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The police's incident report on Van Kerrel regarding his cause of death.

Victim: Van Kerrel

Time of Death: 18:00 - 24:00, Nov 12th, last year

Cause of Death: Mechanical asphyxia. Judging by the strangulation marks around the victim's neck, he was strangled to death with a strap or band from behind.

Scratch marks were found on the couch where the victim was killed, presumably caused by the victim while enduring the pain of suffocation.

The victim showed no sign of resistance, and there was no sign of a struggle at the crime scene. Based on the fact that the victim was suffering from depression and mental instability, it is presumed that the victim acquired outside help in his own suicide.

Theory 1:

If Johnny was the killer, then that would explain why Van did not try to resist. Van might have known Johnny's true identity.

Van Kerrel case's official police report with relevant information on the case.

Case Background:

Lester Auction House has been involved in an auction item-swapping scandal and is on the verge of bankruptcy. Desperate to resolve the crisis, Lawrence, the owner, demanded Van Kerrel take full responsibility.

Details:

On the evening of November 12th, Lawrence came to Van Kerrel's residence to discuss the handling of the situation. During the course of the discussion, Van Kerrel became suicidal due to his suffering from depression. He acquired the help of Lawrence in an attempt to quell the storm.

Combining the police's findings and the coroner's report, it is believed that Lawrence assisted in the victim's suicide by strangling the victim to death on the couch with his tie.

The nature of the case should, therefore, be that of an assisted suicide rather than a murder.

Johnny might have returned the cyanide after Van's death. He knew of Lawrence's visit and had opportunity to commit the crime.