The Investigation's False Leads

Dr. Death

This flow traces how the apparent suspects and their clues repeatedly redirect the search before Burke is exposed.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Confident Activist A Confident Activist from "Dr. Death". Alice's Certainty A Public Explanation Alice Zoghbie blames religious fanatics and denies that a Mate associate could have turned on him.

A Confident Activist from "Dr. Death". Alice's Certainty A Public Explanation Alice Zoghbie blames religious fanatics and denies that a Mate associate could have turned on him.

Alice's Certainty A Public Explanation Alice Zoghbie blames religious fanatics and denies that a Mate associate could have turned on him. A Contradiction Her agitation when asked about assistants suggests she knows more than she admits.

A Missing Lawyer A Missing Lawyer from "Dr. Death". Haiselden Disappears An Unanswered Search Roy Haiselden cannot be found, and his home shows signs that he has left town.

A Missing Lawyer from "Dr. Death". Haiselden Disappears An Unanswered Search Roy Haiselden cannot be found, and his home shows signs that he has left town.

Haiselden Disappears An Unanswered Search Roy Haiselden cannot be found, and his home shows signs that he has left town. A Plausible Suspicion His closeness to Mate and sudden absence make him look like a possible successor or accomplice.

The Estranged Son The Estranged Son from "Dr. Death". Donny's Return A Family Claim Guillerma Salcido Mate identifies herself as Mate's long-abandoned wife and mentions their estranged son.

The Estranged Son from "Dr. Death". Donny's Return A Family Claim Guillerma Salcido Mate identifies herself as Mate's long-abandoned wife and mentions their estranged son.

Donny's Return A Family Claim Guillerma Salcido Mate identifies herself as Mate's long-abandoned wife and mentions their estranged son. A Violent Record Donny Mate has a felony history and homelessness, making him a credible but uncertain suspect.

The Artist Suspect The Artist Suspect from "Dr. Death". A Portrait of Violence A Public Artwork A reworked Anatomy Lesson painting depicts Mate as both dissector and corpse.

The Artist Suspect from "Dr. Death". A Portrait of Violence A Public Artwork A reworked Anatomy Lesson painting depicts Mate as both dissector and corpse.

A Portrait of Violence A Public Artwork A reworked Anatomy Lesson painting depicts Mate as both dissector and corpse. A Son's Possible Signature The artwork points toward Donny's known talent, but it does not establish that he committed the murder.

The Witness Suspect The Witness Suspect from "Dr. Death". The False Innocent An Old Pattern The discovery of a toy syringe and a staged hiker report lead Alex back to the supposed witness.

The Witness Suspect from "Dr. Death". The False Innocent An Old Pattern The discovery of a toy syringe and a staged hiker report lead Alex back to the supposed witness.

The False Innocent An Old Pattern The discovery of a toy syringe and a staged hiker report lead Alex back to the supposed witness. The Real Identity Paul Ulrich's performance collapses when Alex recognizes the pattern of Michael Ferris Burke.

The first week after the murder

Mid-September

After the gallery receives the painting

The morning after Alex reviews the Seattle file