People Magazine Investigates: The Delphi Killer Recap
Tonight’s episode of People Magazine Investigates focuses on The Delphi Killer, who claimed the lives of Liberty “Libby” German and Abby Williams. According to Wikipedia, the girls were dropped off to go hiking by Libby’s sister Kelsi on February 13, 2017…..but that would be the last time anyone would see them alive. A picture of Abby was posted by Libby around 2:07 that afternoon, but there was no contact after that moment.
Libby’s father was supposed to pick the girls up at 3:15, but they failed to show up. The family went to search for them themselves before calling the police and reporting the girls missing.
The girls’ families discuss their love for life and adventure, as well as how they became friends in middle school.
THE BEGINNING:
On that fateful day, the girls were off from school due to a makeup snow day. They had a sleepover the day before and decided that they wanted to go hiking at the Monon High Bridge. They invited Kelsi to come along, but she already had plans. However, she agreed to drop them off since they were able to find a ride home.
The families recall seeing Libby’s Snapchat and then no longer being able to reach them, leading to the cops to get involved.
At first, the cops were not concerned, but things quickly changed, leading to a mass search into the the late night hours. More people were on hand to help the next day, hoping to find the girls alive. Kelsi followed the bridge based on where Libby’s picture had been taken. The girls weren’t allowed there, but the search continued there anyway.
Before long, a shoe was found, leading to the bodies of Abby and Libby being discovered. Everyone recalls finding out and being heartbroken by the news.
THE INVESTIGATION:
Police told the media that it was now a homicide investigation. No other details were released to the public due to the nature of the investigation. However, the investigation continued, with a man named Ronald Logan being questioned. He lived in the area and was seen at the dump the day of the murder. He was cleared as a suspect, but arrested for violating a DUI parole.
A few days later, Libby’s cell phone is found, with a crucial piece of evidence. There is video of a man captured on her phone, which her family and law enforcement credit her for getting. Screenshots from the video were released to the public in hopes of identifying the man.
On February 22, days after the funeral, another piece of evidence was released. Investigators found a recording on the phone with a man saying the words ‘down the hill.’ This led to them releasing it to the public in hopes that someone could recognize the voice. Sadly, this did not lead to anything, despite the fact that a $200,000 reward was offered.
THE SUSPECTS:
Five months later, an eyewitness came forward and claims to have seen a man on the trails that day. Thanks to a composite sketch, Kevin Sellers becomes a suspect. He is cleared of a suspect in this case, but arrested for the murder of his uncle in 2007.
The investigation continues, and in September of that year get another suspect. His name is Daniel Nations and is a known sex offender. He also resembles the sketch and is known to have connections to other crimes. He is arrested for weapons charges and violating his parole, but is eventually cleared as a suspect as well.
With no other leads, investigators look into other crimes with similarities to the case. They are able to find a case of two murdered cousins in Iowa, but soon find there is no connection.
In January 2019, Charles Elridge is arrested in a sting operation capturing him for child molestation. They discover that he not only strikes a resemblance to the sketch, but also has violent imagery AND missing children cases on his Facebook page. One of the post was about Libby and Abby, which made him an even bigger suspect. However, he was also cleared as a suspect.
Later on that year, a new sketch was released to the public, but looks starkly different from the original. However, both sketches are released to the public, as well as the voice and screenshot…..in case someone sees a connection.
The families and investigators will not rest until they find the killers. Kelsi also has plans of going into law enforcement, while Abby’s mom Alicia plans a memorial park for the girls.
