Synopsis

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Detective’s Tip: The Synopsis is a quick overview of the case.

Man with a bloody head wound leaning against a tree with Rowan Oak in the background

What happened?

The Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of a German man, Rolf Warner, who was found dead on the grounds of Rowan Oak, William Faulkner’s home.

Groundskeepers discovered the body around 10:00 a.m. and called 911.

Where do you start?

To begin your investigation, click the Start Case button above to view the case files from Day 1.

Detective’s Tip: This is a chronological summary of the case without spoilers. It updates as you progress.

What's happened so far?

Investigation Day 1

Yoknapatawpha Emergency Services received a 911 call reporting a body on the grounds of Rowan Oak, William Faulkner’s home.

Based on a passport found on the body, investigators tentatively identified the dead man as Rolf Warner of Germany.

At the scene, Detectives Armstrong and Murphy talked to the man who found the body.

Meanwhile, Officers Harding and Winters spoke to the other witnesses at Rowan Oak, while investigators at the station worked to learn more about the other groundskeepers: Pilar, Steve, and Joe.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy and other investigators then went to the victim’s motel to interview witnesses. The detectives spoke first to the man sharing the victim’s motel room. Then they talked to the woman traveling with the two men. Meanwhile, the other investigators spoke to motel employees.

As the investigation continued, the local crime blog jumped on the story.

Late that afternoon, CSU sent over a preliminary list of evidence collected at the scene along with more information about the possible murder weapon.

Detective’s Tip: Review police reports, forensics, and more to assess where the evidence leads.