Richard Allen: All About the Chilling Delphi Case and the Convicted Killer’s Sudden Prison Transfer

Allen, 51, is serving a 130-year sentence for the 2017 murders of Abigail “Abby” Williams, 13, and Liberty “Libby” German, 14, whose lives were cut short during an afternoon walk along the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Indiana. The crime stunned the tight-knit town and ignited a years-long manhunt that only came to a resolution when Allen was arrested in 2022 — and later convicted in 2024.

This week, Allen was quietly transferred from Indiana to an Oklahoma correctional facility, sparking questions and renewed public interest in the case that had never quite left the headlines.

Who is Richard Allen, and What Happened in Delphi?

Libby German and Abby Williams.
Source: Courtesy Mike and Becky Patty

On February 13, 2017, best friends Abby and Libby went for a walk on a popular hiking trail in their small hometown of Delphi. It was a school-free day, and the girls planned to spend it outdoors — like countless other teenagers had before them.

But the girls never came home.

Their bodies were discovered the next day near the north bank of Deer Creek, just a short distance from the trail they were last seen on. The crime scene, later described by police as “brutal,” revealed that the girls had been stalked, kidnapped, and murdered. Prosecutors later confirmed their throats had been slit and their bodies dumped in the nearby woods.

What set this case apart from the beginning was that Libby, sensing something wasn’t right, had the presence of mind to record video and audio of the suspect on her phone. The now-infamous “bridge guy” footage — showing a man approaching the girls and instructing them to go “down the hill” — became the focal point of one of the most closely watched investigations in Indiana history.

How Did Richard Allen Become a Suspect?

For years, the case went cold. Multiple sketches of potential suspects were released. Tips poured in. But there were no arrests — until October 26, 2022, when authorities revealed that they had taken Richard Allen into custody.

Allen, a Delphi resident, lived just miles from the crime scene and had even developed photos at the local CVS where he worked — including photos for members of the victims’ families.

He later admitted to police that he was on the trail the day the girls disappeared. Still, he denied any involvement in their deaths.

What tied him to the murders was a single unspent .40-caliber round found near the bodies. Forensic testing showed the bullet had been cycled through Allen’s personal firearm — a Sig Sauer Model P226 — leading investigators to believe he had brought the gun to the scene that day.

His arrest left residents stunned. Many knew Allen casually through town. The idea that a seemingly ordinary man could be capable of such violence was difficult to comprehend.

What Happened at His Trial?

Richard Allen’s trial began in October 2024 and concluded just over a month later with a jury finding him guilty on all counts.

He was convicted of four charges: felony murder for killing Abby during a kidnapping attempt, felony murder for killing Libby during a kidnapping attempt, and two counts of murder for knowingly taking both girls’ lives. On December 20, 2024, Judge Fran Gull handed down the maximum sentence — 130 years in prison, split into two consecutive 65-year terms.

During sentencing, the families of Abby and Libby finally had their opportunity to speak. A gag order had previously barred them from addressing the court during the trial.

Libby’s mother, Carrie Timmons, described the emotional aftermath of the crime. “I was blind that such evil existed,” she said, adding that she now lives with PTSD, anxiety, and overwhelming grief. Her father, Mike Patty, spoke directly to Allen: “You could’ve taken accountability. You need to stand up and not appeal.”

Abby’s grandmother, Diane Erskin, echoed the sentiment. “This is a day of great sadness for our family. We won’t be going home to celebrate with champagne,” she said. She recalled Abby’s last words, captured on Libby’s phone: “Don’t leave me up here.” It was that haunting plea that kept Erskin in the courtroom through every painful moment of the trial.

Why Was Richard Allen Moved to an Oklahoma Prison?

On July 17, 2025, Richard Allen was transferred to a prison in Lexington, Oklahoma — nearly 700 miles from where his trial took place. Officials have not confirmed why Allen was moved out of state, but Oklahoma’s Department of Corrections spokeswoman Kay Thompson confirmed that Allen is currently being held at the assessment and reception center located about 40 miles south of Oklahoma City.

According to Thompson, Oklahoma participates in an interstate inmate transfer program with several states, including Indiana. Such transfers typically happen for one of three reasons: high-profile nature of the case, safety concerns, or, in some instances, to place inmates closer to their families.

In Allen’s case, safety is likely a primary factor. Before his trial even began, Allen had previously been moved from Indiana state custody due to concerns about potential threats or retaliation. His crime and conviction remain highly publicized, and his presence in any standard prison environment could pose risks.

Allen is expected to stay at the Oklahoma intake center for approximately 30 days while the Department of Corrections assesses where he should be permanently housed.

Is Richard Allen Appealing His Sentence?

Yes. Allen is in the process of appealing both his conviction and 130-year sentence. As of July 24, 2025, court records show that his legal team has not yet filed the official brief detailing the grounds for the appeal.

At sentencing, Judge Gull addressed Allen directly. “You sit here and roll your eyes at me like you rolled your eyes at me through this trial,” she said. “These families will deal with your carnage forever.”

Prosecutors believe their evidence — including Allen’s multiple confessions to corrections staff, a psychologist, and even his wife — was more than enough to secure the conviction.

Still, Allen’s defense team argued that he was in a psychotic state when those confessions were made and plans to challenge those statements as part of his appeal.

How Did the Families and Investigators React?

The sentencing brought emotional closure to a long and painful journey, but not the kind of peace anyone hoped for.

Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas McLeland thanked the girls themselves for their help in solving the case. He credited Libby for recording the video of the man on the bridge and Abby for hiding the phone — actions he called “heroic.”

“Libby had the wherewithal to pull out her phone… to know something wasn’t right,” McLeland said. “That recording was arguably the biggest piece of evidence we had.”

Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter urged the public to delete leaked crime scene photos that continue to circulate online. “Sharing those images revictimizes the families,” he said firmly. “They’ve been through enough.”

Sheriff Tony Liggett added, “A form of justice was served, but it does not bring Abby or Libby back. These families will live every day without two of the most important people in their lives.”

FAQs

Who is Richard Allen? Richard Allen is a former CVS employee from Delphi, Indiana, convicted of murdering Abby Williams and Libby German in 2017.

What is the “Delphi case”? The Delphi case refers to the 2017 double homicide of two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana. It remained unsolved until Allen’s arrest in 2022.

How was Allen caught? A bullet found near the crime scene was matched to Allen’s gun. He also admitted to being on the trail that day and later confessed multiple times.

Where is Allen now? He is currently being held at an Oklahoma prison intake facility. His final prison placement is still being determined.

Why was he moved to Oklahoma? Though not officially confirmed, he was likely transferred due to the high-profile nature of the case and related safety concerns.

Is Allen appealing his conviction? Yes. He is appealing both his conviction and sentence, though his legal team has not yet filed the formal appeal brief.