MOUNT MORTIMER HINTS: Russell Sands

Before starting the hints for each character, we would strongly recommend building a timeline of events as to when Dr. Achenbach was killed. If you get stuck trying to build the timeline of events, please follow the hints trail – “Timeline of Death”.

Who is Russell Sands and what motive would he have for killing Dr Achenbach? Firstly, familiarize yourself with Russell’s role at the Scientific Research Station. Read the Active Staff List.

Russell is a contractor at the SRS working as a chef. Have you been able to find a motive for Russell yet? Turn your attention to one of the diary entries on November, 20th.

On November 20th, it references a message being received by Jared. Take note of the part that says ‘he’s working on a big case at the moment’. Who is this Jared, and why does Sands need to contact his daughter? Have you been able to access the evidence online yet? If not, do so now. If you need assistance with this, please follow the hints trail – Accessing the online evidence found in P.L.Ayers inbox.

Look at the webmail from Adeline Fairclough – ReadItAll, and also the Science Magazine.

The ReadItAll article mentions Achenbach, and one particular user mentions “representing his wife in court” in response to a comment associating Achenbach with harming bats. The Science Magazine talks about the same topic of bats and “not even her esteemed lawyer husband could get her out of that one!” Jared is the lawyer husband of Jane Vogel – a “reputable woman with a very promising career ahead of her”. 

Now look at the wedding day picture. On the back it is written: Jane and Jared. When you compare this picture to the staff newsletter, the man in the wedding photo is the man wearing the chef hat (Russell) . Why is this important? Re-read the diary entry on November 20th.

Jared is “working on a big case at the moment”, a nod towards his occupation as a lawyer, and the initials JV (ReadItAll), along with the context of the messages, help us deduce that it is Jared Vogel talking about Jane… The diary entry on November 20th states hearing Russell grumble “I knew I shouldn’t have given that guy my blessing”. Jane is Russell’s daughter and is married to Jared. Now we have a motive for Sands; he may want revenge for ruining his daughter Jane’s career! We now have a motive, but we need to establish where Sands’ was at the time of the murder. Read Fitz’s Statement.

Russell was in the kitchen washing up at the time of the murder – Fitz confirms that when she found Achenbach, Sands came running from the kitchen with his rubber gloves on.