Scranton, Pennsylvania is a peaceful little city nestled beneath the Pocono Mountains. It is home to some surprisingly good pizza, the AAA minor league team for the New York Yankees, and a branch location for the Dunder Mifflin paper company. Yet, this seemingly tranquil town was, years ago, haunted by the presence of a specter known simply as theScranton Strangler, as evidenced by NBC’s hit seriesThe Office.
The identity of the Scranton Strangler is one of theSteve Carell-led comedy’s greatest mysteries. The three leading theories, with varying amounts of convincing evidence, point to either Toby Flenderson (Paul Lieberstein), Creed Bratton (Creed Bratton), or David Wallace (Andy Buckley). In the show, a man namedGeorge Howard Skub is convicted of the Strangler’s crimes, but Toby (a juror on the case) believes him to be innocent. As we review the evidence of these leading suspects, as well as hints dropped by the show’s actors and writers over the years, we’ll see how the Scranton Strangler has become TV’s most notorious unsolved mystery.
The Office
A mockumentary on a group of typical office workers, where the workday consists of ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, and tedium.
Toby Flenderson’s Love for Pam on ‘The Office’ Is Questionable
In 2018,The OfficeYouTube accountreleased this parody ofMaking a Murdererthat suggests Toby Flenderson might be the Scranton Strangler. Contained within this mockumentary are several suspicious pieces of evidence. There’s Toby’s cryptic warning about asbestos being a silent killer, his fragile state of mind as he deals with a divorce, his mumbled threat to kill a co-worker,his attempt to befriend the alleged Strangler in prison, and, of course, his adamant belief that George Howard Skub was wrongly convicted for the Strangler’s crimes. But what motivation would this mild-mannered office worker have for attacking innocent civilians? Is there some rage that burns deep within Toby Flenderson’s heart?
Amateur sleuths theorize that it’s Toby’s long-buried love for Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) that inspired at least one of his attacks as the Strangler. Indeed, the timing of this attack is quite suspicious. When Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam’s first child is born, the newspaper headlines indicate that the Strangler has struck again that very day. Perhaps in a fit of impulsive fury, Toby, realizing Pam is now fully committed to Jim, lashed out at some poor helpless victim in a sick attempt to alleviate his inner turmoil.
Paul Lieberstein Knows About the Scranton Strangler Theory
But perhaps the most insidious coincidence is that when the police chase of the Strangler is being broadcast on TV and is being watched by everyone in the office,Toby is notably absent. In fact, the phone rings but Kelly (Mindy Kaling) hangs up without answering. Some believe this phone call might’ve been Toby’s confession as he was hunted by the law. Perhaps Toby drove his car to George Howard Skub’s home and rushed inside, hiding himself somewhere and allowing the cops to burst in and apprehend Skub. If this theory was true, it would helpexplain why Skub attempts to strangle Tobywhen Toby visits him in prison.
Perhaps the most interesting behind-the-scenes perspective on the Scranton Strangler’s identity is that of Paul Lieberstein, who both portrayed Toby Flenderson on the show and wrote 16 episodes of the series.In an interview with PopCulture.com, Lieberstein didn’t quite confirm nor deny that Toby might be the Strangler, but he did reveal an interesting fact about the Strangler’s crimes. “There’s a lot we didn’t get to do with this Scranton Strangler. We had a lot of designs, and it was never quite mentioned that he wasn’t a murderer. He would strangle you until he passed out.” This answer appears to rule out Creed as a suspect, considering Creed being covered in blood is one of the primary pieces of evidence linking him to the Strangler’s crimes. But, then again, if the Strangler’s crimes were never officially detailed on the show, is it fair to take Lieberstein’s word as gospel truth?
Creed Bratton Is the Obvious Choice
Let’s face it, everything about Creed is just… strange.Creed admits to having an extremely checkered pastin which he participated in multiple cults (as both a leader and a follower), ran from the law, had fake driver’s licenses, and lived under different identities. It’s not even clear that Creed Bratton is actually Creed Bratton. His real name might be William Charles Schneider. Why would this man go to such lengths to conceal his identity? What is Creed Bratton (if thatevenis his real name) hiding? In Season 9, Creed arrives atan office Halloween partycovered in real blood. Perhaps this is the most direct and damning evidence that Creed is a murderer?
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Despite a mysterious background and possible murder, there’s not much else that convincingly suggests that Creed is the Scranton Strangler. But the real Creed Bratton (the actor, not the character of the same name) seems to think otherwise. In May of 2022,he posted a video on his TikTok accountof him happily strolling along with the overlaying text “When you hear that all charges against the Scranton Strangler have been dropped.” In addition to this tongue-in-cheek TikTok, actor Creed Bratton also raised eyebrows when he was directly asked if his character might be the Scranton Strangler at the 2019 Los Angeles Comic-Con. He didn’t issue a verbal response butstood up and pretended to walk off stage.
An interesting theory developed by Mashablevideo producerJules Suzdaltsevposits that David Wallace is actually the Strangler. According to Suzdaltsev, it’s questionable as to why Wallace, who works in New York City and lives in Connecticut, spends so much time in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Supposedly, it’s because the Scranton branch gives him the perfect excuse to drive hours away from his office in order to strangle innocent civilians.“Who would ever suspect David Wallace?”Suzdaltsev asked. “Nobody, and it’s always the person you least suspect. In fact, why do you think he sent away Holly? Is it because she and Michael were getting too close, or is it because Holly was getting too close to the truth? David Wallace is a murderer and should be brought to justice.”
ActorAndy Buckley, who played Wallace, thought his character could definitely have been the Strangler. In a Tweet,Buckley wrote, “He had it in him to just snap. Hot tub middle of the day, boozing, creating the Suck It. And what was he doing in Season 8 the 3rd or 4th to last Ep. Runs into Andy at a local Scranton Charity Dinner? Why was he in Scranton? Perhaps you’re correct.” He later added, “All I can tell you is that Wallace is Lawyering Up!”
Will We Ever Know Who ‘The Office’s Scranton Strangler Is?
In the end, there are many theories but few definitive conclusions as to the identity of the Scranton Strangler. Certainly, Toby is the leading suspect.No other character inThe Officeis as fascinated with the case as Toby. He boasts of being on the jury, he discusses the case years after it’s over, and he even takes the extraordinary step of visiting George Howard Skub in prison. All of this raises suspicion,but none of it confirms that Toby is the Strangler. In the end, the identity of the Scranton Strangler may never be truly known. This malicious fiend lurking in Northeastern Pennsylvania will likely go down in history as one of the all-time most mysterious criminals.
The Officeis available to stream on Peacock in the U.S.
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