Don’t ask me how I got my hands on this case, let’s say that some research took place and I ended up uncovering something which I still am not sure it is real. So here it is, the red forest case. The police report is as follows.
Incident Report
Incident Details:
On July 15, 2023, at approximately 9:30 AM, officers from the Somerville Police Department responded to a call regarding a deceased individual at 123 Elm Street, Apartment 201. The caller, identified as Mrs. Linda Peterson, a concerned neighbour, reported a foul odour emanating from the apartment. Officers arrived at the scene and entered the apartment, discovering the body of a male individual, identified as Mr. John Thompson, aged 35, lying on the ground.
Scene Assessment:
Upon entering the apartment, officers observed that the apartment was in a generally tidy condition, with no signs of forced entry or struggle. The living room area, where the body was found, was dimly lit, and Mr. Thompson was lying on his back wearing a virtual reality headset. His hands were positioned in front of him, holding the virtual reality controllers. Mr. Thompson was dressed in casual clothing.
Condition of the Victim:
Mr. Thompson appeared to be deceased. The body showed signs of advanced decomposition, indicating that the victim had been deceased for at least several days. Rigor mortis had set in, making the body stiff and immobile. Mr. Thompson’s skin was pale, and there were visible signs of dehydration, including dry, cracked lips and sunken eyes. No apparent external injuries or trauma were observed on the body.
Witness Statements:
Mrs. Linda Peterson, the caller who reported the foul odour, stated that she had noticed a strange smell coming from Mr. Thompson’s apartment for the past few days. She mentioned not seeing him during that time, which was unusual as they often interacted in passing. Mrs. Peterson expressed concerns and decided to contact the authorities.
Mr. Robert Jenkins, a resident living adjacent to Mr. Thompson’s apartment, reported hearing occasional noises from the victim’s apartment but didn’t recall anything out of the ordinary leading up to the incident.
Processing the Scene:
Upon securing the scene, officers immediately contacted forensics to investigate to investigate in more detail and collect evidence. The team thoroughly examined the apartment for any potential clues or signs of foul play.
Evidence Collected:
Virtual Reality Setup: A virtual reality headset and two handheld controllers were found on Mr. Thompson. These items were seized for further analysis and potential data extraction.
Electronic Devices: Various electronic devices, including a laptop, smartphone, and tablet, were found within the apartment. These devices were secured and will be examined for any relevant information.
Personal Belongings: Mr. Thompson’s wallet, identification cards, and keys were found on a nearby countertop. These items will be examined for any potential leads.
Investigation Steps Taken:
Next of Kin Notification: Attempts will be made to notify Mr. Thompson’s next of kin about the incident.
Autopsy: The body of Mr. John Thompson will be transported to the morgue for a comprehensive autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Virtual Reality Analysis: The virtual reality headset and controllers will be examined by forensic experts to retrieve any possible data or information that may shed light on the victim’s activities prior to his death.
Forensic Analysis of Electronic Devices: The laptop, smartphone, and tablet found in the apartment will be analysed by the digital forensics unit to uncover any relevant information related to the case.
Interviews and Background Checks: Friends, family members, neighbours, and acquaintances of Mr. Thompson will be interviewed to gather information about his lifestyle, mental state, and any recent significant events that may be connected to his death.
Conclusion:
At present, the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. John Thompson appear to be suspicious, as there are no indications of forced entry or a struggle. The cause of death seems to be dehydration, but the exact circumstances leading to his demise remain unknown. Further investigation, including the analysis of the virtual reality equipment and electronic devices, as well as interviews with relevant individuals, is necessary to determine the sequence of events leading to the victim’s death.
This report will be updated as new information becomes available. The case remains open, and any additional findings will be reported accordingly.
Reporting Officer:
Officer Sarah Johnson
At this point I will skip all the information written on the autopsy of the body as well as any interviews taken as they are boring and I will tell you about the findings on the virtual reality analysis which are terrifying. The analysis goes as follows.
Investigation Update: Virtual Reality Analysis
Following the discovery of Mr. John Thompson’s body and the seizure of the virtual reality equipment found at the scene, the devices were subjected to a comprehensive analysis by the forensic experts
Findings:
Upon examining the virtual reality headset and controllers, it was determined that nothing out of the ordinary was found within the system’s hardware or software. However, a significant discovery was made within the virtual reality environment.
A video recording was discovered, capturing moments of Mr. Thompson’s experience while playing a game in the virtual reality environment. The game depicted a forest with red trees and red ground, creating a disorienting and unsettling atmosphere. Mr. Thompson appeared to be in a state of panic and distress. He was having a discussion with an unidentified distorted voice during the recorded session.
The transcript of the conversation is as follows:
Mr. Thompson: Oh God, what is happening? I can’t take this anymore! I need to get out of here!
Unidentified Voice: Oh, poor John. Can’t handle the game, can you? Stuck in your little virtual prison.
Mr. Thompson: I’m trying! But… but I can’t move! I’m stuck! My body feels paralyzed, like I’m trapped. I can only move my fingers that control these damn controllers. Everything else…
Unidentified Voice: (laughter) You thought you could escape? You’re at my mercy now, John. There’s no way out.
Mr. Thompson: Shut up… This isn’t real, it’s not real… I need to find the way.
Unidentified Voice: Reality, virtual or not, what’s the difference? You’re just a pawn in my game, John. You should have known better than to trust that link.
Mr. Thompson: Fucking Tom. He sent me a link, said it was an exclusive experience, something thrilling and unique. I trusted him. I didn’t expect this! Ooh God what have I done?
Unidentified Voice: Ah, poor, naive John. Falling for Tom’s little trap. You’re just another fool who thought he could escape reality. But now, you’re trapped in my twisted creation.
Mr. Thompson: Please stop! There’s no escape… I’ve searched every corner, every path. The forest, it’s alive, watching me. I’m trapped. I don’t know if I’ll ever get out!
Unidentified Voice: (laughter) That’s right, John. Embrace the despair. There is no rescue, no salvation for you. You’re mine forever.
Mr. Thompson: Shut the fuck up! I can’t think straight. My mind is playing tricks on me. Someone please help…
Unidentified Voice: Help? Oh, John, there’s no one who can help you now. Your pleas are futile. Your fate is sealed. Enjoy your eternal torment.
[Sound of distorted and eerie background noises]
Mr. Thompson: There’s no way out… I’m lost. I’m done… Please no… no…
[Abrupt ending]
Conclusion:
The virtual reality analysis revealed a significant piece of evidence in the form of a video recording capturing the conversation of Mr. Thompson’s with an unknown individual. The recording indicated his panic and distress, as he expressed an inability to exit the game, which he had downloaded via a link provided by his colleague, Tom. Also the unidentified distorted voice that was speaking in a demeaning manner towards Mr. Thompson and was identified itself as the creator of the game.
The investigation will now focus on identifying Tom and uncovering further details about the game’s origins.