Murder in Delphi

On February 13, 2017, at around 1:35 p.m., Abigail "Abby" Williams, 13, and Liberty "Libby" German, 14, were dropped off by Libby's sister at the Monon High Bridge over Deer Creek in Delphi Indiana. At 2:07 p.m. Libby posted a photo of Abby on the bridge. That was the last time the two girls would be seen.

Libby's father made arrangements to pick the girls up at 3:15 p.m. but they never showed. The families of the two girls searched the general area to no avail. With no signs of Abby and Libby, Law Enforcement was contacted and Abby and Libby were reported missing.

On February 14, at around noon, a volunteer from the search group made a gruesome discovery. The bodies of the young teen girls were found, striking terror in the hearts of the small community of Delphi. Their bodies were found half a mile East on the North bank of Deer Creek.

On February 15, Indiana State Police released a sketch of an individual that was reportedly seen on the Bridge trail, near the location of where the bodies were discovered. Libby was a hero in the sense she was able to capture a photo from her phone of the man on the bridge. He is described in the photo as being 5'6" to 5'10" tall, 180 to 220 pounds wearing a pair of blue jeans, jacket, and some type of head wear. With his hands in his pockets, head hung low as not to be photographed. He was the prime suspect in the case.

A week after the release of the sketch, Investigators released an audio clip retrieved from Libby's phone. It is believed the audio clip contains the voice of the murderer. In a muffled tone, you can hear the suspect tell the girls "Get down the hill". There is further evidence that was retrieved, but is not being released to the public as not to compromise any trial in the future. The cause of death has still not been released.

On July 17. a second sketch was issued by Law enforcement of a person of interest. According to eyewitness statement, the sketch was that of a man hiking the trail on the day the girls vanished.

On April 22, 2019, two years after the murders were committed, Indiana State Police and Multi Agency Taskforce revealed there was a new direction the case seemed to be taking. More evidence was released from what had been retrieved on Libby's phone. This time in the form of video that depicts the man from the first sketch walking a long the bridge. In the video he appears to have a limp due to the spacing between the railroad ties. With the new information released, Investigators rescinded their speculation of the first sketch, stating that it was to be considered secondary. The new photo depicts a man in the age of 18 to 40, with investigators stating he "Could be older, but with a youthful appearance".

Investigators believe it is likely the suspect is hiding in plain sight. He has knowledge of the Delphi area from living, working, or associating with someone in Delphi, a small town of only around 3,000 citizens. ISP has also reached out for help in identifying the driver of a vehicle that was abandoned off the Hoosier Heartland Highway between noon and 5 p.m. on the day of the murders.

There have been a few suspects questioned in connection with the murders of the teen girls, but so far no one has been arrested. However, on April 27. 2021, ISP detectives turned their attention to 42 year old James Chadwell, who had been arrested and charged with kidnapping, rape, and attempted murder of a 9 year old girl he had lured to his basement. Mr. Chadwell lives in Lafayette, Indiana; 20 miles from Delphi.

As of todays date, there is a reward of $325,000 leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the murders of the two teens. If you have any information on the deaths of Abby Williams and Libby German, you can call the Delphi Homicide Tip line at 1-844-459-5786, or online at [email protected] You can remain anonymous and all tips are investigated.