What Happened To Barnaby In 'Only Murders In The Building'?

Barnaby's fate in 'Only Murders in the Building' is one of those twists that really hooks you if you're into mystery series. He's the building's resident cranky old man, the kind of character who seems designed to annoy everyone around him—until he winds up dead in the first season. The show plays with the classic 'whodunit' formula, and Barnaby's murder sets off the whole premise: three true crime-obsessed neighbors decide to investigate his death themselves and start a podcast about it. What makes his arc interesting isn’t just the mystery surrounding his death, but how the show peels back layers of his personality posthumously. You start off thinking he’s just a grumpy loner, but as the trio digs deeper, you learn he had secrets, connections, and even a softer side that nobody really saw. It’s one of those cases where a character becomes more fascinating after they’re gone.

I love how the series uses Barnaby’s death to explore the dynamics of the building’s residents. Everyone has something to hide, and his murder acts like a catalyst, exposing all these hidden tensions and relationships. The way the show reveals bits and pieces about his life through flashbacks and testimonies keeps you guessing—was he a victim of circumstance, or did his own actions lead to his downfall? The writers did a great job making his character feel fully realized, even though he’s gone from the start. It’s a reminder that even the most unlikable people have layers, and sometimes, the truth is messier than it seems. By the end of the season, you’re left with this bittersweet feeling about Barnaby—he wasn’t just a plot device, but a person with a complicated story.