The question of Who Killed John Dutton has been hanging over Yellowstone fans, and the latest episodes are finally providing answers, albeit amidst more Dutton family drama and tragedy. The patriarch of the Dutton ranch, John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner), became a victim in a calculated attack disguised as a suicide, setting the stage for a season of vengeance and uncovering dark secrets.
In season 5 episode 12, “episode 512”, Yellowstone dives deeper into the conspiracy surrounding John Dutton’s demise, revealing the orchestrated plot and the figures behind it. While initially appearing to be a self-inflicted overdose, the truth is far more sinister. John was forcibly taken from his bed by masked men, injected with a lethal substance, and then staged to look like a suicide with planted drugs and a gun. This revelation shifted the narrative from grief to a quest for justice, spearheaded by his loyal son, Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes).
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It was unveiled that Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri) was the mastermind behind hiring the hitmen responsible for John’s murder. Atwood, known for her manipulative tactics and shadowy alliances, orchestrated the hit as part of a larger scheme against the Dutton family. Her involvement clarified that John’s death wasn’t random but a targeted assassination by powerful adversaries seeking to dismantle the Dutton empire. However, Sarah Atwood’s own story met a violent end in a previous episode, leaving the Duttons to chase down the remaining threads of the conspiracy.
Episode 12 intensifies the Dutton family’s response. Kayce and Beth (Kelly Reilly) grapple with the fallout, not only of their father’s murder but also the complications arising from their adopted brother Jamie’s (Wes Bentley) entanglement in the unfolding drama. As detectives investigate Sarah Atwood’s death and its connection to Jamie, the siblings must navigate protecting their family secrets while seeking retribution for their father.
Amidst the investigation into who killed John Dutton, tragedy strikes the ranch again. In a heartbreaking turn, ranch hand Colby (Denim Richards), shortly after expressing his love for Teeter, is killed in a horse-related accident while saving Carter, a young boy under their care. Colby’s sudden death adds another layer of grief and loss to the Dutton ranch, highlighting the volatile and dangerous world they inhabit. Colby, a character who grew from a recurring role in early seasons to a central figure, became another casualty in the Duttons’ turbulent lives.
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The episode culminates with Kayce taking decisive action to avenge his father. Using his military contacts, he identifies a key individual linked to the shadow organization behind John’s staged suicide. In a dramatic and chilling sequence, Kayce tracks down this man to his daughter’s soccer game and, in a tense confrontation, kidnaps him, holding his daughter at gunpoint. This act underscores the Dutton family’s unwavering commitment to vengeance and Kayce’s willingness to cross moral boundaries to protect his family’s legacy and avenge who killed John Dutton.
With Yellowstone concluding after season 5, the question of who killed John Dutton and the subsequent revenge plot are central to the series’ final chapters. Kevin Costner’s departure from the show has amplified the narrative weight of John Dutton’s death, making it a pivotal point that will shape the destinies of the remaining Duttons. As Luke Grimes himself noted, Costner’s exit necessitates “landing the plane for real,” emphasizing that the patriarch’s absence forces the family to confront their future and the consequences of his murder.
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The final episodes of Yellowstone promise a showdown as Kayce’s pursuit of justice collides with the remaining threats to the Dutton ranch. The mystery of who killed John Dutton has been partially solved with Sarah Atwood’s exposure, but the larger network and the ultimate consequences for those involved are yet to be fully revealed, ensuring a gripping conclusion to the Yellowstone saga.
