(NewsNation) — Police on Monday announced murder charges against Delphi, Indiana, man Richard Allen in connection with the 2017 killings of Abby Williams and Libby German.
Allen, 50, has pleaded not guilty and remains at the White County Jail, where he is being detained without bond, Carroll County District Attorney Nicholas McLeland said.
Monday’s announcement by Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter marked the first time the tight-knit community of Delphi received possible answers to the case that has been closely followed on podcasts and popular true-crime accounts.
The mystery of what happened to German and Williams has rocked the small town for nearly six years.
German and Williams, two teenage girls, went for a walk on the Monon High Bridge on Feb. 13, 2017. They never returned. At ages 13 and 14 years old, they were found slain near a community hiking trail the next day.
Then, police announced that German had video and images of the suspect on her phone. They shared audio of a man saying the words, “down the hill.”
Despite the photos and audio, no arrested were ever made. That’s until Friday, when Allen was booked into the Carroll County Jail.
Police had taken him in for questioning earlier that week, according to a news release.
“This investigation is far from complete and we will not jeopardize its integrity by releasing or discussing documents or information before the appropriate time,” Carter said.
Documents detailing probable cause for Allen’s arrest as well as the charging documents have been sealed and will not be available to reporters or the public, McLeland said.
The choice to seal the documents was unusual for Carroll County, the district attorney said. They will, however, remain private for now to protect the integrity of the case, which he emphasized is ongoing.
The high-profile case has gone unsolved for more than five years, generating mountains of speculation about the identity of the killer.
Since his arrest, Allen’s home has been a site for curious residents hoping the arrest will put an end to the nightmare.
“It’s about keeping the legacy alive,” Stacy Skinner said.
The arrest has left many community members wondering how the only person arrested in connection to the killings was living in their backyard.
“I just wanted to see where someone like this lives,” a neighbor, who chose not to be identified, said.
Others have traveled to Delphi to honor the lives of the teenage girls.
“I mean, I drove over seven hours. I’m from Wisconsin, so I drove over seven hours to get here,” Jenny Marvin said.
But for Allen’s neighbors, it’s unwanted attention on what is normally a quiet street.
Investigators will keep the tip line and email open, McLeland said.