Podcast Summary
Podcast: Murder Sheet
Episode: The Delphi Murders: Nine Years Gone
Air Date: February 13, 2026
Hosts: Áine Cain (Journalist) & Kevin Greenlee (Attorney)
Episode Overview
On the ninth anniversary of the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German (“Abby and Libby”), this episode reflects on their lives, the impact on the Delphi, Indiana community, and the broader lessons from the case. Having reported deeply on the case, Áine and Kevin seek to re-center the conversation away from sensationalism or speculation and onto the girls, their families, and ethical responsibilities in true crime media.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Remembering Abby and Libby: Who They Were
[07:06 – 12:54]
- Abby and Libby’s Background:
- Both girls were best friends and eighth graders at Delphi Middle School.
- Libby: Outgoing, stood up for friends, good at math and science, considered careers in forensics or medicine (but was afraid of needles), funny, athletic, and quick to learn.
- …she was going to stand up for her friends, she was gonna stand up for herself. She was a kid with, you know, those kind of values, that protective instinct... (Anya Cain, [08:21])
- Abby: Quieter, more reserved but helpful to others (“How can I help?”), loved babies and roller coasters, strong faith, and had a sweet, giving nature.
- Her favorite phrase was, 'How can I help?'. So she was about helping others. She had a tremendous faith in God." (Anya Cain, [09:51])
- Their personalities complemented each other, and their friendship provided mutual support and joy.
The Loss to Their Friends and Community
[11:59 – 13:39]
- The trauma extended beyond families to friends, classmates, and the wider small-town community, which is close-knit and supportive.
- Delphi is described as a rural, generally safe and welcoming place, making the tragedy’s impact even more profound and far-reaching.
The Abby and Libby Memorial Park
[12:54 – 14:36]
- A city park in Delphi is dedicated to Abby and Libby, with ballfields and a playground, serving both as a memorial and as a place for children to play safely—something the girls didn’t get to do that day.
- "I think what the park represents is a truly safe place for kids to play outdoors, which they didn’t get that day, unfortunately." (Áine Cain, [13:48])
- The hosts donated part of their book advance to support the park and encourage others to give, honoring the girls’ legacies.
On Ethical True Crime Coverage & Criticizing Exploitative Content
[04:59 – 07:06], [26:44 – 35:46]
- The hosts express concern over content creators sensationalizing the case, relitigating settled facts, or exploiting the tragedy.
- “I blame content creators for seeing nothing but dollar signs in the deaths of these two precious children and trying to gin up numbers by again, asking questions that have been answered.” (Kevin Greenlee, [06:48])
- They differentiate between natural public curiosity and creators inciting misinformation or conspiracy theories for profit.
- They recommend focusing on the real victims, not defending or championing the convicted offender or feeding online speculation.
Delphi: Beyond the Crime
[20:24 – 24:40]
- The hosts encourage visitors to Delphi to be respectful, support local businesses, and remember it as a living community, not just the scene of a tragedy.
- They highlight the friendliness and resilience of Delphi residents, discouraging the "true crime tourist" mentality or treating the town as haunted or complicit.
- “I just think it’s important to...remember that people really live there. It’s not just a place where a really bad thing happened.” (Áine Cain, [21:32])
The Dangers of Online Speculation & "Armchair Sleuthing"
[26:44 – 31:34]
- Parallels are drawn to other high-profile cases, highlighting real harm done by online misidentification and hasty accusations.
- “The biggest thing any of that will probably do is just put dirt on somebody’s name. And do we really want to do that?” (Áine Cain, [28:54])
- They advocate for empathy, compassion, and circumspection—recognizing the limits of outsider involvement and the deep suffering of victims’ families.
Responsible True Crime Consumption & Community
[31:34 – 37:48]
- The hosts call for audience responsibility: ignore unethical creators, support media that centers victims and facts, and discourage feeding the “true crime machine.”
- “The worst thing you can do is not criticize someone. The worst thing you can do is actually just not pay attention to them at all...I encourage in some cases that to be done.” (Áine Cain, [34:43])
- They reflect on how the case changed them personally, making them more empathetic but also more skeptical of motives in the true crime genre.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “They're what matters. They're what we should take away from this. They're what we should remember about this. Their lives, the lives of Abby and Libby, mattered.”
— Áine Cain ([03:43]) - “I think it's really creepy when people decide to be fans of a child murderer. That's just me.”
— Áine Cain ([05:52]) - “I blame content creators for seeing nothing but dollar signs in the deaths of these two precious children...”
— Kevin Greenlee ([06:48]) - “It’s a tremendous loss that they’re not here anymore. It’s a tremendous loss.”
— Áine Cain ([11:27]) - “It's important not to think of these girls just for how they died, but to remember how they lived.”
— Kevin Greenlee ([14:37]) - “Try to embrace people who are suffering. ... This could happen to anybody. And that makes us closer.”
— Áine Cain, reflecting on true crime and empathy ([23:04]) - “Delphi, I think, changed me as a person... going through this case, coming out the other side, I feel like a different person.”
— Áine Cain ([35:37]) - "Maybe we could try to evangelize the good word of making a better true crime for the next family that goes through something like what the families of Abby and Libby went through."
— Áine Cain ([37:38])
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 03:43: Re-centering the focus on Abby and Libby as people, not just victims.
- 07:06 – 12:54: In-depth profiles of Abby and Libby, their friendship, lives, and the loss felt by peers and community.
- 13:39 – 15:53: Discussion of the Abby and Libby Memorial Park and its significance.
- 20:24 – 24:40: On respecting Delphi as a community and combating harmful true crime tourism.
- 26:44 – 31:34: The ethical pitfalls of online speculation and sleuthing.
- 31:34 – 37:48: Impact of the case on the hosts and a call for ethical true crime consumption.
Tone & Final Thoughts
The episode’s tone is solemn, reflective, and urgent: the hosts call for empathy over exploitation, focus on the loved ones lost, and challenge the true crime community to do better. They explicitly criticize sensationalism and encourage support for positive community efforts, such as the Memorial Park.
Closing Words
- “We just want to say our, you know, utter condolences to the families of Abby and Libby and to the community of Delphi.”
— Áine Cain ([39:05])
Further Action:
- Interested listeners are encouraged to support the Abby and Libby Memorial Park (link in the episode notes).
- For thorough fact-based coverage, the hosts refer to their book, Shadow of the Bridge, as a resource for understanding the case beyond headlines and online speculation.
This summary provides a clear, comprehensive understanding of the episode’s heart: honoring Abby and Libby, understanding the ripple effects of their loss, examining the responsibilities of true crime media, and advocating for compassion in community and coverage.