby-libbys-murder-investigation/ Investigators are digging through more than 1,000 tips, but they need more. Dispatchers are working around the clock, answering phone calls coming into a call center. “We’re hopeful. Every time it rings we wonder if that’s going to be the call, the person whatever it is the clue that we need to find who it is,” said Cassie Lane, Lead Communicator with Carroll County 911 center. “Someone knows that voice. Someone knows that picture,” said Lane. “It doesn’t matter how big or small the information they give us. It doesn’t matter how close or far the information is every call is looked into,” said Lane. At every hour of the day dispatchers from Carroll County, surrounding counties and volunteers are working in the call center and ready to answer any call. Tips have come in from Canada, Alaska and a lot have been from the Delphi community. “We won’t stop. It doesn’t matter how long this takes. We will continue. A lot of us have small children that are up there, small grandchildren so it is very personal, it’s our town, our community,” said Lane. ?:?? PM Wednesday night, the community held a vigil at the Carroll County courthouse. It was a chance for to pray for answers. The same pastor who led the vigil is the same pastor who prays with law enforcement officers each morning after their briefings. “There is still someone out there, maybe someone’s out there who has the audacity to take another person’s life and they are in harm’s way,” said Pastor Ed Selvidge, with Radnor United Methodist Church. Thursday, February 23, 2017 6:50 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/fbi-launches-digital-billboard-campaign-in-search-for-killer-of-delphi-teens/ The FBI launched a nationwide digital billboard campaign that investigators hope will generate new leads in the search for whoever killed Abigail and Liberty. The digital billboards include photos of the girls as well as one of the prime suspect in the case. It also shows the number for a tip line set up in the case. The FBI says there are 6,000 digital billboards in 46 states. Phone Number - 844-459-5786 10:05 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/carroll-county-sheriff-discusses-delphi-murder-investigation-says-dna-evidence-fast-tracked/ Leazenby appeared on FOX59 Morning to discuss the status of the investigation into the deaths of Abigail and Liberty. Police have received hundreds of tips, and Leazenby said investigators were evaluating the information and consulting with colleagues on how to pursue those leads. “We’re looking at every stone and looking to turn over every stone that we can, that is reasonable,” he said during the broadcast. The investigation started first on the local level, Leazenby said, adding that police have talked to “a number of individuals” so far as they search for a suspect. “We have gone through a number of individuals at this point,” he said. “This is basically a process of elimination in this situation. In relation to the investigation, we start locally and then expand out.” Leazenby couldn’t address the specific forensics of the case, but he did say investigators were looking at all of the evidence, from statements made by individuals to physical clues. He said there were “several pieces to this huge puzzle.” Leazenby did say investigators have asked for DNA evidence to be “fast-tracked.” “I can’t go into the specifics because of the ongoing (investigation), that’s being expedited as best as it can be done,” he said. Could more information be released in the case? “Every day we evaluate what we have and what we feel like would be beneficial for folks to know,” Leazenby said. “Obviously, when this is all said and done, we’re going to end up in a court of law with this situation. For us to reveal basically everything we have—and a lot of folks understand this—it would be detrimental to reveal a lot of information.” 12:45 PM Indiana State Police say they’ve received 3,900 tips in the case via phone and email, with 1,900 of them coming after the release of the audio recording. A $9,000 donation from the office of U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita pushes the reward amount to $50,000. Rokita released this statement about his donation, "What happened to my constituents -- those young girls -- breaks my heart. I know my supporters feel the same way. To make the reward money for their killer's capture a nice round figure, I directed money that I raised, and which is still in my old Secretary of State campaign account, to be used for this community purpose." Phone Number - 844-459-5786 12:56 PM Sgt. Tony Slocum tweeted, "There has been no arrest in the Delphi investigation. No one is in custody, please don't jump to conclusions if u c investigators working." Twitter - https://twitter.com/ISPPeru/status/834824167522439169 12:57 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/investigators-receive-3900-tips-in-murder-of-delphi-teens-reward-increases-to-50000/ 1:13 PM Indiana State Police tweeted, "Report of arrest in Delphi Murder Investigation, Lebanon, IN is FALSE. Investigation continues. Person arrested for unrelated civil warrant". Twitter - https://twitter.com/IndStatePolice/status/834828427341524992 2:33 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/delphi-indiana-isp-do-not-use-social-media-to-report-tips-on-murders-of-delphi-teens A spokesperson with ISP said sharing information this way may cause confusion or lead to someone being falsely accused. 4:00 PM Indiana State Police announce that the FBI Major Case Contact Center in Washington, D.C. has taken over the hotline for tips in the case. The toll free, anonymous phone number to call in tips hasn’t changed, but callers will now have to follow a few prompts to report their information. Phone Number - 844-459-5786 5:17 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/fbi-takes-over-for-delphi-call-center-in-double-murder-investigation/ 6:59 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/delphi-indiana-parents-keep-a-closer-eye-on-their-kids-after-teen-girls-murders The murders of two teen girls have rattled the quiet community of Delphi and parents are keeping a closer watch on their children's activities. John Bennett lives across the street from the Delphi City Building which has become headquarters for local law enforcement and FBI working the case. “You step out on the front porch, and you have all these people in suits with guns, carrying badges,” said Bennett. He said the murders have been heartbreaking for everyone who lives in their small town. “It’s consumed the whole community, it’s devastating,” said Bennett. Their deaths have also been an eye-opening reminder that violent crime can happen anywhere, which is something Bennett has been aware of in recent days as he monitors his children's social media accounts. “(My kids) had over 3,000 contacts, and there are not even 3,000 people in the town of Delphi,” said Bennett. “It breaks my heart that children can’t just be children anymore. It breaks my heart that these young ladies were on the trail on a beautiful day and this crime occurred,” said Bennett. As police continue to comb through the hundreds of tips coming in, Bennett said the girls’ memory would live on in their small community forever. “(The town will) never forget. This will never be forgotten,” said Bennett. 10:18 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/dna-evidence-recovered-in-delphi-murder-investigation/ Investigators say they had recovered DNA evidence from the Delphi crime scene where Abigail and Liberty were found murdered. That evidence now has top priority for processing by investigators. But just how important could is this DNA evidence be? “We asked for a fast-track as far as that piece information,” said Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby. “So I can’t go into specifics because of the ongoing [investigation].” Police haven’t said specifically what kind of evidence they recovered, but DNA forensics expert Dr. Gay Bush says that evidence could be anything. “It can be items found at the crime scene such as a cigarette butt, or a bottle, or a *** or a straw,” said Dr. Bush. “Or it can be bodily fluids if there’s some kind of assault.” Dr. Bush is the laboratory director for Strand Diagnostics, an FBI-accredited facility that often assists law enforcement, although they’re not working on the Delphi case. “You can generally get a good profile if you’ve got at least 30-35 human cells,” said Bush. It can sometimes take two days to a week to generate a DNA profile from evidence, if not longer. “But if you are fast-tracking it…if it’s a case that’s got some urgency to it, it can be done in a couple of days,” said Bush. Which is what Sheriff Leazenby said is happening. But while DNA can bolster a case, Dr. Bush says it’s not always a slam dunk on its own. “It’s good,” said Bush, “the science is excellent, it’s very trustworthy, and there are very strong standards in DNA processing, but…when all is said and done, [it’s] just one piece of evidence for the process.” Once a DNA profile is generated, it’s compared to a national database of DNA profiles. A best-case scenario would be if the profile from the crime scene matches with a suspect who’s profile is already on record. It could also match with an unknown profile, which is DNA that has been collected and documented, but never connected to a specific person. Friday, February 24, 2017 5:55 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/pizza-king-in-delphi-holds-fundraiser-for-families-of-murdered-delphi-teens/ The Pizza King in Delphi held a fundraiser for the families of Abigail and Liberty with all the profits, minus the costs of ingredients, going to the families. The store usually sells about 50 pizzas a day, but by 1 p.m. it had already sold more than 300, according to the owner. Alexandra Shull, a Delphi resident, took her family to the benefit, because she wanted to help any way she could. “It’s definitely frustrating. What is there that I can really do other than benefits like this and if I know anything to let the law enforcement know,” Shull said. “(The case) needs to be solved and hopefully soon so the families can be a little bit more at rest and the same with the community as a whole.” Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazemby attended the fundraiser as well. He said while investigators continue to comb through thousands of tips, residents who don’t have information that could lead to an arrest, should continue sending tips to the man above. “I’m a man of faith of myself,” Leazemby said. “The thing I’ve been (telling people) in the last couple days is intensify those prayers, go deeper with it.” 6:35 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/crime/delphi-girls-murdered-what-is-the-evidence Saturday, February 25, 2017 Investigators have moved from Delphi’s municipal building to the Carroll County REMC building. Sunday, February 26, 2017 1:03 PM Online News Article - https://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2017/02/26/swelling-delphi-investigation-prompts-new-hq/98445610/ Police spent Saturday relocating to the Carroll County REMC building at 119 W. Franklin St. in downtown Delphi, Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby said. Previously, the city's municipal building had served as headquarters for at least 20 agencies, ranging from the local to federal level, investigating the deaths of Abigail and Liberty. "(The) building has much more room for us to, in essence, spread out and work more diligently on this," Leazenby said. 4:04 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/delphi-indiana-larger-headquarters-for-indiana-girls-deaths-investigation 4:21 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/authorities-move-to-larger-headquarters-for-delphi-investigation/ Monday, February 27, 2017 12:56 PM Shannon Houser tweeted, ".@IndStatePolice stopping drivers in #Delphi handing out fliers with pics and info on tip line." Twitter - https://twitter.com/Shannon_Houser/status/836273728472260613 1:56 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/investigators-say-tips-in-delphi-murder-investigation-near-10000-reward-up-to-96000/ Over the weekend investigators received tips and stacks of mail with donations for the reward. Receiving over 10,000 tips, some of which have led to the execution of dozens of search warrants to potential suspects. After totaling it all up the reward amount is now over $96,000. Several initiatives were made to draw in more tips for the case. Authorities recorded a radio ad that is being broadcast in all of Indiana, and Indiana State Police stopped drivers in the Delphi area to hand out fliers with pictures and the tip line information. Indiana State Police Sgt. Tony Solcum said nearly every hour, investigators are interviewing potential suspects and witnesses, but they are being ruled out. “As of right now, that information has been crossing off suspects so it’s been exonerating suspects so to speak, but that in itself is valuable information,” Solcum said. Once tips are received, the information is recorded into a database. Local law enforcement and more than 20 outside agencies field the tips to determine what is valuable. Some tips have come in from all over the world, including Australia. 2:57 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/delphi-indiana-reward-now-96000-for-information-leading-to-an-arrest-in-case-of-murdered-girls 11:25 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/police-continue-to-search-woods-for-evidence-in-delphi-double-homicide/ Every day that passes without an arrest, investigators continue to sweep for new clues that could be the missing piece that helps solve the double murder of Abigail and Liberty. “We want to get this case solved today. I wake up every morning thinking today is going to be that day,” said ISP Sgt. Tony Slocum. “I want people to know that we are looking for the murderer or murderers of Libby and Abby,” said Slocum. The crime scene tape is still up and marks the circular plot of land where the girls bodies were found. For two weeks police have combed every inch of the woods from the Monon High Bridge where the girls were last seen to the spot where they were found. Investigators are using several resources at the large outdoor scene. “In this particular case we are not saying the young ladies were out there for an extended period of time. So, that obviously helps but anytime you are dealing with an outside crime scene you have to factor in the elements whether it is wind, rain, debris, animals, things like that,” said Slocum. “If someone is on the fence about giving information I want them to know these are two little girls, these are not just people you see on the news. These were two little girls on February 13th who went out to enjoy a trail in Northern Indiana and they were murdered,” said Slocum. Tuesday, February 28, 2017 2:02 PM Sgt. Tony Slocum tweeted, "500 additional tips received overnight in Delphi murder case. Total over 9300. Reward is up to $100,360. No suspect (s) in custody yet." with an image of photographs of Abigail and Liberty with a sign that has the toll free tip line between them. Phone Number - 844-459-5786 Twitter - https://twitter.com/i/web/status/836652898650099712 3:41 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/softball-tournament-announced-in-honor-of-delphi-teens/ Liberty German and Abigail Williams, both played softball in the Delphi Summer Rec program. Abigail and Liberty's families are making plans to honor their memory by sharing with others what the girls loved so much. Liberty’s family is teaming up with Abigail’s family to put on a memorial softball tournament this July in memory of the girls. Organizers hope to make it an annual event. Libby’s cousin Lori Knipp remembers how much the 14-year-old loved playing sports and enjoying life. Knipp said Libby even used to write down inspirational quotes she came across. “She was always very upbeat and inspiring and uplifting to people,” said Knipp who wonders what Libby’s future would have looked like. “What would she have aspired to be? What greatness would she have brought to this world?” Knipp said the family is dealing with the loss by taking it day by day and by putting one foot in front of the other. The next step in their healing process is to team up with Abby’s family and put on a memorial softball tournament. Both girls played summer recreational softball in Delphi. The dream of the families is to raise enough money so that every girl in Delphi has a chance to find joy in what Libby and Abby loved, for free. “It just felt like the right thing to do. To do something in their memory to honor them in the way we all love softball. Brings us all together.” Mike Standly, President of the Greater Lafayette and Surrounding Area Girl’s Softball League (GLASAGSL), remembers coaching Libby.“She was amazing, she really was. She’d give 100% every time.” An entry on the event's website talks about the memory of the girls: "We feel with what we all do in the softball world, this is a way for all of us to keep these two girls' memories alive and remembered by supporting something that they loved to do in their community." Proceeds from the Abby/Libby Memorial Tournament will be donated to the Delphi Summer Rec. Player Scholarship Fund in memory of the girls. The tournament is called the USSSA Libby/Abby Memorial Tournament. It runs from July 14, 2017 - July 16, 2017 in Battle Ground, Indiana. Proceeds will go to the Delphi Summer Rec Player Scholarship Fund in memory of Abby and Libby. Website - http://www.usssa.com/fastpitch/TournamentMain/#/?eventID=288174&gdSport=16 3:44 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/police-confirm-no-arrests-in-delphi-double-homicide-urge-public-not-to-jump-to-conclusions/ While some people say the whispered conversations about the teens’ murders have grown quieter, law enforcement has seen the speculation on social media get louder than ever. With rumors of an arrest swirling on social media, state police felt forced to put out tweets, Facebook messages and press releases to set the record straight, stating no arrests have been made. This came after hundreds, maybe thousands, of people saw posts pointing to a couple people as the potential people arrested. Despite rumors to the contrary, Indiana State Police say they haven’t made any arrests in connection with the deaths of Liberty and Abigail. Police ask the public not to jump to conclusions or spread rumors on social media. ISP says as the case proceeds investigators will continue to talk with potential witnesses, suspects and anyone they believe might have information about the case. ISP released the following statement “If the public observes officers working on this case, they are asked not to jump to conclusions, nor identify a person as a suspect without facts to back up the claims. It is not fair to that person.” “Naming suspects on social media is a dangerous game to play,” said ISP Sgt. Tony Slocum. “No one wants to be blamed for a double homicide, especially when there are no facts to back it up,” said Slocum. Carroll County Prosecutor Robert Ives believes some people may believe these standard investigative practices mean a high probability of guilt. “We ask people not to make judgements or draw conclusions based on the fact that some building is searched or even a person comes in for questioning,” said Ives. “They are questioning dozens and dozens, hundreds of people really.” “I think their hearts are definitely in the right place,” said Delphi resident Tracy Claiborne. “I don’t think they’re doing it as malice or to get anybody in trouble. I just think sometimes it gets ahead of people.” “I think the consensus around town is that the professionals are trying to do what they can and this person will be eventually caught,” said Claiborne. “He may be hiding, but he’s not going to be able to hide forever.” 5:29 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/delphi-indiana-despite-rumors-isp-says-no-arrest-has-been-made-in-murders-of-two-girls Have you seen a post spreading on Facebook claiming a Kokomo man has been arrested for the murder of two slain Delphi teens? Sgt. Tony Slocum with Indiana State Police says no such arrest has been made in connection with the deaths of Abigail Williams and Liberty German. This is not the first time Indiana State Police have had to shoot down rumors about an arrest in the murders, dealing with other false information and the spread of "suspect sketches" that were not verified by ISP. Wednesday, March 1, 2017 7:18 AM Retired Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee tweeted out a video Wednesday morning to appeal for more tips and clues in the case. He said he and Colts owner Jim Irsay had donated $97,000, to bring the total reward to $200,000. "IN State Police Superintendent told me "We need the pic/audio file 2 be seen, some1 knows something".. So..Internet, $200,000 reward #LetsGo" Twitter - https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/836912210949599232 Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdeVD7Mg1Lk 7:35 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/donations-from-pat-mcafee-jim-irsay-bring-delphi-reward-to-200000/ “It seems every time we have a change in anything in this case- when we released the voice, when we released the photograph naming that person as a suspect, people seem to want to get involved a little more, so as we’re increasing this reward we’re continuing to receive information,” said Indiana State Police Sgt. Tony Slocum. 7:53 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/delphi-indiana-pat-mcafee-jim-irsay-donate-97000-to-find-delphi-killer 10:53 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/delphi-indiana-softball-tournament-organized-for-delphi-girls 4:05 PM Sgt. Tony Slocum tweeted, "New signs at Delphi investigation HQ. Thx to Police Chaplain Ed Selvidge and Delphi High School. Tips can be made by calling 844-459-5786". Twitter - https://twitter.com/ISPPeru/status/837046131855097856 5:14 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/arrests-made-in-delphi-not-connected-to-murder-investigation/ Police are making numerous arrests each day based on tips given to investigators in Delphi, but none of those arrests involve the murders of two teen girls. Investigators at the FBI Major Case Contact Center in D.C. and the local command center in Delphi spend 24/7 vetting tips and checking for leads. Dozens of search warrants have been executed after tips led investigators to potential suspects. Police have even made arrests based off those tips, but none of the people arrested are involved in the murders of Abigail and Liberty. “If we receive a tip about a person and we go to talk with that person and we find out through the investigation they have maybe a warrant for failure to appear or another crime, we’re not gonna turn a blind eye and just let them go,” said Sgt. Tony Solcum with Indiana State Police. As police make these arrests, they want to ensure people that no one has been arrested for murder and to not accuse people of being the murder suspect. Investigators want to stress, they have not caught the person in the picture and have not arrested the suspect in the murder. “I know at least in two cases where officers have gone to businesses and or homes to speak with people in that residence or business and immediately folks have jumped on social media and named those individuals as suspects and that’s not fair,” Sgt. Solcum stated. While everyone police have interviewed so far has been cooperative, police don’t want rumors hindering their investigation. “If we talk to you and then you’re crucified on social media and being named a double homicide suspect, people won’t want to talk and we don’t want that to be the case. We don’t want this to be slowed down as we move forward in this investigation,” said Sgt. Solcum. 6:00 PM Grandparents of Abby Williams, Diane and Eric Erskin, leave an emotional note at police headquarters that expresses their gratitude for those investigating the case. ""Where are the police when you need them?" I have uttered these words whenever a speeding or wreckless driver nearly runs me or someone else off the road. Where are the police when you need them? There are here, in Delphi, with us. We pray for your protetion, and we are forever grateful for your service. Diane + Eric (Abby's grandparents)" Photo - https://nxstrib-com.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2017/03/img_1812.jpg New signs of support were also posted by students and clergy. One encourages investigators not to quit and says "You are one step closer than you were yesterday. Don't give up." Another shows photos of Abigail and Liberty along with a poem and a placard with the tip line number. And one simply says "Thanks for your dedication and hard work." 6:59 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/delphi-indiana-family-of-murdered-teen-leaves-message-of-support-for-investigators 7:10 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/grandparents-of-murdered-delphi-teen-leave-emotional-note-at-police-headquarters/ 7:14 PM Two Indiana contractors who have gone viral as "The Singing Contractors" recorded an emotional tribute to Abigail and Liberty. Aaron Gray and Josh Arnett hope their three-part message will help lead police to the girls' killer. For Gray and Arnett the girls' deaths hit close to home in more than one way. Both men are friends of the girls' families, but they are also fathers. “I think what touches home so much with us is we both have daughters close to that age,” said Gray. “What if it happened to us? How would we react? How would we feel? What could we do?” The video features three key elements: The song, dedicated to Abby and Libby, a photo of the suspect and the audio recording of the suspected killer. The Singing Contractors posted on facebook, "Here is a video tribute to Abigail Williams and liberty German. Who was brutally murdered in Delphi Indiana please share this video and help The police catch this guy. We'll have more with you all on "The News at 11:00" on rtv6... tonight." Facbook - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1768376393179882 10:24 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/despite-delphi-reward-some-may-fear-speaking-up/ Some experts say there are people who may still be worried about telling police what they know. They say “money talks,” but when it comes to a serious crime, that’s not always the case. When somebody knows something about a crime, it usually comes down to one of two things that keep them clammed up. “One of them is fear, and that’s where the anonymous part comes in, and the other is apathy, they just don’t want to get involved in the system,” said Central Indiana Crime Stoppers Director Steve Dubois, who can’t comment directly on what’s happening in Delphi because it’s not a Crime Stoppers case. Despite that, he understands how much a reward can help people to speak up. “Rewards have a tendency to push them over that bump,” said Dubois. The Delphi murders reward is being handled by Indiana State Police. “It seems every time we have a change in anything in this case, when we released the voice, when we released the photograph naming that person as a suspect, people seem to want to get involved a little more, so as we’re increasing this reward [and] we’re continuing to receive information,” said State Police Sergeant Tony Slocum. Their hope is that this amount of money spurs someone to pick up the phone and call. Dubois says in any case, assuring anonymity is key; adding that any tip will be investigated before an arrest is made. “No one is going to jail just because you call,” said Dubois, “no one is.” So far, State Police have received almost 10,000 tips. Yet, they’re still looking for that one which will tip the case in their favor. “We all know what is normal in our surroundings, we all know what feels right,” said Dubois, “and if you get that feeling that something’s not right, that’s when you probably need to tell somebody.” Thursday, March 2, 2017 2:30 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/indianas-singing-contractors-record-emotional-tribute-to-delphi-murder-victims 10:56 AM Online News Article - https://www.wishtv.com/news/singing-contractors-make-song-video-tribute-to-murdered-delphi-teens/ 3:44 PM Gabby Gonzalez Riethmiller tweeted, "1000 orange light bulbs were donated today to help "Light Up Delphi" for Abby and Libby." Twitter - https://twitter.com/Gabby_Gonzalez/status/837403227830239232 Lowe’s Lafayette donated 1,000 orange light bulbs so residents can “Light Up Delphi” and install the orange light bulbs in their porch lamps as a tribute to Abigail and Liberty. The Delphi Lions Club will be distributing them to residents for free and any donations they receive will go straight to the girls’ families. “We need that kind of spirit, that kind of camaraderie,” said Dick Bradshaw, from the Delphi Lions Club. “We need the families to feel they’re being supported. It shows the kind of community we live in. Togetherness and pulling together when things are tough.” Families can pick up a pack of two orange light bulbs at the following locations in Delphi: T & T Pizza King, Q-Graphics, Mitchells Mexican Grill, Delphi Body Works. 4:22 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/residents-can-pick-up-orange-light-bulbs-to-light-up-delphi-as-tribute-to-murder-victims/ 4:27 PM Sgt. Tony Slocum tweeted "The giving continues. Nothing but Inspirational." along with an image of a poster describing the details of the "Light Up Delphi" campaign. Twitter - https://twitter.com/ISPPeru/status/837414106458112000 Friday, March 3, 2017 6:45 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-investigators-grateful-for-community-outreach/ Investigators in Delphi say tips related to the murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams have continued to pour in. According to Sargent Tony Slocum of the Indiana State Police, the tip count is currently hovering “around 10,000.” Slocum says in the past week an average of roughly 400 to 500 tips have been called or emailed in. so far, none of those tips has yielded an arrest; nevertheless Slocum says each tip brings investigators closer to solving the case. “Any time we can cross somebody off the list as a suspect we get closer, that means we’re narrowing down and getting more laser focused so to speak,” Slocum said. On top of the tips, Slocum says reward money for information leading to an arrest and conviction has also continued to grow. As of Friday morning, the total had reached a little more than $218,000. Slocum credits the growing total to the “incredible support” investigators have received by community members across Indiana. “Times are tough, and some people have donated a significant amount and it’s astounding to me and I’m humbled,” he said. Slocum says that the community support has extended beyond money. Whether its offers to hand out flyers, banners featuring hand written notes, or the constant flow of homemade food, he says the community has been relentless in their support. It’s that support that he says helps drive the team of investigators forward. “I believe the human spirit just refuses to be stepped down by people who want to do evil in our community. As a law enforcement officer I know there’s more good in humanity than bad. This community just continues to show that, that they’re going to help you do what you have to do so we all can get back to enjoying life so to speak,” he said. Saturday, March 4, 2017 8:52 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/fundraisers-honor-slain-delphi-girls-memories/ The community is doing everything it can not just to honor their memories, but to keep the girls’ spirits alive. They may be gone, but if their community has anything to say, their memories will continue to live. “We’re just willing to do anything we can,” said Judy Stowers, who drove from Tipton for a fundraiser Friday night in Lafayette. That fundraiser happened at the Moose Family Center, which will also host a much larger event on Saturday, beginning at 10 AM Organizers say they expect at least 1,000 people to attend the family-friendly fundraiser. Scott Wilbur is friends with Libby’s family. He helped put together this weekend’s fundraisers to honor the two girls. “We were like, let’s make a big benefit out of it,” said Wilbur, “so let’s do Friday, let’s do Saturday and see what we can do.” The money raised, organizers say, might be used to build a softball field in the girls honor, or fund ongoing self-defense classes for kids. “This will give years and years and years of exciting memories of these girls,” said Wilbur. The band Stampede will be playing at Saturday’s fundraiser. Attendees will have the chance to join corn-hole, poker and darts tournaments. 10:00 AM The fundraiser at the Moose Family Center begins. Monday, March 6, 2017 9:50 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/delphi-indiana-family-of-murdered-girls-expected-to-speak-publicly-on-thursday Liberty German's grandfather is expected to make a public statement about her death for the first time on Thursday at 10:00 AM at the Carrol County Courthouse. Neither the Germans nor the family of Abigail Williams have spoken publicly since the girls went missing. The families of both girls toured the Delphi investigation headquarters last week. Tuesday, March 7, 2017 6:18 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/fundraiser-set-for-tuesday-for-slain-delphi-teens-families-to-speak-later-this-week/ An event Tuesday will raise more money for the reward fund. The reward in the case has continued to grow over the last few weeks, and an event in Delphi Tuesday will raise even more money. Enthusiasm Foods, a franchisee of Papa John’s, is holding a pizza fundraiser from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Delphi Community Middle School, 401 Armory Rd., Delphi. The company will set up a trailer to sell pizzas at the school, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the fund dedicated to finding justice for the two teens. 6:33 PM Alexis McAdams tweeted, "WATCH: Central Indiana @PapaJohns franchise donating tho$ands to the reward for tips that lead to an arrest for #Delphi murders." Twitter - https://twitter.com/AlexisMcAdamsTV/status/839257663070482436 A Papa John’s franchise out of central Indiana sold more than 400 pizzas at $10.00 each and donated each dollar to the reward fund for information that leads to an arrest in the case. 6:54 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/police-continue-manhunt-for-killer-of-two-delphi-teens-community-raises-reward-money/ “We are still going through thousands and thousands of leads and every time we can clear one, it helps our case because we are making that haystack smaller,” said ISP Sgt. John Perrine. “We are not giving up and I can tell you that the mood upstairs is very optimistic. The investigators are still pursuing the tips and leads that are coming in with the highest optimism that we are going to find this guy,” said Sgt. Perrine. “The community has taken ownership of this and they feel responsible for bringing that justice to Libby and Abby’s families,” said Sgt. Perrine. Wednesday, March 8, 2017 11:40 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-task-force-to-explore-safety-upgrades-for-historic-trail-system-after-teens-deaths/ Officials announce formation of a task force to explore safety options along Delphi’s trails. Officials from Delphi Historic Trails said the Trail Safety Task Force will include members from law enforcement, trail organizations, schools and the public. The group will explore suggestions for improving trail safety along more than ten miles of trails in Delphi. The Trail Safety Task Force will consider several suggestions when it meets, including educating the public on safety, using cameras, mapping and coordinating locations for 911 identification, placing appropriate signs, creating safety stations and conducting police patrols. Officials expect to consider dozens of ideas for trail safety, which has become a priority since the teens’ deaths. Generations of Delphi youth have explored the area near the Monon High Bridge over the years, though the deteriorating bridge itself is not officially part of the trail system. Plans are in the works to renovate it. The Wabash & Erie Canal Association is collecting donations for safety upgrades, and several fundraising activities are in development, including a 5K benefit run to raise the money to seek matching funds for cameras and other trail maintenance.set for June 3, 2017. In addition, Security Federal Savings and Loan of Delphi and First Federal Savings and Loan of Greensburg are collecting donations specifically for trail cameras. 11:43 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/delphi-indiana-delphi-historic-task-force-on-trail-safety-created-after-killings-of-teenagers 6:39 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/fbi-putting-together-profile-of-suspect-accused-of-killing-delphi-teens/ The FBI is putting together a suspect profile to help find the killer of Abigail and Liberty. The FBI profile currently in the works will give police a better idea of who they’re looking for. Behavioral analysts can identify certain personality, behavioral and lifestyle traits the suspect would have. All that information provides police with clues as to what kind of things they should be looking for as they serve search warrants. That, paired with evidence found at the crime scene, could help solve the puzzle. Indiana State Police superintendent Doug Carter says they have several pieces and parts but they are looking for the one piece of evidence that will crack the case. “I know that we have the human element – we have a very solid science element,” he said. “We are using every capable process that we have from a scientific perspective as everyone would expect us to, and we will continue to do that until there is nothing left to do. does that include DNA? It does. We have not ruled out the possibility that it is a local person. Every time we clear somebody it gets us closer. We are confident that somewhere in the tips we have valuable information and every time we can eliminate one we can move on to the next.” Thursday, March 9, 2017 6:58 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/family-of-slain-delphi-teen-liberty-german-to-speak-thursday-morning/ 10:00 AM Mike Patty, Liberty German’s grandfather, speaks to media for first time since deaths of Abigail and Liberty. He thanks community for outpouring of support and says he believes tips will help solve the case. Patty started with a statement from Abby’s family. “Abby and Libby loved each other,” Patty said in the statement. “We respect Libby’s family’s decision to speak at this time just as they respect our family’s decision not to speak publicly.” “This horrible crime has torn a hole in our families that will never heal,” Patty said. “It’s the small things that seem to hurt the most. It’s just natural to holler for them to come to dinner or in the mornings to get up and get ready for school or to come through the door after school.” Patty said the girls were excited about the upcoming softball season. “Just the day before this all happened, they had their equipment out playing catch, working on their batting in the backyard,” he said. “They’ll never get to play another single inning again. There are too many ways to count how our lives have been impacted to share today.” Patty recalled a phrase Libby frequently said when asked to do something like pick up her shoes or backup–“I will, in a minute,” she’d reply. “Please, give her the one minute she always asked for, to really study the picture and listen to the audio clip. Someone out there knows this person or persons. He’s someone’s neighbor, coworker, family member, friend, husband or acquaintance.” Photo - https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/liberty-german/suspect-1.jpg/@@images/image/large Audio* - https://www.fbi.gov/audio-repository/indiana-voice-022217.mp3 *includes an additional word that was released later. “I’m glad she had the wherewithal to do that [make the recording],” Patty said. “Both the girls were heroes. They stuck together. I don’t know exactly what happened out there that day, but I imagine there was probably the opportunity for one or both to separate and try to make a break for it. But those girls loved each other. They were good friends. Neither one of them left each other’s side. Both of those girls are heroes in my book.” As police have before, Patty appealed for anyone to report suspicious behavior from those around them. Any lead, no matter how big or small, could break the case open. He said he’s confident investigators will solve the case and told reporters he was grateful for the amount of support they’ve received. Numerous stories from the media have kept the case alive, and Patty believes those reports have generated numerous tips. Phone Number - 844-459-5786 Email - abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com Patty thanked businesses and individuals for donating to the reward fund, singling out former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee and Colts owner Jim Irsay for their generosity. “The rest of the funds, we hope to build a softball field and park in memory of the girls so they’ll be remembered forever and have something for everyone to enjoy,” Patty said. Sgt. John Perrine with Indiana State Police also spoke during Thursday’s news conference. He said investigators have received more than 11,000 tips. Of those, 2,000 have been cleared and 1,500 are in the queue and need to be assigned to investigators. He said tips from the public have led to arrests in unrelated cases and that no arrests have been made in connection with the deaths of Abigail and Liberty. The reward now stands at more than $224,000. Perrine cautioned the public against spreading rumors about the case on social media, saying they could be “detrimental” to their investigation. He also said the crime has taken its toll on all who’ve investigated. “This is emotional for all of us,” Perrine said, struggling to keep his composure. “It’s not easy. A lot of people are putting a lot of work into this, and we’re hoping that the tip’s there and we’re going to find [the suspect or suspects].” Perrine said investigators were looking into similarities to other cases but don’t have any concrete connections. He said police have talked to thousands of people locally and nationally as they try to get that key tip to find the person responsible. 10:20 AM WRTV Indianapolis tweeted, "Perrine: More than 11,000 tips given and right now 2,000 have been cleared and said to be not related." Twitter - https://twitter.com/wrtv/status/839858506408812544 10:22 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/delphi-indiana-delphi-girls-family-take-1-minute-for-justice 1:06 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/scholarship-fund-to-be-named-in-honor-of-murdered-delphi-teen The family of Liberty German, one of the two teens murdered in Delphi, will create a scholarship fund in her honor. “The donations we’ve received in Libby’s name have been utilized to establish a scholarship fund,” said Patty. He also plans to use the donations to build a softball field and park in memory of the girls. 5:22 PM Sgt. Tony Slocum tweeted, "@ISPLafayette back at PIO/media duties n Delphi Hopefully soon he will able 2 announce an arrest n the murders of Libby/Abby. 2day's the day" along with an image of photographs of Abigail and Liberty with a sign that has the toll free tip line between them. Twitter - https://twitter.com/ISPPeru/status/839964667128774656 7:51 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/delphi-indiana-who-were-liberty-german-and-abigail-williams Friday, March 10, 2017 9:18 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-teens-grandfather-asks-for-publics-help-in-search-for-killer/ The grandfather of Libby German opened up about the pain their family is feeling. FOX59 talked with the grandpa who has become the voice of the families trying to find justice for the girls. “Somebody out there has the message or the tip that we need and that is why I’m willing to do this and I’m willing to put myself out there for the better of our families, the community, state, and nation. We need to pull this person or persons off the street,” said Libby’s grandfather Mike Patty. When asked how he finds the strength to get out and speak about the loss to the community and the media, Patty responded, “I do this on behalf of the girls. They deserve that, they deserve somebody to stand up and be the voice that they can not have today.” “We do not know what happened out here and those girls have been friends for years. They stuck together and both are heroes in my book. They were there together,” said Patty. As police continue to work around the clock Patty is confident they will track the killer down soon. “Call in with tips so police can have more information available to continue to run this down because it might take one more piece of a tip that ties it to somebody or a tip that they are already working on. It does not matter how small. Let investigators run that down,” said Patty. Phone Number - 844-459-5786 Email - abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com Monday, March 13, 2017 4:58 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/national-world/police-continue-investigation-of-several-people-of-interest-a-month-into-delphi-murder-investigation/ Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter told FOX59 News that he thinks the clue to solve the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German is not yet among the more than 13,000 tips that an FBI database sifts through around the clock in order to give Delphi investigators a solid lead in the hunt for their suspect. “To say we’ve identified a single individual would not be accurate, but we have identified several people of interest,” said Carter, who admitted investigators need to seal off several blind alleys before narrowing their focus in the search for the man in the images and audio Libby captured on her cell phone minutes before she was led to her death. “It’s not often that we have a picture of the suspect, or the sound of his voice,” said Carter. “That’s a first in my career.” Saturday night a local man known to investigators was arrested on a probation violation, and there have been several arrests of suspects on drug-related charges during the investigation. “There’s been multiple arrests based on this investigation of people who have had nothing to do with it,” said Carter, “and I’m sure that will continue.” Investigators have served approximately 70 search warrants and subpoenas, some as far away as Peru in Miami County, and checked on the probation status of dozens of *** offenders, many of whom were cleared as suspects in the murders based on interviews, alibis or polygraph examinations. Throughout the day Sunday detectives continued to come and go from the former REMC building on the courthouse square in downtown Delphi which serves as the investigation command center, clutching documents in their pursuit of evidence. Nearby, on a blocked off side street, sit satellite dishes, presumably to give FBI agents immediate contact with investigators at the agency’s east coast analytical sites where DNA evidence is likely being processed and a killer’s profile may be developed to give detectives a clue to the mindset, behavioral and personality traits of the man they are seeking. “I think time will tell,” said Carter as he contemplated the day the profile and the suspect may be matched. “I think we have some notions and we will keep them to ourselves.” That includes information of how the girls died and the conditions of their bodies, clues presumably only the killer would know. Carter expressed frustration that photographs, an audio recording and reward money in excess of $200,000 haven’t brought forth the tip investigators need to make an arrest. Investigators said it may be likely that the killer is local due to his familiarity with the remote location of the murders, though the possibility of an out-of-state suspect, or a man who frequently travels through Carroll County, cannot be discounted. 6:42 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-trail-security-sought-in-wake-of-double-murders-of-teens/ Trail Safety Task Force meets to discuss security gaps along Delphi’s trail system and make recommendations for potential changes. In warmer months, visitors flock to Delphi and Carroll County to walk the trail system that grew out of its proximity to the famed Wabash and Erie Canal to see plant life, wildlife, eagles and water. “It’s a free activity,” said Julia Leahy, Executive Director of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a great way to get kids outdoors and then they get away from their electronic devices and really enjoy nature and so it’s a very popular thing for our community.” Now, the Delphi tourist attraction’s claim to fame has brought attention of a tragic kind to the small city northwest of Lafayette. “None of us wanted to focus on the impact it will have on us because the main focus is really getting justice,” said Leahy who deleted trail references from this month’s Carroll County tourism marketing plan. “But for the business owners, I’m sure they’re very concerned about how this is going to impact them. “People come from all over the area to enjoy the trails, they go downtown, they eat some dinner, they go shopping,” said Leahy. “It’s going to have a big impact.” Mindful of the security gap the killings have exposed along the trail system, a Trail Safety Task Force met to discuss what could be done to make the hiking paths that wind through the city and county safer. “It has been an issue that has been long overdue, nothing like this has ever happened here, and it’s unfortunate that we had to deal with this,” said Leahy who explained it’s time to, “take back our trail. They’re going to be under our control again and we want people to go out and enjoy them.” After the meeting, Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby agreed, but with only eleven deputies wearing badges, he doesn’t have the personnel to patrol the trails and said trail security may depend on volunteers. “I think it would be great to have individuals like that on board,” said the sheriff. “Obviously we don’t want them to take any action on their own, but having a cell phone handy and then call 911, call our office, and that way we can have our deputies respond.” Citizen patrols on four-wheel vehicles to car where patrol cars can’t navigate was one proposed solution. So was better signage and surveillance trail cameras, though the task force members speculated it would take a major fundraising campaign to afford the all-weather video technology at trailheads where hikers park cars. “Early on in this investigation I received a trail camera that a family had donated to the cause,” said Leazenby, “so I just presented that to one of the Wabash Erie Canal representatives ... It’s unfortunate that something like this had to happen in order to highlight it and look into this kind of improvement.” “There has been an increase in tips and leads coming in,” said Leazenby, “and at this point I am still confident, as sheriff of this county, that we will resolve this.” Tuesday, March 14, 2017 7:03 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/prosecutor-says-cops-likely-have-met-delphi-killer-or-received-crucial-tip-due-to-scope-of-probe/ Carroll County Prosecutor Robert Ives told FOX59 the law of averages favors that of the thousands of tips that have poured in and the hundreds of doors police and FBI agents have knocked on in connection with the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German. Investigators say they’ve possibly met the killer or killers, or may have the clue that will wrap up the case. They just don’t know it yet. “I think there’s an excellent chance that in these tips, somebody has named the right person,” said Ives of the more than 13,000 submissions that have come in to investigators. “When you ask me, ‘Is it possible some police officer has talked to him?’ I think it’s extremely likely that’s happened. “I think that’s possible, yes.” From a command center on the town square in Delphi, authorities have served approximately 70 subpoenas and a couple search warrants approved by Ives in pursuit of the man who abducted and murdered the girls near the Monon High Bridge Trail east of town on February 13. “If we’re looking for third party data, if we’re looking for information from a company, or a business, that the business acquires in the course of its business, that might relate to an investigation, we send a subpoena,” said Ives. “If you’re looking for evidence that relates directly to proof of a crime and it’s in a realm of privacy, in a person’s home, in a person’s phone, in a person’s computer, on their person, some other situations, then you have to get a search warrant for that type of information, and we’ve gotten some search warrants but often those search warrants didn’t directly relate to the investigation of the killing of the two girls. They’re related to other matters in the course of this investigation. When so many people are being checked on, other things get found.” That was true in the arrest of a local man Ronald Logan known to investigators last weekend who is being held without bond on a probation violation for an alcohol-related offense. Sheriffs and state probation officers have questioned registered *** offenders in several north central Indiana counties to determine their whereabouts on the day the girls were murdered and then confirmed those accounts with other interviews or polygraph examinations. “This is really an unprecedented thing for Carroll County,” said Ives. “There have been or there will be charges relating to things that have been uncovered.” Each day, the small town of almost 3,000 people is flooded with police officers from across Indiana and federal agents from across the country, all searching for the clue that will lead to the girls’ killer. “With the data base that they have that was provided by the FBI, if a person has been checked on before, it’s easy to tell they’ve been checked on before,” said the prosecutor. “The crime is so serious that you’re following leads you might not otherwise follow before. There’s no obvious suspect as there often is. “They go out and check on things, they report back, sometimes people are called in for statements, sometimes other avenues of investigation are taken up with regard to particular people. “On any particular day there are twenty FBI agents and 25 or 30 officers,” observed Ives. “On some days it’s probably as many as 200 people working. “That goes on not only here, that happens at Quantico, too,” he said. “The FBI is working on this in Virginia as well as working on it here.” Outside the command center are parked satellite dish vehicles providing investigators immediate links to their headquarters counterparts. “Those citizens who are in Carroll County and in the Delphi area should be extremely proud of the law enforcement, the local enforcement, that is there and leading this investigation,” said FBI Special Agent Jay Abbott. “The FBI is extremely proud to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them in support of their leadership in this case.” Investigators are anxiously awaiting full DNA test results being compiled by FBI forensic analysts. “I go back before DNA and cell phones,” said Ives who remembered prosecuting criminal cases in Carroll County with less evidence than in this case since 1987, “and I certainly would have said, if experienced investigators, as we have in this case, had the evidence that was available in this case, I would expect them to solve it within a month. That’s without DNA and cell phones which are a big part of what’s going on here. “No arrest is imminent,” he said. “No case is close to being developed.” That extraordinary evidence came from Libby’s cellphone as the young girl’s device yielded at least two images of a man dressed in blue clothes walking along the bridge and captured his voice as he ordered the children, “Down the hill,” to their deaths. “If you see that picture and you hear that voice, and you’re going to call in a tip, explain why,” urged Ives. “’I’ve seen him wear those clothes, I know the way he walks, I know that combination of clothing, I know that voice, I know something about him.’ “’Not only do I know that person, but he said something to me, I saw something about him.’” “Look at that picture,” said Ives, “listen to that voice and don’t assume someone else has made a call.” Phone Number - 844-459-5786 Email - abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com Friday, March, 17, 2017 12:00 PM Indiana State Police, the FBI and Carroll County sheriff’s deputies are serving a search warrant in connection with the murders of Abigail and Liberty. The warrant is being served at the home of Ronald Logan, the owner of the property where Abigail and Liberty's bodies were found. ISP said they had developed more information that led them to request a new search warrant at the property. "It's just a normal course of this investigation," said ISP Sgt. Tony Slocum. "We've served multiple search warrants so far. They can either exonerate a person or maybe require law enforcement to take a closer look." “Just let the investigation run its course and this might not be the last search warrant we serve as part of investigating this double homicide,” said Sgt. Slocum. Logan was taken into custody earlier this week for a probation violation unrelated to the case. Investigators said they were looking for evidence that would link or clear Logan in Abigail and Liberty's deaths. Police said Logan is not considered a suspect at this time. Logan’s attorney, Andrew Achey, issued the following statement, “I have received several phone calls over the past several days from media outlets concerning Mr. Ronald Logan and his possible involvement in the deaths of the girls in Carroll County. I have known Mr. Logan for several years and have represented him in unrelated legal matters. Stated simply, Mr. Logan had no involvement in this heinous crime. I would like to caution the public to avoid jumping to conclusions before law enforcement has completed the ongoing investigation. Not only does Mr. Logan maintain his innocence but he also encourages anyone with information to call the tip line at (844) 459-5786 or send an email to abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com.” Phone Number - 844-459-5786 Email - abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com 12:11 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/authorities-serve-search-warrant-in-connection-with-delphi-murder-case/ 12:45 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/crime/search-underway-at-home-on-property-where-delphi-teens-abby-libby-found-dead Wednesday, March 22, 2017 6:21 PM Online News Article - https://www.fox17online.com/2017/03/22/tragedy-connects-small-towns-2-teens-murders-unsolved/ Where distance once separated two rural towns, grief has filled the space. Cliff Williams and the rest of the Williams family can only sit and wait and wonder how they lost their little Abby so soon, as the search for the suspect who killed her and her friend continues. “They may have lived a ways away, but they were very close," Lucy Hubbard said of the close bond between her brother Cliff and his only granddaughter—her great niece—Abigail Williams. "It’s just hard to believe that she’s gone.” In the month since, much of Williams' family has watched from Montcalm County waiting for answers and an arrest. “You see these things on TV, but this is a reality to our family, that this little girl got murdered," Hubbard said. "Never, ever do you expect you’re going to get that call that this little 13-year-old girl and her friend are dead." Hubbard said Abby and her mother moved to Delphi to live with the teen's grandmother shortly after she was born, shortly after Abby's grandparents separated. Though Grandpa Cliff remained in West Michigan, Hubbard said he never wavered from taking time to see Abby, who he called his 'bumblebee.' "Whenever Abby would call—it didn’t matter when—Cliff would go down [to Delphi]," “She was a special little girl and she had a grandpa that dearly loved her…and we all loved her.” Hubbard told FOX 17, adding the two saw each other for the final time the weekend before the teen disappeared. "She called and said, ‘Grandpa, I’ve signed up to play ball and I need some equipment.’ So Cliff took the day off work and went down to Delphi, took her shopping and bought her a ball and glove." Abby never got to use the ball and glove. The family is now planning a memorial fundraiser luncheon on Sunday, March 26 between 2-5 p.m. at the Stanton American Legion Post. Money raised will go toward a scholarship in Abby's name which will help to send at least one student from Central Montcalm High School to the American Legion Boys State/Girls State program, which teaches government and leadership. Attendees will also be invited to release more than 100 orange balloons in the teen's honor. 10:09 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/family-member-of-murdered-delphi-teen-abby-williams-speaks-out-for-first-time/ Friday, March 24, 2017 1:24 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/authorities-begin-normalization-process-in-delphi-double-homicide-investigation/ Authorities announce that the investigation into Abigail and Liberty's deaths will begin to look a little different in the coming weeks as they begin the “normalization” process in the investigation. Police say throughout the past several weeks, the number of tips coming in has dwindled and the number remaining are within the realm of manageability for investigators involved in day-to-day operations. They want to stress that this does not mean the investigation is going “cold,” and each investigator remains strongly committed to solving the case. The command center will remain at the former Carroll/ White REMC building in Delphi, and investigators will continue to follow up on leads and investigate this case from this location. Investigators from other jurisdictions will return to home to follow up on investigations which have been temporarily delayed to assist Carroll County authorities. “We remain committed to this investigation and the Carroll County and Delphi community until ‘this evil’ is eradicated. We are on board until the end to assist our fellow law enforcement brothers and sisters,” ISP Superintendent Doug Carter said. “We stress this investigation is ongoing and is not without resolve as we will find those responsible and reach proper closure for Abby and Libby and their families,” Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby said. Saturday, March 25, 2017 9:38 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/abby-williams-mom-these-girls-were-the-most-precious-gifts-we-had/ A neighboring community joined together in support of Abigail and Liberty's families. Abby’s mother Anna Williams spoke at the memorial event held in Monticello. “These girls were the most precious gifts we had,” Williams said. Through tears, Williams thanked the dozens of people gathered outside the White County Courthouse and the investigators working on the case. “We will forever be grateful to the men and women who have spent countless hours to help us find justice,” she said. “Your encouraging words, words from our churches, the cards I get every day… that say we’re still praying for you,” Williams said. “We are going to get through this,” said Williams. “We need to stick together.” The people who attended the vigil signed posters and wore t-shirts with the girls’ names on them. “In the midst of hurt and pain to see the good… that there is still good,” said Cornerstone Community Church Senior Pastor Julian Herrera. Monday, April 3, 2017 4:59 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/man-admits-to-driving-to-dump-on-day-delphi-teens-were-found-murdered-on-his-property/ Ron Logan, 77, pleaded guilty to being a habitual traffic violator and violating probation by getting behind the wheel of his truck after a judge told him not to drive following his most recent 2014 drunk driving arrest. Between 2010 and 2014, Logan was arrested for drunk driving four times, resulting in three convictions. Logan remains held without bond and returns for sentencing on Monday, April 10, 2017. Logan admitted violating his probation and the Court’s no-driving order with less than a month to go when he visited a county waste transfer station hours before the two girls were dropped off east of town, their bodies found on his property the next day, and two weeks later when he was spotted drinking a beer at a Tippecanoe County pizza restaurant Americus Pizza King. “We allege that he violated those conditions of his probation by drinking, by having access to his vehicle which he wasn’t supposed to have and by driving while he’s adjudicated as a habitual traffic violator,” said Deputy Prosecutor Jerry Beam after Logan accepted a guilty plea. “There would have been evidence and/or testimony about his driving to the transfer station and also to the fact that he consumed alcoholic beverages at the Americus Pizza King.” Monday, April 10, 2017 3:27 PM Online News Article - https://www.wishtv.com/news/owner-of-property-where-bodies-of-girls-in-delphi-case-were-found-sentenced-to-nearly-4-years-for-probation-violation/ Ron Logan is sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison. Carroll Superior Judge Kurtis Fouts noted previous leniency in sentencing Logan to probation and other alternative terms. Logan’s sentence includes 22 months to serve on his original probation violation plus another two years after his guilty pleas as a habitual traffic violator, though Judge Fouts indicated he is free to appeal the consecutive sentences. “You’re a danger to this community,” said the judge. Logan received 31 days credit for the time he served without bond in the Carroll County Jail since his arrest. “Maybe in the future no one else will be murdered in my backyard,” Logan told Judge Fouts, apparently to the surprise of his own attorney, when asked if he wished to speak up for himself. The lifelong Carroll County resident is a not suspect in the deaths. His trip to the dump occurred hours before the girls were dropped off. “Everybody’s thinking he’s the guy. He doesn’t even fit the description at all,” said a neighbor named Angie who fought back tears after the sentencing. “People on social media cannot understand even though law enforcement has said over and over that he is not a suspect, not connected to the murders, and why he’s in jail but they don’t accept that. They keep saying he’s in jail because of that.” Logan cooperated with detectives and reporters in the days after the bodies were found on his land and that notoriety may have played a role in community awareness of his driving in violation of the court’s orders. “Probably,” said the neighbor, “I mean, all eyes are on him right now because he’s the property owner. “I think he was very stressed over that,” she said, “and upset and he probably did need a beer. I would.” “I know he’s had chances before,” said Angie, “but I think with support we could have made sure that he wasn’t going to have a vehicle, we could have made sure that he needed to go where he needed to go.” Tuesday, April 11, 2017 5:08 PM Alexis McAdams Tweeted, "WATCH: As police search for suspect(s) who killed Abby and Libby - Carroll County Sheriff reports BIG increase in gun permit applications" Twitter - https://twitter.com/AlexisMcAdamsTV/status/851904806688104450 5:36 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/gun-permit-requests-skyrocket-in-carroll-county-as-delphi-investigation-continues/ The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office says it has seen a skyrocketing amount of requests for gun permits in the area. Officers believe the double murders of Abigail and Liberty may have led to the spike. “For a small county, we have quite a bit of permits in the first place that are issued, but for the most part, it was just folks that said I have been putting this off for a long time and this was the push for them to say they were going to do it,” said Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby. Leazenby says the ongoing manhunt and murders have many people on edge, worried the killer or killers is in the area. “I have noticed that people lock their doors more often and take the keys out of the car at night. There has been an increase in people proactively trying to protect themselves and their families,” said Leazenby. In just the past two months, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department has received nearly 200 requests. That is at least double the amount the sheriff says he usually has. “I still feel this is small town USA. I still feel like we are safe in the area and with the aspect that more people are protecting themselves or at least taking the steps to protect themselves,” said Leazenby. As police continue their investigation, the sheriff says more gun permit requests are rolling in. The department suggests that people also sign up for training as well. Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Online News Article - https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indiana/delphi-bridge-where-abby-williams-and-libby-german-disappeared-to-be-closed-for-repairs/531-3e73341f-1dc3-451f-8e75-320bd09bffa4 Thursday, April 13, 2017 10:21 AM Online News Article - https://abcnews.go.com/US/indiana-teens-mysterious-murder-unsolved-months-leaving-fear/story?id=46751470 Wednesday, April 26, 2017 3:43 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/longform/delphi-daughters-the-untold-story-of-abby-libby Thursday, April 27, 2017 4:45 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/families-of-delphi-murder-victims-unveil-plans-for-honorary-softball-fields-fundraiser/ During a press conference, family members of Abigail and Liberty said they plan to raise money to build a sports complex to honor Abigail and Liberty at an event at the Dusty Boot Saloon in Kokomo, Indiana on Saturday, July 15, 2017. Family members say they want the complex to include a couple softball fields and a park, where the girls can be remembered. “We’ll find peace when we walk through our park,” said Abby’s mother. “We know the girls will be there. They’ll be there.” No timeline has been set for the complex, but the families are hoping to throw the first pitch next spring. When asked about how they feel the murder investigation is going, one family member said they have faith in the detectives handling the case. “We believe in the police. We believe they’re doing their job right.” An organizer at the announcement said they plan to have multiple acts perform at the “Abby and Libby Field of Dreams Memorial Concert.” Saving Abel will headline the concert. Wednesday, June 14, 2017 4:53 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/grandmother-of-slain-delphi-teen-shares-emotional-message-on-four-month-anniversary-of-double-murder/ Liberty’s grandmother, has shared an emotional message on Facebook. It begins with: “It has been four months – four months ago today our world as we knew ceased to exist. They told us she was gone. We were thrown into a club we never chose to be in – and this club has no rule book. Since that time life has been like a rollercoaster ride without the seatbelt.” She goes on to say, “It is the little things people not close to the situation don’t see. Like when the insurance company sends you new insurance cards – her name isn’t on there. When the dentist office calls for their reminder for the girl’s dentist appointments, but only say Kelsi. Or when you go into the school website to add lunch money and Libby is no longer there. She is disappearing to the world, she is evaporating in front of me. I cannot let that happen!” Wednesday, July 5, 2017 4:40 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-community-leaders-working-to-raise-50k-to-add-cameras-and-lights-to-trails-where-two-teens-were-murdered/ It has been nearly five months since Abby Williams and Libby German were murdered on the Delphi Historic Trails. “We will find this individual,” said Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby. Their killer is still out there. “It is always going to be on our minds until something happens,” said Julia Leahy. Leahy grew up in Delphi and is the executive director of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. She says she has noticed a drop in visitors since the murders and says some people still avoid the trails due to safety concerns. “It is going to be a struggle to get people to know that they can come back and feel safe and enjoy all of the things we have to offer,” said Leahy. Leahy is also a member of the Delphi Trail Safety Taskforce, which is working to raise $50,000 to add safety and security measures on the paths. “We want to see cameras and lighting, especially in areas where there is parking. Also having some Wi-Fi access on the trail would be helpful because everybody has a cell phone these days and if you are in a situation where you don’t feel comfortable we want you to be able to call somebody right away and know exactly where you are on the trail,” said Leahy. If the city raises $50,000 through a crowd sharing website, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority can give Delphi a matching grant. The grant would give the city the cash they need to increase technology and safety on the trails. “We hope by having these upgrades…people will take advantage of the trails,” said Sheriff Leazenby. Link - https://www.patronicity.com/project/delphi_historic_trails_safety_and_security#!/#%2F Saturday, July 15, 2017 The first memorial softball tournament to honor Abigail and Liberty brought in both money and memories. Teams from across Indiana and Illinois poured into the fields in Battle Ground Saturday. The event even sold out and teams were turned away. “Seeing the community come out and help, it’s just amazing,” said Lori Knipp, tournament organizer. “This has been pretty amazing. We knew it was going to be huge. It’s a lot bigger than we thought it would be,” said Knipp. Proceeds from the tournament will go to the Delphi Summer Rec Player Scholarship Fund in memory of Abigail and Liberty. The goal is to build a new sports complex in the girls’ honor. Sunday, July 16, 2017 9:38 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/softball-tournament-honors-slain-delphi-teens/ Monday, July 17, 2017 6:58 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/instagram/police-release-sketch-of-man-accused-of-murdering-delphi-teens-liberty-german-and-abigail-williams/ Indiana State Police released a composite sketch of the suspect in the Delphi murder investigation. Police say they hope the sketch will help clarify some of the pictures that were previously released regarding the investigation and the man on the bridge. Police say the sketch of the suspect is based off witness tips, including a woman who told police she saw this man near the Delphi Historic Trails the day Abigail and Liberty were murdered. Police say the person depicted in the composite sketch is described as a white male between 5’6” to 5’10”, weighing 180 to 220 pounds, with reddish brown hair. The eye color is unknown, but according to one witness, his eyes are not blue. Additionally, this sketch depicts a hat that may not be accurate. Photo - https://nxstrib-com.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2017/07/side-by-side-delphi-suspect-pic.jpg “We feel this is very important because it actually gives a better view of the person in the picture that you see down below,” Sgt. Kim Riley said at a press conference on Monday morning. “It shows a little more facial features it gives you a little more information on what we’re looking at, who the suspect might be, and that’s why we feel that it’s very important that this picture is out there at this time.” Police say it’s very important for the public to focus on the facial features. “We’ve got the information out there, the pictures out there, now we’ve got this composite that we feel it is the same person and we just want to make sure that people realize this picture is this person ,” Riley said. According to police, there are no arrests at this time, and Riley could not comment as to whether they are close to making an arrest. But he assured everyone this is not a cold case, and they’re still getting around five to 10 tips every day. “We’ve always felt that we’re going to solve this case,” Riley said. Wednesday, July 19, 2017 8:16 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/sketch-of-delphi-teens-suspected-killer-draws-surge-of-tips/ Authorities say they’ve seen a surge in tips since releasing a composite sketch of a man suspected in the February killings. Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby says investigators received at least 1,000 leads via email and telephone within 24 hours of Monday’s release of the FBI artist’s sketch of the man. Prior to releasing the sketch, police said tips had decreased to about 10 per day. “The public is looking at this again… it’s helping. It’s also encouraging for the investigators, too,” ISP Sgt. Kim Riley said Monday, August 14, 2017 4:59 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-double-murder-six-months-later/ 4:40 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/lead-detectives-in-delphi-murders-confirms-police-have-more-audio-from-teens-phone-dna-evidence/ We are learning new information about the evidence police are using to track down the suspect. “It takes a lot of time and we want to be very thorough and make sure that all i’s dotted and t’s crossed. This is a tough case,” said ISP First Sgt. Jerry Holeman. It is a case the ISP Lafayette District Investigative Commander has worked every day for the past six months. “We are getting closer every day. I know that is cliché but we are,” said Sgt. Holeman. “We are stronger than ever and we are getting more people involved, so I think that the time is coming,” said Sgt. Holeman. Police tell us they have conducted hundreds of interviews, followed up on thousands of leads and served dozens of search warrants to find clues that the killer may have left behind, including DNA. “At every crime scene, you are going to have DNA. We are still working on identifying all of the DNA that we have there,” said Sgt. Holeman. Along with DNA evidence, police also have the suspect’s voice. Police tell us Libby recorded the killer’s voice on her cell phone, telling the girls to go down the hill. Investigators say she hit record after he approached them near the Monon High Bridge. Sgt. Holeman tells us investigators have more audio from Libby’s phone, which was found with the girls at the crime scene. “It does not appear to be anything more than some discussion between the girls. We have only released a portion of it. There are some others we think could help us but again protecting the integrity of the investigation is key so we cannot release everything because there are certain people that know the details and if we release it all then we get into false confessions,” said Sgt. Holeman. Sgt. Holeman tells us several people have come forward and said they saw the killer walking on the trails the day Abby and Libby were killed. Those people helped develop a composite sketch that was released last month. “We have to go off of the evidence that we have: the composite drawing, the video, and the audio,” said Sgt. Holeman. As officials work to process the evidence, ISP has a group of detectives interviewing and re-interviewing people in connection to the case. This process is to ensure investigators did not miss anything along the way. “Is there anything that we did or did not do to jeopardize the case? No,” said Sgt. Holeman. The main focus for investigators is to get the killer off of the streets, bring closure to Abby and Libby’s families, and justice to the girls. “I still believe that someone knows what happened and won’t come forward and we wish that they would because this person is probably going to do this again,” said Sgt. Holeman. Thursday, August 31, 2017 7:42 PM A crowdfunding campaign raising money for the Delphi Historic Trail ended Wednesday and exceeded its goal by almost double. The trail safety task force’s goal was $50,000 and the campaign raised $93,261. According to the crowdfunding page, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority will also donate $50,000. Improvements are set to include added lighting, cameras, informational kiosks, public Wi-Fi, two plazas and trail markers. Link - https://www.patronicity.com/project/delphi_historic_trails_safety_and_security#!/#%2F Friday, September 15, 2017 3:54 PM It has been seven months since Abigail and Liberty were murdered in Delphi. “He does not deserve to be walking around as a free man which he has now for seven months,” said Mike Patty, Libby’s grandfather. As the search for the killer continues, the girls’ families are pushing forward on their own to spread the word about the investigation. “We are asking everyone all over the United States to help us,” said Becky Patty, Libby’s grandmother. Now, the girls’ families are taking yet another approach to find the man who brutally murdered their teens in the woods in Delphi. “We want to cover the entire U.S. with this picture so he cannot go into a town where there is not a flier starting at him in the face,” said Becky. So at least once a week, Libby’s grandparents print a bunch off. “We have to do something. We are not the type to just sit around and wait,” said Becky. The family is printing and sending out thousands of fliers and passing out bumper stickers. Each one has a photo of the suspect, the girls, and the tip line phone number. The goal is to send them out in packets to people across the nation. “We have volunteers across the countries who are taking them to police stations; they are taking them to soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and to the truck stops. I have a lady in West Virginia and she stopped at every off-ramp that had a gas station and put them up,” said Becky. They say the campaign started after the digital billboards stopped showing the killer’s picture, and when they met some people at a festival in Central Indiana who said they had never heard of the Delphi investigation or seen the suspect’s photo. “That is how it was brought to my attention…that one county away they had not heard about it. So, that is when we said we have to do something different. We have got to change our game plan,” said Becky. Now, the goal is to continue working with law enforcement and get the suspect’s picture everywhere. “Police are not giving up and neither are we. I will spend every day of my life trying to catch this guy,” said Mike. “I still believe someone out there knows something.” The families are printing fliers are printing the fliers at home but are looking to team up with a printing company to push the fliers and bumper stickers out at a faster pace. If you are interested in helping out, contact reporter Alexis McAdams. Email - AMCADAMS@TRIBUNEMEDIA.COM Monday, September 25, 2017 Daniel Nations, 31, was arrested for allegedly threatening people with a hatchet on a Colorado trail. Police in Woodland Park say the suspect was arrested outside of a bank and is accused of driving a vehicle with expired Indiana license plates, according to a document. FOX59 spoke with authorities in Colorado who said Nations was arrested near the same trail in Colorado where a bicyclist was shot to death about two weeks prior. FOX59 learned that not only is Nations a registered *** offender, he also has convictions for domestic battery and drug possession. Nations is being held in the Teller County Jail. He’s been charged with possession of a weapon by a previous offender. Other charges are pending. Wednesday, September 27, 2017 10:40 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/authorities-investigating-possible-delphi-link-after-man-arrested-in-colorado/ Indiana State Police released the following statement concerning the arrest of Daniel Nations in Colorado, “We are aware of the arrest of the person in Colorado and are investigating to see if he could be a suspect in the Delphi double murder investigation. Please keep in mind the Indiana State Police has received more than a thousand photos of persons alleged to be similar in appearance to the composite sketch of the Delphi person of interest. Each and everyone of these tips are investigated for any potential connection to our case. We will give the same attention to the person arrested in Colorado, but right now there is nothing that definitively connects this person to our investigation. If that should change–with this tip, or any other tip–rest assured we would be sharing such news with all media sources.” “When we were made aware of some tips that involved a double homicide in Indiana we did contact law enforcement out there, it is their case, and we will not be speaking to it, because we do not know their case,” Jacque Kirby with the El Paso County Colorado Sheriff’s Office told us. “We are aware of the arrest of Daniel Nations and have been told by law enforcement that he is being looked into. We pray that the truth will be revealed and we will keep searching for answers and passing out fliers until Abby and Libby’s killer is behind bars,” said Libby German’s grandmother, Becky Patty. “It is quite uncanny on how similar his features are to the sketch,” said Libby’s grandma Becky Patty. “There is hope. We want this to be over and in one sense we want this to be him so we can move onto the next chapter of this story,” said Patty. Thursday, September 28, 2017 1:53 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/man-arrested-in-colorado-is-person-of-interest-in-delphi-teens-murders-state-police-say/ Indiana State Police (ISP) said Daniel Nations is now considered a “person of interest” in the murders of Abigail and liberty. “It is not just him that we are looking at but all of the cases and pictures that we have received..we do the same thing,” said Indiana State Police Sgt. Kim Riley. “We are going to check to see what his location was at the time of the murders back in February. If he was not in the state of Indiana at that time…that will pretty much clear him out,” said Sgt. Riley. When Nations was outside a courtroom in Colorado he was asked by the media if he was responsible for the killings in Indiana, he shook his head no. Friday September 29, 2017 3:33 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/indiana-state-police-send-detectives-to-colorado-to-question-person-of-interest-in-delphi-murders/ Indiana State Police (ISP) confirmed Friday two detectives are in Colorado to question Daniel Nations in connection with the murders of Abigail and Liberty. 3:58 PM Alexis McAdams tweeted, "Person of interest in #Delphi murders *was in Morgan County the day after Abby & Libby were murdered. That's a 1.5 hour drive from Delphi." Twitter - https://twitter.com/AlexisMcAdamsTV/status/913855495886262272 5:10 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/man-called-person-of-interest-in-delphi-murders-was-living-homeless-in-indiana-the-same-week-girls-bodies-were-found-police-say/ Police confirm Daniel Nations was living homeless under bridges in Morgan County the same week Abigail and Liberty's bodies were found. “The last address that he reported with us was that he was staying homeless in the area of State Road 67 under the bridges,” said Captain Brent Worth. “He was always punctual as far as reporting,” said Worth. "At this point, he said that he had a car, or did not have a car? There was times where he did and times where he was having vehicle problems I think.” Due to Nations’ status as a homeless person and a convicted *** offender, he was required to check in weekly with an investigator at the Sheriff’s Department. “He came in on February 7, 2017 and then came in on February 14, 2017 and checked in, said Worth. The girls’ bodies were found on February 14, 2017. According to documents from authorities, Nations never missed his weekly check-in from January 31, 2017 to April 4, 2017. Although Nations checked in the day after the murders, less than two weeks later, he ended up in the Morgan County Jail for failing to show up to a scheduled court appearance. After that, Nations moved to Johnson County, where officials say he did not notify them of his whereabouts. 11:47 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/isp-sends-detectives-to-colorado-to-investigate-person-of-interest-in-delphi-murders/ Indiana State Police sent investigators to Colorado to investigate Daniel Nations. “We have investigators out in Colorado, yes, and they are in the process of doing the investigation to determine whether Mr. Nations is a possible suspect or someone that we can take off our radar screen,” Sgt. Kim Riley said. But Riley said people shouldn’t jump to conclusions. “This is another part of the investigation, we still have many other people we’ve got to look at,” he said. “Again we’re just looking to see what we’ve got before we move too far forward.” “We look at the evidence we have here, we try to compare it to the evidence we’ve maybe collected out there and then we just have to work with the information that we get,” Riley said of how police determine whether to keep looking at someone in a case. In the meantime, police are still working to find answers. “I’m optimistic that we catch the guy,” Riley said. “If it’s this guy, great, and if it’s not we’ll just keep looking.” He said so far, they’ve received tens of thousands of tips into the investigation of Abby and Libby’s deaths. Monday, October 2, 2017 ?:?? PM Investigators who traveled to El Paso, Colorado to question Daniel Nations returned to Indiana in the late afternoon. Tuesday, October 3, 2017 11:04 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/isp-no-info-specifically-includes-excludes-daniel-nations-as-suspect-in-delphi-murders/ After sending investigators to Colorado to investigate Daniel Nations, in a press release police said, “Thus far, there has been no information developed to specifically include or exclude Daniel Nations as a suspect in the Delphi homicides. “ Both state police detectives returned to Indiana and will continue to review information gathered over the course of their visit to El Paso County, Colorado. 7:16 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/family-says-sketch-of-delphi-suspect-resembles-new-person-of-interest/ We are learning more about Daniel Nations, a person of interest in the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German. Our partners at Crime Watch Daily spoke with Daniel Nations’ grandmother in South Carolina. She says she has not heard from him in years. “I was his guardian until he turned 18 and I sent him through school. Then he went to the Army and then he got married then he got divorced. I do not know what happened to him,” said Nations grandma Frona Hamm. Until last week, Libby German’s grandparents, Mike and Becky Patty, say they had never heard of Daniel Nations. “We are certainly hopeful that the information proves that this is the guy,” said Mike. “I do not want to get my hopes up too much. We have been through this several times and when you go through that, the drop when it is not them is tremendous,” said Becky. Then they saw his picture. FOX59 asked them if they see similarities between the suspect sketch and Daniel Nations. “Absolutely, I see the goatee and the lips are what stuck out to me,” said Mike. “The eyes, the eyes, I think the eyes are what convinced me that it could potentially be him,” said Becky. Right now, those similarities are not enough to connect the convicted *** offender who was living homeless in Indiana to the Delphi case. Police confirm Nations was living homeless in Indiana during the time of the murders of Abby and Libby. “I do not want to downplay it as just another person of interest but it is another tip and leads and I have learned through this whole thing that you have to rely on facts and data,” said Mike. Nations arrest is just one of hundreds of leads Indiana State Police are investigating. “Are you sitting here thinking I cannot believe we still do not have the killer behind bars,” said reporter Alexis McAdams. “Absolutely, I do feel that way,” said Mike. The families are still focused on their ground campaign handing out hundreds of fliers and spreading information on the suspect across the country. “Until I get a call from investigators that we have arrested somebody responsible for the murders of the girls here in Delphi we are staying vigilant on our campaign to spread out the word as far and as wide as possible,” said Mike. The Williams and Pattys are still waiting for one last tip. “If they do put somebody behind bars and you do have the chance to say something to that person…is there anything that you would say to Abby and Libby’s killer?” asked reporter Alexis McAdams. “I have thought about that a lot and you can plan and you can rehearse. You can think that you will exactly what you would say to him if he was face to face but until you are standing there I do not think anybody would ever know what they would say to him,” said Mike. Right now, both families are working to raise money to build a baseball/softball field and park in Delphi. The families ask that you donate money to that cause to honor the girl’s memory at this time instead of adding on to the more than $232,000 reward. Tuesday, October 10, 2017 2:51 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/person-of-interest-in-delphi-murders-faces-additional-charges-of-trespassing-assault/ New charges have been filed against Daniel Nations. A spokesperson for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department confirms additional charges of trespassing and assault were filed against Nations, 31, on October 7. According to KKTV, the charges stem from an incident in which Nations allegedly tried to get in someone’s car and committed assault. The arrest affidavit is sealed, so it’s unclear when the crime occurred. The new charges are in addition to the charges of possession of a weapon by a previous offender and felony menacing and reckless endangerment charges he already faces. Wednesday, October 11, 2017 6:28 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/wife-of-person-of-interest-in-delphi-murders-says-daniel-nations-watched-news-coverage/ Katelyn Nations, the wife of Daniel Nations spoke exclusively to FOX59 News about her husband being named a person of interest in the Delphi double murders. Nations says she does think her husband looks like the sketch of the murder suspect released by police. “I have been with Daniel for six years now and looking at that picture…there is a lot of similarities,” she said. When asked if she thought her husband was connected to the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German, she said she couldn’t say for sure one way or the other. “Honestly I do not want to say that I can see him doing it or not,” said Katelyn. It’s still unclear where Nations was the day of the murders. “I had an ultrasound that day and I’m pretty sure he came with me…but I’m not 100% sure,” said Katelyn, who also noted Nations did not have access to her car on Feb. 13. She was the one who drove him to check in with police on the following day. “February 14, when he went for his check in for his registration…I’m the person who drove him. So I know he checked in,” she said. Katelyn claims Nations knew about the Delphi murders because they watched news coverage of the killings together. “I remember watching it with him and just sitting there and shaking my head and I said, ‘Can you believe this crap?’ He said, ‘No that is disgusting,’” said Katelyn. Although she sees a resemblance in the sketch, she says the picture of the suspect walking on the bridge in Delphi does not match. “Not something my husband would wear. The dark blue jacket he did not have, he does not wear a hat like that. He only wears baseball caps,” said Katelyn. She says she did not know of a possible Delphi connection until her husband was behind bars at the El Paso County Jail in Colorado. “Even everything that I have been through with Daniel…I did not think he was somebody that I thought could do something of this magnitude,” said Katelyn. Thursday, October 26, 2017 6:24 AM https://fox59.com/news/man-considered-person-of-interest-in-delphi-murder-case-facing-new-charges-in-colorado/ A man considered a person of interest in the investigation into the deaths of two Delphi teens now faces new charges in an unrelated case in Colorado. Daniel Nations appeared in court Wednesday, where he was formally charged with felony menacing. He’s accused of threatening hikers with a hatchet. Nations could also be charged with reckless endangerment, trespassing and assault in that case. According to KCNC, Nations threatened people with a hatchet on a trail last month. The incident happened in the same area where a bicyclist was shot and killed in mid-September. Police have made no formal connection between Nations and the murder case. In Indiana, Nations is a registered *** offender with convictions for domestic battery and drug possession. He was driving a car with expired Indiana plates when police in Colorado arrested him. Nations is due for another court appearance in Colorado Friday. Monday, December 25, 2017 4:23 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-families-wait-for-last-tip-as-they-push-through-the-first-christmas-without-their-girls/ Christmas in Delphi will not be the same this year. “She would want us to have Christmas. She would hope we kept moving and going and she will be there,” said Abby’s mom Anna Williams. Because for the first time in 14 years, Abby and Libby will not be home for the holidays. “Christmas morning was waking up and the kids get their gifts and the story was always that someone had to start the coffee before the came and got us up,” said Libby’s grandpa Mike Patty. The girls were murdered while walking on a Delphi trail in February. “How can somebody continue to walk around out there for ten months and we do not have them yet?” asked Patty. Ten months later and the police are still trying to track the killer down. Investigators know what he looks like and what he sounds like but have not found him yet. “Am I frustrated with the police and their work activity? Absolutely not. They are working as diligently as u have ever seen somebody work on something,” said Patty. Last Christmas is still on Anna Williams mind. “It was Christmas morning and we got through all of the presents and they started going through their stockings and Abby just had this look on her face I said Abby what is wrong? She looked at me and said I did not have a stocking and I said honey I’m sorry! I will make this up to you…and then you do not always get that chance. That was a really hard moment to think about after the fact that here it was, the last one, and it was not perfect,” said Williams. The family hopes that someone out there who knows this killer speaks out and closes this chapter in their life. “If you want to give the girls a Christmas present, call it in. Call that information in so that one last chapter in this story of the life that we are now living can be closed,” said Patty. Monday, January 8, 2018 12:53 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/base-of-operations-for-delphi-homicide-investigation-moves-back-to-city-hall/ Indiana State Police (ISP) and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department are moving the base of their investigation from the REMC building back to its original location at City Hall as the case approaches its one-year anniversary. “Now, moving forward, the need for such a large dedicated area is not necessary and the investigative base of operations will be relocated back to the office space above city hall,” ISP said in a statement. Delphi Mayor Shane Evans arranged for law enforcement to use space in Delphi’s municipal building. Investigators and support staff will be able to work closely with other agencies, state police said. Both agencies said they remain fully engaged with those assigned to the case, and leads continue to be investigated. They said a recent episode of the “Dr. Phil Show” helped bring the case back to the public eye. Sunday, January 14, 2018 11:51 PM The Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department makes a post on facebook saying the search for the Delphi suspect has extended into southern Tennessee counties. “FBI has extended the search Into south eastern Tennessee counties including Bledsoe.” Monday, January 15, 2018 8:48 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/tennessee-sheriff-fbi-extends-search-for-delphi-teens-murderer-into-southeastern-tennessee/ ~10:00 AM The facebook post The Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department made was deleted and replaced with the following Facebook post, "The Indiana State Police released this statement about the investigation on Monday morning: “As with any active investigation, we continue to follow up on tips and leads that come into the tip line. This is just another example of what we do and why we do the work that we do. We are just following up which we have done from day one of this case on information we receive and that is what is going on.” They later clarified the post to say the suspect has not been seen in any Tennessee counties and the search is in fact nationwide. Police said family members made an appearance on the “TODAY” show to keep the story in the public eye. “The timing of the original Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department Facebook post and the live airing on the Megyn Kelly TODAY show resulted in misinformation being shared on the show,” ISP said in a statement. Wednesday, January 24, 2018 9:39 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/person-of-interest-in-delphi-case-will-return-to-indiana-because-of-unrelated-warrant/ Daniel Nations is being sent back to Indiana from Colorado. There’s an active warrant for Nations’ arrest for failing to register as a *** offender in Johnson County, according to Sheriff Doug Cox. The sheriff says his officers will have to go get him and court records say they have 21 days to do so. Sunday, February 4, 2018 10:51 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/daniel-nations-person-of-interest-in-delphi-murders-arrested-in-johnson-county/ Daniel Nations is back in Indiana, he was wanted on a warrant out of Johnson County for failing to register as a *** offender. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office sent officers to retrieve Nations from Colorado, where he was arrested and accused of threatening hikers on a trail with a hatchet. He’s since been booked into the county jail on that charge. Sheriff Doug Cox says he does not know when Nations’ first court date will be in connection with the latest charge. Indiana State Police has since said they’re no longer actively investigating Nations as a person of interest in the Abigail and Liberty murder case. Monday, February 5, 2018 10:55 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/daniel-nations-questioned-in-delphi-case-makes-court-appearance-in-johnson-county/ Daniel Nations appeared in court Monday for an initial hearing in Johnson County, where he’s accused of failing to register as a *** offender. Johnson County prosecutors wouldn’t address the Delphi case when asked about Nations’ hearing. During the court appearance, a preliminary plea of not guilty was entered and Nations was assigned a public defender. Authorities in Bartholomew County currently have a hold on Nations regarding a case there related to public indecency/fondling. If he’s released on bond from Johnson County, he would then be transported to Bartholomew County. As for the Johnson County case, he’s due back in court March 28, 2018 for another hearing. A jury trial has been scheduled for May 22, 2018. Thursday, February 8, 2018 4:39 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/candlelight-vigil-planned-one-year-after-murders-of-abby-and-libby/ The families of Abigail and Liberty are holding a candlelight vigil on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 to honor the lives of the slain girls. The Delphi United Methodist Church will host the vigil at 6:30 PM. The service will be reserved for family, friends and members of the community. Tuesday, February 13, 2018 5:07 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-double-homicide-unsolved-but-not-cold-one-year-later/ The disappearance and murders of two young teens in Delphi continue to haunt the small, close-knit community one year later. Posters bearing photos of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, remain displayed on storefronts and businesses throughout Delphi–reminders of an unsolved double homicide and an unidentified killer still at large. The case remains unsolved, but officials in charge of the investigation say it is anything but “cold.” They’re confident that someone out there has the information needed to connect the dots and solve the case. The reward for information that leads to an arrest now sits at $240,000. Police have received more than 30,000 tips. 5:25 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/isp-provides-update-on-delphi-murder-investigation-including-latest-on-nations/ Indiana State Police held a press conference about the Abigail and Liberty case. ISP Superintendent Doug Carter spoke from the Delphi Historic Trails, where the Delphi teens were last seen. Carter started by saying that over the past year, he’s seen the very best of humanity in such a trying time and he hopes the community continues to keep this case out in the forefront. “I was able to see from afar this community and Carroll County and the City of Delphi come together and support not only the law enforcement and the people here who have given so much of their lives to this case but also to the families,” said Carter. “I came to plead and implore you to keep this out front and center.” Carter went on to address why the Delphi case is so personal to him. “It’s personal to me because those two young girls were everybody’s daughters,” said Carter. “In this beautiful place that represents the very best of humanity, and look what happened.” When speaking about the progress of the investigation, the Superintendent said they’ve received over 30,000 tips from around the country and he believes we’re “one piece of the puzzle away from figuring out who this individual is.” And when they find that out, that’s when the real work begins. As for the search for the killer, Carter says he’s optimistic he’ll be able to look him in the eyes and ask him “why?” The Superintendent added that while the community involvement in the case is great, he doesn’t want people to compare photos on the internet. “Please if you have an idea of an individual or a comment or a phrase or a name that you send it to us,” said Carter. “It creates lots of complications when that analysis is done outside of the purview of the representatives I represent that are standing behind me today.” Carter also touched on Daniel Nations, the man once considered a person of interest in the Delphi killings, saying his detectives are not too concerned with him at this time. “We went out to Colorado and we spent a little time with him, and he’s not a person we care a lot about at this moment and time,” said Carter. “Until somebody is arrested, we’re interested in almost everybody.” At the end of the press conference, Carter said he plans to keep the “science piece” of the investigation very close to the vest, adding that he believes the photograph of the suspected killer and the audio of “down the hill” should be enough to identify the suspect. “We cannot allow evil to prevail,” said Carter. 6:30 PM A candlelight vigil to honor the lives of Abigail and Liberty takes place at the Delphi United Methodist Church. 8:19 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/families-of-abby-and-libby-take-fox59-through-final-hours-of-the-delphi-teens/ For the first time, the families are taking us minute by minute through the girls’ last hours. The girls were hiking the trails, dropped off around 1:45 p.m. on Feb. 13. About 25 minutes later, Libby posted a Snapchat of Abby on the bridge. By 3:11 p.m., they had gone silent. Libby’s dad trying to track them down. “He got there and nobody was there. He ran into a guy and he was coming from the bridge. He said ‘did you happen to see two girls up there?’ He said ‘no I did not.’ By 4:00 PM it was like ‘oh man,’” said Patty. By 5 p.m. a full-blown search party was combing the woods. The whole time, the families thought their girls were just hurt, cold and lost. “Somebody has fallen and gotten hurt. They have a terrible sense of direction. Something has happened we just did not know what,” said Abby’s mom, Anna Williams. “He saw something. He could not figure out what it was. There were two deer standing up there. As he looked up to see what it was, that is when he saw them,” said Libby’s grandma, Becky Patty. It was a volunteer searcher who discovered the bodies of the Delphi teens, lying in the grass between a group of trees deep in the woods. “He called his wife who was with us and said we found them. My sister came up and she was crying and she said I’m so sorry,” said Patty. Even one year later, what happened is still hard for the girls’ families to process. “We know where they were and we know where they ended up. There are 500 different ways in your head that it could have happened or could have gone,” said Williams. “I have gone through every scenario. I have walked it, I have lived it, I have imagined it,” said Patty. The families clinging to key pieces of evidence like the picture, the detailed sketch, and the killer’s voice. Both families keeping the faith that the man who murdered their little girls will be caught. “They will get to the bottom of all of it…eventually. I never doubted for one minute. Any minute now, all of this is going to be over,” said Williams. Wednesday, February 14, 2018 8:21 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/trail-improvements-planned-and-funded-1-year-after-delphi-double-murder/ Task force members have spent the better part of the past year consulting with law enforcement, raising money and putting together a plan. “None of us are experts, but we wanted to see something happen,” said Julia Leahy, executive director of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and member of the trail safety task force. The Delphi Historic Trails represent about a network of roughly 10 miles of walking paths. They draw visitors and tourists to the county and to Delphi, but since the murders, Leahy said requests for trail maps have pretty much stopped. The task force raised roughly $90,000 through online contributions, and received a $50,000 matching grant from the Indiana House and Community Development Authority. It’s enough to pay for better lighting at all five trail access points, cameras, information kiosks at three points along the trail, public WiFi in places and trail markers placed every tenth of a mile. “We want to make sure every park and every trail entry point has some sort of cameras and some lighting and better signage and markings,” said Leahy. In addition to the visible security measures, Leahy said a new E911 Overlay mapping system will give emergency services precise maps of where the trail markers are and how to access them—the goal is to reduce response time if someone calls in about an incident. The task force signed a contract with Digital Video Solutions and Security, a company based out of Avila, Indiana, to install an estimated 70 cameras at trail access points. Members hope the cameras can assist law enforcement should any time of crime or vandalism occur along the trails. The trail markers are essentially done and waiting to be installed along the path when the weather gets warmer. Leahy says they will need to wait until the spring before they can do trenching to bring electrical to certain areas, but she anticipates all the security improvements to be complete within the next six to eight months. Thursday, February 15, 2018 12:26 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/libby-germans-mother-holds-light-the-night-for-libby-vigil/ They gathered to celebrate the life of Libby German. Libby’s mom Carrie Timmons says she didn’t want to be swamped by sadness today. “This isn’t really about the case,” said Timmons. “This is about the girls, about Libby. This is a happy thing.” Instead she chose to hold an event honoring Libby with glow sticks something Timmons says she loved playing with. People drove from across the country and even from Canada to support her. “I came across this story and it just really, really touched me, especially because there’s something about Liberty that reminds me of my own daughter,” said Meghan Lane-Ferguson who drove to Toronto. Timmons says she felt she had Libby with her today. “I see Libby everywhere,” said Timmons. “I get signs from her all over the place. So yeah, anything that reminds me of her, makes me smile, is a good thing.” Tonight Timmons announced she plans to continue honoring Libby’s legacy by creating a foundation. She says she wants to help the families of missing and murdered children, connecting them to and funding resources like grief counseling. Tuesday, February 12, 2019 11:28 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/delphi/delphi-murders-the-families-of-libby-abby-still-believe-that-today-is-the-day “Today is the Day.” That is what the families of Libby German and Abby Williams still believe. Even two years after the girls were murdered near the Monon High Bridge in Delphi, both families remain hopeful that their time for justice will come — exactly when it’s supposed to. “We keep saying we know that God has got this and every day we wake up and say the same thing — almost two years later, we are still saying the same thing,” Anna Williams, Abby's mother, said. Feb. 13, 2017 may seem like it was yesterday to some, but to the families of Libby and Abby, those two years have seemed more like 20. It’s been two years since Anna Williams has been able to hug and kiss her only daughter. Two years since the last time she heard her say “I love you, mom.” “I never thought I’d be here… not after two years,” Anna said. “We’re tired and we’re frustrated and we’re angry and we just want to find this guy.” Abby was Anna's joy. She loved crafting and band and taking photographs of everything beautiful in the world around her. “There weren’t many people she wasn’t the joy of,” Anna told RTV6 back in 2017. "She smiled all the time." Libby’s grandparents, Mike and Becky Patty, say the orange bulbs outside their home will remain lit until their granddaughter's killer is brought to justice. Libby was a force in their lives. She was their baker, their crafter and she had a big heart. The Patty's biggest fear, now, is that her and Abby's story will be forgotten before their killer is found. “Do you realize how many people we run across now that have forgotten,” Becky said. “(They say) ‘Oh, I thought he was caught.’” For Libby. For Abby. All they need is one tip. “Our job, our task, is to keep it out there and maybe contact that one person that says ‘Oh, yeah, I do remember that I do work with that guy’ and will call that in,” Mike said. “Somebody knows this guy, somewhere. Somebody knows him. He lives down the hall, down the road, down the street from somebody.” The families have watched over the past year, seeing cold cases solved from new technology, DNA, and other evidence. April Tinsley’s killer was arrested in July 2018, 30 years after she disappeared in Fort Wayne. The suspected Golden State Killer, accused of 12 killings and at least 50 rapes in California, was just arrested last year after 40 years. Many families are still waiting, too, just like them. Libby and Abby's families hold on to the hope that their time will come. “We’re waiting on the perfect timing,” Anna said. “For whatever is meant to happen. We know it’s coming. You know the right thing will come up. We know the right time, the right lead, the right person will come forward and it’s not our time.” While they wait, both families say they're grateful for the people who are still with them on this long journey for justice. Whether you've shared the story online, helped raise funds for the reward, called in a tip or are out in the community being the voice of Libby and Abby — the girl's story has reached thousands of hearts because of your help. “Nothing will bring the girls back, but we’re gonna do everything we can so that they are never forgotten,” Anna said. “I’ve had people ask, ‘why don’t you just stop?’ Stop what? Stop trying to find answers? Stop talking about the girls? Stop what?” Keeping Libby & Abby's Memory Alive. While they wait for their time, both families have also made it their goal to preserve the memories of Libby and Abby to make sure generations to come will have something to remember them by. There is an annual bike ride and the 20-acre Legacy Park that will serve as a memorial to the girls. Before they were murdered, the girls were getting hyped up over the prospect of playing softball together that summer — it would have been Abby's first year on the team. The $1 million sports complex will feature batting cages, an amphitheater, a playground and three playing fields. "It will give the girls a legacy that will go on for so many generations," Anna said. The park is still under construction at this time and there is currently not any date set for when it will be complete. Donations are still being collected for the construction and can be sent to; Carroll County Community Foundation P.O. Box 538 Delphi, Indiana 46923-0538 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 3:00 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/investigation-ongoing-two-years-after-teens-killed-in-delphi/ It’s been two years since Abby Williams and Libby German went missing during a hike on the Delphi Historic Trails on Feb. 13, 2017. Their bodies were found the next day. Police won’t discuss even now what DNA was found or why no one has been arrested two years and more than 38,000 tips later. In 2018 came fresh hope with the arrest of John Miller, who admitted to killing 8-year-old April Tinsley in Ft. Wayne 30 years earlier. Investigators in the Delphi case worked closely with those who cracked the Tinsley case to see if their methods or findings could help solve the murders of Abby and Libby. Parabon Nanolabs declined an interview and state police would not say if the same test was being used in the investigation. But their website shows technology can match DNA to someone already in a database. It can also use information about physical appearance found in the genes “to generate new leads on unknown suspects.” FOX59 asked Indiana State Police why the investigation has taken two years if DNA evidence was recovered. Sgt. Riley responded only, “I’m not going to make a comment on that.” Police say Libby recorded more video and audio that they still won’t release. “When we do catch the person or persons that were involved in this, we want to make sure that we have the right person,” Sgt. Riley said. “They will know information that we don’t want everybody out there to know.” In January 2019, Charles Eldridge was arrested in Indiana, accused of trying to arrange *** with a 13-year-old girl. Of Eldridge, Sgt. Riley said only that, “he’s just another name that we’ve received.” Anyone with tips can submit those via the following: Email: Abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com Tip Line: (844) 459-5786 Indiana State Police: (800) 382-7537 Carroll County Sheriff: (765) 564-2413 Right now, the reward is over $240,000. Investigators are holding a press conference at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Delphi. 3:00 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/anna-williams-discusses-loss-of-daughter-on-delphi-two-year-anniversary/ It’s been two years since Abby Williams and Libby German went missing, and still, the person who killed them has not been found. “Somebody asked me, where do you see yourself in five years?” Abby’s mother, Anna Williams, said. “I’m like, ‘Well, five years ago, I certainly wouldn’t have [seen] myself here.’” Anna says she never imagined this would happen to her daughter. “There are things that you just don’t have to worry about anymore, getting up for school buses and school closed and school delays,” Anna said. “It’s just different, and we don’t know how to do it, but we figure it out every day.” Anna says she no longer holds her breath every time the phone rings. She says she’s confident police will contact her as the investigation warrants. Instead, Anna remembers those precious moments with her daughter, like the picture of Abby in polka dots that has captured the hearts of so many. “That was actually at my cousin’s bridal shower and their theme was the Kentucky Derby,” Anna remembers. “We actually made those hats. She helped me make that hat, we picked it out.” Anna keeps herself busy with Abby’s Angels, giving to the less fortunate, and work on a ball field in Delphi in Abby and Libby’s names, a positive for other kids from this tragedy. And she knows that Abby is always with her. “She’s still very much in our house, very much in our house,” Williams said. “Any idea of someday not being here or packing her things, it’s difficult.” Anna knows that someone knows who’s responsible, and that call would change her life. “Finding out who took our girls will close a chapter,” Anna said. “I don’t know what that’s going to take. I don’t know how much pleading, begging we can do because we’ve done it. I’ll do it as long as I have to.” A food drive will be held by the families of Abby and Libby at the Delphi United Methodist Church from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 6:39 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/delphi/kelsi-german-is-working-with-family-of-golden-state-killers-last-victim-to-find-delphi-killer "I never thought it would be this long without answers." Kelsi German's every day revolves around the search for her sister Libby's killer. "I think it's crazy that it's been almost two years now," Kelsi said. Through her struggles over the past two years, Kelsi was put in touch with a woman who can relate to what she is going through. Michelle Cruz's sister, Janelle, is believed to be the Golden State Killer's final victim. Janelle was murdered in 1986, but the man believed to be responsible for her death wasn't arrested until this past year – nearly four decades after his first murder. "I felt her exact pain, so Kelsi and I had an immediate bond," Michelle said. "I was 17 when my sister Janelle was killed by the Golden State Killer and she was 17 when her sister was killed, so we could just look at each other and feel the same pain." "We are sister survivors because the family of victims are the victims too," Kelsi said. Before he was arrested, Michelle spent her time speaking out on social media. She believes her online campaign helped lead to the killer's arrest. She's now encouraging Kelsi to do the same to find her sister's killer. "My advice would be to advocate as much as possible, not only will it help the case, it will help your soul," Michelle said. With Michelle's help, Kelsi created a Twitter account that is focused solely on finding the suspect who killed her sister and their friend Abby in 2017. That account, @LibertyG_sister, has helped Kelsi connect with people across the globe and spread the word about who Libby and Abby were and to keep the search for their killer alive. "I've met so many people who are connected with the girls because of my posts," Kelsi said. "Before maybe, they didn't see it as an important case to look at, but now that they are seeing my posts it is." Twitter - https://twitter.com/libertyg_sister Through that account, Kelsi says she can share her memories of Libby. Glimpses at the life before the tragedy and to help people get to know, even just a little, who she was. "We can make them real people to people that didn't know them," Kelsi said. "We know how great they were. We know the memories that we have with them, but other people seem them as another murder victim. So, she taught me that it was good to share the pictures of the memories we have with the girls to help people be more familiar with the people they were." She says Michelle has been instrumental in her social media campaign. The girls talk at least once each week, and Michelle keeps Kelsi accountable for updating her Twitter page regularly. "It's really hard for me to remember to post on there every day, so she'll message me and say ‘hey, haven't seen you post in a couple days, maybe you should post something.' So she keeps me up-to-date on my Twitter because she knows she had a post every day and she had someone keeping her up to date too. So, she's kinda helped keep me on track with my Twitter updates." Not only has social media helped Kelsi spread the Delphi killer's image, but she says it has also helped her to realize she isn't alone. Through the power of social media, Kelsi says others facing similar tragedies in their lives have reached out to her, shared their stories, and some are helping her share hers. "Having Michelle by my side is just as great as having them on my side, if not more so because she's experienced more awful things than I could ever imagine because she does know the facts behind her case and I don't. But, because of that, she helps me stay the strong independent person that I have become because of it," Kelsi said. "She's a big support system for me; It's actually really great." "She has so much faith that this case will be solved. Her advice to me was it's going to be 42 months, not 42 years – because that's how long it took them." Kelsi has made it her life's mission to find her sister Libby's killer, but she also hopes to use what she has been through to help others facing similar tragedies. She says she's taking her life in a new direction and has decided to change her major to biological forensics. Her goal is to help police solve crimes like her sister's murder. "I want to be the person that can get it done and relieve the pain from all the people that are suffering," Kelsi said. "I want to solve crimes because of what I'm going through, and I want to help people because of what I went through and what my family has been through." She also wants to help shorten the waiting period for another family that is waiting for an answer. Her passion comes from more than a career choice to her it's more than just a job – she knows what it's like to wait. "I want to be able to solve crimes and get them solved faster than is happening now," Kelsi said. "It's almost been two years, and I wish it would've been solved two years ago." She credits the Indiana State Police's lead investigator for helping her decide to explore her career path, and she hopes she can use the things she has learned from her sister's murder to help other families. "The one thing I've heard the most when you go into this is you're going to see some really bad stuff, but I think I've been through some really bad stuff so helping them with their really bad stuff will help me feel better about my really bad things," Kelsi said. Kelsi says she hopes to transfer, perhaps to Purdue, to major in forensics. 2:41 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/answers-remain-elusive-2-years-after-murders-of-abby-williams-and-libby-german-in-delphi/ Investigators gathered in Carroll County Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the case. New Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland took the lead during the news conference, saying investigators continue to work hard to find whoever killed the girls. “This case has affected the community in so many ways,” McLeland said. “The people behind the scenes will not rest until we get this case solved. Abby and Libby deserve that kind of dedication, not only from me but from everybody involved.” McLeland pledged that investigators would have the full support of him and his staff as they pursue the case. He said many details of the murders would remain available only to investigators to protect the integrity of the case. “We want to encourage people to continue to call in with any information that they may have. I always use the adage of, ‘if you see something, say something.’ Nothing is going to be considered a ‘dumb tip’ or a tip that we don’t want. Information is our main weapon here,” he said. McLeland also discussed what made a good tip and outlined the following points; Name of the suspect, Identifiers or identifying marks such as hair length, facial hair, tattoos, scars, etc., Birthdate or approximate age, Last known address, Why you believe the person could be connected to the case or any connection they have to Delphi. As investigators have in the past, McLeland discouraged people from making graphics showing a side-by-side comparison of a suspect and the composite sketch released to the public. “That just muddies the water and hurts the investigation,” he said. McLeland anticipated receiving more tips following the news conference and said that was the point—to keep the case alive. “This is not a cold case,” McLeland told reporters. “This case is not closed. We are not done with this investigation—there are countless people working on this every day.” “If you’re watching, we’re coming,” said Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter. “This county of Carroll and all that has happened here and all of the sadness associated with this county is unacceptable in a civilized society. “I hope that I am able to stare [the killer] in the eye and ask him why [he did it],” Carter said. “Because at the end of the day, [Abby and Libby] are the ones that matter the most.” 5:37 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-community-trying-to-heal-2-years-after-murders-of-abby-williams-and-libby-german/ Abby and Libby’s murder has forever changed the small city of Delphi, but their memory is not forgotten. “We don’t have things like that. This doesn’t happen in Delphi,” Delphi business owner James Griffith said. Community members are fighting for justice. “If them little girls can take picture and record a voice with something like that going on the rest of us can stay strong enough to hunt down and keep searching for the person who did this,” Griffith said. They wish investigators would release more information on the case and at times it’s frustrating. “It’s kind of aggravating because they haven’t caught anybody and it’s just a constant reminder,” Griffith said. Blue and purple ribbons hang across the square downtown in Abby and Libby’s honor, along with pictures of the girls that have touched millions around the country. “There are so many people that still put the signs out there. It’s shared on social media daily. People are doing whatever they can to keep that story alive and do what they can to get the person caught,” Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Julia Leahy said. Delphi community members are hoping someone will be arrested for the murder of Abby and Libby, so they can finally start to heal from the painful wound that’s been open for the last two years. “Once they do catch this person and I truly believe they will; that’s still not going to change things. People are still going to remember, people are still going to have a sense of loss. That feeling won’t ever go away,” Leahy said. Leahy said after the girls’ murder they’ve since installed extra lights and cameras at all of the trails. Thursday, February 14, 2019 10:23 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/vigil-honors-libby-german-and-abby-williams-2-years-after-delphi-murders/ On Thursday night, lanterns lit up the night sky in honor of Libby German and Abby Williams. The lanterns were part of a vigil to remember the girls and keep their story alive. “I think about it every day,” said Carrie Timmons, Libby German’s mother, of her daughter’s murder. “We just really want to get the right guy and get him arrested,” said Timmons. That moment hasn’t happened yet. But she’s hopeful a vigil like the one Thursday night will help that moment arrive. “It keeps it in everybody’s minds,” said Timmons. As darkness fell, lanterns lit up the sky; turquoise and purple, the girls’ favorite colors. “I came last year to support Carrie, and I promised her I would come every year to support her,” said Meghan Lang, a friend of Timmons who drove in from Canada. She said the vigil is a reminder for everyone. “Just hold your loved ones close,” said Lang. And yet on everyone’s minds, the question: who killed the girls two years ago? “I think he’s still around,” said family friend Jenny Crume, who is convinced the killer is still in the area and believes he’s watching. “Even with the reward money you’d think somebody would know who he is and turn him in,” said Crume, “and they still haven’t.” And until that happens, people who knew and loved Abby and Libby said they’ll continue to keep their stories alive. “Everyone is willing to help out,” said Timmons, “really it’s been amazing and the outpouring of support has been great.” Wednesday, March 6, 2019 3:00 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/anna-williams-birthday-wish-is-to-raise-funds-for-abby-and-libby-memorial-park-in-delphi/ Abby’s mom is giving back to the community that supported her. In mid-March, Anna Williams will mark her third birthday without her daughter. “It’s really still hard to believe it’s been three years since I got to have a birthday with her,” Anna said. “Her 16th would be this summer, and it doesn’t get any easier.” Now, approaching her own birthday, Anna doesn’t want gifts for herself. Instead, as she has so many times since Abby and Libby went missing, Anna is giving back. She started a Facebook fundraiser to help pay for the planned 21-acre Abby and Libby Memorial Park in Delphi. Planning for the park started shortly after the best friends went missing, and construction is underway now. “We’ll have three fields, the amphitheater, two different playgrounds, pavilions that the community can rent,” Anna said. “Every little aspect of this, it’s with the girls in mind.” Anna says this park, a place for families to make memories, is a way for her to thank the community that supported her through unimaginable loss. “[The] community’s done so much for us, and they keep going,” Anna said. “They didn’t have to, and they do,” she said. “Live with Purpose…. Play with Passion” is the park’s motto, and one that Anna lives by. “It’s been two years, and everybody is still right there behind us, in their hearts and even a little in the pocketbooks,” Anna said. Anna reached her fundraising goal on Facebook, but donations to fund the Abby and Libby Memorial Park can still be made. Link - http://www.cfcarroll.org/libby_abby_softball_park_fund_ca.html#gsc.tab=0 Friday, March 29, 2019 4:51 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/construction-slow-on-memorial-park-for-slain-delphi-teens/ Progress has been slower than expected on the construction of a $1 million memorial park for two teenagers who were killed while hiking in northern Indiana, a volunteer contractor said. Rob Cochran, a volunteer contractor, said Thursday that construction efforts at the 20-acre (8-hectare) Abby and Libby Memorial Park in Delphi have been hindered by recent rains, the Journal and Carrier reported. “The conditions haven’t been the best,” Cochran said, adding that his contractors will do as much as they can before road construction season resumes in earnest next week. “It was so terrible,” Cochran said of the slayings that remain unsolved. “We thought about contributing to the reward money, but everybody can give a dollar . But what can we do that other companies maybe can’t do?” “We want nothing more than to see Mike make this dream come true for the girls,” he added. For the Pattys, the scene was another opportunity to appreciate the efforts of family, friends and obliging businesses, while also trying to figure out advance progress on a $1 million vision without having to exhaust their funds. “Slow and steady will get it done,” Mike Patty said. That’s been the ethos since the spring of 2017 when the couple met at the Delphi home of Eric and Diane Erskin, Abby’s grandparents. The families began discussing ideas to honor their grandchildren that evolved into launching the L&A Park Foundation, a nonprofit with its own board dedicated to building a park, including three ball fields, an amphitheater and playgrounds. L&A Park Foundation records show $229,000 in available funds from assorted fundraisers. The park foundation lists that it needs come up with another $590,000 to completely stock the park. Friday, April 19, 2019 2:15 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/state-police-announce-monday-press-conference-to-explain-new-direction-in-delphi-murders-investigation/ Indiana State Police (ISP) will provide an update in the murder investigations of Abby Williams and Libby German on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 12:00 PM at the Canal Center located at 1030 North Washington Street in Delphi. Doors will open at 11:30 AM and limited seating will be available. State police say the investigation is moving in a “new direction” and the public is welcome to attend the briefing. Details of what the briefing will entail were not provided, but a source said this is considered “significant news.” No arrests have been made, according to the source. “I am very hopeful that this is the break we have been waiting for,” said Libby’s mother, Carrie Timmons. Sunday, April 21, 2019 10:59 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/mother-of-murdered-delphi-teen-cautiously-hopeful-ahead-of-mondays-news-conference/ Indiana State Police will release new information in the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German on Monday. Authorities say this is a “significant update” as the investigation moves in a “new direction.” “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of her, miss her, cry about it,” said Carrie Timmons, Libby’s mother. “Today is the day” is the line they’ve repeated and the hope they’ve held onto for nearly 800 days. “It’s been long enough. We’ve waited long enough,” said Timmons. “It’s mind boggling to me. I don’t get it. I hope one day soon we will have an answer,” said Timmons. Answers could be just hours away; Monday afternoon Indiana State Police are holding a press conference. “I’m not real sure what to think of the words ‘new direction,’ but if it’s a new direction that gets us closer to the end, then I’m all for it,” said Timmons. Just like everyone else, Timmons is speculating on what the new information is. She considers any clue to be a major development. “So, to know one thing about the case and something that can hopefully move us forward, that’s absolutely huge,” said Timmons. A source tells FOX59, an arrest has not been made. We asked investigators several questions, but so far, they’re remaining tight-lipped. “(I’m) cautiously hopeful because I’ve gotten my hopes up before and had to relive it again, and it’s awful. I don’t want to do that again,” said Timmons. Monday, April 22, 2019 7:38 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/police-to-discuss-new-direction-in-delphi-murder-investigation-significant-developments-expected/ 12:00 PM During a news conference Indiana State Police released new information in the murders of Abigail and Liberty. ISP Superintendent Doug Carter revealed a new sketch that appears to be a suspect much younger than a previously circulated sketch. “The result of the new information and intelligence over time leads us to believe the sketch is the person responsible for the murders of these two little girls,” he said. “We also believe this person is from Delphi–currently or has previously lived here, visits Delphi on a regular basis or works here.” ISP Superintendent Doug Carter even suggested that police may have interviewed the individual in the course of their investigation. Carter said the suspect is between the ages of 18 and 40 and may look younger than his true age. Photo - https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/liberty-german/updated-delphi-composite-sketch-of-suspect.jpg/@@images/image/large Carter said the investigation has shifted in direction. He also said investigators were looking for the owner of a vehicle found abandoned on the east side of County Road 300 North next to the Hoosier Heartland Highway between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The vehicle was parked at the old CPS/DCS/Welfare building, police said. Carter, who didn’t take questions after revealing the new information, also showed additional audio and video taken from Liberty German’s phone. Carter said the new sketch “more accurately depicts” the face of the suspect recorded on Libby’s phone while she and Abby were on the High Bridge. The newly released audio is of the suspect saying, “Guys, down the hill.” The new audio of the word "Guys" being added to the previously released audio of the words "down the hill". The video shown was a short clip showing the suspect walking on the bridge and appears to be where the original image of the suspect was taken from. Audio - https://www.fbi.gov/audio-repository/indiana-voice-022217.mp3 Video - https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/indiana-delphi-seekinginfo-042419.mp4/view 4:11 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/former-fbi-impd-investigators-explain-how-new-sketch-in-delphi-murders-could-help-solve-case/ One former investigator with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and another with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department both agree, sketches are not an exact science, but they could still help solve the case. “Sketches are worthwhile, but you never want to take it at 100 percent value and think they have to look exactly like the sketch, because they won’t,” said retired IMPD homicide captain, Robert Snow. For more than two years, the murder mystery near the Monon High Bridge Trail has gone unsolved, much to the dismay of everyone in law enforcement. “In 22 years being an FBI agent, this is one of the worst things I remember,” said former FBI investigator Doug Kouns. Doug Kouns retired from the FBI last year. He didn’t work on the Delphi double murder and doesn’t know what information led state police to develop the new suspect sketch, showing a man who appears to be significantly younger than a sketch police released two years ago. “I think they look like different people,” said Kouns. “What one person and sees and remembers may be different from what another person sees. It may be the same person they’re talking about, it may not be.” “Sketches in any crime can be tricky because they’re not photographs,” said Snow. Retired IMPD homicide captain Robert Snow also doesn’t have any inside information about the deaths of Liberty German and Abigail Williams, but says police sketches serve as a valuable tool to help generate tips. “I have never seen sketches that look exactly like a person, again it’s not like a photo, but it can give you some suspects sometimes,” said Snow. Regardless of why the sketches changed and why it took state police two years to release the short video of the man walking on the trail, Snow praised investigators for their hard work. “The nice thing is state police haven’t given up. They are still working full force even after two years,” said Snow. Tuesday, April 23, 2019 12:51 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/police-sort-through-more-than-1000-tips-after-releasing-new-information-in-delphi-murders/ After the release of a new sketch, additional audio and new video Indiana State Police (ISP) say more than 1,000 new tips came in within 24 hours. 3:58 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-community-could-be-experiencing-psychological-impacts-grief-is-multi-dimensional/ New developments released on Monday not only remind us of the grief, but the trauma in the Delphi case. During each press conference, people find themselves reliving the tragedy that happened two years ago. This crime continues to have a psychological impact on the small town of Delphi. Every time Abby and Libby’s picture pops up on your Facebook timeline, or every time the suspects image is shown on a flyer outside a business window, these are considered trauma triggers, and everyone handles them differently. Neighbors who live in Delphi say their heart jumped, hearing the new developments. “Wherever you are, we’re going to get you. We’re going to find you,” one man said. Each piece of additional information can be an additional sense of trauma. Heather Servaty-Seib is a Professor of Counseling Psychology at Purdue University. She says grief is multi-dimensional. “Back to the moment that the news was initially announced,” said Servaty-Seib, “It’s emotional, it’s cognitive, it’s physical, it’s social, it’s spiritual. It’s all of those aspects and it’s also very unique to each person.” The new sketch, audio and video released could be difficult to process. “Grief in general moves in waves,” said Servaty-Seib, “When you have a death that’s covered in the media, those waves are sort of thrust upon you every time the story is addressed or covered in the media again.” “Some may experience it in a way where they do have emotions and they do want to talk about it with others in their life,” said Servaty-Seib, “Some may experience it in a way where they want to do something very physical, or they want to do something to make a difference and to help someone else.” Servaty-Seib says, for those dealing with PTSD, the images could bring on nightmares or flashbacks. The key is to acknowledge how to cope and recognize that justice for Abby and Libby is what’s important. “Really missing these two young girls and all they did to contribute to the community,” said Servaty-Seib. There are several ways to reach out for PTSD or grief counseling. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, affiliated with Mental Health America can be reached at 800-273-TALK (8255). People are available to talk any time of day or night and is a trained PTSD and grief helpline. The grief recovery helpline also offers counseling, referrals, support and publications. That number is 800-445-4808. 9:38 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/newly-released-sketch-of-delphi-murder-suspect-was-drawn-in-2017-source-says/ A source tells FOX59 that the sketch of the Delphi murder suspect released on Monday was actually drawn in 2017. Our news-gathering partners at the IndyStar confirmed the sketch artist drew the sketch on February 17, 2017. That’s three days after the bodies of Abby Williams and Libby German were discovered. It’s unclear at this time why the sketch has been withheld. FOX59 is working to gather additional details. 10:25 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/crime-stoppers-tip-expert-discusses-what-to-look-for-when-analyzing-delphi-sketch-audio/ Less than 24 hours after Indiana State Police released new information in the Delphi murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, investigators said they have received more than 1,000 tips. “Obviously the whole community wants the person to be found,” said life-long Delphi resident Jared Isley, “but I feel like if there was better evidence, video [or] picture it would help a bit more.” Tip experts with the Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana suggest people key in on the eyes, nose and jaw line of the new sketch. They said when people meet someone this is often the area of focus. “For a lot of people, when we look at people especially in the eye, that makes a T,” Crime Stopper Director Daniel Rosenberg said. As for the audio recording, Rosenberg suggests people listen for familiar phrase structures or pauses between words. “Especially if you’re listening to it on a television, you might close your eyes. Sometimes that gives us a visual of who’s talking,” Rosenberg said. “When cases become very hard is when you don’t have anything to work.” A Kansas City family went 11 years wondering who killed their loved one Jeff Rogers. The 25-year-old made a call to police as he died, and was able to describe his attackers, but police could not catch the attackers. More than a decade later, an anonymous tip led to an arrest. “First off any tip is a good tip, there’s a difference between a good tip and a great tip,” Rosenberg said. “It’s about taking your time it’s about sifting through it, and finding the little gems hidden in those big piles of paperwork. Wednesday, April 24, 2019 4:10 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/indiana-state-police-clarify-why-they-released-new-sketch-in-delphi-investigation/ Indiana State Police clarified that the two different sketches released in the Delphi double murder investigation are of two people and the man depicted in the first sketch is no longer considered a person of interest in the case. Police say the sketch released on Monday is representative of the face of the person captured in the video on Libby’s cell phones as he was walking on a bridge. “In the early days and months of the Delphi Murder investigation information was developed about suspect descriptions. It was initially believed the sketch that has been in public view over the last two years of a person in the age range of his 40s to 50s was a person of interest in this murder investigation,” wrote ISP in a press release. “Now, as the investigation has matured and past information has been reassessed, it is the belief of investigators with the Multi-Agency Task Force that the person depicted in the sketch released on April 22 more accurately represents the person wanted for the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German.” On Tuesday, a source told FOX59 the recently released sketch was drawn just days after the bodies of Abigail Williams and Liberty German were discovered. It’s unclear at this time why the sketch was withheld. ISP on Wednesday also would not share specifics on why they are going with this new sketch now. Gil Zamora is a forensic art expert out of California. He is certified by the FBI but he has no ties to this case. His website says he’s completed over 3,000 sketch interviews and helped solve more than a thousand investigations with his composite sketches. In his experience, releasing a sketch two years after it’s drawn is not common but he sees how it can happen. “Now new information has come up allows you to believe that that information was more reliable than you thought,” said Zamora. Brian Jarvis, a retired police chief in New York and long time investigator says it’s possible new information may have be behind the newly released sketch. “It could have been that they received new information, an alibi may have come in, or something that might have changed,” Jarvis said. Jarvis has been a lead detective for other high profile cases such as the Aileen Wuornos case. He says while police may have held onto the second sketch for years, it doesn’t mean they weren’t following up on it. “You may have leads like this one, this picture, that didn’t have a lot of value initially for whatever reason, and they were trying to build up the value to get a more accurate depiction of what this lead represented,” he said. Jarvis added without being involved in the investigation, he can’t say for sure what led to the release. Monday, April 29, 2019 11:30 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/libby-germans-sister-forms-friendship-with-sister-of-golden-state-killer-victim/ Libby’s sister, Kelsi, is getting help from someone who knows exactly what she is going through. That person is Michelle Cruz. The Golden State Killer murdered her sister, Janelle. “It feels like it’s only been a month,” said Kelsi. Time goes by fast for Kelsi, whose memory of that day has never faded away. She was only a junior in high school when someone killed her younger sister, Libby, and her best friend, Abby. “For the first year, I was kind of in denial,” said Kelsi. “I would still go in the driveway, look at her bedroom, and see if the light was on.” Kelsi does not want to know the details of what happened to her sister. She does not want that to change her memories of Libby. At first, she did not want to be involved in the case at all. That all changed just before her freshman year at Ball State when a chance encounter at a true crime convention connected her with Michelle. “She was the last known victim of the Golden State Killer,” said Michelle. Michelle’s sister was raped and murdered in 1986, and she waited over 30 years for someone to be caught. “We had worked on the case for so long, you know, just trying to get it out there on social media for years and years,” she said. The suspected Golden State Killer was eventually arrested just 10 days before Kelsi and Michelle met at Crime Con in Nashville, Tennessee. “Realized, wow, Kelsi and I could just look at each other, and we just knew how each other felt,” she said. The Delphi case garnered national attention, but Michelle admits she did not know much about it. Michelle constantly shared information about her sister’s case on Twitter, so she pushed Kelsi to become an advocate for Libby. Shortly after they met, Kelsi started spreading the word about the killings anywhere she could. Kelsi now pumps out all of this information about the case on Twitter in hopes of reaching someone who knows the killer who police say may be living or working in Delphi. Twitter - https://twitter.com/libertyg_sister “I have so much more hope now that we will find him because of her,” said Kelsi. Her Twitter page is also helping her grandparents get more media attention. They have been on several true crime podcasts, like “The Murder in My Family.” “I have come to meet people who get tips from people that live in different states,” she said. Indiana State Police have received roughly 40,000 tips so far, and First Sergeant Jerry Holeman believes Kelsi’s campaign is bringing some in. “We have to get them all,” said Holeman. “Doesn’t matter age, gender, whoever might have heard something, knew something.” He recognizes that Kelsi’s work is getting the word out to a lot of different audiences. “I just want the killer off the streets so he can’t do it again,” Kelsi said. Michelle reminds Kelsi her day could come too, and the memories of her sister deepen Kelsi’s desire for closure. “It gives you the answers you need to know it’s over,” Kelsi said. Kelsi is now passionate about pursuing a career in forensics. She hopes to solve crimes like her sister’s murder. Monday, May 6, 2019 9:41 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/police-have-received-more-than-42000-tips-in-investigation-into-murders-of-delphi-teens/ Police have received hundreds of new tips in the investigation. Indiana State Police said the Multi-Agency Task Force investigating the case has received more than 2,200 emails and 400 calls. In addition, local police departments have received 135 calls and or walk-ins, police said. In all, state police said they’ve received more than 42,000 tips since the creation of the email and tip line. Thursday, June 20, 2019 8:15 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/family-of-delphi-murder-victims-speak-out-for-first-time-since-release-of-new-evidence/ It’s been nearly two months since Indiana State Police released new evidence in the Delphi murders investigation. For the first time, family shared how they felt about this new direction. On the corner of Hoosier Heartland Highway and State Road 218, Diane Erskin put up a sign that says “HOPE.” It’s right next to a billboard of her granddaughter Abby Williams and best friend Libby German. “Hope waits here. That is what I really feel like,” said Diane. Diane and her husband, Eric, have been waiting more than two years to find the person who killed the girls. In 2017, they were brutally murdered while walking on the Delphi Historic Trails. Two months ago, state police released a brand new sketch of their killer, along with video and an extended audio clip. “Surprise and all of those other emotions that swell within us,” said Eric, Abby’s grandfather. “We also feel confident that they are doing their job." Libby’s grandfather, Mike Patty, felt the same way. “It is still the same direction,” Patty said. “We are still trying to catch a killer.” On the plot of land near the sign that says “HOPE” is where the families find healing. It is less than two miles from the trails and where they plan to build a memorial park for Abby and Libby. “This is a way we can funnel those energies and create a positive lasting legacy in our community,” said Eric. If the community helps them raise $50,000 by August 14, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority will match it. The campaign launched on June 15. It is led by L. & A. Park Foundation, Inc. Click here to donate. “They will be remembered in a positive light, not for the tragedy that happened at Delphi,” Patty said. On June 29, the third annual Celebration of Life will be held at Delphi High School at the football stadium. It goes from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM. There will be food, games, a silent auction and bake sale. All proceeds will go towards the park. Wednesday, July 10, 2019 8:41 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/sister-of-delphi-murder-victim-takes-to-youtube-to-dispel-rumors-defend-family/ The sister of one of the teens killed in Delphi more than two years ago has had enough of the rumors regarding the case. Kelsi German, Libby German’s sister, took to YouTube Tuesday night to dispel some of the most common theories about the case and defend her family. Kelsi, a Ball State student, spent more than an hour and a half addressing different issues surrounding the case. Kelsi addressed questions sent before the livestream, saying her intention was not to criticize but rather inform. Kelsi recounted the day Libby and Abby disappeared, which was a snow makeup day at school. Her grandmother called her multiple times to let her know that Libby was missing. She didn’t go to work that day and instead went to look for her. She and several family members searched for the pair, but police eventually called off the search. Searchers found them the next day. On Feb. 15, police released a photo of the suspect along with audio. “Since then, our family has ruthlessly been searching and trying to get justice as well as we can,” she said. She said there have been so many rumors about what happened that day. She’s hoping people will listen to her family instead of speculating about the case. Kelsi said Libby’s phone pinged off two different towers, leading some to believe the phone had been moved. The pings happened, she explained, because the towers were close together. The phone never moved, she said. She also said no one refused a lie detector test, which she called a “big misconception” about that case. She said the family took lie detector tests and provided DNA when requested. She also said the family was pleased with the police and how they’ve handled the case. She’s hoping for an arrest soon. She got emotional when she discussed her grandfather, Mike Patty. Several people have speculated about her grandfather’s involvement in the case. She described him as a caring and hardworking man who puts family above all else. “There’s absolutely no way my grandfather could do anything like that,” she said. She spoke about her father, who didn’t raise her, saying he was a strong person whom she loves and is part of her family. He hasn’t talked about the case, but Kelsi said there was a good reason for that. “He doesn’t talk [about the case] because he knows that people will play a game of telephone with him. They will change our words, they twist our words all the time. He doesn’t want you guys to do that, so he just doesn’t speak,” she said. She said he shies away from attention and “couldn’t hurt a fly.” Kelsi dispelled a rumor that Libby called her father around 2:30 PM and asked him to pick her up. She said phone records showed that wasn’t true. Libby did call him before they left so he’d know to come pick them up. “My family is so strong. I love my family so much,” she said. “I don’t think we could get through this without each other.” The family is raising money for the Abby and Libby Memorial Park. If they can get $50,000 by Aug. 14, the Indiana Housing Development Community Authority will match it. They’re raised more than $45,000 so far. Youtube* - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNHey1A2bx4 *Video made private Monday, February 10, 2020 8:55 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/community-to-host-vigil-food-drive-3-years-after-delphi-murders/ This week marks three years since Abby Williams and Libby German were found dead near the Delphi Historic Trails. February 14 of 2017 is a day Ed Selvidge will never forget. He’s Carrol County’s police chaplain, and he was the one who had to tell the families of Abby and Libby that their little girls would never return home. “I don’t really like to go back to that day,” said Selvidge. “In the true sense of the word, evil was perpetuated on our community.” Selvidge says in the days, months and years after the senseless killings, communities of all denominations came together to find hope in faith. But as we all wait for justice, faith leaders know some things will never be the same. “We have a new normal here,” Selvidge explained. “We’re suspicious. We’re not as trusting. We’re certainly more compassionate with one another.” “Have we returned to the basic things that we do? Have we returned to regular ministry? Sure. Will we ever be the same? Absolutely not,” remarked Todd Ladd, the senior pastor at Delphi United Methodist Church. Delphi is coming together in honor of Abby and Libby this week. Delphi United Methodist Church is hosting a prayer vigil and food drive Thursday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. They will be collecting non-perishables and pet food. Wednesday, February 12, 2020 2:52 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/interactive-timeline-the-delphi-murders/ Thursday, February 13, 2020 3:00 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/delphi-food-drive-marks-3rd-anniversary-of-abby-and-libbys-disappearance/ On this third anniversary of her daughter’s disappearance, Abby’s mom, Anna Williams, is part of a food drive in Delphi. Anna says if her daughter Abby was still here, she’d be right alongside her mom helping others. “She’s still very much present in our hearts and in the way we speak to people,” Anna said. Anna knows the support the Delphi community gave starting on this day in 2017. Then, volunteers were out immediately searching for Abby and Libby. When they were found the next day, the search to find the killer started. Now, as this investigation continues, the families want to give back to the many who support them. Abby’s Angels is one way. At Christmas, they collect supplies for children in need. It’s something Abby took part in before she died. “Abby loved doing that project,” Anna shared. “And these kids this year really knocked it out of the park.” Also, the Abby and Libby Memorial Park is in the planning phase, with plans for ball diamonds and playgrounds. “Years and years and years from now we won’t be here, but the park still will be, and other kids will get to play and hear about our girls,” Anna said. With the now-annual food drive, non-perishable food items go right back to Delphi. Organizers also ask for pet food because Anna says Abby and Libby loved their pets as much as people. “We probably would have adopted hundreds if it had been up to either one of the girls,” Anna remembered. “I’m sure every stray thing that came through it felt like, well let’s let it stay.” Anna said Abby’s big heart is what drives her to this day. “I hope they’re really proud of us,” she said. “I hope they’re happy with what we’re doing.” 5:00 PM The annual Remembering Abby and Libby Food Drive takes place at the Delphi United Methodist Church. Friday, February 14, 2020 3:00 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/police-warn-of-dangers-of-online-sleuthing-to-solve-delphi-murders/ In the three years since Abby Williams and Libby German were killed, investigators have fielded nearly 50,000 tips. But one area that could hurt their investigation are online web sleuths who attach names and faces to online gossip attempting to solve the Delphi murders. Police warn that this practice could slow the case and put the public at risk. Some online groups have upwards of 20,000 members, and accusations within the groups run rampant. Police stress, the bottom line is, if you have a tip, send it to the tip line. “When you have people who are trying to solve this case with unorthodox methods, it could not only be detrimental to innocent people, but it could harm the case as well,” said Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine. Police concede social media is both good and bad in a years-long case like this one. It allows investigators to get messages to the public in real time. But an alternate side exists. “We’ve seen some people trying to make their own connections by putting side-by-side photos on social media, and they’ll put names and where these suspects, that they believe, live,” said Sgt. Perrine. On social media, accusations fly, including names, pictures and where people work or go to school. “There are some issues with defamation of character,” Perrine cautioned. One Delphi group on Facebook has 24,000 members; another on Reddit has 30,000. Countless smaller groups exist boasting thousands of members each. “By publicly putting these pictures out there on social media, it’s not helping anybody,” Perrine said. One common practice in the groups is posting side-by-side comparisons of the suspect image from police and someone who the poster believes looks like the suspect. “The side-by-side comparisons can be a little tricky because, if you use your imagination, you can almost make anybody look like anybody else,” Perrine said. This practice could slow down the investigation into who killed Abby and Libby. “When somebody posts something online, other people take that post and send it to us as a tip, and so we’re getting duplicate tips that we have to vet every single one of those tips,” Perrine shared of the investigative process. “When we start getting duplicates of the same exact tip, it does slow the process.” Police monitor social media and want those tips, but they want them sent to the tip line. If someone is named and cleared behind the scenes, they can get on with their life. If that accusation is public, it could follow them forever. “That person’s name is forever connected to the Delphi case even if they have nothing to do with it,” Perrine warned. “It could be years down the line when they’re applying for a job, and somebody does an internet search for their name and their connection to this case, their alleged connection to this case, comes up.” Police remind the public that investigators have access to tools that the public does not. Investigations are private, so the person who is responsible for killing Abby and Libby doesn’t know what police know. “Often times people think that what they see on a tv show is real life, and that’s just not the case,” Perrine said. Friday, February 12, 2021 8:06 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/delphi/delphi-daughters-memorial-park-honoring-libby-abby-may-open-this-year Libby German and Abigail Williams should have been graduating high school this spring. It’s just one of the precious moments that was stolen from their families on February 13, 2017. It’s also why the families of both girls have been working so hard over the past few years to bring the Abby & Libby Memorial Park to life. “We don’t get to make memories with the girls anymore. So, this is going to be a place where families can make memories. They will always have something to remember, have fun and giggles and all of that,” Libby’s grandmother, Becky Patty, said. The families of Libby and Abby say the park is destined to be a destination where kids will perform, play and pitch softballs. Both Libby and Abby had plans to softball before they were murdered. Abby’s grandfather even took her shopping for a brand-new bat, glove and shoes the weekend before the tragedy. Abby never got to use those items, but because of her, other little girls and boys will now have a beautiful new location to play ball. Their families say the park rising in their memory is destined to be a destination where kids will perform, play and pitch softballs. “The memories are going to get started here pretty soon,” Abby’s mother, Anna Williams, said. “We are going to start having more firsts here soon. It’s hard, but we know the girls are still with us in the spirit of the park and they will always be.” Months of earthmoving, uncertainty, fundraising, planning, and goodwill have all led to where they are now, with the Abby & Libby Memorial Park ready to welcome people in just a matter of months. “In my mind, I see kids playing ball and I hear that bat cracking and someone saying, ‘Foul Ball,’” Libby’s grandfather, Mike Patty, said. “Just watching the kids play, like Anna said, kids on the playground – just enjoying the whole park, kids giggling and laughing and doing their chants when in the dugouts – that will be priceless.” It’s a space the family hopes encourage good health, family connections, and friendships like the one shared between Libby and Abby. “They were light, and they were life and this park is gonna carry that on long after any of us,” Diane Erskin, Abby’s grandmother said. Weather permitting, the families say their goal is to open the park officially by this coming spring. A & K Custom Monument Service in Lebanon was handpicked to make the memorial bricks that will be installed at the park. The Boone County company, owned by Aaron Ballard, is allowing people nationwide to create engraved love letters to honor Abby and Libby — and each one is created by hand. “Each brick is a message, a message about how someone feels about the girls,” Ballard said. Kelly Baskett has her hands all over the project as she works to create the perfect bricks for the park. A professional artist for more than two decades, she puts her heart into each brick she helps create. “These pieces of artwork needed to reflect the girls and how much people loved them,” Baskett said. It’s a painstaking process done with love. After the sandblasting and the coating, the end result is blocks of love letters engraved with expressions exclaiming emotions and endearments for an everlasting endeavor. “No matter what evolves out of this case, these girls are never forgotten, and these bricks will be there a long time and people will remember this a long time,” Ballard said. “There is so much care,” Baskett said. “I want people to feel that – the joy and the eternal love. I want them to feel that by the images.” So far 150 bricks have been ordered from people in nearly every state. “To me, it means a lot that it’s going to keep a memory alive and reflect all the positivity, the nature, the music and the love,” Baskett said.” Saturday, February 13, 2021 1:34 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/delphi/he-killed-once-and-could-do-it-again-grandparents-mark-4-years-since-delphi-murders-with-open-plea The families of Libby and Abby continue to pray for justice as the manhunt for their killer continues four years after their death. Liberty German's grandparents, Becky and Mike Patty say they were asked to write an open letter. The couple shared that letter with WRTV which includes a plea to the public for just "one minute" of their day to help bring this case to a close. Even four years later, the families of Libby and Abby say they remain confident in the work of law enforcement and that the killer will someday be brought to justice. Mike & Becky Patty wrote, "Abby and Libby were two friends going out to enjoy a nice day on the trails only to never come home again. This was four years ago and the predator that did this has never been caught. We were asked if we could write a letter to the public for help and what would we say. Well, this is it. We're asking the public to give us a minute. When asked to do something Libby would always say "give me a minute." Now we're asking you for that minute. When you are out doing your normal daily life activities, sitting in a restaurant, standing in line at a store, or sitting in the bleachers at an event. Strike up a conversation with whomever is close to you. Bring up the story of Abby and Libby, it may be someone who has never heard about our case, this will help raise awareness. Share the flyer on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram account, or whatever social media platform you use. I know it is asking a lot, but keep the sketch, tip line, and flyer in your phone for quick reference. If you know someone that may have been in or lived in Indiana four years ago -- ask them to think back. Do they know anyone that started acting different around that time? Someone knows this person, maybe you will reach the person that can identify him. The investigative team stated they only need one piece of the puzzle, maybe you or someone you meet unknowingly has that piece. Possibly, by bringing up our case will spark something within someone. I know four years is a long time, but we must have hope that someone has the key to unlock this puzzle. Realizing life goes on, life is busy, people forget. Please understand, at one time that was us also. But not now, we are stuck in time looking for a monster that murdered two young girls. We are only asking for one minute out of your day. If it was your child or loved one, would you think that is too much to ask? He killed once and could do it again. We realize there are many unsolved murders out there, so maybe in taking that minute you could help solve this or another case or prevent another horrible tragedy, so another family doesn't live this nightmare in which there is no waking up from. Isn't that worth a minute out of your day? We need and appreciate everyone's help in bringing this to resolution. Thank you – Mike and Becky Patty" Sunday, February 14, 2021 1:57 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/delphi/the-delphi-murders-four-years-later-and-still-no-arrests Monday, April 5, 2021 10:21 AM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/delphi/delphi-murders-reward-up-to-325k-after-anonymous-donation The Indiana State Police announced on Monday it received an anonymous donation of $100,000 towards the Delphi Investigation reward fund for the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German. The latest donation brings the fund’s total to $325,000. The reward will be given to anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the two teens’ deaths. As police continue to investigate, they remind the public to refrain from posting side-by-side photos of the suspect sketch and people who they think it resembles. In a release, ISP said, “these types of posts do not help the investigation and can slander innocent people and their families.” "It was already a lot of money and now it's really a lot of money, and so, we just keep our fingers crossed and be hopeful that this will lead to the next thing. I guess I just really hope that somebody will do what we’ve been hoping all along and just do the right thing and turn in the right tip.” said Anna Williams, Mother of Abby Williams. 10:30 AM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/anonymous-100k-donation-made-to-delphi-murders-investigation-fund/ 11:52 AM Rafael Sánchez tweeted, "New: Anonymous donation of $100,000 raises the reward for the Delphi girls to a total of $325,000. The February 2017 deaths of Libby German and Abby Williams in Carroll County remain unsolved. @wrtv" Twitter - https://twitter.com/RafaelOnTV/status/1379099756631367681 Wednesday, April 28, 2021 1:21 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/court-docs-lafayette-man-attacked-and-sexually-assaulted-9-year-old-girl-kept-her-locked-in-basement/ A man faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, in connection with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 9-year-old girl in Lafayette. According to court documents, police knocked on James Brian Chadwell’s door on April 19 and found the girl locked in the basement. He’d lured her into the home by inviting her to pet his dogs, the girl told investigators. The girl said once she came inside Chadwell’s home, he attacked and strangled her, causing her to pass out. When she awoke, she discovered most of her clothing was missing. The girl’s parents had reported her missing around 7 p.m. on April 19. Police talked to Chadwell earlier in the evening; he said she’d visited his home but had since left. During their search for the girl, police returned to Chadwell’s house and asked permission to look inside. Officers found the basement door secured with a chain lock. When they went downstairs, they found the little girl crying; she told them Chadwell had tried to kill her. During an interview at the hospital, the girl said Chadwell sexually assaulted her. Her injuries included bruises to her head, arms and legs, as well as signs of strangulation on her neck. She also had what appeared to be dog bites on her legs, according to investigators. Chadwell is charged with attempted murder, child molesting, attempted child molesting, kidnapping, criminal confinement, battery resulting in serious bodily injury and strangulation. Prosecutors want Chadwell classified as a habitual offender, which would add a sentence enhancement if he’s found guilty. 2:11 PM Online News Article - https://fox59.com/news/lafayette-man-charged-in-assault-of-9-year-old-girl-being-investigated-in-connection-with-delphi-murders/ Investigators in Delphi are looking into a possible new lead in the 2017 murders of Abby Williams and Libby German. Last week, James Brian Chadwell was arrested in Lafayette. He’s accused of kidnapping, beating and sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl. Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby said investigators had Chadwell on their radar in the Delphi case. “The information [regarding Mr. Chadwell] has been shared with us and our investigators are looking into him,” Leazenby said in a statement. In the Lafayette case, Chadwell is charged with attempted murder, child molesting, attempted child molesting, kidnapping, criminal confinement, battery resulting in serious bodily injury and strangulation. Prosecutors want Chadwell classified as a habitual offender, which would add a sentence enhancement if he’s found guilty.It’s very early in the process, and investigators aren’t sharing many details about a possible connection to the Delphi murders. Saturday, July 10, 2021 2:43 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/libby-abby-memorial-softball-tournament-taking-place-this-weekend This weekend, the first games are being played at the new Abby and Libby Memorial Park. The families of Libby German and Abby Williams say the park is destined to be a destination where kids will perform, play and pitch softballs. The park was built in memory of the two girls who were killed in February 2017, the spring before their freshman year. Both girls planned to play high school softball. The tournament continues through Sunday night. The park is located at 6062 St. Road 218 West, Delphi, IN 46923. Saturday, August 14, 2021 11:23 AM Rafael Sánchez tweeted, "Making money on the 18th hole at the Pine View Golf Course in Monticello. This benefits the Abby & Libby Memorial Park in Delphi @wrtv The weather is perfect to be outdoors!". Twitter - https://twitter.com/RafaelOnTV/status/1426565149687783433 8:49 PM Online News Article - https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/dozens-of-people-golf-in-honor-of-abby-and-libby Golfers of all skill levels turned out at the Pine View Golf Course to support the completion of the Legacy Park for Abby Williams and Libby German. "It touches our heart that enough people still care about the girls, they're not forgotten and they want to help with their legacy," Becky Patty, Libby's grandmother, said. "Overall, what we're doing in their honor to keep them alive forever, it still feels very much like they're here," Anna Williams, Abby's mother, said. Many participating in the golf outing have never missed a year. "This reminds us that they're never going to be forgotten, there will always be people even though she should be graduating, she should be going to college, we still have so many people out there just helping and supporting us," Kelsi German, Libby's sister, said. Some participating are the families coworkers and others just want them to know they are not alone. "It's nothing about the game, it's about the family of two children that I did not know or the families, but I will be here every year until I cannot golf or whatever," participant Gary Tincher said. The superintendent of the golf course, Greg Schidler, says they want to support the families any way they can and the event has become so popular that for the first time, there was a morning and afternoon game. The families are planning for a grand opening of the park on October 9.