Only Murders in the Building season 5 episode 10 (finale) ending explained: Who is the killer of Lester?

**Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Episode 10: “The House Always” – Full Recap and Spoilers**

*Disclaimer: The following article contains spoilers from Only Murders in the Building season 5, episode 10. Reader’s discretion is required.*

**Episode Overview**

Only Murders in the Building season 5, episode 10, titled *The House Always*, premiered on October 28, 2025, on Hulu. This highly anticipated finale answers all the key questions surrounding the murder of Lester, the involvement of corrupt billionaires, and the uncertain future of the Arconia.

As the trio — Mabel, Oliver, and Charles — continue to uncover dark secrets, they unveil shocking truths about those around them, including the identity of Lester’s killer.

**Rising Stakes and Unveiling the Killer**

The episode opens with heightened tension in the Arconia, following Lester’s murder which significantly raises the stakes for everyone involved. Through careful investigation, it becomes clear that Lester’s death is tied to a conspiracy involving billionaires and shady politicians.

After a season filled with suspects and intrigue, *The House Always* finally reveals Mayor Beau Tillman as Lester’s murderer. His motive centers on his desperation to conceal his dangerous dealings with the billionaires, coupled with his affair with Sofia — Lester’s wife.

The finale exposes all the dark twists and turns that led to Lester’s tragic end while promising more drama and mystery for the residents of the Arconia.

**Mayor Tillman’s Guilt Unveiled**

As the final confrontation unfolds, the stakes escalate dramatically. Mayor Beau Tillman, desperate to protect himself, enlists corrupt police officers to arrest Mabel, Oliver, and Charles. The trio ends up trapped in a hidden stairwell as the building faces demolition—a plan orchestrated by Tillman to have them perish in the chaos.

Thanks to the timely intervention of Howard and other allies, the trio escapes and secures evidence to expose the mayor’s guilt.

The turning point arrives when Mabel notices a suspicious detail: a text from Lester to his wife saying “It’s beautiful” was autocorrected to “Beau” on Howard’s phone. This clue leads the team to conclude that Mayor Tillman was directly involved in the murder.

In a tense standoff with the press, Mabel reveals Tillman’s guilt. They play a recording in which Tillman himself inadvertently confesses to the crime. Though the mayor tries to dismiss the evidence, the recording seals his fate, resulting in his arrest.

The episode closes with the arrest of the billionaire casino moguls involved in the conspiracy, thus saving the Arconia from destruction.

**Nicky and Sofia’s Tumultuous Relationship**

A dramatic flashback to the 1980s sheds light on the backstory between Nicky and Sofia, highlighting the turmoil that triggered the tragic events. On the night of the murder, Nicky confronts Mayor Tillman about his affair with Sofia. The confrontation escalates, resulting in Nicky’s accidental death.

Lester intervenes to stop the violence, but in a final desperate act to cover his tracks, Mayor Tillman kills Lester. The mayor then attempts to cover up both deaths.

The revelations show the complexity and sadness behind the events preceding and following Lester’s death. Nicky’s outburst, after discovering Tillman’s affair, leads to a violent altercation during which the mayor loses a finger. This injury kick-starts the chain of events culminating in Lester’s murder.

Despite Lester’s efforts to gather evidence and bring the truth to light, Tillman’s corruption and manipulations prevent justice—until the Only Murders team intervenes.

**The Mystery of the Severed Finger**

One of the season’s pivotal clues is the severed finger discovered early in season 5 inside Oliver’s apartment. Initially, the trio suspects it belongs to one of the billionaire antagonists.

However, after thorough investigation, they uncover the shocking truth that the severed finger belonged to Mayor Beau Tillman himself.

This critical piece of evidence helps the team connect the dots and confirms the mayor’s involvement in the murder conspiracy. The finger, combined with Mayor Tillman’s affair with Sofia and his corrupt dealings, becomes the cornerstone that unravels the mystery.

**The Arconia’s Future: Casino Plans Thwarted**

Throughout season 5, the Arconia’s future hangs in the balance amid efforts by Camila White, Bash Steed, and Jay Pflug to convert the building into a casino. Demolition efforts escalate tensions as the building is scheduled to be torn down to make way for this project.

In the finale, these plans collapse. With Mayor Tillman’s arrest and the exposure of billionaire corruption, the casino project is defeated. This victory offers a reprieve for the Arconia residents, who fought tirelessly to save their home.

Despite this positive outcome, the future of the Arconia and its community remains uncertain, leaving room for new stories and challenges.

**A New Murder on the Horizon**

After resolving Lester’s murder, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel gather together to listen to a new podcast by Cinda Canning — centered around a mysterious murder involving a young woman with striking red curls.

The trio soon learns that this woman was killed near the Arconia. In a final unexpected twist, it is revealed that the victim is none other than Cinda Canning herself.

This cliffhanger sets the stage for the trio’s next murder mystery and leaves fans eagerly anticipating what lies ahead for the Arconia and their favorite detectives.

**Where to Watch**

Only Murders in the Building season 5 is available for streaming on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ internationally.

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*Stay tuned for more updates and analyses on Only Murders in the Building as the story continues to unfold.*
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