The GTA 5 Murder Mystery is a side mission in the enhanced version that only Michael can complete, and it contains spoilers below. You follow four carved messages, a sunken body and a letter to find a murder victim named Isaac. It was exclusive to returning players until 2021, there is no introductory message, and solving it gives two noir filters.
Key facts
- Character: Michael De Santa only
- Third clue requires: finishing Meltdown
- Victim: Isaac, found in an abandoned mine in Great Chaparral
- Reward: two noir filters for the Snapmatic, also usable as a gameplay overlay
First clue: the four carved messages
Find four cryptic messages carved on buildings around Los Santos. A background sound tells you when you have discovered one.
- Near the pool at the Gentry Manor Hotel, a message about “Old Fred” not being as nice as he acts.
- At the Galileo Observatory in Vinewood Hills, a message reading “David Richards knows”.
- At City Hall in Alta, a message saying Fred makes cartoons for kids and hid something.
- Next to the Oriental Theater in Downtown Vinewood, a message saying a woman was drowned for what she knew.
You are then pointed to a sunken body off the west coast and a damning letter on a friend’s desk.
Second clue: the sunken body
The body of a woman, hands tied behind her back, a bag over her head and her feet in a concrete block, lies just off the coast by Fort Zancudo, near the bow of a sunken Olifantus. Reach it with the Submersible, the Kraken (see the GTA 5 Wildlife Photography Challenge) or a Scuba Suit.
Third clue: the letter
The messages and the body can be found at any time, but the letter requires Meltdown. Michael has to enter Solomon Richards’ office at Richards Majestic, which is only open between 21:00 and 06:00. While he is inside, character switching is disabled and time stands still.
The letter is dated August 14, 1949, and was written to David Richards by Fred Quincy, founder of Fred’s Pictures. Quincy confesses to killing Isaac, who wanted a live-action film instead of the cartoon “Bip the Dog”, and says he hid the body in a mine in the hills. It also implies the sunken body is Quincy’s secretary.
Solving the mystery
Go to the abandoned mine in Great Chaparral and destroy its boarded-up door with a heavy weapon or explosive. Isaac’s body is further inside the shaft. Reaching it ends the mystery and adds Isaac as a phone contact for all three protagonists. Revisit the body or call Isaac to switch the noir filters on or off.
Related guides
- Letter Scraps Location Guide: the other murder mystery, linked to Leonora Johnson
- Abigail Submarine Pieces Location Guide
- Use the GTA 5 map to plan your route
- Browse the GTA 5 missions category, the GTA 5 lexicon or the GTA 5 guide
Video walkthrough
Prefer to watch? This video shows it in action.
FAQ
Who can solve the GTA 5 Murder Mystery?
Only Michael.
Why can I not read the letter?
You must finish Meltdown first, and Solomon Richards’ office at Richards Majestic is only accessible from 21:00 to 06:00.
How do I get into Isaac’s mine?
Blow open the boarded-up door of the abandoned mine in Great Chaparral with a heavy weapon or explosive.
What do I get for solving it?
Two noir filters for each protagonist’s Snapmatic, which can also be used as a gameplay overlay.
