How a Police Volunteer Helped Pinpoint Suspect in Delphi Teen Murders
Five years before he was charged with the murders of two Indiana teens, Richard Allen informed investigators he had been near the scene on the day of their deaths, according to recent court testimony. This crucial information, recorded on a “lead sheet,” was mistakenly marked “cleared” until 2022, when a volunteer clerk organizing case tips found it and set off a chain of events leading to Allen’s arrest.
The revelation came in Carroll County court this week, as witnesses and law enforcement shared their involvement in the 2017 killings of 14-year-old Liberty German and 13-year-old Abigail Williams. Allen’s defense argues he is innocent, suggesting alternative theories about the killings, including claims of a potential ritualistic crime. They also questioned the reliability of witness accounts placing Allen near the crime scene, particularly from one witness who testified about seeing a man resembling the suspect known as the “bridge guy.” This suspect’s image was captured on German’s phone and became central to the investigation.
On February 16, 2017, just three days after the girls’ deaths, Indiana Conservation Officer Dan Dulin spoke with Allen. Allen reportedly claimed he was in the area between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and had parked nearby. Dulin noted Allen’s account and submitted the information, which was inadvertently marked as cleared.
Five years later, Kathy Shank, a retired state employee and volunteer, rediscovered Allen’s lead sheet and flagged it for further review. Sheriff Tony Liggett testified that Allen’s information should not have been dismissed and might have provided vital context much sooner. Shank’s actions prompted a renewed investigation, ultimately leading law enforcement to interview Allen again and secure a search warrant for his home.
During the search, investigators found a .40 caliber Sig Sauer handgun that prosecutors allege is tied to a bullet found near the victims’ bodies. Ballistics experts testified about how the bullet matched Allen’s weapon, and witness statements, including that of a local teen who recalled an unsettling interaction with a man on the trail, further linked him to the scene.
Allen’s defense team, however, challenges the credibility of these accounts and highlights discrepancies in witness descriptions. As the trial continues, Allen maintains he is not responsible for the murders, while the prosecution insists the evidence places him at the center of the crime. Closing arguments are expected soon as the trial draws closer to a conclusion.
