The Office: Why Toby Flenderson Showed All Clues of Being The Scranton Strangler

As a dedicated fan of The Office and someone who has spent countless hours dissecting every scene, character, and plot twist, I must say that the identity of the Scranton Strangler is one mystery that continues to captivate me. While there are many theories floating around, the one that resonates with me the most is Toby Flenderson being the elusive killer.


Among the enduring enigmas in television history is the true identity of the Scranton Strangler, a chilling tale that unfolds within the beloved NBC sitcom, The Office. Set against the backdrop of the tranquil town of Scranton, home to the Dunder Mifflin paper company’s branch, a grim sequence of events took place following a string of murders.

The mystery individual known as the Scranton Strangler, still unidentified today, earned this chilling title due to his heinous acts. Even more than ten years since the sitcom ended, discussions about the Scranton Strangler persist, with Toby Flenderson, portrayed by Paul Lieberstein, being a key suspect in recent theories.

Why Toby Flenderson showed all clues of being the Scranton Strangler?

Although multiple theories circulate regarding the true identity of the Scranton Strangler, the evidence points quite convincingly towards Toby Flenderson as the possible perpetrator.

In The Office, George Howard Skub is found guilty of his crimes and sent to prison. Despite this, Flenderson continues to believe in Skub’s innocence and even votes for him during the trial. Later, Flenderson goes to see Skub in prison, but their encounter seems to fuel a grudge within Skub, leading him to attempt to strangle Toby while they were both incarcerated. This suggests that Skub holds a deep resentment towards Toby for what he perceives as betrayal.

In 2018, a satirical video titled “Making a Strangler” was uploaded on The Office’s YouTube channel, which gathered all the clues suggesting Flenderson’s questionable behavior and potential reasons that might have driven him to carry out such gruesome acts.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but delve into the fascinating world portrayed in this mockumentary. It sheds light on my beloved Flenderson’s cryptic mutterings about plotting against a colleague, his alarming awareness of asbestos danger, his mental turmoil during a messy divorce, his unwavering stance on George Skub’s trial, and his desperate attempts to forge friendship. It’s like having an exclusive behind-the-scenes pass to Flenderson’s life!

In an intriguing turn of events, I found myself observing the unfolding drama as the entire Office team fixed their eyes on the television screen, watching a high-speed police chase in pursuit of the infamous Strangler. At a pivotal moment, the phone rang, yet Mindy Kaling’s character, Kelly, seemed determined to focus solely on the tense escape of the Strangler from the clutches of law enforcement, choosing to let the call go unanswered.

It’s thought that the phone call could have been Flenderson admitting to his wrongdoings, as a way to avoid being caught himself. Later, it’s believed he may have gone to Skub’s house and secretly entered, potentially implicating Skub instead.

Law enforcement storm Skub’s residence, take him into custody, and subsequently convict him of the alleged offense. However, Flenderson harbors an unusual affection towards Skub, making frequent visits to him during his imprisonment, and eventually voices his belief in Skub’s innocence when serving as a juror.

Paul Lieberstein, who is both an actor and a writer for the series, played Toby. However, his role went beyond just acting as he penned 16 episodes of the show, according to Collider. In an interview with PopCulture.com, Lieberstein, aged 57, shared an intriguing detail about the Scranton Strangler character he created: “It’s not often mentioned, but Toby wasn’t actually a murderer. He would strangle someone until he passed out,” Lieberstein explained. This revelation adds another layer to the mystery, although the storyline related to this aspect was never fully developed, so we can continue with our current theory.

As a lifestyle expert, I find it intriguing to delve into the unique traits of characters like Toby from “The Office.” One such trait is his unusual fascination with Jenna Fischer’s character, Pam. It’s been speculated that this affection was unrequited and deep-seated, as Pam was already married to Jim. When they welcomed their first child into the world, it seems Toby might have struggled to cope and may have acted out in a jealous rage, leading to some form of transgression. The Office often hints at this mystery with its humorous news flashes about the Scranton Strangler’s return to action.

Who are the other suspects?

Although Toby Flenderson seems connected to the Scranton Strangler due to his whereabouts, there are actually two other possible theories about the murderer. Throughout the series, Creed Bratton’s character, portrayed by actor Creed Bratton, gives off a spooky impression.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve had the unusual experience of working alongside an individual named Bratton, who has a penchant for unconventional behaviors. For instance, he’s been involved in cult activities and, on one occasion, made an appearance at our office party smeared with real blood. While this conduct suggests potential dangerous tendencies, it hasn’t been definitively proven that Bratton is the Scranton Strangler. However, it’s essential to keep a watchful eye on such behavior for everyone’s safety and peace of mind at work.

At the 2019 LA Comic-Con, actor Creed Bratton playfully evaded a question about the enigmatic Strangler character from “The Office.” Instead of answering, he pretended not to know and humorously exited the stage.

In a Reddit post, Andy Buckley, portraying David Wallace, expressed his character’s potential involvement as the Scranton Strangler by stating: “There was the capacity for him to lose control suddenly. Afternoons in the hot tub, drinking excessively, and coming up with ‘Suck It’ – these were moments that hinted at a darker side.”

This was essentially pointed out by Mashable video producer Jules Suzdaltsev who claimed nobody could have ever suspected Mallace as the killer, which only intensifies the suspicion given it’s always someone unexpected. 

Additionally, Wallace resided in Connecticut and had a job in New York City, yet frequently visited Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Although these theories provide strong hints about who the Scranton Strangler truly is, it’s important to accept that this enigma may never be fully unraveled. However, there’s always the hopeful possibility that the creators of The Office might one day produce a spin-off series focusing on the Scranton Strangler case!

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2024-08-06 07:39