‘They Have A Tough Investigation Ahead:' Paul Holes On The Delphi Murders

Paul Holes said that the investigators working on the Delphi Murders have a tough road ahead, but notes that it appears they are developing a strategy. He also defended Indiana law enforcement's decision to not release too many details to the public.

The case referred to as the Delphi murders involves the killing of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, who were found dead on Valentine’s Day 2017. They vanished from the Delphi Historic Trails, where they'd been out hiking on a day off from school. Their bodies were found about a half mile away from the hiking trail.

Earlier this year, police received thousands of tips after releasing a new sketch along with audio and video clips of the man they think is responsible.

However, investigators have remained tight-lipped about key elements of the case, including how the girls died. Although police have released some video of the suspect, recorded on German’s phone, they haven’t released the full footage.

Holes, a retired detective who helped solve the Golden State Killer case and now works as a consultant, said there is probably good reason for that.

“Anytime you’re dealing with an investigation, you’re always assessing what can be released to the public and what you have to hold back,” he told Oxygen Digital Correspondent Stephanie Gomulka at CrimeCon 2019. Holes is hosting the convention.

He added, “Law enforcement, when they hold back information it's not to keep the public in the dark — it really is to help benefit the case.”

Holes said that, while he can’t speak specifically to investigators' inside decision-making, from afar, he believes he sees them developing a strategy.

“Knowing a little bit about that case, because I briefly consulted with one of the investigators shortly after the Golden State Killer case, I know that they have a tough investigation ahead, and they are doing everything they can to try to get that case solved.”

And, there is a lot of hope that the case will be solved.

“I am just as hopeful now as I was before," Kelsi German, sister of Liberty German told Oxygen.com this week."They [law enforcement] are just advancing on different things.”

At a news conference held last month, Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter said he believes the suspect lives in Delphi. He added that he think it’s possible investigators have already interviewed the killer or that he may have even been in the room during the presser.

“We believe you are hiding in plain sight,” he said. “For more than two years, you never thought we’d shift gears to a new investigative strategy, but we have.”

Anyone with information about the case may call the Delphi Homicide Investigation Tip Line at 844-459-5786; the Indiana State Police at 800-382-7537; the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department at 765-564-2413; or by email to Abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com.