The Case of the Murdered Mayor Unit 2 Project

Case Overview Victim: Robert Burlington, Mayor of Allenville Body was discovered in an abandoned cabin near Lake Larson, outside of Allenville on September 20 It appears Robert was bludgeoned with a tire iron which was left near the scene It is unknown whether Robert was targeted for a personal or political reason

Background Info – Mayor Robert Burlington Born and raised in Allenville Left for college, married, and returned to town Worked as a financial consultant at an investment firm in town Narrowly won the election in 2016 over the previous mayor, Timothy Taylor

Background Info – Since the Election Robert supports the new industrial park on the site of Lake Larson Park (rumor has it – he has been bribed!) The park, surrounding forest, and some local homes/farms would be destroyed in order to create the industrial park Concerned citizens started a petition to stop the industrial park project and investigate the mayor for corruption Bullied the town council to push the industrial park plan A vote was scheduled for September 16 At the most recent council meeting (September 14), the mayor got into a heated argument with opponents including Councilman Carl Covington and scientist Pam Preston Police and neighbors have heard many heated arguments between Robert and his wife Nicole, most recently the night of the council meeting on September 14

Background Info – What Happened? Nicole Burlington reported her husband missing on September 15 Robert Burlington’s car was found on an isolated road near Lake Larson on September 20 Blood and keys were found in the ignition Tire tracks nearby Tire tracks led to an abandoned cabin nearby Signs of a struggle inside Body of Robert Burlington was found inside

The Suspects Carl Covington Senior-ranking town council member Responsible for leading the council vote Has expressed concerns that the council vote is being rushed because Mayor Burlington is being bribed by businessmen Police have been called to council meetings 3 times in the last month due to heated arguments between Burlington and Cunningham

The Suspects Matthew Maloy A local veterinarian and an animal-right activist Veterinary practice would be displaced by the new industrial park; he uses parts of the Lake Larson Park to allow his patients space to exercise and recover from procedures Opposes the decision to replace Lake Larson Park with an industrial park Co-creator of a petition (with Vic Velto) to stop the industrial park process and investigate Mayor Burlington for corruption

The Suspects Pam Preston An environmental scientist who has been studying Lake Larson and the surrounding ecosystem Opposes the decision to replace Lake Larson Park with an industrial park Had a rocky romantic relationship with Mayor Burlington before he was married and still holds a grudge

The Suspects Timothy Taylor The former mayor (lost re-election to Robert Burlington) Became a sheep farmer after losing the election Sheep farm is near Lake Larson and will be destroyed if the park is replaced with the industrial park

The Suspects Vic Velto A businessman invested in the recreation sports in Lake Larson area Is deep in debt due to his recent investments and will go bankrupt if Lake Larson park is replaced Co-creator of a petition (with Matthew Maloy) to stop the industrial park process and investigate Mayor Burlington for corruption

The Suspects Nicole Burlington Robert Burlington’s wife Has never been happy in the small town of Allenville and has always wanted her husband to move away with her Was heard having a heated argument with Robert the night before he disappeared – witnesses were not sure what the argument was about Was seen the day after Robert disappeared wearing a new fur coat and driving a new luxury car Has been taking sailing lessons on Lake Larson from Vic Velto

Crime Scene 1: Lake Larson Woods Car found in the woods near Lake Larson Car key found in the car Blood on front seat of the car A tire iron with blood in the woods near the car Tire tracks nearby lead to a cabin in the woods

Crime Scene 2: Empty Cabin Shattered glass Scattered and broken furniture Body of Robert Burlington A single bullet hole in the chest A large wound on the back of his head

Evidence Collected Blood Evidence: from the victim, the victim’s car, the cabin floor, the tire iron, and the six suspects Hair Evidence: from the victim’s clothing, the victim’s car, the cabin floor and the six suspects’ vehicles Fingerprint Evidence: from the victim, a piece of broken glass in the cabin, a bloodstained piece of wood in the cabin, the tire iron, and the six suspects

Evidence Collected Impression Evidence: photo of the tire impression at the cabin crime scene and the photo of the tires of vehicles belonging to the six suspects Entomological Evidence: insect larvae (i.e., maggots) from the victim’s head and chest wound sites Entomology = study of insects Insect larvae can help determine time of death

Final Report to the District Attorney Written report (essay format) A summary of all of the evidence collected (include tables as well as written descriptions) Explanation of HOW you collected/analyzed the evidence and WHAT you learned from it Your primary suspect(s) and why Explain what you think happened (tell the story) Is there any information you still need?