Outer Banks season 4, part 1 introduces many new characters, like Larissa Genrette, who is never physically seen (outside of her portrait) but still significantly impacts the story. Season 4 jumps ahead 18 months after the events of the Outer Banks season 3 finale, aka when the Pogues found El Dorado. The six teens — John B, Sarah, Pope, Kiara, JJ, and Cleo — use their newfound fortune to build a business and a home for themselves. Unfortunately, their happiness (and riches) doesn’t last forever, and they return to treasure hunting to make ends meet, which is where the Genrettes come in.

As teased during the flashforward in the Outer Banks season 3 finale, a man named Wes Genrette approaches the Pogues with a proposition to find Blackbeard’s treasure (specifically, the amulet of the infamous pirate’s wife, Elizabeth). They ultimately take the old man up on his offer to acquire the amulet in exchange for $50,000. However, as always, things go terribly wrong for the Pogues in Outer Banks season 4, and along the way, the characters learn shocking secrets tying one of their own to the Genrette family.

Larissa Genrette’s Backstory As A Kook In The Outer Banks Explained

Larissa Was Wes Genrette’s Daughter

The Pogues travel to Goat Island to meet with Wes Genrette in Outer Banks season 4, episode 2. At his house, Wes explains how his ancestor is Francis Genrette, the officer responsible for killing Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, and his wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth pleaded with Francis to let her retrieve her most prized possession, an amulet her husband gave her, before her death. But Francis declined and murdered her. According to Wes, ever since Elizabeth died in 1718, her ghost has haunted and terrorized generations of Genrettes, including Wes’ daughter, Larissa. They will see Elizabeth’s apparition and violently die shortly after.

Not much is known about Larissa’s past other than the fact that she was a part of the Genrette family, meaning she was a Kook. However, per Deputy Shoupe, everyone knew Larissa. Sometime later in her life, Larissa met Chandler Groff, and the two got married. Larissa then gave birth to a baby boy, but soon after, reports claimed that she and the infant tragically died, leaving Chandler as a widow and Wes as the only known living Genrette alive. Of course, that was until Wes’ death in Outer Banks season 4.

How Larissa Genrette Died & What Really Happened To Her

Larissa Drowned On The Albatross

According to Wes, his daughter saw Elizabeth’s ghost a week before she died, as the pirate’s wife continues haunting the Genrettes after Francis Genrette killed her and Blackbeard in Outer Banks season 4. Larissa and her baby were aboard a boat called the Albatross when they drowned. Some speculated that Larissa was possessed or that she was responsible for both deaths due to postpartum depression. Ultimately, no one was held accountable for Larissa’s and the baby’s deaths, and they were ruled as accidents.

Outer Banks season 4, part 1 never reveals how old Larissa was when she died. Going off of context clues, though, Larissa must have been in her early to mid-20s when she and her baby drowned. Additionally, viewers know that Larissa’s death happened almost two decades prior to the events of Outer Banks season 4 because of part 1’s JJ identity twist.

Larissa Genrette Is JJ’s Real Mother: Outer Banks Twist Explained

Luke Isn’t JJ’s Birth Father

Outer Banks season 4, part 1 ends on a cliffhanger, with Luke Maybank telling JJ that he’s not his birth father. In reality, JJ’s mother is Larissa Genrette and his father is Chandler Groff, meaning that their baby didn’t drown along with Larissa on that fateful night 19 years ago, seeing as JJ is still alive. Sadly, the episode ends before any other information is given.

Heading into the release of Outer Banks season 4, part 2, several details regarding JJ’s origin story are unknown, including why Luke raised him instead of Groff and why everyone thinks he died. Since Wes wrote JJ a letter, it seems as if he knew that the Pogue was his grandson. Meanwhile, it’s unclear if Groff is aware that JJ is his son, and if he isn’t, perhaps that’s why JJ’s true identity has been concealed for so long. Groff might be evil and behind the mysterious deaths, but only time will tell why JJ grew up as a Pogue in Outer Banks.