Elsbeth Season 2 Finale: Who Killed [Spoiler] & Why?

Wondering who killed Alex in the Elsbeth Season 2 finale after that dramatic prison murder scene? The shocking death of theater director Alex Modarian in the library left viewers questioning which familiar face committed the crime. The murder weapon—a ramen noodle blade—and a cell block full of former killers added to the suspense. With Elsbeth behind bars, the mystery took a theatrical turn.

Here’s what really happened—and who’s responsible for Alex’s murder.

Who killed Alex in Elsbeth Season 2 finale?

The prison warden, played by Donna Lynne Champlin, kills Alex Modarian in the Elsbeth Season 2 finale, titled “Ramen Holiday,” using a weapon made from hardened ramen noodles.

She murders him to stop him from exposing her contraband trafficking in exchange for a reduced sentence. Authorities jail Elsbeth Tascioni for felony harassment related to her Judge Crawford investigation. From prison, she investigates the murder.

The episode brings back several characters Elsbeth previously helped convict. They include Freya Frostad (Mary-Louise Parker), Vanessa Holmes (Gina Gershon), Margo Clarke (Retta), Pupetta Del Ponte (Alyssa Milano), Quinn Powers (Elizabeth Lail), Matteo Hart (Andre de Shields), and Joe Dillon (Arian Moayed). Authorities briefly treat each one as a suspect.

Elsbeth revisits each suspect in her cell block before realizing they are innocent. She stages a musical number, “Suspect Tango,” inspired by Chicago’s “Cell Block Tango,” to explore each woman’s motive. Ultimately, the fantasy sequence helps her clarify the real motive and identify the warden as the murderer.

Executive producer Jonathan Tolins explained the origin of the ramen weapon: “Apparently, ramen has replaced cigarettes as a form of currency behind bars… We found this video on YouTube of someone showing how to make a knife out of pasta that was really sharp and scary” (via Variety).

Modarian planned to cooperate with the DA, confirming the warden’s motive. Elsbeth builds her case alone without her usual NYPD team until Captain Wagner and Kaya secure her release.

By the end, Kaya departs to join a federal task force, and Elsbeth recommits to staying at the precinct, declaring, “I think this is where I’m needed, with all of you.”