Whoever Killed 2 Indiana Teen Girls in 2017 Is 'Hiding in Plain Sight,' as New Sketch Released
At a press conference in Delphi, Ind., on Monday, Indiana State Police revealed several bits of new information regarding the ongoing investigation into the unsolved 2017 murders of Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13.
Officers released an updated — and notably different — sketch of the suspect, as well as a previously unheard snippet of audio recording from German’s phone. They also unveiled a new bit of video footage of the suspect walking along the Monon High Bridge, where the two girls had been out for a walk on Feb. 13, 2017 when they disappeared.
At the press conference, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said the department is “seeking the public’s help” in finding the suspect, noting that the previous sketch of the alleged killer, released in July of 2017, should now be considered secondary to the new one. The new sketch appears to show a younger man.
Authorities previously said they were looking for a suspect between 5’6” – 5’10”, with reddish brown hair and a broad age range of 18-40. Today they said the man appears “to be in his mid-twenties to mid-thirties and is believed responsible for the murders of the girls.”
Carter said he believes the suspect lives in Delphi or nearby, and had a “close connection” to the town and its residents. “We likely have interviewed you, or someone close to you,” he said, addressing the unknown suspect.
RELATED: Family Speaks Out After Delphi Murders
German and Williams are believed to have been approached by this suspect on the bridge. German was able to record surreptitious video evidence of the man on her cellphone before her death, capturing him saying the eerie words “Guys, down the hill.”
In 2017, Indiana State Police Sgt. Tony Slocom told reporters German was a “hero” for having the wherewithal to film her attacker. “To have enough presence of mind to activate the video system on her cellphone to record what we believe is criminal behavior about to occur, there is no doubt in our mind that she is a hero.”
The girls’ bodies were found on February 14, 2017, in a wooded area about half a mile from the bridge. Williams’ and German’s cause of death has never been released.
Earlier this year, Sgt. Jerry Holeman noted that the Indiana State Police continues to be flooded with tips about the case. “We get 10 to 12 tips daily and sometimes more, depending on what the media or social media is putting out there. But a lot of those are false tips,” he told A&E Real Crime.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.
At Monday’s press conference, Superintendent Carter became choked up as he addressed the alleged killer, whom he called a “coward.” Carter said, “We believe you are hiding in plain sight. … For more than two years, you never thought we would shift gears to a new investigative strategy, but we have.”
He also warned the suspect, “We have a witness. You made mistakes. We are coming for you and there’s no place for a heartless coward like you to hide that gets his thrill from killing little girls.”
The Indiana State Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
If you have information about the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German, call the tip line at 844-459-5786 or send an email to abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com.
