Who are the suspects in the heat of the night?

In "In the Heat of the Night," the primary suspects in the murder of wealthy industrialist Mr. Colbert include several local townspeople, with the investigation initially focusing on a black man named Virgil Tibbs, who is a homicide detective from Philadelphia. The local police, particularly Chief Gillespie, also scrutinize Colbert's associates and employees as potential suspects. As the story unfolds, various motives and alibis are examined, revealing deeper social tensions and prejudices in the community. Ultimately, the investigation leads to the true perpetrator, highlighting the complexities of race and justice in the South.