The Shocking Truth: Who Really Killed Abby Jackson In The Hunting Wives? (Book Vs. Series)

The mystery at the heart of The Hunting Wives, whether you’re a reader of May Cobb’s thrilling 2021 novel or a viewer of the recent 2024 TV adaptation, is one of the most compelling whodunits in modern domestic suspense. The core question—who killed the teenage girl—has two very different, yet equally shocking, answers depending on which version of the story you consumed. As of today, December 11, 2025, the debate over the most satisfying twist continues to rage among fans, but the identity of the victim and the primary suspects remain the same: a close-knit circle of wealthy, bored, and dangerously competitive East Texas women.

The victim, a young girl named Abby Jackson, is found dead in the woods near the wealthy town of East Texas, turning the suburban drama into a full-blown murder investigation. Her death shatters the illusion of quiet life for protagonist Sophie O’Neil and exposes the dark secrets of the eponymous "Hunting Wives," a glamorous, elite social circle led by the charismatic Margo.

The Central Characters and The Victim: Abby Jackson

To fully understand the shocking reveal of the killer, one must first be familiar with the key players in this East Texas tragedy. The story centers on Sophie O'Neil, a former Boston transplant who moves to the fictional town of East Texas with her husband, Graham, and son. Sophie becomes obsessed with joining the inner circle of The Hunting Wives, a group known for their glamorous parties and secret, wild hunting trips. The group is led by the magnetic and manipulative Margo and includes Jill, a seemingly devoted mother and wife.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

• Sophie O’Neil: The protagonist and unreliable narrator; a transplant desperate to fit in, whose curiosity drives the investigation.
• Margo: The charismatic, wealthy, and manipulative leader of The Hunting Wives; a primary suspect in both versions.
• Jill: A member of the inner circle and mother to Brad. Her desperation to protect her son is a key motive.
• Graham O’Neil: Sophie’s husband, who is increasingly concerned by her fixation on The Hunting Wives.
• Brad: Jill's teenage son, who is dating the victim, Abby Jackson.
• Abby Jackson: The victim. A local teenager and Brad's girlfriend, whose disappearance and murder kick off the central mystery.
• Sheriff Jonny: The local law enforcement officer tasked with solving the case.
• Starr: Another member of The Hunting Wives group.

Abby Jackson's body is found after she goes missing, initially leading to the arrest of Sophie, who is wrongly accused. The true killer's identity is a carefully guarded secret that is only revealed in the final moments of both the book and the series, but the answers diverge dramatically.

Book Ending Explained: Who Killed Abby Jackson in May Cobb's Novel?

For readers of May Cobb’s original 2021 novel, the killer's identity is a classic, dark domestic twist. The book establishes a motive rooted in a mother’s desperate attempt to protect her son's future and reputation.

The Killer's Identity: Jill

In the original novel, the person who killed Abby Jackson is Jill. This reveal is shocking because Jill is portrayed as a seemingly stable, if slightly intense, member of the wealthy social set. Her motive, however, is deeply sinister and focused on her own family's reputation.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

The Dark Motive: Pregnancy and Protection

The motive for Jill's crime is directly tied to her son, Brad, and Abby. Sophie's investigation eventually uncovers that Abby was pregnant with Brad's child. Jill, determined to protect Brad's future—and likely her own social standing—was horrified by the prospect of a teenage pregnancy scandal.

• Jill confronted Abby, who refused to terminate the pregnancy.
• In a moment of desperation and rage, Jill murdered Abby to silence her and eliminate the problem.
• This motive is a chilling exploration of how far a privileged mother will go to maintain the illusion of a perfect life.

The novel’s ending solidifies Jill as the ultimate villain, driven by a twisted need for control over her son's life, showing that sometimes, the killer is the person you least suspect—the one hiding in plain sight within the domestic sphere.

The TV Series Twist: Who Killed Abby Jackson in The Hunting Wives (2024)?

The recent television adaptation of The Hunting Wives, which premiered in 2024, decided to dramatically change the killer's identity and motive, offering a fresh twist for viewers, even those who had read the book. This change was a key point of discussion and helped to make the series a unique entity.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

The Killer's Identity: Margo

In the TV series finale, the real killer is revealed to be Margo, the magnetic, narcissistic, and powerful leader of The Hunting Wives. This twist shifts the focus from a mother's desperation to a powerful woman's self-preservation and political ambition.

The Shocking Motive: An Affair and Abortion

Margo's motive in the series is far more complex and involves a shocking betrayal. The investigation, primarily led by Sophie, uncovers a secret affair between Margo and the teenager, Brad (Jill's son).

• Margo was having a secret affair with Brad.
• She became pregnant and had an abortion, a secret she was desperate to keep hidden, especially from her powerful husband, who had political aspirations.
• Abby Jackson, Brad's girlfriend, discovered Margo's affair, her pregnancy, and the subsequent abortion.
• Abby confronted Margo, who, in a desperate effort to prevent the scandal from destroying her life and her husband’s career, shot Abby with Sophie’s gun.

This television twist provides a more immediate, high-stakes motive involving sex, power, and political ambition, making Margo's narcissistic self-preservation the central theme of the murder. The series also changes the fate of several other characters, making the two versions of the story distinct and providing two completely different answers to the question of who killed Abby Jackson.

Why the Killer’s Identity Was Changed: Book vs. Series Differences

The decision to change the killer from Jill (in the book) to Margo (in the series) is a common practice in adaptations, often done to surprise existing fans and to heighten the dramatic tension for a television audience. The series’ choice to make Margo the killer creates a more direct and personal conflict with Sophie, who was obsessed with Margo and her approval.

The key differences in the endings are significant:

• Book Killer: Jill. Motive was protecting her son from a pregnancy scandal.
• Series Killer: Margo. Motive was protecting her political future from the scandal of an affair, pregnancy, and abortion with a minor.
• Jill’s Fate (Book): Jill is the murderer and later drowns Margo.
• Jill’s Fate (Series): Jill is wrongly blamed for Abby's murder but later kills Starr.

Ultimately, the answer to "who killed the girl in Hunting Wives" depends entirely on the medium. If you read the novel by May Cobb, the killer is the desperate mother, Jill. If you watched the 2024 TV series, the killer is the narcissistic ringleader, Margo. Both versions deliver a satisfyingly dark conclusion, proving that in the world of East Texas high society, the most dangerous predators are always the women you least expect.