It’s Time We Stopped Pretending Jessica Fletcher Wasn’t A Serial Killer

There’s a fan theory that has been doing the rounds for decades now. This theory rests so perfectly, so effortlessly bathed in the shadows of internet lore that it’s a part of fandom itself. Some believe it gave rise to other fan theories such as ‘Jar Jar Binks was a Sith Lord‘ or ‘Willy Wonka was a purposeful murderer‘, but what is certain is that Jessica Fletcher was televisions most prolific serial killer.

Murder She Wrote was a 80s/90s crime drama and staple of daytime television for many years after. The premise as we are led to believe is that mystery writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher (played by Angela Lansbury) encounters real-life murder mysteries on her day to day travels.

The theory begins with the character herself and more specifically the details surrounding the death of her late husband, Frank. Viewers never found out how he met his end. Could it be that he was killed at the hand of this seemingly innocent retired English teacher?

This leads us on to Jessica’s home, the fictional coastal town of Cabot Cove, Maine. A study in 2012 revealed that during the course of the series Cabot Cove had “a total of 274 killings despite it having a population of just 3,500.”

Even when Jessica is on tour promoting her latest book, visiting friends or family, or takes one of her frequent trips to New York City “to get her hair done”, people wind up dead.

It’s been pointed out at various stages during the shows run that “wherever she goes, someone dies”. But the evidence never sticks. Occams Razor would back this one up.

Now i hear what you’re saying – What about all the times she’s solved the crimes and the killer has confessed? (You must be fun at parties…)As the format of show changed toward later seasons the episodes plot is recounted by Jessica herself. Could it be that she is the “unreliable narrator” perhaps?

By collecting her kills in story format for her books we see the killers need for a souvenir.

Could it be a more air tight theory that she framed many people for murder? More air tight than gaining clues through idle conversation and coincidence? It stands to reason certainly that she was always in the right place at the right time.

 

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