Murderer identified at mystery dinner

“Who-done-its” like Clue have been around for years. BYU-Idaho has its own version, a ’50s themed Murder Mystery Dinner. On Oct. 29, students gathered together to solve the murder of Vincent Royal. 

Approximately 60 people were involved in the Murder Mystery Dinner including participants, volunteers and managers. The story includes eight characters who work in a theater. The characters need to prove their innocence and try to win an actor of the year award from the theater owner. 

“The mystery dinner was [started by] a group of students two semesters ago. They were in a class where they had to do an activity on campus, so they decided to do the mystery dinner and it was a big success. We’ve done it every semester since,” said Brittany Campbell   a senior studying social work and manager of the Murder Mystery Dinner.

Every semester since the Murder Mystery Dinner began, the plot has been the same. However, next semester they are planning to change the story.  

“I had already done this murder mystery once. It was a lot of fun, and I liked it a lot. The second time around I decided to do it because I wanted to see if I could be the murderer and get away with it. 

When you already know the story it’s hard not to reveal things before they are supposed to be revealed, and the other one is that you want to get the best character award. It’s hard,” said Andrea Stevens, a senior studying social studies education composite. 

Students showed up donning ‘50s attire. Men wore suspenders, suits and fedoras. Women wore A-line dresses and pin-ups which helped influence the atmosphere of the event. 

“My favorite parts were getting dressed up, everybody getting in character, and going back to the ‘50s,” said Colton Hyer, a junior studying military science. 

Students had plenty of reasons for attending the Murder Mystery Dinner. Some used it as a date night while others showed up to the event stag.

The dinner was set up so that it worked either way. Dates were able to sit at the same tables, but still got to meet other people.

“We were looking for something unique and different to do, other than watching a movie,” said Courtney Smith, a senior studying history education. 

Dinner was provided, and guests were given more clues during each course. The clues helped participants understand motives and move closer to winning the award at the end of the game. 

 “It’s more than just a dinner. It’s a game, it’s entertainment and it’s a fun date night,” Campbell said. 

Once the murderer was revealed, the players took time to tell more about their characters and to learn more about the real lives of the people they had spent the evening with. 

“Figuring it out was so cool, but actually getting to know everyone, I feel like I’ve met everyone before and we’re really close,” said Rachael Olsen, a sophomore studying exercise physiology.