Police Search for Suspect in Deaths of Indiana Teens Who Vanished On Hike

CNN/Stylemagazine.com Newswire | 2/20/2017, 8:51 a.m.
Investigators have identified a suspect in the deaths of two teens who went missing during a hike, Indiana State Police …
Indainapolis, IN* The bodies of two missing Indiana girls found in the woods near a creek have been identified, and their deaths are being investigated as a double homicide, authorities said Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. Autopsy results released Wednesday confirmed the identities of the teens as Liberty "Libby" German, 14, and Abigail "Abby" Williams, 13.

By Emanuella Grinberg and Kwegyirba Croffie

CNN

(CNN) -- Investigators have identified a suspect in the deaths of two teens who went missing during a hike, Indiana State Police said Sunday.

The bodies of Liberty "Libby" German, 14, and Abigail "Abby" Williams, 13, were found Tuesday in woods about 70 miles northwest of Indianapolis, the Carroll County Sheriff's Office said.

Police on Wednesday released a photo of a man seen near Delphi Historic Trail around the time the teens were there. They did not call him a suspect at the time.

Since then, preliminary evidence has led investigators to suspect the man in the photo participated in the teens' deaths, the state police said in a statement.

No further information about the man was provided.

Missing since Monday

Police say the case is the first double homicide investigation in Carroll County's recent history.

Relatives dropped off the teens at Delphi Historic Trail on Monday afternoon. When they did not return to be picked up, family members called police.

A volunteer search party formed to assist law enforcement, leading to the discovery of their bodies along a railroad bridge near Dear Creek in Delphi.

Police have not revealed the cause or manner of death.

The investigation

Police are asking anyone who has information on the case to call the Carroll County Sheriff's Office at 765-564-2413, the Delphi Police Department at 765-564-2345 or Indiana State Police at 765-567-2125.

Police said callers may remain anonymous.

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