The man accused in the Abigail murders “Abby” Williams and Liberty “Libby” German was one of Delphi, Indiana’s own, leaving the townspeople reeling that the monster behind the brutal slayings of the two teenagers may have been amongst them this entire time.
Richard Allen, 50, is well-known for his role at the CVS Pharmacy, which was the only local drug store serving a town of just 2,972 inhabitants. After he was convicted of two murder charges in 2017 for the deaths of Libby, 14 years old, and Abby (13 years), his name is now making national headlines.
Reminders of the manhunt for the teens’ killer were everywhere in Delphi for five years, including the bar where Allen was photographed smiling, a sketch of the wanted man seen behind him.
“It’s such a shock, I just can’t see it in Rick, knowing the Rick I knew,”Bob Matlock, owner of the bar, stated that.
Becky Patty, Libby’s grandmother, is also here FOX59 that Allen printed pictures that the family used at the girls’ funeral. Patty stated that Allen didn’t charge families for the photos.
Allen has lived in Delphi approximately 15 years. There is no criminal history. He has only two speeding tickets, and one seatbelt violation. Allen and his wife have two kids.
In 2019, police gave what appears to be a perceptive insight at a news conference.
“The killer, who may be in this room. We believe you are hiding in plain sight,”Doug Carter, ISP Superintendent at the time.
Forensic psychologist Dr. Lewis Schlessinger, of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, told it’s not uncommon for someone to do exactly as Carter said– hide in plain sight—after committing a heinous crime.
“Very often they block it out and they continue to function in a fairly normal way,” Schlessinger said.
Investigators have released two sketches of suspects over the years. Allen most closely resembles one of them. Investigators are keeping quiet about Allen’s case. Some suspect that they might be looking for another suspect in the murders.
Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland responded to a question asking if Allen was being investigated for having an accomplice. “We haven’t closed the door on the investigation and so that’s why we keep the tip line and the tip email open.”
Allen has pleaded no guilty to the charges.