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Spoiler Warning |
| Plot details follow, read at your own risk. |
- "Mommy always wore her Golden Butterfly."
- ―Michelle Moller
The Golden Butterfly is a Homicide case in L.A. Noire.
Description[]
Detective Cole Phelps and his partner Rusty Galloway are in the detectives' desk room with when Captain James Donnelly calls about another murder. Cole and Rusty head out to the crime scene to find that the Captain is talking to a swarm of reporters, trying to get pictures and quotes. The captain tells them that he will address the media after the autopsy.
Persons of Interest[]
- Deidre Moller - Murder victim.
- Hugo Moller - Husband of murder victim Deidre Moller.
- Michelle Moller - Daughter of murder victim Deidre Moller.
- Neighbor - Witness and Moller family neighbor.
- James Kennedy - Witness and janitor.
- Eli Rooney - Alleged pedophile.
Objectives[]
- Investigate Crime Scene
- Interview Hugo Moller
- Question the Neighbor
- Take Hugo Moller into Custody
- Inspect the Incinerator
- Return to Central Morgue
- Investigate Belmont High School
- Apprehend Lurker
- Call Central
- Return to Central for Interrogations
- Charge a Suspect with Murder
Detailed Walkthrough[]
Crime Scene[]
- "Run along, boys, and let these officers get to work. We have God's work to do here and it can't be delayed."
- ―Captain Donnelly
Victim's golden butterfly brooch.
After the cut scene, make your way up the hill to Officer Enrique Gonzales. He leads you to the body, describing what he saw.
Talk to coroner, Dr. Malcolm Carruthers, who is under the pepper tree. Then inspect the area to find the following clues.
NOTE: Not inspecting the footprints will eliminate one line of questioning later in the case but will have no impact on obtaining a five star rating.
Investigate the hand bag, located on the ground close to the body, and investigate the name plate found in the hand bag to receive the address of the Moller residence. Continue there.
Moller Residence[]
130 North Bonnie Brae Street
When you knock on the door, Michelle Eloise Moller, the victim's daughter will answer. She is home alone and says that her father has gone out looking for "Mommy." After the cut scene, look in the parents' bedroom for clues.
Once these have been inspected question Michelle.
Interview Michelle Moller[]
Phelps informs Michelle that her mother has died and begins the questioning.
Note: Using "Truth" instead of "Doubt" on the second question will still get you the "Husband's alibi" clue, but the question will of course be marked as incorrect.
| Question | Response | Response (Remaster) | Evidence | Clue/Location/P.O.I/Lead/Objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missing watch and rings | Truth | Good Cop | ||
| Last contact with victim | Doubt | Bad Cop |  Husband's alibi Belmont High School (?) |
|
| State of parents' marriage | Doubt | Bad Cop | Butterfly brooch |
- "Hey! What gives?"
- ―Hugo Moller
After you finish questioning her, Mr. Moller storms in and demands to know what is happening. You will then question him.
Interview Hugo Moller[]
| Question | Response | Response (Remaster) | Evidence | Clue/Location/P.O.I/Lead/Objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Footprints at crime scene | Lie | Accuse | Size eight work boots | |
| Missing persons report | Doubt | Bad Cop | ||
| Alibi for Hugo Moller | Lie | Accuse | Husband's Alibi | |
| History of violence | Lie | Accuse | Butterfly Brooch | |
| Movements of Victim | Truth | Good Cop |
As you leave a woman across the street is waving at Phelps. She tells you that the night before she heard screams coming from the house and that Mrs. Moller never returned. She also says that Mr. Moller had been burning things in the incinerator in his backyard, which sends you into a cut scene where she points to him burning more things in the fire.
This leads to a foot chase where if you can tackle Moller, you will receive the Asphalt Jungle, achievement/trophy.
Once caught you should return to the backyard and check the incinerator for a bloody shoe in the fire.
| Stencil | Details | |
|---|---|---|
 Bloody shoes |
Found being burned by Hugo Moller in his backyard incinerator. | |
| Description | Size eight men's shoes, stained with blood | |
 Clues |
Bloody shoes | |
Your partner hands over Moller to an officer for the arrest.
Use the gamewell to acquire the address for Belmont High School and receive a message from the coroner, which you can also get over the police radio.
Next visit the coroner.
Central Morgue[]
4 Macy Street
- "Phelps, Rusty. Thanks for coming."
- ―Malcolm Carruthers
Dr. Carruthers has evidence to show you. Look on the table to your left.
Your partner tells you that the type of rope that was used in this crime is used for mooring boats then Dr. Carruthers adds that Pinker said it is sometimes used for bell towers in churches.
Dr. Carruthers also informs you that Deidre Moller does not appear to have been sexually assaulted.
Make sure you also investigate the shoe print casts (also on the table, to the right of the ropes) until Cole and Rusty comment on them. This updates the "Small men's footprints" clue from earlier to "Size eight footprints" and counts as one of the clues of the case (i.e., if you find all of the other clues in the case but miss this one, you will get 11 out of 12 clues at the end of the case).
Use the coroner's phone to get the address for Belmont High School, if you haven't already. When you check for messages, the operator will inform you that the green 1946 coupe belonging to Deidre Moller was found in the parking lot at Belmont High School. You can also recieve the information about Deidre Moller's car over KGPL by simply getting into the police car.
Head to the school.
Belmont High School[]
1575 West Second Street
Note: As you drive, you may get a radio message about a lurker at the school. In some instances you won't receive this radio message.
At the school speak to janitor James Kennedy, about the car. Phelps notices lurker, Eli Rooney, who runs. Chase him until you either tackle him or fight him when he's cornered.
- NOTE: BUG. If you are not close enough when Rusty comes around the corner you may not be able to attack Eli or defend yourself during the fight scene. If this happens go near Rusty and have him fight Eli.
You will automatically be transported back to the school's lot where you find the butterfly brooch on Rooney. He is picked up by LAPD officers and taken to central for booking.
- "Why bother with the paperwork, Eli? I'm gonna take out my gun and I'm gonna count to five. Let's see how fast you can run now."
- ―Rusty Galloway
Search the trunk of the car for the following evidence.
| Stencil | Details | |
|---|---|---|
 Overalls |
Found in the trunk of Deidre Moller's car. | |
| Description | Green work overalls, stained with blood, stenciled with initials 'HM' | |
| Clues |
Overalls | |
 Rope |
Found in the trunk of Deidre Moller's car. | |
| Description | Length of rope, stained with blood | |
| Clues |
Rope | |
 Bloody tire iron |
Found in the trunk of Deidre Moller's car. | |
| Description | Tire iron, stained with blood | |
| Clues |
Bloody tire iron | |
Use a gamewell to set up an interrogation for both suspects.
Go to Central.
Central Police Station[]
Corner First and Hill
As you drive Galloway suggests that charging Rooney for the crime, even if he didn't do it. He points out that Moller probably murdered his wife but he's not an "immediate danger" to anyone, whereas the pedophile has been lurking around the school and poses more of a danger.
Interview Hugo Moller[]
Room 2
Note: You can still get a five star rating if you skip interviewing Hugo Moller and go directly to Interview Room 1, to interview Eli Rooney and charge him instead.
| Question | Response | Response (Remaster) | Evidence | Clue/Location/P.O.I/Lead/Objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disposal of evidence. | Truth | Good Cop | ||
| Victim's vehicle recovered | Lie | Accuse | Overalls | |
| Access to braided rope | Doubt | Bad Cop | ||
| Access to tire iron | Lie | Accuse | Bloody tire iron |
As you have only just asked the coroner to type the blood on his shoes, question 'Disposal of evidence' can not yet be confirmed or denied.
Leave the interrogation. Charging him at this point in the case will prevent a five star case rating and Captain Donnelly will berate Phelps for his actions, losing faith in him.
Interview Eli Rooney[]
Room 1
| Question | Response | Response (Remaster) | Evidence | Clue/Location/P.O.I/Lead/Objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Footprints at crime scene | Doubt | Bad Cop | ||
| Place of employment | Doubt | Bad Cop | ||
| Access to braided rope | Truth | Good Cop | ||
| Motive for Moller murder | Doubt | Bad Cop |
After you finish interrogating him, charge him with first degree murder. Captain Donnelly and the DA are pleased, so Phelps will receive a high case ranking.
In some cases, interviewing both suspects will get you the Moller cut scene/ranking, even if you charge Rooney. If this happens, replay the case and skip Moller's interview. Interview Rooney and charge him right away.
If you fail both interrogations, Hugo will run out of the station house and flee in a vehicle. You will then have to pursue him. He will eventually have his vehicle disabled when hitting a street trolley. You will charge him but will still anger the Captain.
Case Briefing[]
"The Henry case hasn't even landed on the DA's desk and already we have our next victim. Another white female, beaten and dumped in the grass at the end of Hill Street. Details are scarce until we see the crime scene, but it sounds as though there are superficial similarities to the Dahlia and Henry murders. Captain Donnelly will expect speed and discretion."
Case Notes[]
- "Eli Rooney can expect a warm welcome from Captain Donnelly and the District Attorney."
- "While Hugo Moller stares down a murder charge, Michelle Moller contemplates life as an orphan."
Collectibles[]
- Two rare vehicles, Ray Pinker's Studebaker Commander and a Chrysler Airflow, can be found parked at the crime scene. The Airflow is parked just behind two spectators standing off to the side. A second Airflow is parked at the Moller residence.
- At Belmont High School, the hidden novel "School for Murder" can be found on the northeast set of bleachers at the school's athletic track.
Trivia[]
- This case is heavily based on the real life murder of Dorothy Montgomery on May 3, 1947 in Los Angeles. Her case was connected to the Elizabeth Short ("The Black Dahlia Murder") case as well as the Jeanne French ("The Red Lipstick Murder") case. Dorothy was mutilated which is why authorities first thought there was a connection to Elizabeth Short's murder. A Golden Butterfly Brooch was found near her body which was hers and had been torn from her blouse. This case was called "The Butterfly Murder".
- In the crime scene, the man wearing a blue suit, red and white tie, and green pants is Game Informer's journalist Dan Ryckert, who visited the studio for a story during production. He is seen in the thumbnail in the video below.
- If the player heads straight to Belmont High School after arresting Hugo Moller (instead of going to the coroner's) they will see an alternative cutscene showing Eli Rooney spying on two girls in the parking lot. Phelps and Galloway will spot him, and a chase ensues. After capturing Rooney, a second cutscene will play showing Rusty receiving a call on the car's radio about the victim's automobile being found, and the player will then proceed to interview the janitor and check the trunk of the car. When speaking with the janitor, instead of Phelps asking about who the suspected child molester is, he will comment on having already met Rooney, and ask the janitor if the man is known to have a violent past. Going through this series of events and skipping the trip to the coroner's can still earn the player a five star rating if they successfully conduct the interview with Rooney and charge him with the murder.
- Regardless of how this case ends, the opening of the next case, specifically the comments made by Captain Donnelly about the prior case's outcome, remains the same.
- The green car in the Belmont High School parking lot owned by Deidre Moller is registered under the name of "MRS. HUGO MOLLER". This can be heard when Rusty reports to KGPL after chasing Eli Rooney.
- If Moller is charged, Donnelly will say "I have to say I'm disappointed. I stood in front of a troupe of reporters and made promises - promises of swift and fearful retribution - and you bring me an armful of vagary and happenstance. You made the department look bad, lad. Do it again and your career as a policeman will come to an abrupt and ignominious end. You two are back on the streets. Find street criminals. Roust them, beat them and restore some fervor to your police work. Your next case will come when you've revived my faith in your abilities. Now get out of here."
- At the initial crime scene, finding Deidre Moller's name tag will trigger a cutscene where Phelps asks Officer Gonzales to run the name by R&I to find her home address. If the player chooses to follow him, the conversation between Gonzales and the operator can be overheard. In it, R&I tells the officer that there were multiple calls to the LAPD for Domestic Disturbances. Despite the fact that this is key information, it is not relayed by the patrol officer back to Phelps, you must still obtain it later from Moller's daughter, Michelle.
- At the crime scene, Pinker can be killed without repercussion.
- If you drive to the school before going to the morgue, the question "Footprints at crime scene" will go down to the last line in the notebook when Phelps questioned Rooney. In contrast, this question is on the first line of Phelps's notebook.
Video Walkthroughs[]
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