In my following theory, I will discuss the possibility of a potential third killer that was involved in as early as the events of season one. To expand on that theory, I will highlight two events from episodes; Psycho (2x02) and Exposed (1x05). Finally, I will link all of that to particular statements made by Piper and Kieran (the two revealed killers) from episodes; 1x09 “The Dance”, 1x10 “Revelations” and 2x12 “When a Stranger Calls”.
First, I would like to mention a particular scene in the episode, Exposed. When Emma was at Riley’s funeral in 1x05, she received a text from the killer. The text said "tell that cop [Lorraine Brock] about me and you'll get your mom's heart in a box". Right after receiving the text, she saw the killer from the distance (behind the crowd). Now, although Kieran and Piper were accounted for in this particular event, any one of them could have logically sent her that text in hidden sight. However, the figure that Emma saw from the distance could not have been either one of them. This means that the idea or a possibility of a third killer predates back to this particular moment, or perhaps, even earlier, if the killer is one of the adults that were involved in the 1994 Murders.
My next part of the following theory will cover the following scenes; the dock scene from “Psycho” and the phone call scene towards the end of “When a Stranger Calls”. When we saw Emma and Kieran at the dock, it was interesting to note what Emma observed in that segment. Now, remember in Revelations, Emma had a fight with the killer which ended in the death of Piper Shaw, the former Lakewood slasher. Months after therapy, she arrived back to the place that Piper died. As part of an initiative in facing her fears, she experienced and re-lived the moments in her memory of the fight that she had with Piper. However, as soon as she saw a reflection of a figure at Wren Lake, she shifted her gaze upwards and saw the killer from a distance. Now, some people might assume that this scene is a hallucination. On one hand, such a reasoning would make sense. Emma has experienced a wave of recurring and traumatic PTSD symptoms and we could assume that it was all in her head. However, could it be also possible that the 3rd killer was there at the woods, in that particular moment? Somehow, I have my doubts on the authenticity of Emma’s hallucination in that moment. She never told Kieran what she saw and Kieran never confirmed or said anything to her about him possibly seeing the same thing that she saw earlier. Now, I will bring another scene to link to my theory on the possibility of a 3rd killer. In the season finale episode, When a Stranger Calls, Kieran received an unknown call at the prison that he was staying as part of carrying out his sentence for the murders that he was involved in season 2. One thing I noticed is Kieran’s expressions changed when the killer over the phone mentioned “Hello Kieran, who told you, you could wear my mask”. He was somewhat shocked and confused. This scene implies that the 3rd killer could not have been an accomplice of Piper or Kieran. In addition, when he states, ‘who told you, you could wear my mask’, it is implied that the person is someone that is involved in the 1994 Lakewood Murders.
Finally, are we lead to truly believe that Piper’s final ‘surprise’ was in fact Kieran? When she mentioned to Emma in Revelations that she will “never see it coming”, did she imply more than what we thought at the time? Did Kieran know that his lover, Piper sold him out to Emma in the episode, “The Dance?” If you remember back to the scene in “The Dance”, Piper mentioned to Emma that she “showed some shots of the vigil and that she [Cassie James] pointed out Kieran”. It is extremely odd that Piper would divulge such information to Emma that would implicate one of her accomplices in the Lakewood Murders.
I find it hard to believe that Kieran with his ingenuity in regards to maintaining a proper cover would be so naïve to not assume the worst. There could have been a possibility that Piper was going to possibly use him as a scapegoat in the future, implicating him in the mass murders at Lakewood, if her plan for framing Seth Branson failed at the time.
The more I try to understand and unravel the mystery, the more I keep thinking, there is reason why Kieran was not the mastermind killer this whole time. I assume that whoever, the third killer is, they were the ones that were a catalyst for Piper to commit the murders in Lakewood. Although, the history between Kieran and Piper has not been expanded in the show prior to When a Stranger Calls, Kieran’s relationship to her seems one sided to me. His motive was basically revenge which I believe was misplaced. I don’t think that Piper ‘loved’ him. I assume she used him as a way to get into Emma’s life. Just like how she used Audrey to get into Emma’s life via ‘her research’, she used him as a way to make sure she would know the private details of the life of Emma Duval. I have a strong feeling and again, this is all based on conjecture but I theorise that the 3rd killer is somewhat of a Roman Bridger, who orchestrated a specific plan that involved Piper Shaw. They were possibly in certain scenes (Exposed, Psycho) from seasons 1 and 2. In addition, they knew of Piper’s involvement, her demise and Kieran’s connection to the killing events of season 2. I am hoping that the Halloween special episodes will expand on the identities of the real killers of the 1994 Brandon James murders.
Anyways, that’s my theory, let me know what you guys think of it. I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.
