How Does the Grandma Tipper Die in We Were Liars, Explained

In Prime Video’s ‘We Were Liars,‘ a significant shift takes place in the narrative when Tipper Sinclair, the wife of the family patriarch Harris, dies innocuously without sending any warning signals to anyone. While her death has ripple effects on the family moving forward, especially when it comes to inheritance talk, Tipper’s absence is felt more prominently in the emotional hole left behind at the center of the drama. With so many secrets lurking in every corner, the tragedy of Tipper’s death only adds fuel to the proverbial fire as we head into uncharted territory. However, despite the complicated situations it dredges up, the actual explanation behind Tipper’s passing remains a mystery, suggesting that there was more going on behind the scenes than we witness on Beechwood Island. SPOILERS AHEAD.

Tipper Might Have Been Hiding an Illness Behind a Perfect Facade

One of the overarching themes explored in ‘We Were Liars’ is the damage caused by lies, deception, and secrets in everyone’s lives. When these dark aspects are married to a rich, influential family who values honor, legacy, and tradition over anything else, it leads to even greater repercussions down the line. To that end, it is highly probable that Tipper Sinclair’s death was a result of her trying to keep a pristine appearance alive to protect the image of her family. While not explicitly stated in the narrative, a lifetime of constantly nipping every problem in the bud and being persnickety with trivial things likely had an effect on her health. As such, Tipper’s death could have been a result of her having to micromanage everything down to a T, which eventually leads to her passing away in her sleep.

Considering how most of the Sinclairs keep secrets from one another, it would make sense if Tipper kept a terminal diagnosis under wraps without informing anyone about it. Instead, she devoted all her life to ensuring that her family was functioning without any hitch, taking care of every child’s needs while also managing to look elegant at the same time. Her daughter, Bess, believes that Tipper is a natural at pleasing everyone while also commanding respect in her own right. However, this likely came at the cost of her never being able to open up as a person. On the contrary, she would have spent decades bottling up secrets so that others could thrive in her stead. It showcases her commitment to her way of thinking while also potentially explaining why she may have died without any warning signs.

Tipper’s Death Takes Place in a Different Summer in the Book

While ‘We Were Liars’ generally follows the path laid down by its literary source material, some creative liberties are taken to help dramatize the narrative in a slightly different context. One such change is in the exact summer when Tipper passes away in the novel vs. the show. In the former, Tipper dies between Summer 14 and 15. The fire at Clairmont Mansion also takes place in Summer 15 in the pages of E. Lockhart’s work. The following summer, Cadence spends her time in Europe with her dad, which stands in sharp contrast to how the timeline and its respective events play out in the show. The Prime Video project largely takes place during Summer 16 and 17, with the fire that burns down Clairmont mansion taking place at the end of 16. As such, Tipper’s death also takes place in 16, moving the goalposts slightly from the novel’s version.

Ultimately, the differences in the timeline are a trivial matter because the story still remains the same, especially when it comes to the emotions and thematic truths underlying the show. This also extends to Tipper’s death, which becomes a seminal moment in the life of Cadence and the “Liars” (Johnny, Mirren, and Gat). They are devastated to witness the passing of someone who has always been a warm and affectionate presence in their life. In many ways, Tipper is the pillar on which the entire Sinclair family depends. We witness this in detail once she passes away, as the threads holding the dysfunctional family together start to rip away at an alarming pace. She serves as a binding glue between her daughters, her grandchildren, and her domineering husband, one who keeps them on the same page despite the sacrifices she has to make.