Chicago PD delivered one of its most emotional episodes yet when Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) found a hidden VHS tape that led him to solve a decades-old murder case. The April 29, 2026 episode titled “Going Back” also marked the sad passing of Ruzek’s father, Bob “Disco Bob” Ruzek (Jack Coleman), who had been fighting Alzheimer’s disease.
The hour began with Ruzek visiting his dad at the assisted living facility. Bob’s memory kept slipping in and out. A board in his room was filled with photos of Ruzek and other family members to help him remember faces. Ruzek shared big news that he was selling the family home so Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and Makayla could move closer to a better school. Bob got very upset and confused. At one moment he looked at Ruzek and said he looked just like his son, not realizing he was talking to Adam himself.
While Packing the House, Ruzek Finds a Hidden VHS Tape with a Murder
While cleaning out the family home, Ruzek went through a box of old VHS tapes. He wanted to make sure they did not throw away any unmarked home videos. But one tape showed something completely different. The footage displayed a murder inside a motel room from 2019. At first Ruzek thought it might be from an old TV show. Then he saw the blood splatter on the wall. It was very real. Someone had been killed on camera.
Ruzek took the tape to his father hoping for answers. But Bob could not help because his memory was failing. He kept asking when Ruzek would take him home. Ruzek then visited Mick, an old friend of Bob’s from the Chicago Police Department. Mick explained that officers back then called it the “motel massacre.” Most thought it was a fake prank. But Bob took it seriously and tried to solve it. He never made any progress.
Using police technology, Ruzek improved the video quality. He spotted a room key on the bed and cleaned up the audio. The men on the tape mentioned a motel name. Ruzek found the exact motel where the room matched the video footage. He drove there alone, calling Burgess on the way to say he would see her in the morning.
Ruzek Gets Attacked and Loses His Memory of the Case
When Ruzek arrived at the motel, he asked for the same room where the murder took place. While searching, he found hidden wiring inside the smoke detector. The wires connected directly to the front office. Someone had placed cameras in every guest room. Before Ruzek could do anything, someone hit him hard on the back of the head.
He woke up in a hospital bed with Burgess by his side. The doctors said he had a bad concussion. Ruzek could not remember anything about the attack or the case. The only clue was a note in his notebook that read “knows car.” The motel manager later showed up at the hospital with a gun hidden in his pocket. He admitted to placing the cameras but swore he knew nothing about the murder. He came to the hospital wanting to make a deal like he had done with other officers before.
The Truth Behind the Murder Tape Gets Solved
Ruzek got a call from his father’s care facility. Bob’s health had gotten much worse. When Ruzek rushed to see his dad, memory cards on the table triggered a flashback. He remembered chasing a maintenance worker named Carlos at the motel. That is when he hit his head.
Police brought Carlos in for questioning. He had an active warrant and had been hiding for years. Carlos explained that he knew Bob because Bob once pulled him over and let him go after hearing about Carlos’ sick wife. When Carlos found the murder tape, he sent a copy to Bob because he knew Bob was a good man who would try to get justice.
Carlos named a drug dealer called “VooDoo” who used to sell at the motel. Police matched the name to a man called Mark Knight. His car was connected to the motel’s Wi-Fi on the night of the murder in 2019. The victim was Joe Verlaine, a drifter with no family and multiple drug arrests. The team arrested Mark Knight for the killing.
Ruzek Says Final Goodbye to His Father Disco Bob
Right after the arrest, Ruzek got the terrible call about his dad. He rushed back to the facility. Bob was fading in and out, refusing to eat. He did not have much time left. Ruzek sat beside his father and held his hand. He explained that the case had given him a small window into what Bob went through every day with the memory loss. Ruzek understood how hard his father had fought.
“I love you, Dad. Very much. And I want you to know that I’m gonna remember everything. I’m gonna remember everything for the both of us. So it’s OK. You can let go.” – Adam Ruzek to his father Bob
The episode showed old memories of young Ruzek growing up with his dad. Then it returned to the present moment where Bob took his last breath. Jack Coleman played Disco Bob since Season 12. His character’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis had been a major story throughout the season. Patrick Flueger took time away from the show earlier in the season to care for his character’s father.
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Why Was Voight Missing From Chicago PD Season 13 Episode 19?
Fans noticed that Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) did not appear in this episode. Officer Imani explained that Voight was out of state testifying in court. That is why Burgess, Atwater, and Trudy Platt handled the investigation without him.
The episode aired on NBC on April 29, 2026 at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT. Viewers in the USA can watch it the next day on Peacock. UK viewers can stream on Sky Witness and NOW TV. Canadian audiences can watch on Citytv and streaming on Citytv+. Australian fans can find it on Channel 9 and 9Now. Indian viewers can stream on JioCinema and Voot Select. Global audiences can also purchase the episode on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube TV.
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