An Indiana man has been charged with murder in the deaths of two teenage girls in Delphi, Ind., more than five years after their bodies were found near an abandoned rail bridge, the authorities announced on Monday.
The two girls, Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, disappeared while hiking along a bridge in Delphi, about 70 miles northwest of Indianapolis. Their bodies were found the following day.
On Monday police announced that Richard Allen, 50, of Delphi, had been arrested last week and charged with two counts of murder. He has entered a not guilty plea and is being held without bond.
The investigation gained nationwide attention as the authorities released material from Liberty’s phone, including recordings of a man following the girls and of a voice saying: “Down the hill.”
State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter remarked that over 2,000 days had passed, with investigators working tirelessly, some postponing retirement, working overtime and holidays.
The prosecutor in the case said investigators were keeping the tip lines open for information, not only about Mr. Allen “but about any other person.”
The prosecutor added that the charging information about the case had been sealed. “It’s about protecting the integrity of this case,” he said. A pretrial hearing has been set for Jan. 13, and a trial set for March 20, he said.