Tibbs visits a backstreet abortionist, who reveals that someone paid for Delores to have an abortion. When Delores arrives, Tibbs follows her outside and is confronted by the murderer, Ralph. Purdy 's mob tracks down Tibbs and holds him at gunpoint; he responds by proving that Ralph got Delores pregnant. Ralph shoots Purdy dead before Tibbs disarms him. Ralph is arrested (presumptively for both murders) and confesses to Colbert 's: he robbed Colbert to fund Delores 's abortion but accidentally killed him.
who was the murderer in the movie in the heat of the night
Ralph Ralph Ralph Ralph