Who dies in Ozark season 4 part 1? (Spoilers)

Ozark has finally returned and fans of the dark crime drama are ready for another wild ride!

Season 4 marks the final season of the Netflix Original, however it’s been split up into two parts with seven episodes each. Part 1 has just debuted in the early hours this morning, and it has a lot to live up to after the explosive third season.

When dealing with money laundering, drug crime and the Mexican Cartel as the Byrde family does, it’s not surprising that there have been many deaths throughout the show’s run so far. The season 3 finale ended with a major death, one that was both surprising and very graphic. Does season 4 part 1 follow suit? Well, there are a few big ones.

Spoilers ahead for Ozark season 4 part 1.

Ozark season 4 part 1 deaths

Below we get into everyone who unfortunately dies in Ozark season 4 part 1, and what happens to them.

Sheriff John Nix

John Nix (Robert Treveiler) is the Sheriff of the Ozarks, working closely with the Snells. When Ozark season 4 part 1 opens up, Omar Navarro (Felix Solis) and his nephew Javi Elizonndro (Alfonso Herrera) have decided to work with the Byrdes after Helen Pierce (Janet McTeer) is shot and killed. From there, Marty (Jason Bateman) and Wendy (Laura Linney) are told they must stop Darlene Snell (Lisa Emery) from growing and pushing drugs from her farm.

In episode 1, Javi takes matters into his own hands and decides to send a message to Darlene. He shoots and kills Sheriff Nix, and the Byrdes have to help get rid of the body. Later on in the season, Jonah Byrde (Skylar Gaertner) reveals to Darlene that his parents know what happened to Nix. This leads to a confrontation between Darlene and Wendy.

Kerry Stone’s driver

A major plot point in Ozark season 4 part 1 is Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner) trying to turn Darlene’s farm into a lucrative business. She meets with a wealthy man named Kerry Stone, who tries the drugs and wants to work with the group. When Kerry visits the farm, however, Darlene turns him down. Despite this, Ruth continues spending time with Kerry, but one night at the Missouri Belle casino changes everything.

Ruth and Kerry go out to the casino to meet with some “high rollers” about their business, and unfortunately Kerry has a nearly-fatal overdose. This, of course, brings attention to the Missouri Belle and whatever Ruth was doing there with such powerful people. When Ruth goes over to Darlene’s to explain what happened, Darlene is not happy about it.

Kerry’s driver, who gives Ruth a ride to Darlene’s, then tells them he’d like to be compensated to keep him quiet. This doesn’t go over with Darlene who is already stressed out over Ruth’s casino outing, and she shoots and kills him. Later on, Ruth and Wyatt have to bury him, and Wyatt opens up on how terrible the situation is and Darlene’s impulsive actions.

Frank Cosgrove Sr.

The Snells, Langmores and Byrdes have had an interesting relationship with the Cosgroves over the seasons, who lead the Kansas City Mafia. Frank Jr. (Joseph Sikora) left Ruth hospitalized in season 3 after attacking her, and as retaliation, Darlene shot him in his private area.

By season 4, Ruth and Frank Jr. are surprisingly in a good place, but the same can’t be said for Darlene and Frank Sr. (John Bedford Lloyd).

Darlene and Frank’s first scene in Ozark season 4 part 1 is a confrontation between the two of them, with Frank demanding Darlene to pay him back the money she owes him. She says she doesn’t have the cash but offers him drugs, which he doesn’t take. By episode 6, Frank is furious with Darlene for going behind his back with Frank Jr., and even suggests she’s not fit to be a mother to Zeke.

Darlene clearly has enough of his s**t talking, as she pulls out her shotgun and kills him mid-yelling.

Ruth breaks the news to Frank Jr., with the assumption being he would then kill Darlene to avenge his father.

Ozark season 4 part 1 ending explained: Who kills Darlene and Wyatt?

Darlene Snell and Wyatt Langmore

The craziest deaths in Ozark season 4 part 1 come toward the very end in episode 7. But it’s actually not Frank Jr. who ends up killing Darlene.

With Navarro in custody, Javi is the acting leader of the Mexican Cartel, and as we’ve seen throughout the season, he’s not great at thinking out his decisions. He acts upon his emotions and does impulsive things without considering the consequences.

Javi starts making some big moves, including a confrontation with Darlene. He’s angry that her farm is still active when she was specifically asked to stop, and though Darlene is visibly frightened and apologizes, that’s not enough. Javi shoots and kills both Darlene and Wyatt.

Why isn’t Frank Jr. the one to take out Darlene? Well, after Wyatt tells Ruth that he’s staying in the Ozarks after all and is planning to marry Darlene, Ruth decides she wants to keep her cousin happy and tells Frank Jr. not to do it. Unfortunately, things turn out even worse than Ruth might’ve predicted, as now her beloved cousin is dead, too.

The final moments of Ozark season 4 part 1 are extremely heartbreaking, and Julia Garner deserves all the awards for her incredible performance once again. After she confronts the Byrdes about what happened to Darlene and Wyatt, Jonah tells her Javi’s name. Ruth frantically drives away, and there’s no telling what her fate will be once she confronts Javi. That’s how part 1 ends.

These five deaths listed are the ones we see on screen, however there is a bombing at the beginning of episode 6. Though people are injured, no fatalities are confirmed, so we’re not certain if anyone dies.

This latest installment is an emotional one, so get your popcorn and tissues ready! You can now stream all episodes of Ozark season 1 through season 4 part 1 on Netflix right now.