Ep 9. The Quick Change

The Murder Tapes is a true crime series that brings viewers inside the investigation of real-life homicide cases through the use of raw, unfiltered footage captured by police body cameras, surveillance cameras, and news cameras. In season 6, episode 9, titled "The Quick Change," viewers are taken to Daytona Beach, Florida where Detectives Denise Stump and Michael Purdy are called to investigate the shocking murder of a retired postal worker named Danny Murphy.

The episode begins with a frantic 911 call made by a neighbor who discovered Murphy's body on his front porch. The victim was found lying in a pool of blood with several gunshot wounds to his chest. Murphy's wife, Andrea, was home at the time of the murder, but claims she didn't hear anything until she was awakened by the sound of the neighbors knocking on her door. Purdy and Stump believe that the killer may have specifically targeted Murphy, given that there were no signs of a struggle or forced entry.

As the detectives begin their investigation, a possible motive for the murder begins to emerge. Murphy was known to carry a significant amount of cash on him, which he often used to pay for services around the neighborhood. According to one witness, Murphy was seen making a large cash withdrawal from the bank just days before his murder. The detectives begin to suspect that someone may have targeted Murphy for his cash, and begin to review surveillance footage from the area.

Their suspicions are confirmed when they discover footage of a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt walking near Murphy's home on the night of the murder. The man, who is later identified as 31-year-old Robert Arnder, is seen walking towards Murphy's home, and then quickly running away shortly after. The detectives are able to track down Arnder, who initially denies any involvement, but eventually confesses to the murder during interrogation.

Arnder's story is that he was near Murphy's home that night to purchase drugs from a man named "Tom." Arnder claims that he saw Tom shoot Murphy, but was too afraid to come forward until now. However, the detectives quickly poke holes in Arnder's story and find evidence that points to him as the real killer. One crucial piece of evidence is a surveillance video from a local convenience store that shows Arnder purchasing a new outfit shortly after the murder. The video shows Arnder quickly changing into the new clothes in the parking lot, which the detectives believe was an attempt to get rid of any evidence that could link him to the murder.

Throughout the investigation, the detectives also uncover a potential accomplice in Arnder's girlfriend, who is seen on surveillance footage driving Arnder away from the area shortly after the murder. She initially denies any involvement, but eventually admits to being aware of Arnder's involvement in the murder and helping him cover up the crime.

"The Quick Change" is a gripping episode that showcases the meticulous police work that goes into solving a homicide case. The detectives' ability to piece together the many different pieces of evidence is both impressive and satisfying to watch. As always, The Murder Tapes offers a unique and intimate look into the world of criminal investigations, and this episode is no exception.