An old lighthouse keeper was found dead at the base of the winding indoor staircase. The coroner noted he suffered a broken neck from a fall. The local sheriff ruled it an accidental fall due to old age. The detective visited the lighthouse, looked at the spiral stairs, and ordered a murder investigation. What did the detective see?
The handrail was covered in dust except near the bottom.
If the keeper fell from the top or middle of the stairs, his body would tumble down, but more importantly, a man who uses the stairs daily will have worn paths or handprints. Wait, let's look at another angle: lighthouse stairs twist clockwise so defenders coming down have sword-arm room. But regarding the fall—if he was pushed, there might be signs of struggle. Let's make it simpler: The victim's heavy winter coat was buttoned all the way to the top, but it was 90 degrees inside the lighthouse, and the windows were painted shut.
About this riddle
Detective riddles are tiny mysteries. Look for the detail in the story that does not fit; it is usually the clue that solves the case.
Difficulty: Hard. More like this: Detective riddles with answers or try Truth & Lie Island for a different kind of puzzle.
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