Outer Banks season 4 brings back Wes Genrette, the man who approached the Pogues about Blackbeard during the season 3 finale and whose fate in part 1 contributes to season 4’s mystery. The Netflix action-adventure teen drama, created by Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke, follows a group of Pogues living in the Outer Banks in North Carolina— John B, Sarah, Kiara, Pope, JJ, and Cleo. Each season of Outer Banks revolves around the Pogues searching for hidden treasure and uncovering various secrets, and season 4 is no different.

Netflix split Outer Banks season 4 into two parts each consisting of five episodes, with part 1 releasing on October 10, 2024, and part 2 dropping on November 7, 2024.

Wes asks the Pogues to find an amulet that belonged to Blackbeard’s wife, Elizabeth, and in exchange, he will give them $50,000. Given the state of their financial situation, the teens take Wes up on his offer. Wes wants the amulet because he believes it could break his family’s curse. His ancestor, Francis Genrette, killed Blackbeard and Elizabeth, and Elizabeth has been haunting the family ever since. As Wes reveals, once a Genrette sees Elizabeth’s ghost, it’s only a matter of time before they suffer violent deaths. Unfortunately, the curse seemingly catches up to the Outer Banks character in season 4.

Wes Genrette Was Found Strangled On Goat Island After Seeing Elizabeth’s Ghost

The Police Believe Wes Was Murdered

At the beginning of Outer Banks season 4, episode 2, Wes explains his dire situation to the Pogues. By the end of the hour, Wes is dead. As seen in the episode, Wes writes a letter (which viewers later learn is to JJ) at his desk when the storm outside blows his window open. Wes goes to close it but sees Elizabeth’s ghost. Unfortunately, that is the last time Wes is seen alive in Outer Banks season 4, part 1, as he is found strangled later that night at his home on Goat Island.

Outer Banks season 4, episode 2, ends with the Pogues arriving at Goat Island just to see Deputy Shoupe and many other police officers on Wes’ property. Episode 3 then opens with Shoupe interrogating John B, Sarah, Pope, and Cleo, and the deputy later learns that Wes was strangled, meaning he was murdered. Outer Banks season 4, part 1 ends without any resolution to the mystery. However, some clues from the set of episodes indicate why someone would kill Wes and who would kill him.

Why Someone Would Kill Wes In Outer Banks (& Blame The Curse)

Wes Was Rich

As a Genrette, Wes owned Goat Island and was rich. So, it stands to reason that Wes was murdered for his money and/or property. The motive seems too simple, but Netflix’s Outer Banks is a teen drama show, not a supernatural one. It’s quite unlikely that Elizabeth’s ghost is the one behind Wes’ death, especially since he was strangled by a living being. Consequently, the only other possible reason Wes died is because someone wanted his money and land.

Given his cause of death and the fact that this show doesn’t delve too deep into the supernatural, Wes’ killer is undoubtedly a living being who probably wants Goat Island in Netflix’s thrilling series Outer Banks season 4, part 1.

Thanks to the infamous Genrette family curse, it’s easy for the perpetrator to blame Wes’ death on it. Many family members have seemingly succumbed to the curse in the past, including Wes’ daughter, Larissa Genrette. Perhaps Wes is just Elizabeth’s latest victim — it would be simple to make it seem that way given the family’s history. However, given his cause of death and the fact that this show doesn’t delve too deep into the supernatural, Wes’ killer is undoubtedly a living being who probably wants Goat Island in Netflix’s thrilling series Outer Banks season 4, part 1.

Who The Most Likely Suspects Are For Wes Genrette’s Killer In Outer Banks Season 4

Shoupe Suspects The Pogues

Outer Banks season 4, episode 4 features Shoupe interrogating Wes’ son-in-law, Chandler Groff, at the police station. During their talk, Groff explains that Wes’ property goes to the state after his death. Given that Groff is Wes’ only living relative (at least, to the public’s knowledge), the state would likely give the land to him. Season 4, part 1 also ends with Groff looking over Goat Island with Hollis Robinson (the realtor who makes a deal with Rafe). If anyone killed Wes, it was Groff, especially if he was unaware that JJ is his and Larissa’s son in Outer Banks season 4.

Perhaps Groff is just a red herring, though, and someone else murdered Wes. The other central villains are Lightner, Dalia, and their crew, who are searching for Blackbeard’s treasure in Outer Banks season 4, part 1. They are willing to do anything to get what they want, and maybe Wes was in their way, so, they killed him. Whatever the case, Outer Banks season 4, part 2 will explain the circumstances behind Wes’ death, clearing up questions about who murdered him and why they did it.