- "You hurt Vanessa!"
- ―Wilson Fisk to Leland Owlsley[src]
The Murder of Leland Owlsley was the result of an impromptu attack by Wilson Fisk on Leland Owlsley in retaliation for the poisoning of Vanessa Marianna.
Background[]
- "Look at him. How's he gonna run things?"
"Not the time, Leland."
"This is exactly the time." - ―Leland Owlsley and James Wesley[src]
Ever since Wilson Fisk became romantically involved with Vanessa Marianna, his associates became concerned with him regularly being absent during their meetings or handwaving their pressing issues, considering the Masked Man who was threatening their operation. When Anatoly Ranskahov accidentally interrupted Fisk's date with Marianna, he became furious and murdered Anatoly, who embarassed Fisk in front of the woman he loved. Fisk decided to divert Vladimir Ranskahov's attention by framing Masked Man, as he was already preparing to dismantle the Russian Mafia. Fisk's associates critized him for not consulting with them before making such decision, but Fisk told them that he would be taking over the Steel Serpent distribution and they would share the profits fairly.
Not too long after the Russian Mafia suffered heavy casualties, Fisk was approached by Madame Gao who was displeased by the way he was handling business. She told Fisk to restore the order in his business, otherwise she would cut him off their organization, dealing with Leland Owlsley and Nobu Yoshioka directly. Later, when Fisk became a public figure and came forward with his Better Tomorrow Initiative, Gao still insisted that Fisk was distracted with Marianna and was torn between two worlds he wanted to exist in at the same time. Gao and Owlsley evntually decided that Marianna posed a significant danger for their business and conspired to kill her, in hopes of bringing Fisk back to their business.
Vanessa Marianna gets poisoned
During a public event at Van Lunt Building, Gao and Owlsley poisoned the champagne, which affected Marianna and some other guests. Fisk rushed to bring Marianna to Metro-General Hospital and although she was in a critical state, she was able to pull through. Owlsley spoke to James Wesley, claiming that they need to stabilize their affairs as soon as possible and Fisk was unfit to lead them at the moment, but Wesley said it was no time for such conversation. Later, Gao and Owlsley discussed the situation and Owlsley raised a concern that Fisk might be onto them, after Wesley died, so Gao decided to relocate from New York City for the time being. Owlsley also decided that he needed a backup plan in case Fisk finds out the truth, and start queitly syphoning money from his accounts, however, Fisk found out about it after checking his records.
Murder[]
- "But I'm a fair sort. That's why I'm only taking half your money. You go your way, I go mine. Not what I'd call win-win... but it's as close as we're gonna get with this. So, we on the same page?"
"I... No. I don't think we are." - ―Leland Owlsley and Wilson Fisk[src]
While taking a stroll with Wilson Fisk, Leland Owlsley informed him that Randolph Cherryh managed to clear the zoning issues, so now Fisk's Better Tomorrow Initiative could start with constructions in Hell's Kitchen. He also mentioned that they will need a replacement for Madame Gao's Steel Serpent trade which was destroyed recently, and when Fisk questioned Gao's whereabouts, Owlsley replied that she must be long gone by now. Fisk then showed Owlsley a transaction record as he asked James Wesley to transfer some funds the night before he was killed, and brought up some irregularities he noticed. Owlsley tried to brush it off, saying that he only moves assets around for security, but Fisk already noticed how nervous he was getting.
Once Owlsley realized that he was out of excuses, Fisk accused him of stealing from him and when Wesley confonted him about it, Owlsley had him killed. Owlsley denied that, but Fisk was certain that he and Gao were involved in the poisoning that nearly claimed Vanessa Marianna's life, so Owlsley confessed that Fisk himself was never target. Fisk realized that they were trying to kill Marianna, as Owlsley explained that ever since she appeared in his life, he became distracted and emotional, making reckless decisions without talking to them. Now that the truth was out, Owlsley told Fisk that they will be parting ways and he will take a half of his assets with him.
Wilson Fisk attacks Leland Owlsley
Fisk was furious and would not let that slide, but Owlsley then informed him that he had Carl Hoffman as his ace in the hole, who did not leave New York City after killing Christian Blake. He warned Fisk that unless he checks in with his men, they will take Hoffman to the FBI to testify against Fisk, destroying everything he had built for good. However, Fisk would not let Owlsley get away with what he had done and attacked him in a fit of rage, Owlsley's attempt to ward him off with a stun gun did not do anything. Enraged that Owlsley dared to endanger Marianna, Fisk grabbed him and threw him in an elevator shaft, killing him.
Aftermath[]
- "Sweep the city. Find Hoffman and put a bullet in his head."
- ―Wilson Fisk[src]
With Leland Owlsley dead, Wilson Fisk ordered his men to search the entire New York City and kill Carl Hoffman before he could be taken to testify against him. Corbin and other New York City Police Department officers on Fisk's payroll received the order and eventually found out that Hoffman was kept at one of Silver & Brent properties. At the time, Nelson and Murdock examined Landman and Zack files on Fisk's dealings that they received from Marci Stahl and Karen Page noticed a suspicious unlisted property that was owned by Owlsley. Matt Murdock, who already overheard about the search for Hoffman, realized that his testimony could bring Fisk down and went after him as well.
When Owlsley's men were preparing to get Hoffman out of the location, Corbin and his men arrived and gunned everyone down, before turning their attention to Hoffman. However, the Masked Man interfered just in time and dispatched the officers, saving Hoffman's life. He told Hoffman to go to 15th Precinct Police Station and testify against Fisk, and although he was too scared to trust anyone, the Masked Man told him that he can trust Brett Mahoney, warning Hoffman that he will make he regrets running away. As Hoffman complied, Mahoney organized an interview with the FBI and contacted Nelson and Murdock to represent him, so Hoffman's testimony resulted in arrests of Fisk and his closest associates.
Trivia[]
- Leland Owlsley's death scene was originally much different, where he fled the city and got onto a boat before he was suddenly assassinated by Punisher in a post-credits scene. However, the idea was forced to be dropped as Netflix at the time was not designed to accomodate post-credits scenes, since the timer to begin the next episode would start as soon as the credits began to play. As a result, Owlsley's death was rewritten to have him be killed by Wilson Fisk instead.[4]