Alan Wake 2: The murder site scene at Cauldron Lake puzzle Alan Wake 2 guide, walkthrough

Investigating the crime scene in Cauldron Lake is the first major puzzle in the main storyline of the Alan Wake 2 game. The walkthrough from our guide explains how to investigate the corpse and where to find traces, as well as how to transfer traces to the Investigation Board.

Last update: 27 October 2023

After reaching Cauldron Lake in Alan Wake 2, you must investigate the murder site as Saga. We described all steps of the investigation - examining the victim's body and the area around the murder site, placing clues on the Case board, interviewing Deputy Thornton, and profiling the victim.

• Arrival at the murder site
• Investigation of the murder site
• Conversations with Thornton and Casey
• Profiling the victim
• Exploring the area around the lake
• Completion of the murder site inspection

Arrival at the murder site

1. The murder site is at the back of the Cauldron Lake General Store. You can't miss this place - it's marked on the map and Casey is showing you the way.
2. Upon arrival, you'll find the body of a man and Deputy Thornton.

Investigation of the murder site

1. You must start by examining the corpse lying on the table. You'll unlock the first key image.
2. You must travel to the Mind place and interact with the Case board. By default, it concerns the investigation of the Murder at Cauldron Lake, but you can also switch to the files of other cases later on.
3. You can browse through the clues you have (up on the D-pad) and start by selecting the key image from the murder site. A new branch of investigation will be created.

1. Close the Mind place and start examining the corpse. The game shows places on the body that you need to look at. You should find three new clues.
2. After collecting the clues, return to the Case board. You have to put clues on the board. You need to choose clues from the list of unlocked ones and click on the yellow cards on the board.
3. Each clue fits only in one place, but the game doesn't punish you for an incorrect choice. Nothing will happen then and you can try again by clicking on another yellow card. Place all the clues from the body examination on the board.

Continue investigating the murder site and its surrounding areas:

1. A large amount of blood on the table next to the body (yellow plate 1);
2. Footprints on the ground (yellow plates 2 and 3);
3. The neighboring table (yellow plate 4) - after zooming in, find and examine the blue container and the tripod.

1. Return to the Case board. You can place new clues on it.
2. Several clues are marked "For later" (example in the picture). You cannot put them on the board immediately. They will be unlocked as interactive clues after you complete the next steps.

Conversations with Thornton and Casey

1. Close the Mind place. You need to talk to Deputy Thornton. You'll learn the identity of the victim and unlock a new clue.
2. Talk to Casey about whether he knows the victim of a murder. Exhaust all conversation options.
3. Return to the Case board. You must first place two clues from recent conversations on it.
4. Previous clues marked "For later" will be unlocked. Also place them on the board.

1. Click on the last yellow card and a deduction scene with Saga will start.

Profiling the victim

1. The Profiling table in the Mind place will be unlocked. The table is in the central part of the room.
2. Click on the victim's photo and then choose yellow cards. Such action will result in entering the victim's mind and triggering a cutscene.
3. You will unlock a new clue to place on the Case board.

Exploring the area around the lake

1. If you have followed the previous steps correctly, Saga will talk to Casey and the FBI agents will decide to investigate the area around the lake.
2. Your destination is Witch's Ladle, visible on the Cauldron Lake map. You can once again follow Casey.
3. You need to examine the large tree, as shown in the picture, which is blocking the path. You'll find a new clue and the first manuscript page - you'll watch a cutscene related to it.

Completion of the murder site inspection

1. Return to the Mind place and the Profiling table. A new yellow card will appear for examination. Saga determines that the clue is in the victim's chest. Stay in the Mind place and transfer all new clues to the Case board.
2. Return to the murder site and talk to Thornton about transporting the body to the morgue. He will give you a shortcut key, which will facilitate return to the parking lot.

1. Before you head out to the car, make sure all the clues are on the Case board. Saga should say that she has found all the clues (the image above).
2. Not placing the clues on the board may block you from leaving Cauldron Lake. We described this issue in more detail on the page How to get into a car?.