Only Murders in the Building has returned for its fifth season, and fans are already buzzing about where the story could head next. The series has built a reputation for mixing humor with suspense, but it’s the constant guessing game of who might be the next victim that keeps viewers hooked. With three episodes of Season 5 now available on Hulu, speculation has shifted from the current mystery to what might happen in a possible Season 6.
One name that’s come up often is Howard Morris, a character who’s been part of the show since the very beginning. Howard has gone from being an early suspect in Tim Kono’s murder to becoming the trio’s overeager assistant and comic relief. Yet Only Murders in the Building Season 5 has dug deeper into his past, revealing details about his late mother, his failed acting dreams, and his loneliness without Jonathan. The extra attention on his story has some fans convinced he’s being set up for a tragic end.
At the same time, Charles’ growing fear of mortality has opened the door to speculation that he could eventually be the victim. But many believe that’s a red herring, with Howard standing as the more likely target.
Only Murders in the Building: Why Howard Morris could be the next body in the Arconia

Howard Morris is at the center of most fan theories about the next potential murder in Only Murders in the Building, and the reasoning comes down to how the show has been developing his character this season. In Season 5 Episode 2, audiences finally see the role his mother played in shaping him.
She lived in the Arconia, suffered through health issues, and pressured Howard about having children. Her death left him with her apartment and a sense of emptiness that lingers even after finding a partner. This kind of layered backstory is unusual for a supporting character unless the writers plan to do something significant with him.
Only Murders in the Building has shown a pattern of making viewers emotionally connect with characters before killing them off. Sazz Pataki’s death hit hard because she had been around since the beginning. Lester Caluca’s exit in Season 5 worked the same way, forcing both the trio and the audience to reflect on his importance. Howard now fits that same mold.
His loneliness is also being highlighted, with his boyfriend Jonathan on tour and even his cats bonding with each other more than with him. Actor Michael Cyril Creighton has hinted in interviews that this isolation could be a bigger theme in Season 5, which only fuels speculation that it’s setting him up for a fall.
What makes Howard such a strong candidate is the impact his death would have on the main characters. He’s been part of their investigations since the Tim Kono case, often inserting himself into situations where he wasn’t needed but still sticking around as an eager ally.

Losing him would force Charles, Oliver, and Mabel to confront how dismissive they’ve been of his efforts. It would echo the way they’re dealing with Lester’s absence, but on a deeper level, because Howard has become a fixture in their lives.
Only Murders in the Building fans also point out that the show is careful about choosing victims who can shift the trio’s dynamic. Tim Kono’s death pushed them together. Bunny’s murder tested their resolve. Sazz’s murder tied the story back to Charles in a personal way. If Howard is the next victim, the show would not only shock audiences but also create a mystery that feels personal to every remaining character in the Arconia.
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