Found Deceased IN - Abigail (Abby) Williams, 13, & Liberty (Libby) German, 14, The Delphi Murders 13 Feb 2017 #101

[Krwiley60]

I really agree. MOO its like he played hide and seek there and knew where sound would not carry and that the flat below the cemetery was invisible to the trail and bridge.

Yes. I also think he probably put duct tape or something over their mouths. If I am standing by my woods on a calm day, I can hear everything.

 

[bradfordsleuth]

Agree- he didn't just pull up there on a cross-country trip and murder someone and drive away. He had been coming there equipped to do something multiple times.

Yes.
"Hiding in plain sight."

 

[BigTexas]

My question is....how could he be sure they would do so before anyone else came in the vicinity?

Had one or more accomplices looking out to warn him if anyone else came into the vicinity. Just MOO.

 

[MistyWaters]

This quote below was from Feb 22, 2017 but as LE reportedly said “the girls may have been targeted” quite recently, iirc shortly before the PC although I’m still looking to find the specific video.....but IMO if sketch one was sighted on the highway near the trail that would describe a chance encounter. Then comes sketch two, someone with ties to Delphi - is that leaning toward the second possibility?

Capt. Dave Bursten is the Chief Public Information Officer for the Indiana State Police -

“.....One of two things happened," Bursten said. "That was a chance encounter. That's possible. Don't think it's likely but it's possible. Or, that person knew they were going to be there. That's possible as well. Those are things we're looking into."....”
UPDATE: Delphi teen records audio before murders

 

[ilovechili]

<modsnipped quoted post and response>

That to me, is the first sketch, a generation fitting midwesterner... Not so with the new sketch. I do not like to stereotype but again just saying one would be more common than the other... With the first older age range particularly... With the younger age range and new picture, not so common I would think in that small area, at the bridge, etc.

To me, it says they pretty much know who this is now... Or so I hope...

 

[JnRyan]

I disagree with all of this on all levels. In my opinion, he came prepared to do what he planned to do and that was to target someone, march them down the hill to the crime scene, kill them and get out. He is pure evil in the worst possible way.

I originally did not believe this and thought it was just a crime of opportunity. Now we hear LE is looking for a vehicle parked away from the trail's parking areas and could have been there for 4-5 hours. That sounds like someone who didn't want their vehicle associated with the trail. That would appear to be a premeditated crime.

 

[kelleyrepair]

Hmm...interesting concept, but with all due respect, Jdart14, in MOO I think that LE already *knows* the answers to these questions; in fact, I wouldn't be surprised at all were we to later learn that LE is simply waiting for either a. the POI either to " 'fess up", or b. strong (i. e., indisputable) evidence to surface.

While it *would* be fabulous for LE to get a confession... (here I must pause, making a deep, deep sigh...) ...I am afraid that the POI is *so* narcissistic and hardened after these 2 years and 3 months that he believes himself to be... invincible. Yes. It is simply my own opinion that the POI is ***very much*** out and about in full view of the public doing "people"-type work (whether paid, or as a well-known volunteer); this very thought itself makes me shiver, thinking that the trusting souls under his care have no.reason.to.question his character... Scary thought. All MOO and finely-tuned "spidey sense".

Nailed it!

 

[Krwiley60]

I originally did not believe this and thought it was just a crime of opportunity. Now we hear LE is looking for a vehicle parked away from the trail's parking areas and could have been there for 4-5 hours. That sounds like someone who didn't want their vehicle associated with the trail. That would appear to be a premeditated crime.

Totally premeditated!

 

[StarryStarryNight]

This is my current thinking. Yea, it changes a lot, LOL!

1) We know LE has kept pretty much all info to themselves. I think one thing they kept super secret and felt very important was that more than one person right after the murders told them about a car parked at the old CPS building that afternoon. One of those people also helped them with the new sketch. The witness. They filed these away in the game changer super secret drawer.
2) So while LE was asking about cars parked at the trailhead etc and people walking around they never mentioned the CPS car.
3) Everybody seen on the trail that day contacted police...except BG. I’m guessing every car parked at the trailhead, etc contacted police...except CPS car, making it more suspicious to LE.
4) Recently, LE got an anonymous tip that named the killer, and said the killer had driven a borrowed car to the trails and parked at the old CPS building. This is what shot the investigation into a new direction.
5) At the press conference LE said they needed the driver of the car...an appeal to the owner to come forward and confirm the named guy was in fact in the car that afternoon.
6) I now think LE was not talking to the killer at the press conference but that everything they said, the new video and audio, mention of the CPS car, the new sketch was meant to communicate to the anonymous tipster that we got your tip, we believe you, we have evidence to corroborate your info, we would really like to talk with you.

It’s possible they don’t yet know his name yet, and it’s possible the killer might be in jail right now for some other crime, but LE is right there. They need some tidying up information and now have someone to get it from. I might just be dreaming here but, gosh, I think it’s real close.

 

[Cutiekitty]

Yeah, really. If they had a distinct POI they could arrest him on suspicion.

I think the arrestee could then invoke speedy trial and the clock starts ticking. If LE only has suspicion or weak circumstantial evidence they’d be taking a really big gamble that could result in an acquittal if they can’t get solid evidence before trial. It’s better to get solid evidence and build a strong case. My vibe it that is exactly what they are doing.

 

[cluciano63]

Jmo, no way he could have expected to find teenage girls up there. Even if he did know that school was out that day, most teen girls head to the mall or just “hang out”. Maybe he was hoping for a female jogger or any lone woman hiking...but he could not expect he would find one. He likely carried whatever weapon he used all the time. That is all he would need...a gun or a knife.

 

[wgram]

They sure did.

That recording may not lead to his arrest, but it will likely be very important in his conviction.

There is probably a lot more audio there.

BBM I sure feel that there's more audio and hopefully video out there we all know that the police usually keeps the real big evidence to their vests.

 

[Boxer]

A poster on #100 said they wished they could just reach into the picture of BG on the bridge and shove him off.

 

[MistyWaters]

IIRC it is supposed to take about 5 minutes to cross (about 865 feet?)

Earlier there was a discussion here about bridge protocol - if someone is walking on the bridge others would stand and wait to cross - rather than cross paths going a different direction directly on the bridge. I can understand that as it’s not very wide, no railings etc.

So if Libby was still taking photos of Abby on the bridge, once they saw BG starting to walk across the bridge, even if the girls hadn’t intended to walk to the NE end his approach could’ve caused them to walk further along it, maybe expecting him to turn around at some point.

But that he didn’t, something about how he continued to walk towards them might’ve been reason to raise Libby’s concern when she began secretly videoing. I can also imagine the girls then kept walking to the end, maybe waiting there expecting they could start back across the bridge after the man exited to wherever he was going, which of course isn’t what occurred. By the time he reached the end, he’d only need to look back and if anybody was behind him, he had every opportunity to abort his plans, keep walking or turn around and nobody would’ve been none the wiser. JMO

 

[ilovechili]

WGRAM.... bbm. I love reading different perspectives. So I was thinking about "heard them rebelling"....I think it has been mentioned many times (IIRC) a person said they "heard a couple fighting." I wonder if the "couple heard fighting" could have ended abruptly. All the perp would have to do is punch me in the face or stomach and that would end the shouting. Would you walk away if you heard a couple fighting, or stand by to see if you could be of assistance?
On a side note. I once asked a specialist in (international) crimes what would hurt the most if he was caught committing a crime. I thought he would say: losing my job, losing my wife, professional shame, loss of freedom, being hated by his children, serving time in prison.....But, NO! He said the most humiliating and hurtful thing would be if his Mother found out. Maybe that Freud fell'r was on to something. I've always told my children (and everyone else, too), "The first sign of mental illness is not loving your Mother."

Excellent post.

 

[cluciano63]

If they had one prime suspect, they would find a way to get his DNA. And if it matched, he would be hauled in for questioning. He would be asked to explain the DNA, especially if he tells them he never goes to the bridge, had never seen the girls etc. He would need to provide a verifiable alibi. I believe the DNA was found in such a way that would rule a person in or out.

If no alibi, and his DNA was on the girl’s bodies or clothing...he would be arrested. All jmo.

 

[Cutiekitty]

Not a peep out of anyone. No statements. No interviews.

I remember a statement, but don’t recall a PC (doesn’t mean there wasn’t one though). I’m catching up, but if see you still don’t have what you are looking for I’ll try to find it.

 

[bradfordsleuth]

BBM I sure feel that there's more audio and hopefully video out there we all know that the police usually keeps the real big evidence to their vests.

My thoughts are that the recording ended when Libby's battery died....unfortunately I believe that the audio captured everything that happened. It breaks my heart to type this.

The phone was not shut off....the battery died according to early reports.
JMO

 

[kelleyrepair]

This is my current thinking. Yea, it changes a lot, LOL!

1) We know LE has kept pretty much all info to themselves. I think one thing they kept super secret and felt very important was that more than one person right after the murders told them about a car parked at the old CPS building that afternoon. One of those people also helped them with the new sketch. The witness. They filed these away in the game changer super secret drawer.
2) So while LE was asking about cars parked at the trailhead etc and people walking around they never mentioned the CPS car.
3) Everybody seen on the trail that day contacted police...except BG. I’m guessing every car parked at the trailhead, etc contacted police...except CPS car, making it more suspicious to LE.
4) Recently, LE got an anonymous tip that named the killer, and said the killer had driven a borrowed car to the trails and parked at the old CPS building. This is what shot the investigation into a new direction.
5) At the press conference LE said they needed the driver of the car...an appeal to the owner to come forward and confirm the named guy was in fact in the car that afternoon.
6) I now think LE was not talking to the killer at the press conference but that everything they said, the new video and audio, mention of the CPS car, the new sketch was meant to communicate to the anonymous tipster that we got your tip, we believe you, we have evidence to corroborate your info, we would really like to talk with you.

It’s possible they don’t yet know his name yet, and it’s possible the killer might be in jail right now for some other crime, but LE is right there. They need some tidying up information and now have someone to get it from. I might just be dreaming here but, gosh, I think it’s real close.

Outstanding theory.

 

[Cutiekitty]

I just had a thought about what might have prompted the girls to begin recording him.

What if he came onto the bridge from the direction they were heading, passed them (facing each other), then shortly after did a U-turn and walked back the way he had come, following them? Maybe not having even gone all the way to the other end (the end they had come from - sorry I get the north and south mixed up). If someone passed me on a trail, let alone a bridge, and then I noticed them following me shortly after, I'd be terrified.

Do we know for sure which end of the bridge he walked onto before he started following the girls?

That is something I’ve been wondering about too.