Sealed Secrets: 5 Shocking Autopsy Details Revealed In The Richard Allen Delphi Murders Trial

The Delphi Autopsy Report, a critical piece of forensic evidence in the 2017 murders of Liberty "Libby" German and Abigail "Abby" Williams, remains officially sealed from public view. However, as of this *December 10, 2025*, the conclusion of the high-profile trial of convicted murderer Richard Allen has brought to light several explosive and previously guarded details about the victims' final moments and the nature of the crime scene. The testimony of the forensic pathologist was central to the prosecution's case, providing the jury with a harrowing account of the evidence.

The case, which gripped the nation for over seven years, culminated in Richard Allen's conviction and subsequent sentencing to 130 years in prison. While the full report is protected by court order, the details revealed in the courtroom—including the testimony about the girls' injuries and the forensic analysis—have formed the foundation for the current legal appeals and the ongoing public discourse surrounding the tragic events on the Monon High Bridge Trail.

The Victims: Liberty German and Abigail Williams Biography

The Delphi murders claimed the lives of two young, vibrant girls who were best friends, enjoying a day off school on the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Indiana.

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• Liberty "Libby" German (14): A freshman at Delphi Community High School. Libby was known for her love of sports, particularly volleyball and softball. She was the one who bravely captured crucial video and audio evidence of the killer, now known as "Bridge Guy," on her cellphone before the attack. This footage, including the famous three-second audio clip, became the most vital piece of evidence in the entire investigation.
• Abigail "Abby" Williams (13): An eighth-grader at Delphi Community Middle School. Abby was Libby's best friend and a talented artist. She was known for her kind heart and close relationship with her family. The two girls were inseparable, and their plan to hike the trail on February 13, 2017, was a simple, innocent outing that ended in tragedy.

Their disappearance and the subsequent discovery of their bodies on February 14, 2017, galvanized an unprecedented, multi-state investigation by the Indiana State Police (ISP) and federal agencies, leading to the eventual arrest of Richard Allen in October 2022. The Delphi murders timeline is a chilling sequence of events that relied heavily on the forensic findings detailed in the autopsy report.

Key Autopsy Findings and Testimony from Dr. Roland Kohr

The official Delphi autopsy report, which details the cause and manner of death, was performed by forensic pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr on February 15, 2017. During the trial, Dr. Kohr's testimony was pivotal, providing a window into the horrific nature of the crime and the specific injuries sustained by Libby German and Abby Williams. While the most graphic details were restricted to the courtroom and jury, the core findings were legally established.

1. The Nature of the Injuries and Cause of Death

Dr. Kohr testified extensively about the injuries, confirming that the cause of death for both girls was a homicide involving a sharp-edged weapon. The testimony established that the victims suffered multiple, severe injuries. This forensic evidence directly contradicted some initial public speculation and focused the jury on the brutal nature of the attack near the Deer Creek area.

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2. Evidence of a Prolonged Assault

Perhaps the most disturbing revelation from the autopsy evidence was the indication that the girls did not die instantly. Dr. Kohr's testimony suggested that the victims "felt pain" and "didn't die immediately," implying a prolonged and agonizing assault. This detail provided a crucial insight into the suspect's actions and the time frame of the crime, which was later tied to cell phone data and witness accounts.

3. The 'Rethought' Weapon Style

During the trial, a forensic pathologist reportedly "rethought" the style of the weapon used to kill Abby and Libby. This detail is significant because it shows the evolving nature of the forensic analysis as new evidence, such as the .40 caliber bullet found at the scene, was introduced. The autopsy findings, when combined with ballistics and DNA evidence, helped investigators narrow down the possible instruments used in the commission of the murders.

4. The Sealed Nature of the Autopsy Photos

The public's intense curiosity about the case led to numerous attempts to unseal the autopsy photos and the full report. However, Special Judge Frances Gull ruled on December 30, 2024, that all autopsy photos and other extremely sensitive materials connected to the investigation would remain sealed. This ruling was made to protect the privacy of the victims and their families and to preserve the integrity of the ongoing legal process, including Richard Allen's appeal. The report's official status remains "sealed," meaning its contents are not available through a public records request.

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The Autopsy Report's Role in Richard Allen's Conviction and Appeal

The forensic findings from the autopsy report were instrumental in connecting Richard Allen to the crime scene, even without direct DNA or fingerprint matches initially being publicly confirmed. The nature of the injuries and the cause of death aligned with the timeline and the limited physical evidence recovered.

The Ritualistic Killing Theory and Odinism

A major, unique element of the defense's strategy was the introduction of the "ritualistic killing" theory, which claimed the Delphi murders were committed by a pagan cult associated with Odinism. The defense argued that the crime scene evidence, including the arrangement of the bodies and specific markings, suggested a ritualistic act that was not consistent with a lone killer like Richard Allen.

• Defense Argument: Allen's attorneys filed motions to introduce evidence suggesting symbols and arrangements at the crime scene were linked to Norse mythology and the Odinist belief system.
• The Autopsy Connection: While the prosecution focused on the physical injuries and the .40 caliber bullet, the defense attempted to use the overall condition of the bodies and the crime scene—details inherently linked to the autopsy investigation—to push their alternative suspect theory.
• Court Ruling: Special Judge Frances Gull ultimately ruled against allowing the full Odinism theory to be presented in its entirety to the jury, stating it was based on speculation. However, the theory remains a central pillar of Richard Allen's ongoing appeal process.

The legal battle over the Delphi murders evidence continues, but the core forensic facts established by the autopsy report—the cause of death and the brutal nature of the injuries—were sufficient for the jury to find Richard Allen guilty. The sealed report, while a source of endless public speculation, remains the authoritative document detailing the final, tragic moments of Libby German and Abby Williams.