In the episode Briar Rose, Alpha murders Kepler in L.A. in his own unique style, then dumps the body in Tucson, Arizona, intentionally diverting Los Angeles Dollhouse security's focus from L.A. to Tucson. He then assumes Kepler's identity, replacing Kepler's image with his own in Kepler's computer records. Paul Ballard tracks down who he thinks is Stephen Kepler and coerces him into accompanying him to the Dollhouse, with the intent of using Kepler's knowledge and skills to help him free Caroline. This doesn't work out quite the way Ballard planned.