Richard Allen, convicted for the murders of two teenage girls, was sentenced to 130 years in prison on Friday, marking the end of a long and painful chapter for the victims' families and the Delphi, Indiana community.
On February 13, 2017, 13-year-old Abigail "Abby" Williams and 14-year-old Liberty "Libby" German went missing during what was meant to be a brief hike on the Monon High Bridge Trail. Their bodies were discovered the next day, showing signs of violent assault with their throats cut. The case, which gripped the nation, went unsolved for more than five years until Allen's arrest last year.
During the sentencing hearing held at the Carroll County courthouse, Special Judge Fran Gull handed Allen the maximum sentence—65 years for each of the two counts of murder, to be served consecutively. Judge Gull described the case as one of the most heinous she has ever presided over, stating, "You rank up there with one of the most hideous cases I’ve ever seen. These families will deal with your carnage forever."
Allen, 52, exhibited no visible reaction as he was sentenced. His courtroom demeanor contrasted sharply with the emotional weight carried by the families of the victims, who had waited nearly eight years for justice. The hearing allowed the families to finally share their experiences and pain, following the lifting of a gag order placed during the trial.
Libby's mother, Carrie Timmons, expressed the depth of her sorrow, stating, "I don't know how a husband and father could have done this. How can such evil hide in plain sight?" Libby's grandfather, Mike Patty, thanked the jurors for their hard work and expressed gratitude to the investigators and community, saying, "Justice has been served for the girls." The families noted, though, the word "closure" feels misplaced because nothing can compensate for the loss of their daughters.
Allen's defense team maintained his innocence and indicated plans to appeal the sentence. They argued during the trial and sentencing hearing about the nature of Allen's confessions, asserting mental illness and coercion during solitary confinement might have tainted them. They reiterated Allen's claims of innocence, maintaining he was not the man seen by the girls.
The prosecutor's office provided compelling evidence during the trial, including multiple video confessions and witness testimonies. The attack occurred on the day the girls had taken off from school, initially intended as a typical afternoon adventure. Instead, their tragic end sparked outpourings of grief and demands for justice from the close-knit Delphi community, population around 3,000.
Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland praised the young girls for their quick thinking, which contributed significantly to solving the case. Libby German had recorded video and audio of their alleged killer, including him instructing them to go "down the hill," shortly before he attacked. McLeland noted, "Having the wherewithal to pull out the phone and record the individual, having the wherewithal to know something wasn’t right, was the biggest piece of evidence we had." Tragically, the evidence they gathered from Libby's recording became both their last will and representation of their fight against evil.
Both girls were remembered not only as victims but as bright lights who had future adventures taken too soon from them. Diane Erskin, Abby's grandmother, revealed during the hearing how difficult the years were, expressing regret for milestones missed. She pointed out, "I’ve watched her friends graduate college and wonder how many great grandkids were murdered because of this. It’s not just my loss; this community feels it too." Sheriff Tony Liggett echoed this sentiment, stating, "These families will live every day without two of the most important people in their lives," voicing collective grief among community members.
The public and media have followed this case closely, often speculating on the details. Some conspiracy theories emerged, alleging police misconduct or hinting at other suspects. State officials, including Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, dismissed these theories, assuring residents there was no cover-up involved. The investigation suffered delays, but once evidence emerged pointing to Allen, it became apparent he was directly linked to the crime through both testimony and forensic evidence, including unspent ammunition found at the scene.
Although Allen was initially questioned as a witness, authorities shifted focus to him when they identified links between his weapon and the crime scene, alongside his confessions made under duress. An emotional rollercoaster of disbelief swept through Delphi as the community learned the truth about the fate of two of its most cherished daughters. The nationwide attention surrounding the case reflected public outrage and trauma faced by the victims' families and the community.
The focus will now shift to Allen’s upcoming appeal, which his defense is expected to file within the next month. The families, community, and investigators remain resilient, knowing the fight for justice, albeit incomplete, is part of their healing process. Those touched by this case understand, regardless of the outcome, the significance of remembering Abby and Libby for who they were—the lively friends lost too soon, whose lives were tragically cut short by violence.
