How did Laura die in Dexter: Original Sin? Details explored

Harry Morgan and Laura Lynn Moser’s plotline has been a significant one in Dexter: Original Sin, as have the events surrounding Laura's death and Harry's role as Dexter’s father, who gave him the genius of the Code of Harry. Morgan’s influence on Dexter’s life has been nothing short of remarkable, especially after he lost his mother but was adopted by Morgan and his wife, Doris. Much of the plot that is being explored in subsequent episodes has a close relevance to Laura's death.

Many fans have also discussed the events surrounding Dexter’s adoption and why Morgan didn’t adopt Dexter’s older brother, Brian Moser. Although many had speculated that this was because Morgan didn’t want Moser and simply wanted Dexter, this seems not to be the case. As Dexter: Original Sin delves deeper into the characters’ pasts and origins, the show explores Laura's death in detail this time, recreating the decade-old scene as a throwback to reach the characters' origins.

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How did Laura die in Dexter: Original Sin?

Laura was a drug addict and dealer and later turned a new leaf after she started working with Harry Morgan and became a police informant for dealers. Morgan was working with Laura to gather evidence on Hector Estrada, a drug lord.

Although the operation was going well, it soon turned into something bigger as Laura became paranoid about her life. Harry encouraged her to go on and offered her his protection as well. A phone recording that Dexter finds later on records Laura and Morgan talking on the phone while the latter asks her to collect some drugs as proof.

Soon after, Laura is kidnapped by the cartel, which holds Laura and her sons, Dexter and Brian, hostage in shipping containers. The three of them witnessed the killing of multiple other informants at the hands of the cartel, fearing what must await them.

The ninth episode of Original Sin shows the cops, including Harry Morgan, showing up at the site and looking for the trio. Laura died a horrific death at the hands of the cartel. Her head was cut off as her limp body lay beside the two young kids.

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What happens to Dexter and Brian after Laura's death?

In the ninth episode of Dexter: Original Sin, we get to see that the Morgan couple adopted both the kids after Laura's death. Harry and Doris brought Brian and Dexter to their home welcomingly but had to give Brian up because of his psychotic actions.

Brian becomes increasingly envious of the attention Dexter and Deb get from the parents in the household and grows resentful towards his siblings. On one occasion, he tries to smother Deb with a pillow while she’s crying in the crib. He constantly reiterates that he doesn’t see Doris and Harry as his family. He also hits Dexter and creates a nuisance in the house, all of which leads to the family having to give Brian back to the state of Florida.

They come to the conclusion that Brian needs serious help and has yet to come out of the trauma of having watched his mother get killed. This is the sole reason why Brian didn’t grow up with the Morgans and why Dexter got the chance to have a better life with the family.

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Dexter: Original Sin is being written and directed by Clyde Phillips and Michael Lehmann and is currently available to stream on Prime Video.