Podcast Summary: Murder Sheet – "The Delphi Murders: First Person: Detective David Vito"

Episode Information:

• Title: The Delphi Murders: First Person: Detective David Vito
• Host/Author: MurderSheet (Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee)
• Release Date: February 4, 2025
• Description: In this episode, MurderSheet delves deep into the harrowing Delphi murders through a first-person interview with Detective David Vito, an Indiana State Police detective pivotal in the investigation and subsequent prosecution of the case.

1. Introduction and Background of Detective David Vito

[05:04]
Host Anya Cain introduces Detective David Vito, an Indiana State Police detective stationed at the Lafayette Post. Vito shares his familial roots in law enforcement, mentioning that both of his uncles were in the field, which inspired his career path.

[06:37] Detective David Vito:
"I come from a law enforcement family... I knew I wanted to be a police officer."

Vito details his academic background, having earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and criminology from Ball State University, complemented by minors in Spanish and homeland security. His passion for state policing solidified during a job-shadowing program with the Indiana State Police.

2. Involvement in the Delphi Murders Case

[12:04] Anya Cain:
Vito outlines his trajectory within the Indiana State Police, highlighting his shift from road trooper duties to the criminal investigations division in 2019 due to the Delphi case.

[12:37] Detective Vito:
He recounts the initial days of the investigation starting February 13, 2017, when he was first called to Delphi to provide scene security. Initially handling numerous public tips, Vito emphasizes the overwhelming volume of information and the challenges it posed.

[14:29] Detective Vito:
Upon becoming part of the Unified Command in 2019, Vito gained deeper access and decision-making responsibilities, allowing him to contribute more strategically to the investigation.

3. Challenges Faced During the Investigation

Volume of Tips and Information Management
[18:00] Detective Vito:
"The sheer volume of tips... tens of thousands of tips... not one person could retain all of it."

Vito discusses the difficulty in managing and vetting the massive influx of tips, many of which were repetitive or irrelevant. This saturation often led to redundancies and inefficiencies within the investigative process.

Egos and Theories Among Law Enforcement
[19:14] Detective Vito:
"Law enforcement officers come in with their own plans and egos... it's a challenge to rein that in."

Managing diverse theories and egos within the enlarged investigative team proved challenging, as aligning everyone towards a unified investigative strategy was difficult.

Information Leaks
[19:22] Detective Vito:
"Leaks directed our energy away from the actual investigation... we had to focus on addressing the leaks instead."

Leaks disrupted the investigative flow, forcing the team to allocate resources towards identifying the sources and mitigating the impact of leaked information.

4. The Kegan Klein Investigation

[20:09] Detective Vito:
Vito explains how his role expanded to include the investigation of Kegan Klein, a prolific child predator whose activities were uncovered during the Delphi investigation. The Delphi and Klein cases, while related, were distinct, with the latter focusing on criminal sexual abuse materials (CSAM).

Conviction and Collaboration with Prosecutors
[21:38] Detective Vito:
"I cannot say enough good things about the Miami County Prosecutor's office... Courtney and Jen did an absolutely amazing job."

Vito praises the collaboration with prosecutors Courtney Alwine and Jennifer Keifer, highlighting their professionalism and effectiveness in securing Klein’s conviction, even though there was no direct evidence linking Klein to the Delphi murders.

Challenges in Linking Evidence
[28:07] Detective Vito:
"We did not find any evidence that Kagan had mentioned that would directly tie them to the crime... nothing that directly tied them to the crime."

Despite thorough investigations, no direct evidence was found connecting Klein to the Delphi murders, underscoring the complexities of solving such cases.

Interactions with Kegan Klein
[31:01] Detective Vito:
"Interviews with him were extremely difficult... he lied so many times... he was deemed not credible."

Vito describes his challenging interactions with Klein, marked by deceit and lack of cooperation, ultimately leading to Klein being deemed untrustworthy.

5. The Richard Allen Case

[36:03] Detective Vito:
Vito narrates the breakthrough in the Richard Allen case, facilitated by a tip from Kathy Schenck. This led to a search of Allen’s home, where significant evidence, including a firearm and a bullet matching the crime scene, was discovered.

Discovery and Evidence
[38:27] Detective Vito:
"When I opened the box... I found a round that looked identical to the one found at the scene."

The discovery of pertinent evidence at Allen’s residence was a pivotal moment, providing a tangible link to the Delphi murders.

No Connection to Kagan Klein
[39:18] Detective Vito:
"We never found a direct connection between the two or anything linking them to the crime."

Further investigations confirmed that there was no linkage between Allen and Kagan Klein concerning the Delphi murders.

6. Emotional Impact and Reflections

Emotional Toll
[52:00] Detective Vito:
"My heart truly has been broken for the family since this... it's impossible to be human and have this case not have some sort of negative effect on you."

Vito candidly shares the emotional strain of working on such a brutal case, emphasizing the profound impact it has had on him and his team.

Team Dynamics and Support
[54:51] Detective Vito:
"We spent countless hours together... we have gotten very close to each other."

The intense collaboration fostered strong bonds among team members, providing mutual support throughout the investigation.

Respect for the Victims’ Families
[55:20] Detective Vito:
"I admire their strength and their determination... I will never forget them."

Vito expresses deep respect and empathy for the families of Abby Williams and Liberty German, acknowledging their resilience and the lasting mark the case has left on him.

7. Reflections on the Investigation and Media Coverage

Misconceptions and Integrity
[49:10] Detective Vito:
"The biggest misconception is that law enforcement was incompetent or corrupt... there was no cover-up."

Vito addresses public misconceptions, asserting the integrity and dedication of the investigative team despite the prolonged timeline.

Media's Role
[48:33] Detective Vito:
"I wish that the media covered this case like MurderSheet did... you were fair and honest."

He commends MurderSheet for their respectful and accurate portrayal of the investigation, contrasting it with broader media coverage.

Lessons Learned
[47:43] Detective Vito:
"If we stick to a core team... we can complete an investigation with the fewest mistakes possible."

Vito emphasizes the importance of maintaining a focused, cohesive team to minimize errors and streamline investigative processes.

8. Closing Thoughts and Legacy

Acknowledgments and Gratitude
[56:36] Detective Vito:
"I appreciate you guys having me here... thanks for having me."

In closing, Vito thanks MurderSheet for providing a platform to share his experiences and acknowledges the crucial role of accurate reporting in such sensitive cases.

Legacy of Abby and Libby
[56:02] Detective Vito:
"I still feel that Abby and Libby are changing the world for the better... I will never forget them."

Vito reflects on the enduring legacy of the victims, highlighting their positive impact despite the tragedy.

Notable Quotes:

• [06:37] Detective Vito:
  "I knew that's what I wanted and what I wanted to do."

• [17:20] Detective Vito:
  "It was the most brutal crime that I have ever worked in my career."

• [23:02] Detective Vito:
  "We had to keep and limit that information to protect the integrity of the case."

• [53:04] Detective Vito:
  "It's like someone gives you a riddle and they don't tell you the answer... But the answer to the riddle brings justice and gives closure to a grieving family."

• [49:00] Detective Vito:
  "I think that you all were fair and honest and I think that you also held people accountable."

Conclusion

In this compelling episode, Detective David Vito provides an in-depth, first-person account of the intensive and emotionally taxing investigation into the Delphi murders. From managing an overwhelming influx of public tips to grappling with the emotional weight of the case, Vito's narrative underscores the complexities and challenges faced by law enforcement in high-profile cases. His reflections offer valuable insights into investigative processes, team dynamics, and the enduring impact such cases have on those involved. MurderSheet successfully humanizes the investigative process, shedding light on the dedication and resilience required to seek justice for the victims.