Arconiacs, if you’re like me, you’ve already got a murder board of your own, and you’re feverishly trying to piece together the mystery that is Ben Glenroy’s (Paul Rudd) murder. Only Murders in the Building‘s third season finds our sleuthing trio — Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Selena Gomez) — investigating the death of a celebrity. As usual, there are plot twists and misdirection aplenty, so you can’t trust everything you see onscreen. It typically takes a hot minute for our crew to track down the killer.
So, in honor of Season 3’s latest case, I’ve compiled a list of suspects. One of them could be the culprit. I’ll let you be the judge.
Tobert
I’m not 100 percent sold on Tobert (Jesse Williams) being the killer because we’ve explored the “significant other is a murderer” route before. However, it’s essential to cover our bases. We’re no strangers to red herrings on Only Murders in the Building. Tobert’s “good guy” image could be a front for something more sinister.
Is there a motive? Admittedly, not really, unless Ben’s camp was withholding or underpaying him as a documentarian. Tobert could’ve filmed Ben doing something untoward and utilized it to blackmail him, but not murder him. How would that benefit Tobert? This one doesn’t hold much water.
RELATED: Check out our recap for Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Episode 5, “Ah, Love!”
K.T.
K.T. (Allison Guinn) is the no-nonsense stage manager who, like everyone else, butt heads with Ben. But did they butt heads one too many times, causing K.T. to snap? We don’t know much about her yet or have had any flashback scenes with her and Ben. Like Tobert, the trail on this suspect is tepid at best. Most folks wouldn’t kill because they don’t get along with a co-worker. And something tells me, based on her demeanor, that she put Ben in his place quite frequently. That said, I’ll wait until we learn more about her before writing her off completely.
Jonathan
Full disclosure: I love Jonathan (Jason Veasey). His relationship with Howard (Michael Cyril Creighton) is so sweet. Unfortunately, Jonathan boasts a stronger motive to rid the world of Ben than most on this list. He was Ben’s understudy, and Ben was the lead. Could he have grown frustrated with waiting in the wings?
What about his meeting with Dr. C? Any time someone surreptitiously exchanges envelopes/papers and slips them into their coat pocket, I mark them as suspicious. Maybe Dr. C moonlights as a hitman, or Jonathan purchased something to poison Ben. When that didn’t take, he shoved Ben down the elevator shaft. (I don’t want him to be the killer, though.)
RELATED: Gift Guide for True Crime Lovers
Dr. C
Ah, the enigmatic Dr. C — a celebrity concierge who can get whatever you need on the drug front. He may have worked in tandem with Jonathan to kill Ben; however, Dr. C could’ve executed this murder on his own. Everything’s on the table, right? Perhaps Ben owed Dr. C money, and the latter was fed up. It wouldn’t be the first time someone has killed over money and drugs (maybe even illicit ones). But part of me is unsure the show would make a minor character the murderer unless we get to know him down the line.
Dickie
Dickie (Jeremy Shamos) is Ben’s devoted brother, who was also his manager. Let’s be honest: Dickie has an even more airtight motive than Jonathan. Maybe Ben treated Dickie like sh*t and didn’t appreciate all the times his brother saved him, whether it was career-wise or financially. Dickie also spent all of Ben’s career in the shadows, standing on the sidelines and fighting tooth and nail to ensure he’s on the right path.
There’s a good chance Dickie snapped, refusing to take Ben’s abuse any longer. Folks, this one’s a contender.
Loretta
At the end of Season 3 Episode 5, “Ah, Love!” Oliver found a scrapbook featuring news clippings and photos of Ben in Loretta’s (Meryl Streep) apartment. To make matters worse, he just slept with her. Then again, this also falls into the “significant other is a murderer” category. Don’t get repetitive, OMITB!
RELATED: The Best True Crime Shows on Netflix
This isn’t the only mark against her. In Season 3 Episode 4, “The White Room,” Mabel, Oliver and Charles discover a message scrawled on Ben’s dressing room mirror in lipstick, calling him a “f*cking pig.” Loretta refers to him as such multiple times on her date with Oliver. Now, there’s a chance she’s another red herring, but it’s not looking good for our nanny.
Loretta has motive, too. Ben was absolutely awful to her during rehearsals and on opening night. He physically assaulted her. She could’ve tried to poison him before the show and then finished the job at the Arconia. Now, as for the scrapbook, perhaps she harbored a strange obsession with him that turned to hatred after meeting him. Maybe they’re related? All I know is Meryl Streep is incredible in everything, and she’s made me fall in love with Loretta.
Could the Murderer Be Someone We Haven’t Met Yet?
It’s possible. However, it also feels too late in the season to introduce a new character that’s of import. Let’s look at the past two seasons. So far, each killer has been someone we met early on. For example, in the pilot episode, we met Season 1’s killer, Jan (Amy Ryan). Then, we met Season 2’s killer, Poppy (Adina Verson), in the fourth episode of Season 1. We were given ample time to get to know both murderers. Therefore, assuming the show continues this pattern, the killer is more than likely someone we’ve already met.
RELATED: Catch up on the Arconia antics with our Only Murders in the Building recaps!
My top suspects: Dickie and Loretta.
Who are your top suspects? Do you think the murderer is someone in the Death Rattle Dazzle cast or someone like Dickie, who’s on the sidelines? Sound off in the comments!
Only Murders in the Building streams new episodes every Tuesday on Hulu.
https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/mabel-mora-only-murders-in-the-building/
[email protected]
What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
- TEACUP Recap: (S01E02) My Little Lighthouse - October 10, 2024
- TEACUP Series Premiere Recap: (S01E01) Think About the Bubbles - October 10, 2024
- Aaron Pierre Boards DC’s LANTERNS Series in Starring Role - October 9, 2024
