Case 7.2: Tyler Redman

1

Maybe the Riveras know something about this mysterious Tyler character.

 


2

Jonathan: Mark, April, do you know a guy named Tyler? He was close to Rich.

April: Tyler Redman! Yes, of course. He was his childhood best friend.

Jonathan: ...You didn't tell me this until now?

April: Well, he didn't have anything to do with Rich's disappearance, we didn't think it was important.

Jonathan: He was his best friend! He probably knew all kinds of details about Rich!!!

Mark: Yeah... Sorry, we didn't think he was suspicious.

Jonathan: To do my job, I need to know all of the details, I need to decide who is a suspect.

 

*Mark looks nervous*

 

Mark: Yes, I'm sorry... We're sorry.

Jonathan: Please, from now on I need full transparency and details.

April: We understand, sorry. And, yeah, Tyler was his best friend, you can find him in the apartment just south of McArthur Park.

 

*Drive to Tyler's apartment*

 

This case is already a huge mess, and apparently, my primary sources of information hide details from me...

 

McArthur Park

 


3

It is only a two-minute drive, so Tyler and Rich probably spent quite a lot of time together. If this is true, Tyler can give me lots of information about Rich, which honestly, I need... because Rich is still an enigma to me.

 


4

Unless he still lives with his parents and he lived in these apartments his whole life? I'll ask him this as well.

 


5

McArthur Park is surrounded by pretty trees and green grass. This is a nice place to grow up, I wonder how much time Rich spent here, maybe this is where he met Tyler to begin with. The park seems to be a paradise for small children, there is a splash park along with a very large play structure. There is only one busy road to the north of it, other than that it is calm.

 

 


6

*Buzz Tyler's apartment number*

 

A voice with a scratchy radio noise responds, "Hello?"

 

Jonathan: Tyler, it's Detective Steel, or, I mean, Investigator Steel. I'm investigating Rich Rivera.

Tyler: Oh, yeah, I knew him. Um, we were really good friends.

Jonathan: Yes, I know. Can we talk for a bit?

 

He responds, "Sure," as the main door beeps and unlocks.

 

*Take the stairs to his apartment number*

 

This place is quite nice, very clean, very homey, it has a very good landlord.

 

*Knock on Tyler's apartment door*

 

Tyler: Hey, come on in.

Jonathan: Thank you, sir. So, let's get right into it.

Tyler: For sure, what do you need?

Jonathan: Before Rich vanished, April 5th, 2007, as you know, did he say or do anything weird?

Tyler: Ah, damn, I actually didn't talk to him that day or the day before. I'm sorry, Mr. Steel, I'm not sure.

Jonathan: Well, what about before, would anyone want to harm Rich?

Tyler: Well, I know he got into this fight... That was pretty bad, but he also said he didn't remember much of it.

Jonathan: He didn't remember a fight he was in?

Tyler: Uh, yeah, it was a party, I think, and he was super drunk. So, I don't know.

Jonathan: Did you attend this party?

Tyler: No, he invited me many times, but it's not really my scene, so I never went. But Emma did.

Jonathan: Tell me about Emma.

Tyler: Emma was very pretty, and Rich and she were solid, for such a long time, a couple years or so, I think.

Jonathan: Anything fishy about Emma I should know about?

Tyler: I'm pretty sure Emma lived with him, but didn't pay rent, so that's kinda lame of her, I guess.

Jonathan: Alright, new subject. This might be difficult to hear.

Tyler: Hmm? Okay...

Jonathan: My suspicion is that someone murdered Rich...

Tyler: I never wanted to believe that, but like, after two years... Damn, it's so sad. I hope you find the person who did it, Mr. Steel.

Jonathan: So why were you and Rich such good friends?

Tyler: We played games together. We were both really good at them, and we both liked art and stuff, too.

Jonathan: You knew Rich super well, so I need to know, was he doing dangerous things?

Tyler: I know that Rich went to crazy parties, but with me, he was so chill and normal, nothing bad.

Jonathan: What were you feeling when Rich went missing?

Tyler: Honestly, I didn't know until Rich's parents contacted me, and even then, I thought he was off with Emma.

Jonathan: So, you didn't take action?

Tyler: I regret it every day, Mr. Steel. But it's hard to believe your friend is dead or missing, like it's just surreal.

Jonathan: So, the last time you spoke with him was...?

Tyler: April 3rd was when I spoke to him last, we rarely texted because we saw each other in person quite a bit.

Jonathan: Okay. Was Rich bullied at all?

Tyler: Uh, I don't think. Although... I will say, he was wealthy, so people used him for cash. I never did, though.

Jonathan: Who was using him?

Tyler: This sounds bad, but I sort of feel like Emma was, but don't quote me on that.

Jonathan: You've been immensely helpful, Tyler. Thank you.

Tyler: No problem, just come back if you need more info.

 

Analyze Conversation

 


7

I didn't catch anything that didn't add up. Also, he seemed genuinely concerned and upset. Tyler is probably the only completely truthful person I've spoken to. I think I can probably count on him for information as well as lower him on my suspect list. I don't think he had anything to do with the disappearance. We'll see though.

 


8

I think Tyler was alluding to the fact that Emma wasn't entirely fair in the relationship between her and Rich Rivera. Rich supposedly also went to a lot of parties and got into fights as well. Could this be what happened in December of 2006?

 


9

He certainly lived alone, maybe I should have asked about that. I forgot... maybe I'll call him later, but for now I think I'll shift my focus to my biggest suspect.

 

Conclude Investigation

1. Did Tyler attend parties?

  • No
  • Yes

 

2. Is Tyler connected to Rich's disappearance?

  • Probably not
  • Yes… I think so

 

3. Does Tyler like Emma?

  • No
  • Yes

 

4. What crucial information did Tyler give about Rich?

  • He attended parties
  • He was wealthy
  • He loved Emma
  • He got into fights
  • He played video games

Correct Answers

1. Did Tyler attend parties?

  • No

 

2. Is Tyler connected to Rich's disappearance?

  • Probably not

 

3. Does Tyler like Emma?

  • No

 

4. What crucial information did Tyler give about Rich?

  • He got into fights