Upamanyu Biswas
At the end of Lifetime’s ‘The Bear Lake Murders,‘ Ally and Roy manage to resolve the mysterious tourist killings plaguing the idyllic neighborhoods of Bear Lake. After tracking down every possible lead and suspect, the identity of the serial killer comes out to be someone close to home, putting the life of Roy’s sister Rebecca at threat. However, the city detective and sheriff combine their efforts to bring the madness to an end before it can escalate into further losses. Following the investigation, Ally also learns what is important to her and the steps she must take to rebuild her life in a more meaningful way. Her character growth is exemplified in the final moments, prompting a change in mindset while also hinting at the possibility of more Bear Lake adventures for her and Roy. SPOILERS AHEAD.
The Bear Lake Murders Plot Synopsis
The story begins with Ally Foster capturing a high-profile serial killer named Caden Hodge, who is responsible for numerous murders in Portland, Oregon. Following his arrest, Ally is recommended by her Captain to take an enforced leave because of the stresses of her job and her recent case. Although she is reluctant to do so, she goes back to her hometown of Bear Lake. There, Ally discovers that the community has been overrun with numerous tourists hogging the spotlight. When a popular travel influencer named Sienna Hartley dies after falling off a mountain, the Bear Lake Police Department begins investigating the case, which Sheriff Roy Martin leads. As an old friend of Ally’s and a former boyfriend, he meets up with her, reminiscing about the old days. However, Hartley’s death forces them both to join efforts to find the truth behind the events.
Meanwhile, Roy’s sister Rebecca is distraught upon hearing the news about Hartley, especially as she looked up to her for a long time. She investigates the matter on her own, with Roy’s deputy, Brodie Doyle, helping out. He finds himself humiliated after Roy sends him on a mission to calm down some college kids disturbing their neighbors with loud party music. Eventually, Miles, a resident and hunter, arrives to save him from the awkwardness. A mysterious figure electrocutes the kid who humiliates Brodie, and Roy later discovers his body. The two deaths on the same day alarms Roy, who wonders about the identity of the killer. Ally suspects that her recent capture, Caden Hodge, might be out to get her, especially after he escapes his prison convoy not far from Bear Lake’s community.
The Bear Lake Murders Ending: Is Caden Hodge the Killer? Do Roy and Ally Stop Him?
Ally’s suspicions about Caden following her prove to be right near the end. After spending a day out with Roy, she returns home to find him waiting for her with a gun. When Ally questions him about the murders in Bear Lake, the murderer states that he has no idea what she is talking about. He leads her out of the kitchen by holding her at gunpoint. Roy enters the house stealthily not long after, sensing that something is not quite right with the situation. He flanks Caden from an adjoining doorway, and the pair begin fighting with each other. In the ensuing chaos, Ally gets her hands on a gun and points it at Caden, warning him to stand down. When Caden shows no signs of restraint, Ally shoots him and saves Roy’s life.
Subsequently, a relieved Roy tells Ally that he is glad that the tourist killings have been solved. Ally explains that Caden had no idea about the murders, suggesting that the person responsible for the town deaths is still on the loose. Roy is disappointed and frustrated by the admission but realizes that their work is not over yet. However, for the time being, Ally feels reassured as Caden has been put well and truly out of her life. His escape made her incredibly fearful and believe that everything happening in Bear Lake resulted from her actions and inability to deal with Caden appropriately. With his death, she can finally end his effect on her life, beginning a new one untainted by his sinister presence and her past life in the city.
Who is the Actual Killer? Does He Die?
The central mystery of ‘The Bear Lake Murders’ revolves around figuring out the identity of the tourist killer. Throughout the narrative, Ally and Roy have a hard time narrowing down who the killer might possibly be. The prime suspect in the case appears to be Miles, an old friend of Roy’s, who openly expresses his dislike for the influx of tourists in Bear Lake. He believes that their presence has changed the town considerably and turned it into a place that is far removed from the childhood home he grew up in before serving in the military. After Ally and Roy take down Caden together, they finally realize that the actual killer is neither Caden nor Miles but someone they never suspected—Deputy Sheriff Brodie Doyle. It was Brodie who had been going around killing tourists.
Rebecca discovers the truth after she manages to find Sienna Hartley’s missing phone at the crime scene. She asks Brodie to watch the last video on the device, suggesting that the answer to the killer’s identity may be found within. Although Brodie asks her not to, Rebecca goes through with it and realizes that the deputy sheriff is the killer. He abducts her and takes her to the same spot where Sienna died, planning to throw her off the cliff the same way to hide his tracks. Ally and Roy track them both to the place with Miles in tow. Once there, they learn the truth from Brodie himself about his killing spree. He threatens to throw Rebecca off the cliff unless Roy and Ally drop their weapons. However, with Miles’s help, they manage to disarm him and save Rebecca. Seeing that the game is over and fatally wounded, Brodie jumps off the cliff.
Although his death is not guaranteed, his chances of survival are fairly slim. Earlier in the narrative, when Brodie threw Sienna off the same spot, she wound up dead with gory wounds all over her body. Thus, if Brodie followed her the same way, it is unlikely that he may have survived at all. Additionally, as the movie ends quite amicably, it feels fairly certain that both Roy and Ally managed to recover Brodie’s dead body from the foot of the mountain. If his body went missing, they would have mentioned it in the final scenes. The fact that they didn’t point it out specifically suggests that his death is all but confirmed.
Does Ally Resign? Why?
In the final parts of ‘The Bear Lake Murders,’ Ally decides to return to her city life. However, it proves to be a short stint as she hands in her weapon, batch, and gear to the Captain, along with a letter of resignation. Although surprised by the outcome, the Captain asks Ally if she is okay with her decision to leave the Portland department. She affirmatively says yes, signifying that she has learned a lot from her brief vacation back in her hometown. Despite losing her, the Captain seems happy with her decision as well, suggesting that he himself wished for her to take this step, especially for her own well-being. For a long time, Ally has prioritized her job over her life, leaving her with more worries and anxieties than is needed for someone to function healthily. However, that balance is seemingly restored after the events of the film.
By going back to Bear Lake, Ally managed to foster a connection with everything that made her existence meaningful in the first place. The last scene of the movie depicts Ally looking out at the scenic view outside her Bear Lake cabin, enjoying the idyllic life that is more in line with her spirit. She is content with the vagaries and peculiarities of a more rural lifestyle. Additionally, it could also mean that her adventures with Roy are far from over, as more Bear Lake cases may require their combined efforts moving forward. It also means that she may be able to rekindle her past romance with him, even if there is a lot of scar tissue lurking underneath. They might find solace in each other’s company, both in and out of their jobs, and possibly a brighter future up ahead.
Read More: Lifetime’s The Bear Lake Murders: Filming Locations and Cast
