The 2017 murders of 13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German in Delphi, Indiana, shook the country. Five years later, what became known as the “Delphi Murders,” or the “Snapchat Murders,” remains an ongoing investigation.
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The case has received significant media attention, which generated more than 30,000 tips in the first year alone. Multiple suspects have been investigated, only to be dismissed. However, law enforcement agencies and families are hopeful the case will be solved within the next three years.
What Happened to the Young Girls in Delphi, Indiana?
On Feb. 13, 2017, best friends Abby Williams and Libby German went for a walk on the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Indiana, about 20 minutes northeast of Lafayette. The weather was gorgeous, perfect for two eighth-graders enjoying the final day of winter break.
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Libby’s older sister dropped them off at about 1 p.m., with plans made for her grandfather to pick them up about an hour later. At 2:07 p.m., Libby posted an image to Snapchat of Abby on the bridge. But when it came time for them to go home, the girls were nowhere to be seen.
Abby and Libby were immediately reported missing, and by 5:30 p.m., a search was under way. Their bodies were discovered the following day, at 12:15 p.m., near a creek on the property of Ron Logan, about 1,400 feet from his Carroll County home. The Monon High Bridge is one-third of a mile away. Police searched Logan's property, including his house, outbuildings and automobiles, for possible evidence.
Indiana State Police Release the Killer's Face and Voice
Indiana State Police released a sketch by an FBI artist of a "person of interest" on July 17, 2017. That was followed on April 22, 2019, by a new sketch of the man police suspected to be the killer. Notably, the man in the 2019 sketch appears much younger than the one in the previously released rendition. The FBI described the killer as a white man weighing between 180 pounds and 200 pounds, and measuring between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-8.
Libby captured the killer's ambush in a 43-second cellphone video and audio clip. However, police have kept quiet about the killer's method and signature. They released a grainy smartphone image of a heavyset man wearing a blue jacket on the bridge, and an audio clip taken from Libby’s phone. In that clip, a man can be heard saying, “guys... down the hill." Police said they believe the “Bridge Man” is likely the killer.
Police said they believe the killer is from Delphi, and that he lives or works there, or else frequently visits the area. In July 2021, Carroll County imposed a blackout on releasing information about possible persons of interest.
At the end of 2021, police requested further information about a Snapchat and Instagram account, anthony_shots, in relation to the Delphi case.
Court Documents Reveal More About the Delphi Murders
In early May 2022, The Murder Sheet true-crime podcast obtained and released court documents related to the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German. According to a Fox news affiliate, the heavily redacted FBI search warrant, from March 2017, details what led investigators to search Ron Logan's property, and outlines his activity on the day of the murders.
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An FBI special agent revealed in the search warrant that there were no signs of "a struggle or fight." However, the victims lost a large amount of blood, which would have covered the killer. The bodies were moved from the initial crime scene, and then staged.
Police recovered all but two articles of the girls' clothing, which the warrant indicates were probably kept by the killer as souvenirs. He also likely took photos or videos of the scene.
Is a Catfishing Account Linked to the Two Murders?
The Murder Sheet also released the transcript from an Indiana State Police interview with Kegan Kline. The 27-year-old man from Peru, Indiana, was accused of using a catfish account, anthony_shots, to obtain sexual pictures and videos of nearly 100 girls on Snapchat and Instagram. In the transcript, Kline admitted to having contact with Libby German through the Instagram account. One of the last people to talk with Libby, Kline discussed meeting her on the Monon High Bridge. That was the night before the murders.
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Kline hasn't been charged in connection to the murders. However, he was arrested in 2020 and charged with 30 counts related to the anthony_shots account, including child pornography, child exploitation and child solicitation.
But Kline insisted to investigators he wasn't the only one with access to the account. In the interview transcript, he claimed to have given his password to “a lot of people."
Attention has returned in recent weeks to Kline, who was returned on Aug. 19, 2022, to the Miami County (Indiana) Jail, following his temporary release to meet with Indiana State Police investigators. Although no official reason was given in court documents, The Murder Sheet contends it's connected to an Aug. 30 search by ISP of the Wabash River bed, near Peru, Indiana.
Kline remains in jail on child-pornography charges, on a $265,000 bond. His lawyer has said Kline has no connection to the murders.
Who Was Ron Logan - and Why Was the FBI Suspicious?
Ron Logan owned the Carroll County, Indiana, property on which the bodies of Libby and Abby were found. He cooperated with police following the discovery, and even showed reporters the crime scene.
"To have anyone murdered on your property … I don't know what my feelings are right now," Logan told a newspaper on Feb. 15, 2017, two days after the killings. "It caught me by surprise,”
The recently disclosed search warrant reveals the FBI's suspicion of Logan. The agent described his stature as resembling the man in the video, and his voice as sounding similar to the one on the audio clip. Two of Logan’s former girlfriends also told police he was violent and threatened to kill them.
Ron Logan's Alibi and Death
On the day of the murders, the 77-year old Logan violated his probation from a 2014 drunken-driving incident by driving his truck to the landfill, sometime between 11:53 a.m. and 11:58 a.m. Logan was arrested in March 2017 for violating the terms of his probation.
Cellphone tower data indicates Logan's cellphone was in Delphi the afternoon of Feb. 13, near the bridge trail, and near the banks of Deer Creek, where the bodies were found.
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The FBI agent said Logan lied about his alibi for the day of the murders. Before the discovery of the bodies, Logan allegedly told his cousin, if asked, to say they went to an aquarium store in nearby Lafayette, Indiana, at around 2 p.m. The cousin was also instructed to say they returned to Logan's home between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Logan possessed a receipt from the store, but time stamp was 5:21 p.m., placing his timeline in doubt.
Logan was released from prison in January 2018, after serving time for probation violations. He died in January 2020 from COVID-19, at age 82. Logan was never named as a suspect or charged in connection to the Delphi murders.
The Rise of Armchair Sleuths
There is tremendous appetite for true crime -- and many people are interested in helping to investigate from home. Armchair sleuths can scour video footage, search social media, and provide insights that sometimes help to crack cases.
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These stories are found in podcasts like The Murder Sheet, or on websites like websleuths.com and Reddit. Contributions range from potentially harmful speculation to technologically powerful innovations, such as the DNA Doe Project and the augmented reality app, CrimeDoor. There's even a podcast called Down The Hill: The Delphi Murders.
This work can be extremely helpful for police. However, civilian investigators need to keep in mind that they should work with law enforcement, and take care not to tamper with evidence. Improperly collecting potential evidence can actually prevent its use in court.
Speculation is natural, but unsubstantiated claims can be hurtful to the family and the community, who are trying to heal from a tragedy. Investigating leads, such as the possible identification of "Bridge Guy" on social media, can take away from valuable investigative time. For its part, the Delphi community continues to be supportive of investigative efforts.
Honoring Abby and Libby, and Continuing the Search
Abby and Libby were interested in science and forensics, and had even thought about working for the FBI. They shared a fascination with photography, sports, and played the alto saxophone in band. They had signed up for softball in the summer. The town of Delphi established the L&A Park Foundation in their memory, and in 2019 built a sports complex named in their honor. Residents continue to leave orange lights on their balconies until the killer of Abby and Libby is caught.
Indiana State Police announced in February 2020 that they know who killed the girls, but have insufficient evidence to make the arrest. Police are unable to comment on evidence on an open investigation. However, they're still looking for tips relating to the murders of Abby and Libby.
Tips can be reported to the Delphi Homicide Tip Line at 844-459-5786
or emailed to abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.