The Delphi Murders: The Quest for Justice with Barbara MacDonald

Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum

On February 14, 2017, Abigail Williams and Liberty German are discovered near the Monon High Bridge Trail, part of the Delphi Historic Trails in Delphi, Indiana.

In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, talks with guest Barbara MacDonald and dives into the chilling case of Liberty German and Abigail Williams, two young girls found murdered in Delphi, Indiana.

The episode explores the hidden trails, the significance of the bridge, and the mysterious parked car that may hold the key to the case. MacDonald's extensive experience and empathy for the victims add depth to the discussion, while McCollum's insights into the investigation process provide a unique perspective.

Show Notes:

• [0:00] Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum.
• [1:05] Sheryl gives a timeline of events in the case of Liberty German and Abigail Williams
• [2:52] Sheryl introduces guest, Barbara MacDonald to the listeners
• [2:55] Check out Down the Hill Podcast HERE
• [7:00] The emphasis on a fair trial for Richard Allen underscores the importance of due process
• [8:36] Barbara points out inconsistencies in the case, building anticipation for the 2024 trial
• [10:30] Question: Barbara, you got to spend six weeks, boots on the ground. Could you tell us about that?
• [12:34] Barbara gives a description of the trail area and paints a vivid picture of the community's loss
• [15:30] Reflection on the global impact of the crime, highlighting the Snapchat evidence calling this case “the Snapchat killing”
• [17:30] The hidden location of the bridge suggests the perpetrator's familiarity with the area
• [19:30] Discussion of the secluded area where the girls were found
• [24:57] Question: When you found out that on the video when one of the girls mentioned the word gun, what was your reaction?
• [26:18] Speculation about the unspent ejected shell casing found at the crime scene raises questions
• [33:30] Question: Any last thoughts, Barbara?
• [34:37] Down the Hill Podcast: A personal anecdote about a team member illustrates the close-knit nature of podcasters
• [37:19] “From now on, it is our task to suspect each and every one among us.” -A.C
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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.

You can connect and learn more about Sheryl’s work by visiting the CCIRI website https://coldcasecrimes.org

Social Links:

• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

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