The Delphi Murders: Did They Get the Wrong Guy?

Summary

Serialously with Annie Elise: The Delphi Murders – Did They Get the Wrong Guy?

Podcast: Serialously with Annie Elise & Audioboom Studios
Episode Date: February 24, 2026

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Overview

In this episode of Serialously, host Annie Elise revisits one of the most heartbreaking and controversial true crime cases in recent American memory: the brutal 2017 murders of Abby Williams and Libby German in Delphi, Indiana. The episode dives deeply into the aftermath of the long-awaited arrest of Richard M. Allen—five years after the crime—and the subsequent debate over whether law enforcement has truly found the correct perpetrator. Annie’s goal is not to persuade, but to meticulously break down the facts, competing theories, confessions, trial revelations, and evidence for listeners to contemplate and form their own conclusions.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Murders and Their Impact

• Victims: Abby Williams (13) and Libby German (14), best friends, were killed while out on a walk near Delphi, Indiana.
• Case Notoriety: The case attracted massive public attention and scrutiny due to the shocking nature of the crime and the age of the victims.
• Quote (True Crime Narrator, 01:48):
  “Of all of the cases that we've covered, there are very few that are more publicized, more controversial, or more heartbreaking than the case we're talking about today. It is the case of the brutal murders of Abby Williams and Libby German.”

2. Lengthy Investigation & Public Frustration

• Five-Year Wait: There was a five-year gap before an arrest, allowing “rumors to spread,” skepticism about police work, and suspicion of multiple “sketchy characters.”
• Community Response: The passage of time “made people start questioning the investigation” and gave rise to “extremely sketchy characters [who] just like crawl out of the woodwork.”

3. The Arrest of Richard M. Allen

• Event: Richard M. Allen was arrested and charged with two counts of murder five years after the crime (00:59).
• Controversy: The arrest did not unify public opinion; instead, “the country or…world [was] divided,” with some celebrating the arrest and others believing law enforcement “got the wrong guy.”
• Quote (Host, 02:31):
  “...many people believe that justice has finally been served for Abby and Libby, but others are convinced that the police, they got the wrong guy.”

4. Explosive Developments Post-Arrest

• Unfolding Chaos: The case exploded with:
  • Leaked evidence and photos
  • Jailhouse phone calls and supposed confessions
  • Rumors of cults and alleged setups
  • Public debate over the validity of the evidence
• Quote (Host, 02:53):
  “[T]here’s also been leaked photos, crazy jail calls, recorded confessions, rumors about cults, alleged setups. I mean, it has been absolute chaos.”

5. Confessions and Denials

• Jailhouse Phone Call: Allegedly, Richard Allen admits to the killings on recorded calls (01:15), but in another recording, he adamantly refutes any involvement.
• Notable Exchange:
  • Richard M. Allen (01:28):
    “It’s not me. You’re not going to make me believe it’s me. You’re not going to find anything that ties me to those murders. So I’m not really that concerned. You know, you went from trying to, I don’t know what you want to say, get my trust and then slowly lure me into telling you I killed somebody and I’m not going to do it.”

6. Host’s Purpose for the Episode

• Balanced Presentation: Annie makes it clear her intention is “not to tell you to believe one thing over the other,” but to “break down all of the facts and really walk you through the arguments on both sides and determine what you think is true.” (03:31)

7. Listener Engagement & Next Steps

• Community Requests: During Annie’s live tour, the Delphi Murders was the most requested case for her to revisit, underscoring ongoing public curiosity and controversy.
• Invitation to Continue the Conversation: Annie encourages listeners to share their thoughts and reactions.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Opening (00:59):
  News Anchor: “...the arrest of Richard M. Allen of Deli on two counts of murder is sure a major step in leading to the conclusion of this long term and complex investigation.”
• Richard M. Allen’s Denial (01:28):
  “It’s not me. You’re not going to make me believe it’s me. You’re not going to find anything that ties me to those murders. So I’m not really that concerned.”
• Annie Elise’s Mission Statement (03:28):
  “My goal today isn’t to tell you to believe one thing over the other, but rather it’s to break down all of the facts and really walk you through the arguments on both sides and determine what you think is true.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:59 – 01:48: Introduction, arrest of Richard M. Allen, background on the case.
• 01:48 – 02:53: Recounting the murders, public scrutiny, and the complexity of the case.
• 02:53 – 03:31: Major recent developments: confessions, leaks, cult rumors, and trial controversy.
• 03:31 – 04:08: Annie Elise's intentions for the episode—balanced evidence breakdown, encouragement of listener conclusions.

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Tone & Style

Annie Elise’s delivery remains conversational, empathetic, and meticulous—engaging her “true crime besties” while handling the sensitive nature of the case with care. She invites speculation but cautions against premature conclusions, striving for clarity amid controversy.

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Final Thoughts

This episode provides a deep, even-handed analysis of the Delphi Murders investigation, focusing both on the factual and speculative aspects that have split public opinion. It’s essential listening for those interested in the ongoing mysteries of high-profile true crime and the question: Did they get the wrong guy?

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Note: The full episode is available on Annie Elise’s other podcast, 10 to Life, where the case is covered in even more detail.

Transcript

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[News Anchor]

not a day to celebrate, but the arrest of Richard M. Allen of Deli on two counts of murder is sure a major step in leading to the conclusion of this long term and complex investigation.

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In that phone call, Richard M. Allen admits several times that he killed Abby and Libby.

[True Crime Narrator]

Talking on the phone and just saying, I was shocked.

[Richard M. Allen (Suspect)]

It's not me. You're not going to make me believe it's me. You're not going to find anything that ties me to those murders. So I'm not really that concerned. You know, you went from trying to, I don't know what you want to say, get my trust and then slowly lure me into telling you I killed somebody and I'm not going to do it.

[True Crime Narrator]

Of all of the cases that we've covered, there are very few that are more publicized, more controversial, or more heartbreaking than the case we're talking about today. It is the case of the brutal murders of Abby Williams and Libby German. Abby and Libby, they were best friends and they were only 13 and 14 years old when their lives were viciously taken from them. Taken from them when they were out on what should have just been a normal, happy walk along the trails in Deli, Indiana. And one of the most shocking things about this case is how long it took for an arrest to even happen despite massive searches and despite intense public attention. I mean, it took years, five years before anybody was arrested. Five years. I mean, that is a lot of time for rumors to spread for people to start questioning the investigation, and also for some extremely sketchy characters to just like crawl out of the woodwork. Now, the last time that we covered this case, it was back in 2023 when a suspect was finally arrested. But since then, this case has literally exploded. There has not only been a huge trial, but a huge country or, you know, world divided. Because, yes, many people believe that justice has finally been served for Abby and Libby, but others are convinced that the police, they got the wrong guy. And in the meantime, there's also been leaked photos, crazy jail calls, recorded confessions, rumors about cults, alleged setups. I mean, it has been absolute chaos. Also, when I was out on my live tour last fall, one of the most highly requested cases that I reopen and re examine is this case, the Delphi Murders. Just because I think how controversial it is and how so many people do believe that they got it all wrong, that Richard Allen isn't the guy, that it's somebody else entirely. So today we are reopening this case and we are breaking down everything. The suspect, the confessions, the trial, also the evidence on both sides of the argument. This case is incredibly complex and incredibly controversial. So my goal today isn't to tell you to believe one thing over the other, but rather it's to break down all of the facts and really walk you through the arguments on both sides and determine what you think is true.

[Podcast Host]

Hey, true crime besties. That was a sneak peek of an all new episode that is out right now over on my second podcast, 10 to Life. It's totally free, it's available wherever you get your podcasts. Just search in Spotify or Apple 10102 Life, and you can listen to that episode in its entirety right now. We also have a ton of new episodes over there for you to listen to if you haven't yet. Or we put out new episodes every single Tuesday, so head on over, go listen. And that case is definitely wild. I am very curious to hear what you guys think about it. Again, that's 10 to life on all podcast platforms and I will also link it for you in the show notes.

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