Richard Allen of Delphi, Indiana, was arrested on Friday and charged with two counts of murder for the killing of eighth-graders Abby Williams,13, and Libby German, 14, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter announced at a news conference Monday.
The two teenage friends were hiking in rural Delphi – about 80 miles northwest of Indianapolis – on February 13, 2017. The two girls were last seen when German’s sister dropped the two friends off at an entrance to a hiking trail in Delphi.
According to the Indiana State Police, Williams and German were last known to be near the Monon High Bridge on the Delphi Historic Trail and were set to be picked up at a pre-arranged time, but they never showed up. A day later, their bodies were found approximately a half-mile upstream from the bridge near where they were dropped off.
“Today is not a day to celebrate,” Carter said at the press conference. “The time will come when additional details can be released but today is not that time.”
Officials have shared few new details in the case, and the arrest affidavit and charging documents have been sealed by the court. These documents are usually public information in criminal cases.
Prosecutors said that even in light of Allen’s arrest, the investigation is still active.
“We haven’t closed the door on the investigation,” said Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland. “We’re not presuming anything at this point.”
McLeland said that Allen had his initial court hearing and pleaded not guilty.
Allen is being held in Carroll County Jail without bond and will be back in court in January, McLeland said.
“Per the court order, we cannot talk about the evidence that’s in the probable cause” affidavit, McLeland said, ABC30 reported.
McLeland has not said whether Allen knew either of the girls.
German’s sister, Kelsi German, discussed Allen’s arrest Monday, tweeting, “We got him.”
“Just know how grateful I am for all of you. No comments for now, any questions please refer to the Carroll county prosecutor’s office,” she said in a separate tweet.
According to a report from ABC 7 Chicago, Allen worked in a local CVS store in central Delphi, and before his arrest, his name had never been publicly linked to the murders. He has been a resident of Delphi since at least 2006, according to online records.
According to the ABC 7 report, CVS issued a statement about the arrest.
“As members of the Carroll County community, we remain devastated by these murders and our hearts go out to the German and Williams families,” the statement said. “We are shocked and saddened to learn that one of our store employees was arrested as a suspect in these crimes. We stand ready to cooperate with the police investigation in any way we can.”
Newsweek has reached out to the Indiana State Police for further comment.
Update 10/31/2022 12:30 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information.
