NYPD Blue season 5 episode 15 Recap and FAQ

Episode Summary

In a brutal murder case, detectives find a woman strangled and mutilated, yet with valuables untouched, suggesting a motive beyond robbery or assault. Concurrently, a bike messenger is shot dead over a backpack theft. Suspects include the woman's ex-boyfriend Larry, a mysterious new man in her life, and a mental patient she cared for. Interrogations reveal conflicting stories and possible jealousy, shifting suspicion towards Tommy Richardson, a cop with a personal connection to the victim. As evidence mounts, the detectives grapple with investigating one of their own.

Full Episode S05E15 Recap

### Crime Scene Discovery - Detectives arrive at a gruesome crime scene: a woman, strangled and mutilated, but with her jewelry and cash untouched, suggesting the murder wasn't for robbery or sexual assault. - Two coworkers, Gail Marshall and Frances Linger, found the body and reported it. They were too distressed to stay at the scene. ### Investigation Begins - The detectives question Mr. Cudney, who mentions a former boyfriend, Larry Tremayne, and a recent, unidentified man seen with the victim. - Mrs. Schmitz, another neighbor, suggests checking for fingerprints to identify the perpetrator. ### Bike Messenger Shooting - Concurrently, a bike messenger, Wendell Starks, is shot dead in an altercation over a stolen backpack. - Witnesses describe the incident, involving a struggle between Starks and a thief. The thief, described as a young Puerto Rican, escapes. ### Interrogating Larry Tremayne - Detectives question Larry Tremayne, the victim's ex-boyfriend, who is shocked to hear about her death. He mentions a mental patient she had been seeing recently. ### Gabe's Robbery - Gabe, a witness to the messenger shooting, is questioned. He feels guilty about the incident but cannot identify the shooter. ### Further Investigation and Suspect Identification - The detectives learn more about the strangled victim's connections, including a mental patient she was caring for. - Tommy Richardson, a patrolman, reveals a personal connection to the victim, indicating a potential lead. ### Interrogating the Mental Patient - Jason, the mental patient suspect, is interrogated. He confesses to the murder, but his mental state and inconsistent details cast doubt on his confession. ### Gabe's Interrogation and Backpack Contents - Gabe admits the stolen backpack contained drugs. He provides information about a potential suspect involved in the theft. ### Jason's Confession Questioned - Jason's confession becomes increasingly unreliable as he shows signs of confusion and delusion about the murder details. ### Suspecting Tommy Richardson - The detectives start to suspect Tommy Richardson's involvement in the murder due to his contradictory statements and behavior. ### Arturo Reyna's Arrest - Arturo Reyna, involved in the bike messenger shooting, is arrested and interrogated. He admits to the theft but denies knowledge of the shooting. ### Tommy Richardson's Role Examined - The investigation shifts focus to Tommy Richardson, considering his potential motives and actions related to the murder. ### Conclusion - The episode ends with the detectives poised to delve deeper into Richardson's involvement, facing potential backlash from the police community for investigating one of their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who discovered the body of the strangled woman?

Gail Marshall and Frances Linger, her coworkers, discovered the body.

What was unusual about the condition of the woman's body?

She was strangled and mutilated but still had her jewelry and cash, suggesting it wasn't a robbery or sexual assault.

Who was the victim's former boyfriend mentioned by Mr. Cudney?

Larry Tremayne.

What incident occurred simultaneously with the murder investigation?

A bike messenger, Wendell Starks, was shot dead during a struggle over a stolen backpack.

What did Gabe witness during the shooting of the bike messenger?

Gabe saw a struggle over a stolen backpack, leading to the messenger being shot.

Who did Larry Tremayne mention as the victim's recent acquaintance?

A mental patient she had been caring for.

How did Jason, the mental patient, respond during his interrogation?

He confessed to the murder but showed signs of confusion and delusion.

What did Gabe admit about the contents of his backpack?

It contained drugs.

Why do the detectives suspect Tommy Richardson's involvement in the murder?

Due to his personal connection to the victim and contradictory statements.

Who is Arturo Reyna in relation to the bike messenger shooting?

He was arrested for stealing the backpack but denied knowledge of the shooting.

What leads the detectives to question Tommy Richardson's role in the murder?

His behavior, the timing of his visits to the victim, and his lies about being her brother.

Was there any forced entry at the murder scene?

No, there was no sign of forced entry.

Did Jason have a history of mental illness?

Yes, he was a schizophrenic controlled by medication.

What is the significance of Tommy Richardson claiming to be the victim's brother?

It suggests he was trying to hide his true relationship with her and possibly influence other suspects.

What is the detectives' next step in the investigation?

To further investigate Tommy Richardson's involvement in the murder.

NYPD Blue season 5 episode 15

Don't Kill the Messenger