The mystery surrounding the brutal murder of Bunny Folger was finally solved in the shocking Season 2 finale of Only Murders in the Building, providing a fresh and definitive answer to the question that plagued Arconia residents and fans alike. As of December 2025, the identity of the killer remains one of the most clever misdirects in the series' history, revealing a deeply unsettling motive rooted in the ruthless world of true-crime podcasting and a desperate thirst for recognition. This article dives deep into the killer’s identity, their elaborate plan to frame the trio—Charles, Mabel, and Oliver—and the crucial clues that led to their downfall. Bunny Folger, the curmudgeonly but ultimately beloved former President of the Arconia board, was stabbed with a knitting needle on the night of Season 1's conclusion, setting up the central mystery for Season 2. The investigation by the *Only Murders* trio—Charles-Haden Savage, Mabel Mora, and Oliver Putnam—uncovered a complex web of suspects, including a mysterious painting, secret tunnels, and a shocking connection to Cinda Canning's podcast empire.
Bunny Folger: Character Profile and The Actress Behind Her
Bunny Folger, portrayed brilliantly by veteran American actress Jayne Houdyshell, was a pivotal character in the first two seasons of the Hulu series.Bunny Folger (The Character)
- Role: President of the Arconia Board.
- Residence: A sprawling, lavish apartment in the Arconia, which she was preparing to leave before her murder.
- Personality: Known for her strict, often abrasive demeanor, Bunny was a stickler for the Arconia's rules, frequently clashing with the main trio.
- Key Plot Points: Her final day, detailed in the episode "The Last Day of Bunny Folger," showed a softer side, revealing her plans to retire to Florida, and her connection to a valuable, missing Schmeckel painting that was central to the murder plot.
- Murder Details: Stabbed multiple times with a knitting needle and later found by the trio in Mabel's apartment, wearing a tie-dye hoodie, and uttering the cryptic final words: "14... Savage."
Jayne Houdyshell (The Actress)
- Born: September 25, 1953, in Topeka, Kansas.
- Career: A highly respected and prolific character actress, primarily known for her work in theatre, film, and television.
- Accolades: A Tony Award winner for her role in *The Humans* (2016).
- Notable Roles: Besides Bunny Folger, she is known for her roles in *The Good Fight*, *Law & Order*, and *Garden State*.
- Impact: Her performance as Bunny Folger earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, humanizing a character initially presented as a mere antagonist.
The Shocking Killer Reveal: It Was Poppy White (Becky Butler)
The Season 2 finale, "I Know Who Did It," brilliantly orchestrated a classic Agatha Christie-style "Killer Reveal Party" to unmask the murderer. The true killer was not one of the more obvious suspects like the art dealer Alice Banks, the new Arconia board president Nina Lin, or even Bunny's mother, Leonora Folger. The culprit was the seemingly timid and allergy-prone assistant to podcast superstar Cinda Canning: Poppy White.The Killer’s True Identity and Motive
Poppy White, played by actress Adina Verson, was revealed to be a woman named Becky Butler, a key figure in Cinda Canning's most famous podcast, *All Is Not OK in Oklahoma*. Becky Butler was the supposed victim in that podcast, a woman who had gone missing from her hometown of Chickasha, Oklahoma. Poppy/Becky’s motive was purely self-serving and career-driven. She was the one who originally pitched the "Becky Butler" story to Cinda Canning, only to have Cinda take all the credit and fame. Bitter and desperate for her own success, Poppy realized the only way to launch her own successful podcast was to create a sensational new murder and then be the one to solve it.The Murder Plot: Framed Evidence and Key Accomplices
Poppy’s plan was a meticulous and cruel scheme designed to frame Mabel Mora and, by extension, the entire *Only Murders in the Building* trio.- The Setup: Poppy used the secret Arconia tunnels to navigate the building unseen. She killed Bunny in her apartment using a "Savage" knife from Oliver's kitchen set, making sure to stab her multiple times with the knitting needle to further implicate Mabel, who was known for her knitting.
- The Clues: The cryptic last words "14... Savage" were a misdirect. "Savage" referred to the knife brand, and "14" was the number of the Arconia's secret service elevator, which Poppy used to transport Bunny's body.
- The Painting: The valuable Schmeckel painting, which Bunny was desperate to protect, was stolen by Poppy and her accomplice, Detective Kreps.
The Accomplice: Detective Kreps
Poppy did not act alone. Her accomplice was Detective Kreps, the lead investigator on Bunny's case. Kreps, who was obsessed with Cinda Canning's fame, was working with Poppy to get the inside track on the murder and help her frame the trio.- The Connection: Kreps and Poppy were romantically involved. He was the one who planted the murder weapon and the painting in the apartments of Charles and Oliver, respectively, to confuse the investigation and keep the spotlight on the podcasters.
- The Clue: The trio realized Kreps was the accomplice, or "Glitter Guy," when they noticed he had glitter on his neck from a struggle with Bunny.
Why the Trio Was Framed
The framing of Charles, Mabel, and Oliver was crucial to Poppy's ultimate goal. By making the *Only Murders* podcasters the prime suspects, she ensured that the story would become a massive national sensation. 1. Eliminating Competition: Framing the trio effectively shut down their rival podcast, clearing the way for her own. 2. Creating a Solvable Mystery: Poppy needed a complex, high-profile murder that she could "solve" on her own podcast, catapulting her to the fame and recognition she craved, away from the shadow of Cinda Canning. 3. The Final Confrontation: The trio used their own podcasting skills to set a trap at the "Killer Reveal Party," exposing Poppy's connection to Becky Butler and presenting the irrefutable evidence that she was the one who killed Bunny Folger.Key Entities and LSI Keywords Related to the Bunny Folger Murder
The murder of Bunny Folger was a complex affair involving a wide array of suspects and key objects. Understanding these entities is vital to grasping the full scope of the Season 2 mystery. * Arconia: The iconic Upper West Side apartment building where the murder took place. * Schmeckel Painting: A priceless and valuable family heirloom that Bunny was trying to protect, stolen by the killer. * Leonora Folger: Bunny's mother, a suspect who was revealed to be a different woman, Rose Cooper, who had a connection to Charles's father. * Nina Lin: Bunny's ambitious protégé and successor as Arconia board president, briefly a prime suspect. * Alice Banks: Mabel's love interest, an art gallery owner who was briefly a suspect due to her suspicious interest in the Schmeckel painting. * Teddy Dimas & Theo Dimas: Season 1 suspects who returned as red herrings in Season 2. * Glitter Guy: The mysterious figure who struggled with Bunny and left glitter on the scene, revealed to be Detective Kreps. * Tie-Dye Hoodie: The distinctive clothing Bunny was wearing when she was found, which belonged to Mabel. * Arconia Tunnels: The secret passageways used by the killer to move around the building and dispose of evidence. The resolution of the Bunny Folger murder was a satisfying conclusion to the second season, proving once again that in the world of true crime, the most unassuming characters often harbor the darkest secrets. The revelation that the killer was a frustrated assistant seeking fame through murder highlights the show’s satirical take on the true-crime podcast phenomenon.Detail Author:
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