Presumed Innocent episode 8 ending explained: Who killed Carolyn Polhemus?

Apple TV's mini-series Presumed Innocent finally came to a stunning conclusion. The series is a fictional legal crime drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Ruth Negga and Renate Reinsve.

It focuses on a prosecution lawyer named Rusty Sabich, who is accused of murdering his former co-worker and mistress Carolyn Polhemus.

After a thrilling eight-episode storyline of shifting suspense, trials, accusations and sudden revelations, the final episode reveals who killed Carolyn. And the answer came as a surprise to many.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers for Presumed Innocent (2024).

Carolyn's killer was revealed to be Rusty's daughter Jaden Sabich. Though Rusty originally suspected his wife Barbara, both parents were taken by shock when their daughter came forward with her confession.

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Who killed Carolyn Polhemus and why?

Chase Infiniti as Jaden Sabich in a still from Presumed Innocent episode 8 (via Apple TV+)

Rusty's daughter Jaden Sabich was revealed to be Carolyn's killer at the end of Presumed Innocent episode 8. In the story, Rusty is acquitted and declared innocent in his trial, but the case of Carolyn's murder remains unsolved.

Rusty returns home to have a conversation with his wife Barbara in their garage. He says to her that he knows she probably killed Carolyn, perhaps in a dissociated state.

Barbara protests, horrified when Rusty tells her he went back to Carolyn's house, found her dead and proceeded to stage the scene to deflect suspicion from his wife.

Barbara tries to explain that she did nothing but is interrupted by Jaden entering the garage and declaring that it was she who murdered Carolyn. She reveals that she overheard about Rusty and Carolyn's affair and went to confront her father's mistress.

In a flashback, we see Jaden sitting in Carolyn's living room, asking her to leave the Sabich family alone and stay away from Rusty. Carolyn tells Jaden that Rusty won't stop chasing her.

Carolyn then announces that she's pregnant with Rusty's child. That drives Jaden off the edge, and she attacks Carolyn with a fire poker to the head to preserve her family.

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How did the last episode of Presumed Innocent end? Montage explained

Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty Sabich in a still from Presumed Innocent (via Apple TV+)

After Jaden's revelation, Rusty and Barbara look at her in stunned silence. As she starts to cry, Rusty goes to hug his daughter while saying that they will never speak of Carolyn again. He reiterates that he loves her and will always protect her while she breaks down.

Presumed Innocent episode 8 ends with upbeat music and a montage of the many characters that featured prominently in the series.

It starts with Raymond Horgan, happily retired and spending time with his wife Lorraine. The scene then moves to Tommy Molto, who seems a little more at peace as he watches a sports game at home with his cat.

He seems to have moved over the Carolyn case and is living for himself and his joys.

Chase Infiniti as Jaden Sabich in the last scene of the series (via Apple TV+)

Finally, we see the Sabich family, the picture of an ideal Chicago family.

They have a picnic out on their lawn, with the kids Jaden and Kyle enjoying themselves. The family has lunch at their sunlit dining table, laughing and joking.

Rusty is seen in the kitchen, preparing food as he looks out at the table. Barbara smiles at her children and steals a glance at her husband, slipping him a smile too. And the scene cuts to black.

The montage represents the irony of the whole situation. It took the murder of someone known to the family to heal their broken bonds and seemingly bring them back together again. Despite everyone continuing their happy lives, Carolyn never truly found justice, even in death.

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Audiences can watch Presumed Innocent with all episodes streaming on Apple TV+.