Spoiler alert: The following article contains major spoilers from Tracker season 2, episode 20, "Echo Ridge."
Tracker's central mystery receives a shocking development in the season 2 finale, but although we now know who killed Ashton Shaw, the story is far from over. The CBS action drama's pilot introduced Colter's father's death as one of the show's biggest mysteries. Many assumed that the case wouldn't be solved until Tracker got a few seasons under its belt, given its importance to Colter's backstory and overall character arc. However, it surprisingly only takes two seasons for Colter to find Ashton's true killer in Tracker.
Ashton died when Colter was young and their family was living off the grid. He ran away from their home, and Colter later found his father dead at the bottom of a cliff. He also saw his brother, Russell, standing at the top. For years, Colter believed Russell had killed their dad, but Jensen Ackles' Tracker character insisted he was innocent (and he was telling the truth). Ashton's death was ruled an accident, but Colter knew better. His father had been killed, and he would spend many years wondering who did it. Now, Colter knows (some of) the truth.
Colter's Father Is Killed By Carl Murphy's Uncle
Ashton Shaw & Otto Waldron Were Acquaintances
As it turns out, Ashton's killer is someone the audience hasn't met before — Otto Waldron, aka Carl Murphy's uncle. In Tracker season 2, episode 20, Colter returns home to Echo Ridge when the owner of a local diner goes missing, and he takes the job on. Long story short, the protagonist uncovers a horrifying child trafficking ring, led by Carl Murphy. However, although Carl committed terrible crimes, he isn't the Big Bad of the episode; his uncle is.
Colter discovers one of his father's unique carvings in Carl's trailer during the finale, but it ends up belonging to his uncle, Otto, not him. Of course, Colter is quite curious as to why Otto has something his dad made. So, Colter confronts the man, who reveals that Ashton gave him the carving. Otto explains how he was a linesman who the county ordered to run power out to the Shaw's secluded home. Ashton, being the paranoid man that he was, fought Otto over it, and the two came to an understanding — Otto would keep the county off Ashton's back.
Ashton and Otto became acquaintances as they worked together on building a wind turbine for the Shaw family. Otto tells Justin Hartley's Tracker character that he and his father "got along okay." He also admits that Ashton had "crazy ideas" and "a lot of enemies." One thing leads to another, and Colter realizes that Otto was the man Russell saw in the woods the night their dad died. Colter impulsively pulls his gun on Otto, forcing him to admit that he murdered Ashton. He confesses that he pushed Colter's father off the cliff, but Tracker's biggest mystery is far from over.
Ashton's Killer Is Already Revealed, But Tracker Season 3 Still Has More Questions To Answer About His Murder
The Exact Reason Behind Ashton's Murder Is Unknown
Yes, Colter and the audience know who killed Ashton in Tracker. We still don't know the "why" of it all, though, and many other important details, like more information about Otto and who he was working with. As a result, the Shaw family mystery isn't completely solved in Tracker season 2.
Tracker Season 2 Cast | Character |
|---|---|
Justin Hartley | Colter Shaw |
Abby McEnany | Velma Bruin |
Eric Graise | Bobby Exley |
Fiona Rene | Reenie Greene |
Jensen Ackles | Russell Shaw |
Floriana Lima | Camille Picket |
Sofia Pernas | Billie Matalon |
Brent Sexton | Keaton |
Chris Lee | Randy |
Pej Vahdat | Leo Sharf |
Plus, Tracker season 2, episode 19 ended with Colter looking through his father's box (the one that Lizzy Hawking's mother, aka Ashton's mistress, had). He found a piece of paper with a phone number on it. When Colter tried calling it, though, the number was disconnected. So, in "Echo Ridge," the characters dig deeper and learn that the number belonged to David Pearson, a mysterious scientist who died in 2003, the same year as Colter's dad. Perhaps there is more to that story, which season 3 can explore.
Why Ashton Was Likely Killed
Why Would Mary Want Her Husband Dead?
Tracker has led fans to believe that Ashton's involvement with the government and his top-secret zero point energy research led to him being killed. However, the season 2 finale reveals that might not be the case. Instead, the government could have been a red herring. When Colter asks Otto why he killed his father (and even brings up the scientist, David Pearson), the man claims that he wasn't working with the Feds. Instead, Otto reveals that he pushed Ashton because Mary, Colter's mother, asked for his help, and the episode fades to black.
Mary Dove Shaw has been suspicious since the beginning of the CBS action drama. She never pushed against Colter's theory about Russell killing their dad and even wanted Colter to block his brother's number. Mary was also gone the night Ashton died. Consequently, some might not be surprised to hear that Mary was involved in Colter's father's death. It's unclear why she would want her husband dead, though. In any case, there is evidently still so much more to learn about the Shaw family mystery in Tracker.
Source: Variety
