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MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

Problem

Answer published by the source. Consult the official source to check your work against its answer.

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the eerie silence of a wrestling ring, Stuart's life was brutally ended with a lead pipe, leaving Detective Winston with a chilling case and two prime suspects: Shawn and Octavia.

Winston sat on the bench outside the state penitentiary, going over the leviathan-sized stack of Octavia's prison records, flicking out the pages one by one. They depicted the daily life of a woman maintaining an intense physical regimen. She was fit, she was disciplined. A disciplined, successful wrestler.

The sun faded into the horizon as he stared at the record of the wrestling event Octavia had been part of and for which she had been granted a day-release pass. The sign-off from the warden stood out even in the dimming twilight. In Winston's years of experience, it was a rare thing for a prisoner to be given such a privilege, but to wrestle? That was unheard of.

Octavia, however, was an exception. She reportedly kept up her wrestling training in prison, rigorously keeping in shape. This explained her winning streak in the prison's wrestling records. But it didn't explain everything.

A chill wind swept through the yard and Winston flipped a page, his eyes catching on a note about Octavia's disciplinary actions. Several infractions, including her use of illegal foreign objects in wrestling matches, her attacks on other inmates – even using a tray as a weapon once – were duly noted.

It was the mention of her being caught as she attempted to steal from the prison’s medical ward though, that drew Winston's attention back. This was a woman fighting, desperate even, against the grips of drug addiction. Withdrawal symptoms were known to be brutal, but rarely did prisoners resort to such extreme measures.

Moving next to Stuart's file, it was clear his troubles began long before his death. Notorious from his time smuggling drugs, he later succumbed to the law's pressure and put a stop to his operations. It was a known fact he later became a regular at wrestling events, noticing Octavia there more than once. A rehabilitation, or an escape, who could tell?

Whether his love for wrestling drew him into proximity with Octavia, or his previous life of drug-running played a part, was unclear. But while drug addiction had inflamed Octavia’s desire for the substances Stuart had dealt in his past, she too shared a passion for the wrestling spectacles for which he was known. Their paths certainly crossed more than once on wrestling's squared circle.

As Winston compiled his notes, having immersed himself in the life histories of both Stuart and Octavia, he felt a strange connection between them. The pieces were there. Now, he just had to fit them together into a telling tale of how this wrestling ring turned into a crime scene, and transformed a fit, strong woman into a suspect.

Shawn's home was an impressive sight, and the library even more so. Winston noticed it immediately upon walking in, walls nearly toppling over with books. A slight air of dust hung in the quiet, still air of the room. Some of the book spines jumped out at him - collections of works on serial killers - but he reminded himself to stay focused on his task at hand.

"Detective Winston," Shawn greeted him, rising on his entry, "Please have a seat." 

"Thank you, Shawn," Winston complied, glancing about the room. “Impressive library. Do a lot of your work in here?” 

Shawn nodded, gesturing around the room, "Yes, my sermons take a lot out of me, and preparation requires time. I often seclude myself in my study, preparing for my sermons. My faith is the core of my being, detective.” 

Winston nodded, listening to Shawn talk proudly about his devotion to his faith. He did not interrupt when Shawn spoke of his religious rituals involving lead pipes that he had been taught by elders of his faith. 

Shawn leaned back in his armchair, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead, "In fact, detective, on the night of the incident, I was conducting a sermon for our group, right here in my home study, followed by our ritual at the wrestling field. Stuart solicited my presence to view the wrestling match and then to conduct the closing rituals."

"And how do you normally feel after these rituals? You look a bit tired, Shawn," Winston softly asked.

Shawn rubbed his eyes and sighed, "Studying and my religious work often tire me. It's a lot of late nights, yes..."

Winston nodded and stood up to leave, "I appreciate you taking the time to chat with me, Shawn. I'm sorry for your loss." 

Shawn thanked him and Winston left, noting the enclosing quiet of the study once more before he did. The library lingered in his mind, but he shut that thought away as he walked out of the house.

choices

  • Shawn
  • Octavia

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Source and history

task_id
88ab8792-295b-5573-beb0-1056fad3f067
task_key
default--murder~5fmysteries--88ab8792-295b-5573-beb0-1056fad3f067
task_revision_id
1
config / split
default / murder_mysteries

Official source

initial import