Who killed Carolyn in ‘Presumed Innocent’? Here's a guide to all the suspects
Los Angeles, California: The brutal murder of Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve) has caused an uproar in Apple TV+'s 'Presumed Innocent' hall of justice.
Based on the same-titled book by Scott Turow, the show centers on Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal), who is the main suspect in the murder of Carolyn, his mistress and coworker.
Over the course of the three episodes, the show's plot does a fantastic job of keeping the true culprit a mystery.
As the story progresses, viewers are left to wonder whether Rusty is truly innocent or if he is the mastermind behind Carolyn's tragic death.
If not Rusty, then who killed Carolyn? Here's a guide listing potential suspects that do have a motive to kill Caroyln.
Rusty Sabich
Rusty is undoubtedly a prime suspect in Carolyn's murder, and there are numerous reasons for this. First and foremost, their complicated history that includes a bitter romantic relationship.
Carolyn wanted to end their relationship, but Rusty didn't like the idea; instead, he stalked her and wanted to continue their relationship.
Furthermore, the fact that Carolyn was pregnant with Rusty's child at the time of her murder adds another layer of suspicion, as it is possible that he wanted Carolyn to abort the baby, but her refusal enraged Rusty, who did not want to disrupt his family life, so he murdered her.
Another factor supporting this belief is the fact that Carolyn's body was hog-tied similar to a Bunny Davis, a previous victim whose case they worked on, and this was only known to them. His presence at Carolyn's house on the dreaded night is another fact that points to Rusty as a possible killer.
Barbara Sabich
Although there is currently no evidence pointing to Barbara Sabich (Ruth Negga) as a potential suspect in Carolyn's murder, the fact that Carolyn was having an affair with her husband could be the reason Barbara killed Carolyn.
It is possible that Barbara discovered Carolyn's pregnancy, which could have triggered intense feelings of jealousy and betrayal.
The emotional turmoil caused by this revelation may have prompted Barbara to seek vengeance on Carolyn, viewing her as the source of her marital strife.
Furthermore, Barbara's fierce loyalty to her family, as depicted in the show, may have driven her to extreme measures to protect them from harm. It is possible that she saw Carolyn as a threat to her family's stability or safety which prmopted her to take drastic measures to eliminate that threat.
Tommy Molto
Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgaard) is another possible suspect in Carolyn's murder, and it could be linked to his professional rivalry with Rusty.
It is possible that Tommy was aware of Rusty and Carolyn's affair, and as seen in Episode 3, Tommy is hellbent on implicating Rusty in the murder case.
Tommy, Rusty's professional adversary, may have murdered Carolyn as collateral damage in his ongoing feud with Rusty which could be due to him wanting to gain an advantage over him.
Tommy's character is portrayed as complex and morally ambiguous, with layers of depth and complexity that extend beyond his outward appearance.
Kyle Sabich
Kyle Sabich (Kingston Rumi Southwick) was never considered a potential suspect in Carolyn's murder untill the third episode that sheds light on the possibility that Kyle knew something about the murder or was the murderer.
In the episode, he asked Rusty if he was willing to accept a guilty plea deal if offered, which sent Rusty into a meltdown and was interpreted as a snarky remark, but his conversation takes on a whole new dynamic when it is revealed at the end of the episode that he, too, was present at the crime scene on the night of the murder.
Kyle's decision to kill Carolyn could have been influenced by the tumultuous dynamics within his family, particularly the strain caused by Rusty's infidelity. As a result, Kyle may see Carolyn as a symbol of his family's turmoil and eliminated her for his family's sake.
Liam Reynolds
Given the similarities between Carolyn's murder and Bunny Davis', Liam Reynolds (Mark Harelik) could be the man responsible. But how could it be possible when he is serving his sentence in jail, with no chance of parole?
Rusty determined the answer right away, emphasizing the possibility that Reynolds had paid someone outside to kill Carolyn in the same way he had Bunny Davis.
Reynold's open threat to Carolyn when he was sentenced, also adds to the suspicion that he was the mastermind behind her grisly murder.
How to stream 'Presumed Innocent'?
If you subscribe to Apple TV+'s streaming service, you can watch the series while discovering the fascinating world of courtroom drama.
The monthly membership fee for Apple TV+ is $9.99, and it grants access to all of the website's original series and films.
'Presumed Innocent' trailer