Mind Place/The Previous Murders

 Everything we know about the previous murders. Worth taking another look. 

― Saga Anderson, Return 1

The Previous Murders is a Background Case in Alan Wake 2, viewable on the Case Board in Saga Anderson's Mind Place. Saga starts the game with this case almost completed, and the single clue needed to close it can be obtained during Return 1: Invitation.

In the format below, text in italics is tooltip text that only appears when a relevant clue is hovered over on the case board.

Cases tab description

• Case in progress:
  • Wake wrote a book in the Dark Place called "Return." Scratch edited it into a horror story. I need to learn more.
• Case solved:
  • This isn't a serial killer, but an organized group calling themselves "The Cult of the Tree." This is a very different case now, I'll need to reassess the evidence. I should open a new case file.

THE PREVIOUS MURDERS

Image	Description	How To Obtain
	THE PREVIOUS MURDERS A series of murders have occurred around the town of Bright Falls. Finding the connections will help our search for the killer.	N/A

VICTIMS?

Completion text: All victims reported missing in 2010. No other commonalities.

Image	Description and Tooltip	How To Obtain
	Ted Lane. Dentist. Stab wounds, bloating, bruising on the wrists. The victim was reported missing in 2010. Discovered in 2012, buried in a shallow grave.	N/A
	Wendy Davis. Teacher. Body bloated, large chest wound. Found in Cauldron Lake, 2018. Some organs missing - Predation? State of the body does not match eight years spent in a lake.	N/A
	Percy Wolfe. Store owner. Bruising, heart removed, strange tattoos Found 2 weeks ago. Chest wound was ruled as cause of death. Tattooing on the body is illegible.	N/A

MURDER METHOD?

Completion text: Slight difference in murders. Bloating only commonality in bodies, but not cause of death (chest trauma). Exposure to water post-mortem?

Image	Clue Description and Tooltip	How To Obtain
	Bruising on wrists and legs Two of the victims had bruising - some form of restraint? Strapped or belted down?	N/A
	Deep gash in the chest, heart missing Most recent victim died of major chest trauma. Consistent with 2018 victim? Hard to confirm due to condition of body.	N/A
	All bodies experienced bloating Bloating of the corpse is indicative of drowning, but only one victim was found in water.	N/A

KILLER PROFILE?

Completion text: NOT a serial killer. Organized group working with purpose. Ritualistic murders.

Image	Clue Description, Tooltip, Audio	How To Obtain
	Post-mortem tattooing of the body Victim #3 was covered in illegible tattoos. A message from the killer maybe? Or their "art"?	N/A
	The murder targets have no discernable common traits Apart from going missing in 2010, the victims have nothing apparent in common.	N/A
	Chest trauma resembles animal butchery techniques Killer may be a sportsman or hunter.	N/A
	The Bookers described multiple attackers wearing deer masks, chanting, and "tearing into the guy with knives." Multiple assailants chanting with a matching dress code? We're not dealing with a serial killer. Ed Booker: "They were tearing into the naked guy with knives." (ORIGINAL_QUOTE_M_PREVIOUS_MURDERS_ED_48722)	Interview the Bookers during Return 1: Invitation

 We’re dealing with an organized group of killers, not a lone serial killer. 

― Saga Anderson, section completion (MP_METACASE_MURDERS_DEDUCTION_KILLER_PROFILE_SAGA_24124)

CASE: CLOSED

Image	Description	How To Obtain
	CASE: CLOSED Not a lone killer, but an organized group: "The Cult of the Tree." This case just got much more interesting. I should open a new file, start fresh.	Finish interviewing the Bookers during Return 1: Invitation

 The Cult of the Tree is behind these murders. This case just became much more complicated. I’ll need to start a new file. But it’s my first cult case! Exciting! 

― Saga Anderson, section completion (MP_METACASE_MURDERS_DEDUCTION_PREV_CASE_CLOSED_SAGA_24125)