NEWS

Delphi killings: Recording generates 1,900 tips

Ron Wilkins
rwilkins@jconline.com
Capt. David Bursten of the Indiana State Police is joined by law enforcement officials from numerous departments to provide the latest details of the investigation into the murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at Delphi United Methodist Church in Delphi. Police released an audio clip believed to be that of the girl's killer taken from Liberty German's cellphone.

DELPHI, Ind. — Three chilling words — "down the hill" — recorded by 14-year-old Liberty German shortly before she and her friend, 13-year-old Abigail Williams, were killed Feb. 13 generated more than 1,900 new tips, Indiana State Police said Thursday.

Presumably, the voice is that of the girls' killer.

Police published the audio recording from German's phone during a news conference Wednesday morning. Tips immediately picked up with people calling the toll-free tip line  — 844-459-5786 — to offer police who they thought the voice might be. A week earlier, police had released a grainy photo of a man who police now consider a suspect. Police said Wednesday that that photo also came from German's phone.

Indiana State Police said Thursday that the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the girls' killer has been increased to $50,000.

Police also announced that the tip line number will now be answered at the FBI major case contact center in Washington, D.C. While the current tip line number does not change, callers may dial 800-225-5324, which also is 800-CALL-FBI. Callers will now have to follow a few prompts to report their information.

Information also may be reported via email at Abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com

Information to the tip lines or the email may be reported anonymously.

Police received more than 800 tips Wednesday after releasing an audio of a man ordering Liberty German and Abigail Williams down a hill. Anyone with information on the girls death is asked to call 844-459-5786.

German and Williams hiked the trails the afternoon of Feb. 13 — the last day of their winter break. They did not return to the pick-up point, where a relative waited for them. By 5:30 p.m. Feb. 13, the two were reported as missing, and police and volunteers began a search. The search was resumed the morning of Feb. 14, and the girls' bodies were found east of the Monon High Bridge just north of Deer Creek.

An autopsy performed Feb. 15 determined the manner of death was homicide, but other details from the autopsy — cause of death or specific injuries the girls suffered — have not been released to the public.

The girls' funerals and burials were Sunday.

J&C breaking news reporter Ron Wilkins can be reached at 765-420-5231; follow on Twitter @RonWilkins2