Currently on Murder on Ice...

World-renowned skating coach Nathan LaPalma has been found with his throat slit by the blade of an ice skate shortly before a high-stakes national skating competition was set to begin. LaPalma's devastated former pupil Sofia de la Torre needs your help to uncover the tangled web of corruption, resentment, and lies that led to LaPalma's death and to discover the identity fo the killer before they strike again.

Hints

Accessing the Security Portal

• To clear Sofia's name, you will need to access the Philax Security Portal at threepinescase.com. To access this portal, you will need to find the password and username of a rink administrator.
• Carol Donnelly is an administrator at the Three Pines Ice Rink. Finding her login credentials will allow you to access the security portal.
• The notebook contains some guidelines that will help you figure out Carol's username.
• Carol's password is related to a moment in her career that was very important to her. Look through the episode's documents and items to find information about an important event in Carol's skating career.
• The password is the name of a particular competition followed by a specific skating move.
• An element of Carol's password is written in a form of shorthand. This shorthand is described in the notebook.

Clearing Sofia's Name

• After you have accessed the Security Portal, pay close attention to the security stills captured by the front door camera.
• The security stills show that an item has been dropped on the floor. Are there any documents that tell you who this item could belong to?
• Based on Nathan's time of death and the times of the security stills, could the owner of the dropped item have been the killer?

Clearing Another Suspect

• The security stills show another unidentifiable figure holding a particular item at 10:13:40. Does this item appear anywhere else in the episode that could link to one of the suspects?
• Does the person shown entering the building at 10:13:40 leave any evidence that could be compared with the crime scene?

Logging On

• Check Sofia's letter for the specific task Sofia assigns you. She asks you to find some evidence that will clear her name and prove her alibi. Head to threepinescase.com and log in using the password AXEL. When you're ready to tell Sofia what you've found, you can communicate with her through the site's messenger.

Reveals

Accessing the Security Portal

• You will need the password and username of an administrative-level rink employee. According to the rink brochure, magazine article, and notebook, Carol Donnelly is an administrator at the rink.
• The notebook contains a guideline for rink employees looking to set up their usernames. It explains that usernames should contain the first initial of their first name and the first five letters of their last name. Following this format, Carol's username must be "CDonne".
• Once you have typed the username "CDonne" into the security portal's login page, you will see a password hint set by Carol. This hint is "Where + How we both got that first garland".
• Nathan's medal, which he won with his partner Carol, contains the imagery of a garland. The phrase "the first garland" refers to this medal, which was won at the Skate for Tomorrow competition. In the blog screenshot, Carol discusses the triple flip throw as being instrumental in her winning her first tournament with Nathan. The notebook notes that the official abbreviation for the triple flip throw is 3FTh. Carol's password is, therefore, "SkateforTomorrow3FTh".

Clearing Sofia's Name

• According to information provided in the suspect interviews, Sofia is the owner of the blue scrunchie dropped on the floor as shown in the security stills. You can find this out by carefully reading through Harrison's interview, where he describes Sofia's entire costume as navy blue. Nobody is mentioned to be wearing this color but Sofia.
• The autopsy report places Nathan's time of death at approximately 10:14 AM.
• The timestamp on the security still that shows Sofia initially dropping the scrunchie is 10:08:40. According to the security log, the person inside the front vestibule at this time used the inner door and then the outer door, meaning that they left the building. Send the timestamp of any of the stills taken from 10:08:40 through 10:13:40 to Sofia on the case desktop in order to give her the information she needs to clear her name and progress the case. After you do so, you should receive a second request from Sofia: to prove the innocence of one more suspect.

Clearing Another Suspect

• The security stills show an unidentified figure entering the rink from 10:13:40 through 10:13:50. This figure is holding an item that, upon scrutiny, appears to be the skate bag. The blog screenshot advertises this item as official Lee Report merchandise. This screenshot also reveals that the merchandise is not yet available to the public, meaning that the figure on camera at this time must be Kingston Lee.
• When he walked through the vestibule, Kingston left behind a series of muddy footprints. According to the crime scene report, the killer also left behind a footprint. Comparing Kingston's footprints as pictured in the security stills and the killer's footprint as pictured in the crime scene report will make it clear that Kingston's footprints and the killer's footprint do not match, so Kingston Lee is not the killer.
• Open the messenger on threepinescase.com and send Sofia a message with the name "Kingston Lee" to complete this objective and advance the story.

Transcripts

Autopsy Report

Page 3 → Top-Right → Jackson Finch's Handwriting

• *Not to scale

 

Page 3 → Arrow Pointed to the Back of the Left Elbow → Jackson Finch's Handwriting

• Clean 1st-2nd degree abras.

• Missing particulate, melted ice

 

Page 3 → Arrow Pointed to the Back of the Head → Jackson Finch's Handwriting

• Bruising 2 in.

 

Page 3 → Arrow Pointed to the Throat Gash → Jackson Finch's Handwriting

• Cut throat injury consistent with homicidal intent

• Two contact points consistent with the hollowed groove of skate blade found at scene

 

Page 3 → Arrow Pointed to the Outside of the Bottom Gash Line → Jackson Finch's Handwriting

• Deeper incision consistent with upward angle of attack

• 4.89 in. x 1.50 in.

 

Page 3 → Arrow Pointed to the Outside of the Top Gash Line → Jackson Finch's Handwriting

• 4.87 in. x 1.49 in.

 

Page 3 → Arrow Pointed to the Inside of the Throat on the Body's Left Side → Jackson Finch's Handwriting

• Impressions of the skate blade's edges trail off

• Depths not consistent with being self-inflicted or inflicted from behind

Crime Scene Report

Page 2 → On the Building Layout Sketch in Fig. 1 of Section C → Officer Hilten's Handwriting

• At the North Side of the Building

  • entrance

• At the West Side of the Building

  • exit

• At the South Side of the Building

  • exit

 

Page 2 → On the Zoomed-In Sketch of the Crime Scene in Fig. 1 → Officer Hilten's Handwriting

• The walls drawn nearest to the body are marked as:

  • rink wall

• The walls drawn farthest from the body are marked as:

  • ext wall

• A Set of Lines Intersects in the Middle of the Body's Torso, Measuring from the Torso to the Perpendicular Exterior Walls

  • 6' 9½"

  • 7' 7⅜"

• Another Set of Lines Intersects with a Circle Dash Used to Represent the Murder Weapon, Measuring the Distance of the Weapon to the Perpendicular Exterior Walls

  • 3' 10⁹⁄₁₆"

  • 6' 7⁶⁄₈"

• The weapon is labeled:

  • skate blade

• There is a circle around the wall right of the southeast entrance marked as:

  • linear cast-off spatter

• There is a square next to the body's left foot marked as:

  • piece of paper

• There is a partially drawn or marked shoe print denoted as:

  • partial shoe print

• There is a different square near the body's right hand marked as:

  • cell phone

 

Page 3 → Written on Paper in Fig. 4 Photo → Handwriting A

• We've got to talk this out. Meet me after practice ASAP.

Finale Audio Recording

Kingtson: Sofia de la Torre! Haven't seen you since the memorial. How are you holding up?

Sofia: Do you seriously care, or are you just planning to post whatever I say?

Kingston: Thousands of people care, Sofie. Myself included.

Sofia: Don't call me that. Look, I've been working with a private detective. On Nathan's case.

Kingston: Really? Found anything the cops haven't?

Sofia: That's why I wanted to talk. We've found evidence that clears my name, and -

Kingston: - and you want me to spread the word? Put a stop to all the speculation that you finally snapped because you didn't make it to nationals?

Sofia: AND, we found something that proves you're innocent, too.

Kingston: Wow. Much appreciated. I owe you one. Have you sent it over to Three Pines PD yet? I'd absolutely love it if they stopped interrupting my afternoon naps with surprise interviews.

Sofia: I'm about to. But first, I actually did want to ask you for a favor. You've got a source in the police department, right? Whoever sent you all those case documents.

Kingston: Between you and me, I nearly burned that bridge posting those. But we still talk.

Sofia: Could you pass on whatever else they give you moving forward? It would really help the detective and me. We could all solve this thing if we pool resources.

Kingston: Oh, done and done. I'll even throw in some Lee Report merch on top of it. On one condition: we make this a two-way street. I'll send any useful info your way, you send whatever you find out to me. An exclusive press deal with The Lee Report.

Sofia: Seriously? A man died, and you're thinking about your blog?

Kingston: Public awareness of the case is just as good for you as it is for me, if not better. Posting updates could job memories, get people to send in tips. Keep Nathan's memory alive. Like I said, thousands of people care. How's that for pooling resources?

Sofia: I - I don't know.

Kingston: Come on, Sofie. To sweeten the deal, I can give you a lead right now. Or are you already hot on somebody's trail? I'd guess not, since we're having this conversation in the first place.

Sofia: Okay. Fine. For now. What's the tip?

Kingston: I caught a glance over Harrison's shoulder on the day of the murder. He was on his phone, posting up a storm on Birdlr. He looked angry. Not cute-grumpy-angry, either. Livid. But there aren't any new posts on his account from that time. Meaning he's got a second account, one so secret even I don't know the name.

Sofia: So?

Kingston: So, if you find that account, you'll have unlimited access to the inner thoughts of the ice prince himself. See what a major suspect was thinking and feeling the day of. Maybe find out anything he left off the official statement.

Sofia: Okay. That's actually not a bad direction at all. Thank you, Kingston.

Kingston: This is going to be a beautiful friendship. I can tell already. See you around, Sofie.

 

[Sofia leaves the room and walks away. There's the sound of rustling as she pulls out her phone and speaks into it.]

 

Sofia: Not bad for our first day on the case. But the work is only just beginning. I'll be in touch again as soon as I can. Bye for now.

Handwritten Note

Front → Kingston's Handwriting

• Weird energy between H and N today. Harry won't meet his eyes. Should ask him about it later.

• Is there bad blood between M and L? He's giving her the eye.

• Looks like she caught on. She's looking anywhere but at him.

• N too. Frustrated body language.

• M bumped L, looks like on purpose?

• M AND N FIGHTING?!

• M whispered something, N threw 1st punch. M finished it, though. Younger and stronger, after all.

• Good for him. N needs to be taken down a peg or three after what he's pulled on me.

• But of all the weeks we have no camera!! Needs new one ASAP for moments like this.

• !!! L quitting? Storming out of rink in tears.

• "You're both just liars! I'm done with this!" -L

• H's on his phone, prob calling A for damage control.

• Damn did she get here fast. And very not happy. Dragging N into the hall for a stern talking to. What the hell just happened???

 

Back → Kingston's Handwriting

• Note to self: pull H aside later for statement, away from meddling mommy

• Interview first, then draft

• N + A arguing in hall. Can't overhear much.

• A: "You've been too easy on her (L?), how could you let her ruin his chances at the Olympics?"

• N: "Is this really about her? I know you're still upset. Annie, we should talk about what happened with us."

• A: "Shut up. Get that brat back on the ice, and do it fast, or you're fired. I've got to go finish Harrison's costume."

• Interesting. Need to follow up.

• S was by the rink earlier, didn't participate. Where does she fit in? Does she at all?

• Potential Headlines

  • F̵i̵g̵h̵t̵s̵ ̵B̵r̵e̵a̵k̵ ̵O̵u̵t̵ ̵a̵t̵ ̵t̵h̵e̵ ̵R̵i̵n̵k̵

  • Trouble in Threes

  • C̵o̵a̵c̵h̵ ̵F̵i̵g̵h̵t̵!̵

• Lillian Varma Quits. Dynamic Duo Destroyed?

  • It's a little over one week before this year's ASA qualifiers, and the T̵h̵r̵e̵e̵ ̵P̵i̵n̵e̵s̵ ̵I̵c̵e̵ ̵R̵i̵n̵k̵ ̵i̵s̵ ̵t̵e̵a̵r̵i̵n̵g̵ ̵i̵t̵s̵e̵l̵f̵

  • I̵t̵ ̵s̵e̵e̵m̵s̵ ̵t̵h̵e̵ ̵c̵o̵m̵p̵e̵t̵i̵t̵i̵o̵n̵ ̵h̵a̵s̵ ̵a̵l̵r̵e̵a̵d̵y̵ ̵b̵e̵g̵u̵n̵ ̵i̵n̵ ̵T̵h̵r̵e̵e̵ ̵P̵i̵n̵

  • A̵f̵t̵e̵r̵ ̵a̵ ̵l̵o̵n̵g̵ ̵(̵e̵x̵c̵r̵u̵c̵i̵a̵t̵i̵n̵g̵)̵ ̵w̵a̵i̵t̵,̵ ̵I̵ ̵f̵i̵n̵a̵l̵l̵y̵ ̵g̵o̵t̵ ̵t̵h̵e̵ ̵c̵h̵a̵n̵c̵e̵ ̵t̵o̵ ̵s̵p̵e̵a̵k̵ ̵w̵i̵t̵h̵ ̵T̵h̵r̵e̵e̵ ̵P̵i̵n̵e̵s̵

Photo of Note

Front → Harrison's Handwriting

You barely know the half of what's going on behind the scenes. Meet me by the ice. 10:15. Alone.
I'll tell you everything.

-H

Rink Voicemail Audio Recordings

Main Phone

Carol: Hello. You have reached the Three Pines Ice Rink. The facility is currently closed to the public and is only open to registered members of the American Skating Association. If you are trying to reach a specific party, please dial their extension. We cannot guarantee a response to any message. Have an... ice day.

 

Extension 1

Receptionist: Hiya there! We at the Three Pines Ice Rink hope you're having a n-ice day today! Unfortunately, we're closed to the public due to an ongoing criminal investigation. Sorry! Please call again at a later date.

 

Extension 28

Gary: This is Gary, arcade and cafe manager at the Three Pines Ice Rink. If you haven't heard, we're closed. If you're calling about any incoming shipments of food, they have been canceled. Do not, and I repeat, do not try to drop off any more truckloads of frozen hamburgers. Have an ice freaking day.

 

Extension 101

Kurtis: This is Kurtis Linford, senior administrator of the Three Pines Ice Rink. In accordance with rink policy, I am unable to make any public or private statements regarding the rink at this time. Have an ice day.

 

Extension 102

Carol: This is Carol Donnelly, Three Pines administration, executive director of FUTURESKATE!, and American Staking Association credential judge. I am currently out of office and not available to speak at the moment. Have an... ice day.

 

Extension 103

Yi-hyun: You've reached Yi-hyun Kim at the event coordination department of the Three Pines Ice Rink. We are currently processing an overwhelming number of requests for ticket and membership refunds and may be unable to respond to your message in a timely manner. We are doing our very best to make sure that all Three Pines customers receive quality service. Have an ice day!

 

Extension 104

Nathan: Hey there! You've reached Nathan. I'm probably out on the ice right now, but I'll do my best to get back to you as soon as I can. Drop a line at the tone and have an ice cool day.

 

Extension 105

Marcus: You have reached Marcus Lourdes. I am not available at the moment. Goodbye.

 

Extension 106

Viktoria: Hello! This is Viktoria Birger, private coach and ASA official. If you're calling to set up any personal training at Three Pines, I'm unfortunately out of the country this year to work with a few international clients. If you're calling on ASA business, I'll try to get back to you as soon as possible. Have an ice day!

 

Extension 307

Jordan: Three Pines Pro Shop, Jordan speaking. We're closed and probably won't get back to you any time soon. Sorry. Have an ice day.

 

Extension 308

Latoya: You have reached the office of Latoya Pickett, technical specialist at the Three Pines Ice Rink. I'll be unavailable for the foreseeable future due to the rink's partial closing, sorry! Have an ice day though.

 

Extension 309

Daryl: Daryl here, physical therapist at the Three Pines Ice Rink. I'm afraid that all of my appointments have been canceled, and I'm not sure when I'll be able to reschedule. If you're a regular client, I'll be in touch. Have an ice day.