Winter Kills (1979) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Arthur Fletcher confesses to being the actual assassin, revealing he was hired by a man named Casper, Jr. alongside another gunman. Fletcher shot the President on February 22, 1960, in Philadelphia, but the conspiracy went much deeper than just the triggerman, as the mafia was ultimately revealed to have orchestrated the crime.

Foreshadowing: Fletcher's dramatic arrival on the tanker ship via helicopter signals the weight of his confession.

• assassination
• fletcher
• president
• conspiracy
• murder

The film suggests Pa Kegan may have been involved in orchestrating his own son's assassination. During the confrontation, Nick suspects his father of being behind the conspiracy, and the evidence points to Pa's involvement in the dark dealings that ultimately led to the President's death.

Foreshadowing: Pa's rebuke of Nick for abandoning family duties hints at his deeper involvement in the family's criminal enterprises.

• pa kegan
• father
• conspiracy
• assassination
• family

Nick discovers the murder weapon hidden in Room 903 of the Engleson Building in Philadelphia, but the vehicle containing the rifle goes missing, thwarting his plans to use it as evidence. This disappearance is part of the ongoing efforts to suppress the truth about the assassination.

Foreshadowing: Nick's urgent attempt to alert his father about the chaos foreshadows the rifle's theft.

• rifle
• weapon
• room 903
• engleson building
• evidence

All witnesses to Fletcher's confession either die or disappear under mysterious circumstances. This is part of the larger conspiracy to silence anyone who knows the truth about the assassination, with the perpetrators systematically eliminating anyone who could expose the truth.

Foreshadowing: The tragic deaths of Nick's friends by an unseen sniper in Philadelphia demonstrates the conspiracy's willingness to kill.

• witnesses
• deaths
• conspiracy
• silenced
• elimination

Nick discovers that Yvette has been untruthful about her employment, though the specific details of her deception remain murky. This revelation adds to the atmosphere of betrayal and mistrust that surrounds Nick throughout his investigation.

Foreshadowing: The tension and suspicions between Nick and Yvette during their rekindled relationship hint at underlying deception.

• yvette
• lying
• employment
• deception
• relationship

Joe Diamond, a nightclub owner with connections to the assassination, reveals how the mafia orchestrated the crime. Diamond facilitated the grisly details of the President's murder, acting as a key intermediary between the conspirators and the actual assassins.

Foreshadowing: Nick's investigation leading him to a nightclub owner points to organized crime involvement.

• joe diamond
• mafia
• nightclub
• conspiracy
• organized crime

As Pa Kegan falls to his death during the chaotic confrontation, he cries out "put my money in South America!" This final message suggests his thoughts were still on protecting his wealth and assets even in his final moments, underscoring his character obsession with money and legacy.

Foreshadowing: Pa's earlier schemes to dismantle the conspiracy and his focus on family legacy foreshadow his final words.

• pa kegan
• final words
• money
• south america
• death

Z.K. Dawson, a powerful former political rival, attempts to distance himself from the crime during his meeting with Nick. He shifts blame onto the Philadelphia Police Department, particularly Captain Heller and his ally Ray Doty, though his true level of involvement remains ambiguous.

Foreshadowing: Dawson as a former political rival suggests he had motive and opportunity to be involved.

• z.k. dawson
• police
• blame
• conspiracy
• political rival

Nick is driven to uncover the truth about his half-brother's assassination after learning about it from Fletcher's dying confession. His pursuit of justice threatens to expose painful truths and shatter his family's legacy, forcing him to confront a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of power.

Foreshadowing: Nick leaving a message for Yvette at the beginning foreshadows his descent into the conspiracy's web.

• nick kegan
• investigation
• motivation
• truth
• justice

Arthur Fletcher confesses to Nick while being attended to in the ship's medical office, seeking to reveal the truth about the assassination to clear his name before passing away. His dying confession sets the entire investigation in motion.

Foreshadowing: Fletcher's bandaged arrival via helicopter signals his critical importance to the story.

• arthur fletcher
• confession
• dying
• motive
• clearing name

Ray Doty is revealed to be an ally of Captain Heller within the Philadelphia Police Department. Flashbacks show he was part of the apparatus that enabled the assassination, working within the police force to facilitate the crime.

Foreshadowing: Dawson's blame-shifting toward the police department hints at Doty's involvement.

• ray doty
• police
• conspiracy
• captain heller
• facilitator

When Nick tries to alert his father about the unfolding chaos, he reaches John Cerruti instead, who claims to send assistance. However, Cerruti either cannot or does not help, and their plans are thwarted, suggesting he may be part of the network working against Nick.

Foreshadowing: The failed assistance from Cerruti contributes to the missing rifle and lost evidence.

• john cerruti
• betrayal
• assistance
• conspiracy