First post here.
I'm not a "local" but I live in West Lafayette - about 20 mins from Delphi. We visit there often to check out the different antique shops and local restaurants. I do know some people who grew up in Delphi and lived there until recently, and a few that work there but live here. One who is related to one of the victims. I do not have insider information. Just wanted to share a few thoughts/opinions from someone who lives close:
1. It's fairly common around here to be out "hiking" in normal clothes as Abby appears to be wearing. Here in Laf/WL we have a large trail system (similar to the trail system in Delphi), a lot of which are paved, some that go in and out of different parks, wooded areas, along highways, behind buildings, through neighborhoods, etc. So when the reports say they were going "hiking" we have to remember this isn't mountain hiking or even rugged middle of nowhere hiking. There's nothing out of the ordinary that it appears that they didn't have a huge stash of hiking equipment with them. These trails are frequented by runners, walkers, nature lovers, moms with strollers, etc. It's not abnormal to go walking on the trails in shorts, tee shirt and sandals in the summer.
2. The weather can change radically. And people react in different ways to these radical weather changes. It has been in the high 60's recently (very unseasonably warm) and I see people out walking in sleeveless shirts and shorts and coats zipped up and long pants. So the fact that she wasn't dressed like the suspect was in the picture doesn't really mean much IMO. And when it IS in the 40's in the middle of February, as it was that day, (quite a jump from the teens and 20's) people are out enjoying the weather as if it's springtime. Also, she very well could have taken a coat that was not pictured. They are teenage girls and are it's more important to look cute than to not be chilly. It could have been sitting on the ground not pictured.
3. I, too, have been scrutinizing the POI pic. But as I sat here and read through I began realizing that while it's great we are all trying to figure out what the heck he was wearing, when it comes down to it, it probably doesn't matter as much now, because I'm SURE those clothes are long gone by now. Yes, we need to be on the lookout for someone possibly wearing similar clothes with similar features, or something similar thrown out in the woods or along a roadway. But sadly, we are most likely passed the point of seeing the suspect walking along in the same outfit. Unless we have the world's dumbest criminal. Which would be GREAT, but isn't likely.
4. I don't think Abby's demeanor in the pic is anything odd (looking down, hands in pockets or not, etc). IMO, this is taken before they encountered the suspect. It seems totally rational that they were taking their time, walking along slowly, stopping to take selfies, pictures, edit them, laugh about them, sit down and take a break, etc. They are teenage girls in an area they seemed to spend time on previously and seemed to have no reason to have thought they were doing anything other than enjoying a nice day off of school in a familiar area they seem to have frequented before. Sadly, they were most likely not paying any attention to their surroundings or other people who were out there that day.
5. The people I know who grew up in Delphi ALL told me they grew up playing on those trails, in the woods, down in the creek, fishing, walking, throwing rocks, exploring, etc. Yes I know it was a different time then, but (and i think this has been mentioned before) in a small town like Delphi you sometimes have a (in this case false) sense of security. That being said, neither of the people I knew had been on the bridge. I, personally, wouldn't step foot on that thing, but I'm afraid of heights. But I know people have taken senior pictures on the bridge, and obviously people cross it.
That's all I got folks, just wanted to share a few things that were on my mind.