Podcast Summary

Podcast: I Wish You Were Here

Host: Michelle Cuervo
Episode: The Delphi Murders: Solved or Unsolved?
Date: October 1, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode examines the chilling and tragic case of the Delphi murders—the 2017 slaying of Abigail Williams and Liberty German in Delphi, Indiana. Host Michelle Cuervo guides listeners through the crime, investigation twists, suspects, evidence, and the ultimate conviction of Richard Allen, questioning if the case truly feels solved. The episode captures the emotional toll on the families and community, persistent confusion around evidence, and the unresolved feeling even after a guilty verdict.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Crime and Immediate Aftermath (00:00–11:30)

• Timeline:
  • February 13, 2017: 13-year-old Abigail Williams stays over with 14-year-old Liberty German.
  • Next day, girls go hiking, dropped off by Libby’s older sister at Monon High Bridge around 1pm.
  • Libby posts a Snapchat photo of Abby on the bridge at 2:07pm—the final image.
  • Libby’s dad calls multiple times at pickup but receives no answer. Family initiates their own search.
  • By 5:30pm, the police are officially notified; the search continues overnight into the next day.
  • Just after 12pm on February 14, the girls’ bodies are discovered near Deer Creek, about 0.5 miles from the bridge on private property.

“In the middle of whatever terrifying ordeal was happening to the girls, Libby was quick enough on her feet and brave enough to secretly pull out her phone to record their encounter with this man.” (12:01)

2. Early Investigation & First Suspects (11:30–22:00)

• Libby's Cell Phone Evidence:
  • Authorities discover video and audio recorded during the attack. Public receives snippet: a man’s voice says, "Down the hill."
  • The "bridge man" becomes the focus, with hopes someone recognizes the voice.
• Ron Logan Investigation:
  • Property owner where bodies were found; ex-girlfriend accuses him, suspects his voice.
  • Ron’s alibi (trip to buy tropical fish) falls apart under questioning.
  • March 2017: Police search his property but find nothing; he is jailed for a probation violation but never charged in connection with the murders.

“The general feeling at that time was that law enforcement had zeroed in and focused all of their attention on Ron.” (21:45)

3. Public Fear & Frustration (22:00–28:15)

• Community Tensions:
  • “Everyone in the area felt uneasy... this place that was once a super close, tight knit community now became... a community that was on edge 24/7.” (24:30)
• Yearly Updates & Shifting Suspicions:
  • First suspect sketch released July 2017; described as generically as possible.
  • Second sketch released two years later—looks significantly different and much younger, causing public confusion and skepticism about investigative direction.
  • Tampering at the crime scene is hinted at by police, adding to mistrust.
  • Family grief and public obsession begin to overshadow the memory of the girls.

4. The “Anthony Shots” Social Media Lead (28:15–33:45)

• Keegan Klein Investigation:
  • 2021: Police announce they’re seeking info about a catfish profile, "Anthony Shots," which communicated with Libby before her death.
  • Keegan Klein admits to running the account and chatting with Libby but denies involvement in the murder. No charges filed; case stagnates.

5. The Arrest of Richard Allen (33:45–43:00)

• Suspect Profile:
  • Richard Allen, an unremarkable local CVS pharmacy employee, family man, with minimal criminal record.
  • His arrest in late 2022 shocks the community, as he had no criminal past and was a well-known member.
• Timeline Revelation:
  • Allen reportedly told police in 2017 that he was at the bridge the day of the murders, wearing similar clothes to those seen in the video, but was not considered a suspect at the time.

“He just wanted to inform them that he was there so they were aware… but that wasn’t the only thing that Richard told authorities, because he also told them that that day he was wearing blue jeans and a black or blue jacket. That outfit is extremely similar to what the man in Libby’s video, AKA bridge guy, was seen wearing.” (41:50)

6. Evidence and Prosecution Case (43:00–50:00)

• Physical Evidence:
  • A spent bullet found between the girls is traced to Allen’s gun (via markings, not discharge).
  • Allen insists no one else ever touched his gun.
  • Knives and sharp objects discovered at Allen's home; injuries to the girls caused by a sharp object.
  • Video evidence includes audio possibly of a girl saying “gun.”
• Allen’s Confessions:
  • Allen confessed five times on recorded jail phone calls to wife and mother, and allegedly over 60 times to family, staff, other prisoners via calls, written notes, and conversation.

7. Trial, Defense Strategy, and Public Reaction (50:00–57:00)

• Mostly Circumstantial Case:
  • The bullet is the key physical evidence.
  • Prosecution withholds confession tapes from public due to gag order, fueling speculation about pressure and possible false confession.
• Defense’s Cult Theory:
  • Allen’s defense claims with “100% certainty” he’s innocent, suggesting the true killers are part of a ritual cult.

“They stated that there is this group of people who performed human rituals, human sacrifices, and they say that this is likely what happened when Libby and Abby were killed. This is crazy. I mean, it's crazy.” (55:00)

8. Shocking Trial Revelations & Verdict (57:00–01:04:40)

• Trial Details:
  • October 2024 trial reveals both girls’ throats were cut.
  • Abby was found fully clothed but wearing Libby’s clothes; Libby was found unclothed.
  • Video and audio evidence presented; Allen’s voice matched to the crime scene.
  • Allen convicted on two counts of murder (November 11, 2024).
• Sentencing:
  • December 2024: Allen given 65 years per count, to be served consecutively (130 years total).

9. Aftermath & Emotional Impact (01:04:40–End)

• Victim Families’ Responses:
  • Libby’s mom, Carrie: “I was blind that such evil existed.” (01:06:02)
  • Abby’s grandmother, Diane: “This is a great day of sadness for our family. We will not be going home to celebrate with champagne.” (01:06:15)
  • Sheriff: “There will never be any closure in this case and a form of justice was served, but it does not bring Abby or Libby back...” (01:06:40)
• Community Reflection:
  • Despite the conviction, questions, pain, and a sense of loss still haunt Delphi.
  • Host Michelle Cuervo wraps up with hope for some sense of closure for the families.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “This case felt so heavy because the families were put through so much and it felt like it dragged on for way longer than it should have.” (01:07:00)
• “What causes someone to be sentenced to 130 years in prison? I'm about to tell you exactly what guys.” (00:00)
• “It also kind of sounded like people on the Internet and podcasters… disagreed, because when they were looking at Richard's past, he only had traffic violations… so it wasn't matching up with the kind of criminal that we often see in cases like this…” (43:55)
• “The only physical piece of evidence tying him directly to the scene of the crime is the bullet.” (48:30)
• “All the defense had to do… is plant one seed, one little tiny, small seed of reasonable doubt.” (49:45)
• “Abby Williams was found fully clothed, wearing Liberty Germans clothing, while Liberty was found wearing nothing.” (01:01:20)
• “These families will live every day with the two most important people in their lives… missing milestones because of a lowlife coward decided to take their innocent lives.” (01:06:40)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–02:30 — Case introduction, warning, Abby and Libby’s last day
• 06:45–12:05 — Search and discovery of the girls, involvement of authorities
• 13:12–19:40 — Press conference: Libby’s phone recording, bridge man identified
• 19:41–22:23 — Focus on Ron Logan, investigation dead ends
• 24:40–28:15 — Community paranoia, public losing sight of victims
• 29:30–33:40 — “Anthony Shots” reveal, Keegan Klein investigation
• 34:00–42:15 — Richard Allen’s background and initial interaction with police
• 43:35–48:50 — Evidence: bullet, confessions, crime scene details
• 50:00–56:05 — Defense’s ritual cult theory, legal challenges
• 57:00–01:04:40 — Trial revelations, judgment, sentencing
• 01:06:00–01:08:00 — Family reactions, lingering grief, host’s closing thoughts

Conclusion

Michelle Cuervo’s thorough narration captures both heartbreaking and bewildering aspects of the Delphi murders—detailing the frustrating dead ends, dramatic twists, haunting evidence, and Vincent’s conviction, while highlighting the community’s pain and the deep, unresolved ache left behind. Despite a verdict, listeners are confronted with the question echoed in the episode title: is the case truly solved, or does the confusion and secrecy that’s haunted Delphi remain?