May 26 newsletter mystery

The Photograph

At 6:20 p.m., Laura Bennett was found dead in her apartment. The room showed no signs of struggle. 

On the table beside her was her phone, open to a photo taken just minutes earlier. It showed a wine glass, a lit candle, and the city skyline through the window—bright with the last light of day.

Three neighbours had visited Laura that evening:

  • Chris, a vintner, who said he dropped by at 5:50 and left before 6:00
  • Nina, an IT specialist, who said she arrived at 6:05 and left at 6:15
  • Nigel, a candlemaker, who said he arrived at 6:10 but left when no one answered

The investigator noted:

  • The photo on the phone was timestamped 6:12 p.m.
  • The candle in the room had burned down significantly when Laura was found
  • Sunset that day was at 5:58 p.m.

Who is the killer?