# Captain Philip Leacock — The Benson Murder Case character guide

> Captain Philip Leacock in The Benson Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Leacock, Captain Leacock, this Captain Leacock, a Captain Philip Leacock

**First appearance:** 0007-iii-a-lady-s-handbag

## Snapshot

A British captain engaged to a woman Benson pursued, he becomes the prime suspect when his gun and his silence point toward guilt.

## Who they are

Leacock is an army officer whose engagement to Miss St. Clair puts him in direct conflict with Benson's attentions to her. His height, his possession of the murder weapon, and his evasive protectiveness of the woman he loves make him the obvious target of Markham's theory. His willingness to shield her at his own expense turns him into the case's most poignant figure, and the question of his innocence drives the early investigation.

## Relationships

### [John Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/john_markham)

_professional_

Captain Leacock, a police officer, works under Markham's authority to gather evidence and pursue leads in the Benson case.

### [Alvin Benson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/alvin_benson)

_rivalry_

Alvin Benson's criminal activities put him in direct conflict with Captain Leacock, who is tasked with investigating his murder.

### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance)

_professional_

Captain Leacock respects Vance's investigative insights but often finds his unorthodox methods frustrating.

### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance)

_professional_

Captain Leacock respects Vance's investigative insights but often finds his unorthodox methods frustrating.

### [John Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/john_markham)

_professional_

Captain Leacock, a police officer, works under Markham's authority to gather evidence and pursue leads in the Benson case.

### [Alvin Benson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/alvin_benson)

_rivalry_

Alvin Benson's criminal activities put him in direct conflict with Captain Leacock, who is tasked with investigating his murder.

### [Alvin Benson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/alvin_benson)

_rivalry_

Alvin Benson's criminal activities put him in direct conflict with Captain Leacock, who is tasked with investigating his murder.

### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance)

_professional_

Captain Leacock respects Vance's investigative insights but often finds his unorthodox methods frustrating.

### [John Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/john_markham)

_professional_

Captain Leacock, a police officer, works under Markham's authority to gather evidence and pursue leads in the Benson case.

## In the story

### [IX: The Height of the Murderer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/ix-the-height-of-the-murderer)

Implied to be over six feet tall, making him a suspect after Vance's height determination eliminates Muriel St. Clair.

### [A Motive and a Threat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xi-a-motive-and-a-threat)

Discussed as a suspect; alleged to have threatened Benson's life and drawn an automatic army pistol at a party; alibi under investigation.

### [The Owner of a Colt-.45](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xii-the-owner-of-a-colt-45)

Interrogated about his threat on Benson's life and his missing Colt; becomes agitated when Muriel St. Clair is mentioned and refuses further comment.

### [The Grey Cadillac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xiii-the-grey-cadillac)

Described by Ostrander as hotheaded, jealous, chivalrous, and a poor gambler; considered a possible suspect.

### [Links in the Chain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xiv-links-in-the-chain)

The prime suspect; reported to have disposed of a package (likely a gun) from the Queensborough Bridge.

### [Admissions and Suppressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xvi-admissions-and-suppressions)

Reassures Muriel St. Clair that he will 'fix everything' after she reveals the police know about the pistol.

### [XVIII: A Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xviii-a-confession)

Confesses to the murder but is brought from the Tombs for further questioning.

### [XIX: Vance Cross-Examines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xix-vance-cross-examines)

Gives a confession full of inconsistencies; appears to be protecting Muriel St. Clair.

### [XX: A Lady Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xx-a-lady-explains)

Mentioned as having confessed to the murder to shield Miss St. Clair; Vance believes he is innocent.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/captain_philip_leacock
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters