News Story: Prickly Death

Photo by Rafael Gonzales

An accidental sighting of an alleged murder has left a quiet neighborhood in shock.

In the peaceful enclave of Shoalwater, located on Watts Street, tranquility was shattered by a grim incident that unfolded around 11:40 AM yesterday. The victim, Cody Hedrick, was identified by the police following the discovery made by a witness. Recounting the harrowing experience, Migel Miller, the witness, shared, “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this man dragging the kid’s body across the backyard. It was shocking.”

Details remain scant at this early stage. “I was on my rooftop doing some solar panel maintenance when I caught it all happening out of the corner of my eye,” shared Migel Miller. “The moment I caught sight of the man dragging the body, I was just stunned. Out of panic, I just called out to him, and when that man saw me, he dropped the body and took off in a flash before I could even get down from the roof to stop him.”

“If I were in my younger years, I would have caught up and tackled the man. How could someone take the life of such a good kid?” Miller passionately asserted during the questioning.

Cody Hedrick, a dedicated student enrolled at Murdoch University, garnered a reputation as an exceptional scholar and a prodigy for biological science. His close relationship with Professor Dmitry Shinshin shed light on his exceptional qualities.

“His passion for botany and scientific inquiry set him apart from all the students I’ve encountered,” remarked Professor Dmitry Shinshin, who shared a strong bond with Cody. “His unique perspective allowed him to perceive the intricacies of plants and science in ways that were truly groundbreaking. His articulation of thoughts and methodologies had the potential to revolutionize our approach to studying plant life,” he added, highlighting Cody’s innovative thinking.

Police secured the area for a comprehensive investigation. Addressing the gathered reporters, Chief Investigator Holman, of the Rockingham Police Station, declared, “The victim was located in close proximity to the back door, and preliminary findings by our officers indicate the possibility of a blunt force object being involved in the unfortunate passing of Cody Hedrick. However, Mr. Miller, a key witness, has provided testimony that he did not observe the individual in question carrying any supplementary items apart from the body itself. Our investigative endeavors are now focused on intensifying our pursuit of the precise factors leading to the tragic outcome."

As the investigation unfolds, the neighbourhood remains on edge, grappling with the shocking death of Cody Hedrick. Much loved by the community as he helped nearby neighbors with their gardens. In a significant breakthrough, further investigation uncovered security camera footage from the area. While the captured footage is of limited quality and fails to provide a clear image of the suspect, it has enabled the police to identify the vehicle used by the suspect—a red 2009 Toyota Camry. The search for the suspect continues, and local authorities urge anyone with information to come forward and assist in resolving this tragic case.

Story Inspired by: Roald Dahl