The Snowpiercer Serial Killings was a series of murders committed by LJ Folger and Erik Sotto.
History[]
First Murder[]
About four and a half years into Snowpiercer's journey, LJ Folger and Erik Sotto attack Edward, a Third Class passenger and a regular of the Nightcar. The two drug Nikki GenĂȘt before LJ castrates Edward and she and Erik murder him.
The crime scene is later found by Miss Audrey. Despite the fact that Nikki was clearly drugged, the murder is pinned on her and she is placed in the Drawers.
Second Murder[]
Two years later, the pair strike again, castrating and murdering Sean Wise who was a Wilford informant investigating the drug Kronole in Third Class. It's implied that Sean gave LJ information about the Drawers under torture. His body is hidden under a floor panel in the Sub-Train under Ag-Sec where it is discovered by Tunnelman Jakes Carter and the butchers remove Sean's limbs for cannibalism purposes, feeding it to the rest of the train with the rest of the meat that they supplied. Sean's penis is kept by LJ in her jewlery box along with Edward's.
Investigation[]
Melanie Cavill attempts to recruit Andre Layton to solve the murders aboard the train as Layton was a detective in Chicago before the Freeze and is the only known person remaining with those skills. Melanie shows him Nikki GenĂȘt who was previously believed to be the killer and offers to move Layton to Third Class if he succeeds in solving the murders. After the failed insurrection by the Tailies, Layton agrees to take the job of Train Detective if the Tailies are spared which Melanie accepts, but warns Layton that his position is precarious.
Layton is partnered with Brakeman Bess Till as he begins his investigation, questioning Tunnelman Jakes Carter who found Sean Wise's body and Miss Audrey who had found Nikki drugged on the night of the first murder years before, but Nikki was charged anyways as a means of quickly closing the case. Although Nikki is removed from the Drawers, she is left unconscious and unable to answer any questions.
Layton also reunites with his ex-wife Zarah Ferami who warns Layton that she doesn't think he's being told everything about Sean. Zarah, who was planning on having a baby with the man, believes that he was a Wilford informant. Layton and Till observe Doctor Pelton's autopsy of the body and Layton suspects that the removed limbs were for cannibalism, revealing that the Tailies once had a cannibalism cult before he put a stop to it. An avalanche breaches the Cattle Car and kills the butchers, preventing any chance of interrogating them, but Layton and Till find three of the missing limbs hidden behind a vent in the refrigerator. However, Layton determines that the cannibalism by the butchers came after the murders and is otherwise unconnected to it. Revealing that she's a friend of Nikki's and feels guilty for not being able to help her, Till agrees to help Layton properly solve the murders and clear Nikki's name. Layton later confronts Melanie about Sean being a Wilford informant, guessing that it's the true reason that she cares about a Thirdie's murder: she wants to know what Wilford secrets Sean gave up under torture. Melanie admits that Layton is very perceptive and that's why Wilford wants him as Train Detective.
Melanie and Lead Brakeman Sam Roche explain that Sean was attempting to find the distributor of Kronole which is a new drug in Third. However, Layton reveals that Kronole has been around the Tail for two revolutions, and they get it from John Osweiller. Layton and Roche question Oz who denies any knowledge, but he warns Terence, the leader of the black market, about the investigation. Nikki wakes up and is able to reveal that the effects of the Drawers are similar to Kronole, leading to the revelation that Henry Klimpt was trading the Drawer drugs for supplies for the Drawer occupants. During Fight Night, Zarah identifies Terence as Sean's Kronole connection and sets up a meeting for Layton with Terence who reveals that he didn't kill Sean, but describes a First Class passenger who was with Sean buying Kronole on the night of the murder. Having witnessed Nikki out and about during Fight Night, Erik Sotto murders her before she can potentially reveal anything incriminating.
Layton investigates First in the aftermath of Nikki's murder, partnering with Melanie herself this time who reveals that, having come from humble beginnings, she knows a thing or two about class issues and won't let First stonewall him. As the Jackboots and the Brakemen search for the killer who is trapped in Third due to the border being closed, Layton and Melanie visit First Class where Layton questions the bodyguards not being around. LJ Folger reveals that Erik, who is her family's bodyguard, didn't return home the night before and Robert confirms that Erik had left the fight early and didn't return. As news is passed along that Erik is a suspect, LJ reveals that he also has his gun which the First Class bodyguards were allowed to keep. Melanie then pretends to call Wilford in order to get Layton permission to search the Folgers' quarters.
Layton's search finds a bloody J hook which is used for beekeeping and was the weapon used in the castration. As Till and Oz search for Erik in the storage area for the old tools from the Aviary Car, Layton questions LJ about Erik's life, eventually sending Melanie away to ask LJ's parents questions about LJ and Erik's relationship while he questions LJ privately. As LJ dances to "Sealed With a Kiss," -- the same song that Nikki was humming when Layton visited her -- Layton deduces that the killers are actually both LJ and Erik: castration is a crime of passion and a punishment that women lay down on men. Layton realizes that Erik is going to down in a blaze of glory, leaving LJ free and clear, and she got to finally feel something when Erik held Edward and Sean down for her to castrate. LJ offered to help Layton get supplies for his rebellion if he kept quiet but, after receiving news that Erik had been killed in the Sub-Train by the Jackboots after fleeing there with Jinju Seong as a hostage, Layton exposed LJ and had her arrested for the murders. Edward and Sean's penises are later found hidden in LJ's jewelry box.
Tribunal[]
LJ is subsequently put on trial for the murders despite her parents' attempts to protect her. Melanie eventually agrees to Miss Audrey's demands for a fair tribunal and assembles a panel of three judges, one from each class: Edith Gusterfeld from First, Miss Gillies from Second, and Walter Flemming from Third as well as allowing a delegation from Third to observe the trial which is broadcast to the whole train. This causes the Folgers to begin discussing overthrowing Melanie with Commander Nolan Grey which Martin Colvin warns her about.
Sam Roche testifies that the Brakemen conducted a more thorough search of the Folgers' quarters after LJ's arrest, finding both men's severed penises hidden in LJ's jewelry box. Doctor Pelton testifies about the how Sean was choked to death and how he was very much alive when the castration occurred, Tunnelman Jakes Carter testifies about finding Sean's body and Jinju Seong testifies about being Erik's hostage, stating that she was as much LJ's hostage as she was Erik's. Jinju declares that Erik and LJ had "wanted to kill us all in a nihilistic rage." Audrey speaks on behalf of Nikki GenĂȘt, telling the gathered observers about her and warning that they need to start caring about Third Class, describing the hard life that the Third Class passengers live. Audrey urges the judges to find their compassion and send a message to the entire train that justice isn't reserved for the rich and there can be justice for everyone. Audrey's speech draws an outcry of support from many of the people gathered. The tribunal then goes into a brief recess before LJ's testimony will be heard.
When the tribunal resumes, LJ shocks everyone by claiming that she was manipulated by Erik and was forced to watch him commit the murders. LJ then reveals that Sean Wise was a Wilford informant and that Sean said that shadows and lies were taking over the train, from tip to Tail and from Ag-Sec to the Drawers and that he knew 400 secrets that would rock them to the rails. LJ promises Mr. Wilford that if the train shows her mercy, she will do her part for Snowpiercer too. The tribunal then breaks to deliberate on the verdict. Worried that Sean found out that the Drawers are experimental and told LJ about the list, Melanie sends a message to the Engine that neither Bennett Knox nor Javier De La Torre are happy about, but have no other choice but to go along with.
When the tribunal reconvenes, Walter announces that they have unanimously found LJ guilty of all charges. As most everyone celebrates the verdict, Bennett reluctantly sends back Melanie's message which announces that Wilford commutes LJ's sentence due to her young age, causing an uproar at the injustice. Afterwards, LJ refuses to tell Melanie what Sean told her exactly, and promises to keep the secret since Wilford looked out for her.