Jan, the bassoonist of Arconia, shockingly turns out to be Tim Kono's killer in the first season of Only Murders in the Building. Beneath her elegant and musically talented surface is something darker and more sinister. Her relationship with Tim was anything but ordinary. When she believed he had finally betrayed her, she killed him.
The instance of his murder formed that one point in the series where the level of her obsession would come into light and the mystery that everyone pursued throughout the season unraveled. All right, let's get down to business: Who was Jan in Only Murders in the Building? What was her role in the murder, and what happened to her?
Who was Jan in Only Murders in the Building?
Jan, played by Amy Ryan, is a quirky, talented bassoon player who lives in the Arconia building and starts a romantic relationship with Charles. Initially, Jan seemed like one of those mild-mannered, quirky tenants in the building who just enjoyed playing her music.
However, as the story unfolded, it became clear that Jan's friendly exterior masked an extraordinarily complex and dangerous personality. Her relationship with Tim Kono, the focus of the murder investigation, is only briefly hinted at in the early episodes.
It is later revealed that Tim and Jan were indeed romantically involved. However, Jan's psychological issues and possessiveness led her to believe Tim was being unfaithful to her, sparking a deadly rage that culminated in his murder.
Why did Jan kill Tim in Only Murders in the Building?
The motive behind Tim Kono's murder lies in Jan's deep-seated psychological issues. Throughout the first season, Jan exhibits possessive and controlling behavior and struggles with abandonment issues. She tells Charles that she always attaches herself to lonely men who end up hurting her.
Jan found the emerald ring Tim had bought to frame Oscar for Zoe's death and misinterpreted it as a sign of his infidelity. This sense of betrayal triggered her possessive instincts, leading her to kill Tim to protect herself from emotional pain. Thus, the murder was driven by an inability to cope with rejection and betrayal rather than a grand scheme.
What happens to Jan in Only Murders in the Building?
In the season 1 finale, Jan poisons Tim Kono and then shoots him. In a jealous fit, she lures Tim to her apartment, poisons him, and later stages a more violent conclusion by shooting him.
After the trio uncovers Jan's role, they confront her. In a desperate attempt to cover her tracks, Jan poisons Charles and tries to release toxic fumes through the Arconia's fireplace system. Her plan fails, and she is arrested once her crimes are exposed.
During Only Murders in the Building season 2, Jan is serving her sentence in prison but still clings to Charles via letters and calls, trying to manipulate him behind bars.
The stakes are higher in season 3 as Jan escapes from prison, introducing new tension and menace for Charles, Oliver, and Mabel. Her return intensifies the drama and uncertainty.
By Only Murders in the Building season 4, Jan becomes much more present; her escape leads to chaos and the Arconia is now filled with suspense. Most of her interactions with the main characters are drama-filled and keep audiences eager to watch because of the danger she presents.
Only Murders in the Building is available for streaming on Hulu in the U.S.