7 Times The True Crime Trio Almost Bit The Dust In ‘Only Murders In The Building’

From secret tunnels to Broadway stages, these three have faced down murderers in every corner of the Arconia — and lived to podcast about it. Here are seven times the Only Murders in the Building trio nearly became the victims of their own curiosity.

Let’s be honest — Mabel, Charles, and Oliver have a serious talent for finding trouble. These three have turned amateur podcasting into an extreme sport, and somehow they keep surviving situations that would send most people running straight to witness protection. The Arconia might be a fancy Upper West Side building, but it’s also apparently a death trap when you’re nosy enough to investigate every murder that happens there. Four seasons into Only Murders in the Building, and these three are still chasing mysteries with the same enthusiasm that got them hooked in the first place.

1. Underground Death Trap in Season 1

The whole secret tunnel thing was peak “why are we doing this” energy from the trio. Who finds hidden passageways under their building and thinks, “Let’s explore!”? Apparently, these three. The killer had them dead to rights down there — literally trapped underground with nowhere to go and a gun pointed at them.

Talk about your classic horror movie setup. Dark tunnels, no escape route, and a murderer who’s finally cornered the people ruining their perfect crime. The fire alarm going off was pure dumb luck, nothing more. Without that random distraction, the podcast would’ve ended after like six episodes, which would’ve definitely changed the whole trajectory of their adventures.

2. Jan’s Poison Cocktail Special (Season 2)

Charles really knew how to pick them, didn’t he? His ex-girlfriend decides to serve him a nightcap with a little something extra — poison. Because apparently breaking up normally is too mainstream when you’re a bassoonist with homicidal tendencies.

The whole thing was so casual, too. Just two former lovers catching up over drinks, except one of them is actively trying to kill the other. Charles getting poisoned was basically the universe’s way of saying, “Maybe don’t date people connected to your murder investigations.” But did he learn from this? Well, let’s just say Charles stays consistent with his dating choices.

3. Knife-Wielding Killer in a Tiny Room (Season 2)

Picture this: you’re trapped in what’s basically a closet with someone who wants to stab you to death. No windows, one door, and the person blocking that door has a very sharp knife and zero patience for your podcast shenanigans.

This was one of those moments where being amateur detectives really became obvious. Professional investigators have backup, weapons, and training. Mabel, Charles, and Oliver had enthusiasm and quick thinking. The fact that they talked their way out of this one shows just how resourceful they can be under pressure.

4. Broadway Goes Boom (Season 3)

Theater people are dramatic, but rigging a gas leak? That’s taking things a bit far, even for Broadway standards. The trio wandering around, breathing toxic fumes while hunting for clues, was peak obliviousness — even for them.

Gas leaks are no joke. You can’t see them coming, can’t fight them off, can’t really do much except hope you notice before your lungs give out. At least with knives and guns, you know what’s trying to kill you. This was like playing Russian roulette with the air itself, which seems about right for their level of survival instincts.

5. Opening Night Nightmare (Season 3)

Nothing says “Broadway premiere” like a triple murder attempt, right? The killer picked the perfect night for mayhem — everyone’s distracted by the show, there’s chaos everywhere, and who’s gonna notice three more bodies when there’s already so much drama on stage?

The whole thing was almost beautifully planned, using all that opening night energy as camouflage. Too bad for the killer that our trio has this amazing habit of surviving impossible situations. Though honestly, at this point, their luck was bound to run out eventually.

6. Death Scene During the Death Scene (Season 3)

A meta murder attempt was exactly what Mabel, Oliver, and Charles needed to keep their podcast listeners glued. Getting attacked with a real knife during a fake knife scene while hundreds of people watch and think it’s all part of the show?  The audience probably thought they were witnessing some groundbreaking experimental theater. “Oh, look, such realistic acting! The blood looks so real!” Meanwhile, the trio is literally fighting for their lives while people applaud. This show never fails to deliver the most unexpected plot twists.

7. Marshall’s Last Stand Gets Interrupted (Season 4)

Marshall brought his stunt training to the final showdown, which meant this wasn’t going to be some bumbling amateur hour murder attempt. The guy knew how to handle weapons and had the skills to back up his threats. For once, the trio was up against someone who actually knew what he was doing.

Then Jan showed up. Jan, the bassoonist. The ex-girlfriend who literally poisoned Charles in season two. She saves the day by shooting Marshall from across the courtyard like some kind of deranged sniper. Because nothing says “character development” like your attempted murderer becoming your unlikely hero. The whole thing was so perfectly absurd that it somehow worked brilliantly for this show. Charles gets saved by the woman who tried to kill him, which is either poetic justice or just the kind of wild storytelling that makes this series so entertaining.