Who Killed Gibbs’ Family in NCIS: Origins & Why?

Viewers are curious to know who killed Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ family members in the CBS series, NCIS: Origins. The NCIS spin-off chronicles the early years of young Gibbs in the 1990s when he joined as a special agent at NCIS Camp Pendleton office. Moreover, it also highlights his struggles, challenges, and secrets that shaped him into the man he was in the original NCIS.

Here’s a detailed article on Gibbs’ family’s murder and their culprit.

Who killed Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ wife and daughter in NCIS: Origins and how?

Reynosa Cartel member Pedro Hernandez was responsible for the deaths of Gibbs’ wife and daughter, who were killed in a car crash.

The details about Gibbs’ family members’ demise were revealed in NCIS Season 3. In the show, Gibbs’ wife Shannon witnesses Pedro Hernandez murdering a Marine. However, she decides to not sit quietly and speak up. She plans to speak against Hernandez in court, which puts her and her daughter Kelly’s lives in danger.

With their lives unsafe, an NIS agent is hired to safeguard them. However, when they were traveling in a car, the agent was shot, leading to a car crash. The crash also unfortunately takes away the lives of Shannon and Kelly. After Gibbs’ learns about their demise, he is filled with rage, wanting to settle scores with Pedro.

It was earlier revealed in the same season that he shoots Pedro dead with a sniper rifle and keeps his murder a secret from everyone. His past with Pedro subtly resurfaces again in the latest episode of NCIS: Origins titled “Vivo o Muerto.” Here, the team heads to Mexico to crack the case concerning the disappearance of a woman after clubbing with a Navy Seaman.

While investigating, they discover that the case may involve Reynosa Cartel, which ultimately ties the case to Gibbs’ past. Although the woman is rescued, Lala expresses guilt, revealing that she should have prosecuted Pedro earlier. However, Gibbs holds his secret close to heart not unveiling that he had already killed Pedro to avoid Lala from losing trust in him.