Murder at Yellowstone City Ending: Who Killed Robert Dunnigan?
The Western thriller Murder at Yellowstone City (2019) was directed by Richard Gray. The movie follows Cicero, a former enslaved man who moves to a new town in search of peace, only to be charged with murder. With events as they are, more love, betrayal, greed, and hatred are exposed.
This article reveals the true killer’s identity, what happens to the main characters Jimmy, Emma, and the sheriff, and what happens to Cicero following the town’s dark days. If you’re a fan of twist-filled Westerns, then this unpacking of how Murder at Yellowstone City will stick with you will be for you.
Cicero Arrives, Robert Dunnigan Is Killed
Cicero comes to Yellowstone City to start anew. His timing, alas, could not be worse. A week after he arrives in town, Robert Dunnigan — a troublemaker if there ever was one — is found dead after striking it rich. Without any substantial evidence, Sheriff Jim Ambrose immediately arrests Cicero, convinced that an outsider is to blame.
Cicero, though threatened and insulted, avows himself an innocent man. Pastor Thaddeus and his wife, Alice, figure out foul play involving Robert’s wife, Emma. Their investigation reveals secrets that the sheriff overlooks. Yet instead of digging deeper, the sheriff points fingers at the stranger. It lays the foundation for the real killer to be revealed, one who is a member of the very village.
Jimmy’s Secret Affair, And The Murder Truth
As the story unfolds, hints that Robert’s murder was not a random act emerge. A local woman named Violet discovers a letter by Emma from another man, implying an adulterous affair. When Violet is murdered for trying to help Cicero, it’s obvious someone is eliminating witnesses.
The trail leads to Jimmy, the sheriff’s son. Jimmy was having an affair with Emma and was the one who penned the love letter. Emotions get the best of Jimmy, and things take a bloody turn when Jimmy kills Robert out of love for her and a need to avenge Emma’s abuse.
Emma is skillful in leading Jimmy to do her dirty work, exploiting his love as a means to escape her travesty of a marriage. Jimmy even murders Isabel, Robert’s mistress, to further cover things up. In the final analysis, not Cicero, but Robert’s own closest entourage, ultimately brought about the disaster.
The Final Shootout: What Happens To Jimmy, Emma, and the Sheriff?
The truth finally bursts into the public. Jimmy tells the sheriff, who is his father, about the robbery and killings. The impossible truth dawns on the sheriff: his son was the real killer all along. When Emma is confronted, she refuses to take responsibility and attempts to shift all the blame to Jimmy.
Emma attempts to fight her way out once she has been disrobed. She fucking shoots the sheriff, descends into chaos. Thaddeus shoots Jimmy in the chaos to save others. She kills Emma after a chase in the last showdown.
Jimmy dies in a weepy scene with his father. Wounded and shattered, the sheriff is left behind. He is still alive initially, though his injuries and loss indicate that he won’t survive long. The tragedy brings an end to the Ambrose line altogether, perhaps marking the close of a painful era in Yellowstone City.
Cicero’s Forward Stride: The Wolf Of Yellowstone City Behind
Now that the actual murderers have been revealed, Cicero is exonerated. Even so, the trauma has cut deep. Looking to make a new start when he came to Yellowstone City, he was the victim of racism and injustice, nearly costing him his life.
While Pastor Thaddeus and Alice intend to stay and restore the town’s fractured trust, Cicero knows it’s no longer the place for him. Healed and ready to travel, Cicero prepares to do so.
As a parting gesture, he stops by the place where Violet, one of the small number of people who believed in him, perished. He leaves Yellowstone City with bittersweet memories in his heart and soul. In leaving, Cicero takes with him only suffering: Exile, in other words. His exit is a sign of hope, not defeat, as it serves as a reminder that not all is lost when odds are stacked against you.
FAQs
Who Murdered Robert Dunnigan in Murder at Yellowstone City?
Jimmy, the sheriff’s son, murdered Robert. He did it on account of his illicit affair with Robert’s wife, Emma.
Was it a crime to be a Cicero?
No, Cicero was innocent. He was falsely accused simply because he was a stranger and a Black man.
What happens to Emma at the end?
Emma attempts to flee, but is shot and killed by Alice in a shootout.
The sheriff was shot. Did he live?
At the time, the sheriff was alive and suffering from a severe wound. It is suggested that he dies soon after.
Why did Cicero abandon Yellowstone City?
The town he once called home was no longer safe, and he was no longer welcome after what he had been through.
Final Words
Murder at Yellowstone City is a riveting tale of bigotry, graft, and salvation. It’s an example of this city of love-gone-wrong and greed-gone-wrong warping hearts, leading us to violence.
It also underscores what it takes to stand up for yourself when the odds are so heavily stacked against you. Cicero’s story should remind viewers that sometimes, walking away is the bravest gesture of all. The ending of the film will stick with you, proving that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
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