<P> 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 . </P>
<P> 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 . </P>
who was the murderer in the movie in the heat of the night
who was the murderer in the movie in the heat of the night
Ralph
Ralph