Who Killed Lilly Kane

On September 22, 2004, the teen drama series Veronica Mars aired the episode "Leave It to Beaver," which first introduced viewers to the mysterious death of teen socialite Lilly Kane, the daughter of powerful software mogul Jake Kane. For months, Veronica and her private investigator father Keith Mars have been investigating the mysterious death of 17-year-old Lilly, and things have become even more complicated when the prime suspect, Lilly’s uncle Aaron, is mysteriously murdered. With Lily not having an enemy in sight, the investigation intensifies as to who could have committed such a heinous crime.

As with all investigations, the list of suspects is long, and the show leaves it to the viewer to find out who the killer is. Possible suspects include Logan Echolls, Lilly’s ex-boyfriend and neighbor, who had a history of violent outbursts; Duncan Kane, Lilly’s brother and Logan’s best friend and ex-boyfriend of Veronica; and even Veronica’s father Keith Mars, who was once accused of murdering Lilly’s mother by the Kanes, although he was later cleared.

As the show progressed, the answer to Lilly’s murder was revealed and it came in the form of a man that no one expected. It turned out to be former Kane Software employee Kane Software and grandson of Jake Kane, Cassidy “Beaver” Casablancas. He killed Lilly to protect his father who was blackmailed by her uncle Aaron Echolls for his involvement in a botched robbery and for stealing from Kane Software. Beaver was then the prime suspect in Aaron’s murder and was sent to a prison for his crimes.

Veronica’s bravery and intelligence led her to the murderer of Lilly Kane but it also left her with a broken heart knowing that a person she used to look up to, a family member of her best friend, was the killer of her beloved friend. The mystery may have been solved but the pain and shock of discovering who killed Lilly will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her.