Outlander: Malva's Death Explained (& Who Killed Her In The Books)

Summary Malva's calculated and manipulative character led to a shocking murder on Outlander, creating a major mystery.

Allan, Malva's half-brother, was revealed as the true killer, driven by fear and jealousy.

The storyline closely followed the Outlander book series, delving into complex characters and tragic events.

A lot happened in Outlander season 6, episode 6, with Claire nearly dying and Malva’s killer still at large, leading to a major mystery surrounding Malva's death. Malva’s murder came after much of Outlander season 6 had been spent painting her character as calculated and manipulative yet motivated by her father’s religious zealotry and heavy-handed discipline as well as her half-brother Allan’s overprotective nature.

Considering these elements, it made sense that Malva’s character would be seeking a way out of her life and would set her sights on Jamie as he is, by far, the most successful, wealthy man around. Claire’s conversation with Malva later in Outlander season 6, episode 6, however, and Malva’s solitary arrival to the surgery afterward, seemed to lean toward the idea that all is not what it seems with Malva and even less so with her murder, creating a mystery that lasted long into Outlander season 7

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How Malva Died In Outlander Season 6

Claire Awakens To Find Malva Dead

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Malva's death in Outlander season 6 was one of the most shocking moments. However, despite it being a surprise for viewers, the show had been building for it for a while. Having become Claire’s apprentice throughout Outlander season 6, Malva (Jessica Reynolds) helps care for Claire when she falls ill at the beginning of the episode and takes the opportunity to try and seduce Jamie (Sam Heughan) — as is seen by Claire through her delirium.

Shortly after Claire’s recovery, Malva arrives at Claire and Jamie’s house with her father and brother to accuse Jamie of impregnating her. Though Claire and Jamie recover quickly from Malva’s shocking accusation, Claire (Caitriona Balfe) seems haunted by Malva’s claim, leading her to hide in her surgery and drug herself with ether when she sees Malva approaching alone later in the episode. In her drug-induced sleep, Claire’s dreams reveal her insecurities and she threatens to kill Malva, only to wake and find Malva murdered in her garden.

Outlander Season 7 Revealed Who Killed Malva

Claire Wasn't The Culprit

Outlander viewers had to wait until the second episode of the following season before the identity of Malva's killer was revealed, with the remaining two episodes of season 6 and the season 7 premiere leaving the lingering mystery unanswered. Until Outlander season 7, episode 2, "The Happiest Place on Earth", many viewers and the characters in-universe believed that Claire was responsible for Alva's murder. Things were complicated even further when Tom Christie confessing to the crime — though Claire didn't believe him.

Not only had he murdered his half-sister, but he'd forced himself on her too.

It turns out Claire's suspicions were correct. It was revealed in season 7 of Outlander that Malva had in fact been murdered by her half-brother Allan. When Claire confronted him, Allan Christie made some shocking and disturbing revelations. Not only had he murdered his half-sister, but he'd forced himself on her too. What's more, Allan had been the one who prompted Malva to claim she was pregnant with Jamie's child, when it was in fact his.

Allan had followed Malva on the night she was murdered. He'd sliced her throat in a fit of fear and jealousy after Malva told him she didn't reciprocate his perverse feelings, and that she was going to come clean about him and that the baby she was carrying was his. Implicating Claire was simply part of Allan's plan to ensure that nobody suspected him of the killing. Allan then tries to take his own life, with Claire stopping him, but before he can be brought to justice, he is shot in the chest with an arrow by Ian.

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Who Killed Malva In The Outlander Books?

The Show Follows The Plot Of The Novels

Outlander followed the plot of Diana Gabaldon’s A Breath of Snow and Ashes whenMalva’s killer was revealed to be her half-brother Allan. After sexually abusing her for years in the books, Malva becomes pregnant with Allan’s child, and he convinces her to claim Jamie as the father in order to save himself. Malva, however, decides to confide in Claire but is murdered en route.

Following Malva’s murder in Outlander season 6, Jamie and Claire’s life on Fraser’s Ridge falls to shambles. Allan’s guilt in the event is not revealed until long after Malva’s body is found on Jamie and Claire’s property, and they are believed to have killed her for exposing Jamie’s secret.

Already suspected to be a witch, Claire was put on trial and threatened with execution, saved by none other than Tom Christie. Tom confesses to Malva’s murder and tells Claire that the strange sickness he shared with Claire seen at the beginning of Outlander season 6, episode 6 was Malva’s attempt to murder them both. So, while Malva’s death is a tragedy, her character remains a complicated one, both ruthless and fragile, a victim and a villain.