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Pummeled Pastor

Case File / 001653

Pastor Wendell Martinson was found murdered in his church on Easter Sunday.

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man dead in a pool of blood
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Detective’s Tip: The Synopsis is a quick overview of the case.

What happened?

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The Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the murder of Pastor Wendell Martinson of the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit church in Oxford.

Associate pastor Leo Ingram discovered the body in a church classroom on Easter Sunday.

Pastor Ingram arrived at the church that morning expecting to meet Pastor Martinson to set up for the Easter Sunrise service. Instead, he found Pastor Martinson’s body 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 seriously injured man found in a church early Sunday morning.

The man, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was identified as Pastor Wendell Martinson, senior minister of the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit church.

The first witness Detectives Murphy and Parker spoke to was the man who found the body.

Meanwhile, other investigators spoke to the church members who arrived for services that morning.

It wasn’t long before the local media got wind of what happened.

Detective’s Tip: Review police reports, forensics, and more to assess where the evidence leads.
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Smiling man with close-cropped dark hair and a thin mustache

Leo Ingram

Assistant Pastor, found the body
Age: 35

Potential Suspect
Smiling woman with long brown hair

Fay Nutt

Church secretary
Age: 37

Potential Suspect
Man with glasses and a dark mustache

Joey Kemp

Church treasurer, Zina's cousin
Age: 46

Potential Suspect

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