This is KW14 local news with your host, Ronald Cloud, alongside reporter Rebecca Snite. Tonight, we report on a local theater and poetry prodigy whose foray into amateur detective work yields unexpected results:
Rowan Finch, 13, is well known in the community for reciting Shakespeare, writing original plays and poetry, and performing with the local Shakespeare Company. Recently, he has taken up solving mysteries.
KW14 News reporter Rebecca Snite interviewed Rowan about his new pursuit. Rowan shared his excitement about auditioning for the role of Miss Marple in the upcoming production of ‘Nemesis’ at the Saturn Theater, scheduled for October. “Since this is quite different from playing Puck in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ I decided to try method acting to prepare,” Rowan said. While Miss Marple usually investigates human deaths, Rowan started with the case of a local rodent fatality.
The squirrel in question, Mr. Nibbles, was a familiar presence on Tick-a-Tak Lane. Mr. Posy, a resident, recalled, “He would eat peanuts out of my hand so gently,” becoming visibly emotional.
KW14 News asked Rowan about his motivation for the investigation. Rowan, new to the street, saw it as a way to meet his neighbors and practice method acting. “I know that with my autism, it can be hard for me to connect with people, and providing a service to the community seemed a good way to go about connecting,” he said.
KW14 News reports that the case began after Mr. Nibbles was found deceased at the roadside. Rowan marked the scene with orange cones and caution tape. According to Rowan, “The tape stuck to my hand, and I didn’t like the sticky, tacky feeling. I had to peel it off with one hand while holding the other, and it made a ripping, crinkling sound each time I pulled it free. After every piece, I rubbed my fingers together, wishing the residue would just disappear.”
After setting up, Rowan donned a tweed suit for full method acting. He later told KW14 News, “The fabric was rough and scratchy, and I noticed the collar itching at my neck, especially before I knocked on Mrs. Cuhvar’s door. It made me shift uncomfortably.” Rowan explained, “That’s what Miss Marple was always wearing, but I opted for pants instead of a skirt.”
Upon returning to the scene, Rowan noticed Mr. Nibbles was flattened and had tire tracks on his back. He concluded a vehicle was likely responsible.
In an interview with KW14 News, Rowan described canvassing the area and spotting several security cameras. “I thought, if only I could get my hands on that footage, I could see who killed Mr. Nibbles.” Rowan received footage from a neighbor in exchange for a signed program. “As Mr. Nibbles is running toward a tree in the median, a blue or black Honda CR-V drives by, and then he doesn’t move again,” Rowan reported. Two vehicles matching this description belong to Mr. Posy and Mrs. Cuhvar.
When Rebecca Snite interviewed Mrs. Cuhvar, she said: “It was the most absurd thing. I had just come downstairs to start making dinner when I heard a knock at the door. The knock was sharp and quick—almost impatient. I opened it, and there was this kid standing on my stoop in a tweed suit, looking slightly uncomfortable as he straightened his sleeves. At first, I thought he was selling magazines for school. Then he said his uncle was a friend of mine and asked if he could come in. When I asked about his uncle, I had no idea who he meant. Eventually, he told me he thought I had killed a squirrel in the neighborhood because I had posted on Facebook that people shouldn’t be feeding a wild animal. I told him to come inside and sat on the couch while I called his mother. Rowan later told KW14 News that he felt frustrated and embarrassed when his mother was called, but he waited quietly until she arrived. He still tried to question me. The nerve!”
After this, Rowan—still in his tweed suit—continued his investigation without questioning more neighbors. Just as he thought the case would never be solved, Rowan tried a new tactic.
He told KW14 News that he returned to the neighbor who had given him the security footage and asked whether they had other cameras. “I gave them season tickets to the Saturn if they could give me all the footage from every camera they had that day. Since I had been grounded for bothering Mrs. Cuhvar, I had lots of time on my hands. I looked at the footage, and five minutes before the car hits Mr. Nibbles, I can see her running through the backyard of the folks who gave me the footage. About seven minutes later, she came back carrying a puppy, muttering to it, so that ruled her out.”
When KW14 News reached out to Mr. Posy, his son and daughter-in-law replied, “We are unsure if Mr. Posy ran over Mr. Nibbles. However, it is likely his car in the camera footage we saw. We know he enjoyed feeding him every morning and would never knowingly hurt him. Unfortunately, Mr. Posy is facing some serious health issues and was on his way to a medical appointment that day. Although Mr. Posy was not supposed to be driving due to his health, he insisted on taking himself to the appointment. He wants his neighbors to know that he’s going to be moving soon, and he’s enjoyed living on Tick-a-Tak Lane.”
At a later date:
This is Ronald Cloud. We have some updates for you on the residents and a former resident of Tick-a-Tak Lane. Mr. Posy asked that we tell you he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and is now seeking treatment. He is also living on the same property as his son. He still stays in touch with many of his former neighbors. Rowan Finch will be starring in the Saturn Theater’s production of Nemesis as Miss Marple. Rowan told KW14 News he was very happy to have been cast in the role, describing it as “one of the best moments” of his year. A collection of donations will be taken up at each show to go towards a local Parkinson’s foundation in honor of Mr. Posy. Mrs. Cuhvar and Rowan have bonded on installing bird and squirrel feeders at a local nature center.
Rowan concluded to KW14 News, “Even though my autism likes to know the ending to everything, some endings are not as satisfying as I would like them to be.”
Living on the Spectrum 
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