Who is the real Ice Truck Killer in Dexter? Identity Explained

Undoubtedly, the Ice Truck Killer in the first season of Dexter was one of Dexter Morgan's most formidable foes throughout the series. Throughout the season, the titular character makes numerous attempts to find the true identity of the serial killer, but to no avail.

It was not until the end of the season that details concerning the identity of the Ice Truck Killer were revealed. It was found that the rampant serial killer without a purpose was none other than Morgan's long-lost biological brother, Brian Moser, who at the time went by his alias name Rudy Cooper.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers. Please read at your discretion.

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Ice Truck Killer in Dexter is Brian Moser masked as Rudy Cooper

In season 1 of Dexter, Morgan is plagued by the incessant killings of innocent people around him by an unidentified serial killer. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to find the perpetrator. However, by the end of the season, he realized that the killer was someone he already had a connection with in ways he hadn't realized before.

The last two episodes of Dexter reveal that the Ice Truck Killer is none other than Debra's boyfriend, Rudy Cooper, whose actual name is Brian Moser. Surprisingly enough, it is revealed that Moser is Morgan's biological brother from whom he was separated at birth.

As the story unfolds, the audiences are given a glimpse of the differential treatment the two brothers received after their mother's tragic murder during the Shipping Yard Massacre. While Harry Morgan took Morgan away from the scene of the crime and later adopted by him, Moser was left behind and sent to a psychiatric unit.

It was insinuated that the differences between how they were brought up greatly affected how they became adults. Despite both of them being serial killers, Morgan's reasons for killing were morally guided, whereas Moser killed without any purpose.

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Why did Dexter kill Brian?

In the penultimate episode of the show, Brian, whose real identity is still concealed under Rudy's, kidnaps Debra while she visits him on his rented boat. While she is there, Rudy proposes to her but, soon after, reveals that she is the Ice Truck Killer. Not long after this revelation, Rudy chokes her and gets her unconscious. To make sure that she does not escape anywhere, Rudy also ties her up.

In the meantime, Morgan is conducting some tests in his lab that may or may not confirm that Rudy/Brian is the Ice Truck Killer. Once the results are revealed, it becomes evident that Rudy is the notorious murderer. Morgan's first instinct at the moment was to call her sister Debra and inform her of the findings, but he could not reach her as she was already being held captive by Rudy.

Desperate to find where Rudy kept Debra, Dexter visits multiple locations until he arrives at his late mother's house. Through a series of flashbacks, he is made aware of Rudy's real identity. Soon after, Rudy reveals his plans to kill Debra with his brother's help to mark their reunion. However, Morgan, emotionally attached to his adoptive sister, is against the idea.

As additional help arrives, Rudy, now revealed as Brian, escapes. However, he again returns during the night when he breaks in and tries to kill Debra in her sleep. Unfortunately, he cannot achieve that because Dexter put a mannequin in her place. After Brian gets tricked into the situation, Morgan knocks him unconscious by choking him.

Soon enough, the audiences find Moser on Morgan's killing table, waiting to be cut in half. And that is exactly what happens. After the two brothers have a heart-to-heart conversation, Morgan cuts off Moser's throat and leaves him upside down to hang.

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All episodes of Dexter are available on Hulu, Apple TV Plus, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount Plus.