WoW Deaths in the Family Quest Guide

“Deaths in the Family” is a level 50 Alliance quest in World of Warcraft that starts with Magistrate Solomon in Lakeshire, Redridge Mountains. You must investigate three murder sites, collect clues, and report back to Magistrate Solomon, who then sends you to confront the culprit at the Lakeshire Town Hall. This guide covers the full walkthrough, all clue locations, the follow-up quest chain, and answers to common questions.

Quest Background and Starting Point

This quest is part of the Redridge Mountains storyline, which revolves around the Blackrock orc clan and their attacks on Lakeshire. Magistrate Solomon, the town’s leader, asks you to look into a series of brutal killings that have the townsfolk on edge. You must be at least level 50 to pick up the quest, though many players do it at higher levels for achievements or Loremaster. The quest is available to Alliance players only; Horde players cannot see it.

To start, travel to Lakeshire in Redridge Mountains. The town is in the southeastern part of the zone, along the shore of Lake Everstill. Magistrate Solomon stands near the center of town, in front of the Town Hall. Speak with him and accept the quest. He will give you a Magistrate’s Cane and ask you to investigate three murder sites marked on your map.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Once you accept the quest, open your map. You will see three markers around Lakeshire. Each marker is a corpse you need to examine. Use the Magistrate’s Cane on each corpse to collect a clue. The three locations are:

First corpse: Near the bridge on the west side of town, just past the inn. It lies on the ground near some barrels.
Second corpse: Behind the blacksmith’s shop, near the eastern wall of the town. Look for a body slumped against a fence.
Third corpse: On the small island in Lake Everstill, just offshore from the town. You can swim or walk across the shallow water.

At each corpse, click on it with the cane in your inventory. You will receive a clue item: Bloodstained Memorandum, Bloodstained Journal, and Bloodstained Ration Book. Do not delete these items; you need them for the next step.

Reporting Back and the Confrontation

After collecting all three clues, return to Magistrate Solomon. He will read the items and realize that the murders point to a traitor within the town. He asks you to go to the Lakeshire Town Hall and confront the suspect. The Town Hall is the large building in the center of Lakeshire, where Solomon stands. When you enter, you will see a man named Deputy Rainer standing near a table. Interact with him to trigger a short dialogue. He will admit to the killings, claiming he was trying to frame the Blackrock orcs to start a war. After the dialogue, he turns hostile. Defeat him to complete the quest.

Once he is dead, loot his body to retrieve Rainer’s Report. Return to Magistrate Solomon one last time to turn in the quest. Your rewards include experience, reputation with Stormwind, and a choice of a green item: Solomon’s Law (a mace), Redridge Recurve (a bow), or Solomon’s Shield (a shield).

Follow-Up Quest Chain

Completing “Deaths in the Family” unlocks the next quest in the Redridge chain: “Solomon’s Plea”. Magistrate Solomon will ask you to deliver a message to King Varian Wrynn in Stormwind City. This leads to the quest “The King’s Request” and eventually to the “The Blackrock Menace” quest, which sends you into the Blackrock Depths dungeon. This chain is required for the Loremaster of Eastern Kingdoms achievement, so do not skip it if you are working toward that.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

Many players get stuck because they try to loot the corpses instead of using the cane. You must have the cane in your inventory and click the corpse with it; right-clicking the corpse alone will not work. If you accidentally delete the cane, return to Magistrate Solomon; he will give you a new one. Another common issue is that the third corpse on the island can be hard to see because of the water. Look for a small pile of bones or a body near the center of the island. Also, note that the quest is not available to Horde players at all, even if they are in Redridge. If you are Horde, you cannot complete this quest on that character.

A frequent misconception is that you must fight the deputy outside the Town Hall. He only appears inside the building. If you enter and do not see him, make sure you have all three clues in your inventory; otherwise, the dialogue will not trigger.

Tips for Completion

Complete this quest while you are in the level 50-55 range, as the enemies around Redridge are scaled to that level.
Bring a friend if you are on a PvP server; the area is a common battleground for Horde and Alliance players.
Do not sell the clue items; they are quest items and cannot be sold, but you might accidentally delete them. Keep them in your bags until you turn in the quest.
If you are doing Loremaster, combine this quest with other Redridge quests like “The Lost Guards” and “The Everstill Bridge” to save time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do this quest as a Horde character?
No, “Deaths in the Family” is Alliance-only. Horde players cannot pick it up, even if they are in Redridge Mountains.

What level do I need to be?
The quest is designed for level 50, but you can pick it up at any level above that. If you are below 50, the quest giver will not offer it.

I lost the Magistrate’s Cane. What do I do?
Return to Magistrate Solomon in Lakeshire and speak with him. He will give you a replacement cane.

Why can’t I find the third corpse?
The third corpse is on the small island in Lake Everstill. It may be partially hidden by water or vegetation. Swim out to the island and look for a body near the center.

What happens after I turn in the quest?
You immediately get the follow-up quest “Solomon’s Plea,” which sends you to Stormwind to deliver a message to King Varian Wrynn. This starts a chain that leads to the Blackrock Depths dungeon.

Is this quest required for Loremaster?
Yes, it is part of the Redridge Mountains quest chain, which counts toward the Loremaster of Eastern Kingdoms achievement.

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