Investigation

the Indiana State Police began circulating a still image of an individual seen on the Monon High Bridge near where Abigail Williams and Liberty German were found murdered. The grainy photograph shows a male with his hands in his pockets, head down, walking toward the girls.

 law enforcement released an audio recording in which the suspect’s muffled voice can be heard saying, “Down the hill.” This audio, along with the image, was sourced from Liberty German’s smartphone. Police praised Liberty as a hero for her quick thinking and bravery in recording the encounter. Authorities confirmed that additional evidence from the phone had been secured but chose not to release further details to avoid jeopardizing any future legal proceedings. By this time, the reward for information in the case had reached $41,000.

police released a composite sketch of a person of prime interest in the murders. This sketch was created based on eyewitness accounts of a hiker seen on the Delphi Historic Trails the day the girls disappeared.

Indiana State Police announced a “new direction” in the investigation and released an updated sketch of the suspect. They urged the public to examine the sketch, listen to the audio, and observe the suspect’s gait on the bridge. They also made an additional plea for help identifying the driver of a vehicle abandoned off the Hoosier Heartland Highway in Delphi, near the former Child Services office, between noon and 5 p.m. on the day of the murders. Investigators expressed their belief that the suspect might be hiding in plain sight and was likely familiar with the Delphi area

the Indiana State Police announced a “new direction” in the investigation and released an updated sketch of the suspect. They urged the public to examine the sketch, listen to the audio, observe the man’s walk on the bridge, and submit any tips to the designated tipline email. Investigators expressed their belief that the suspect might be hiding in plain sight and was likely familiar with the Delphi area, whether through living, working, or other connections. Additionally, they issued a plea for assistance in identifying the driver of a vehicle that had been abandoned near the former Child Services office off the Hoosier Heartland Highway in Delphi between noon and 5 p.m. on the day of the murders.

Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby announced that a suspect wanted for a kidnapping and rape in Tippecanoe County was being investigated as one of multiple suspects in the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German. This suspect had died by suicide the previous month. On April 27, 2021, Indiana State Police detectives identified another individual as a new person of interest in the Delphi murders, continuing their efforts to find justice for the two girls.

a suspect was taken into custody in connection with the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German. He appeared in court on October 28, 2022. Three days later, on October 31, the Indiana State Police announced that the suspect had been charged with two counts of murder. The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges. His trial, which was initially scheduled to begin on March 20, 2023, was postponed to allow his defense team time to review the discovery materials. Two public defenders were appointed to represent him

Judge Frances Gull ordered the unsealing of the probable cause affidavit that led to the arrest of the suspect in the Delphi murders case. The redacted document revealed key pieces of evidence that contributed to the arrest. According to the affidavit, video footage recovered from Liberty German’s phone captured one of the victims mentioning the word “gun” as a man, wearing a dark jacket and jeans, approached them and ordered them to go “down the hill.” Investigators believe this man is the suspect seen in the video.