The season 1 finale of "Dutton Ranch" left viewers with a significant cliffhanger: the death of Rob-Will. While the fatal shot was not shown, a series of events and character interactions point towards Rob-Will's brother, Joaquin, as the likely perpetrator.
Rob-Will's demise occurred shortly after a tense conversation with his brother and his father, Mariano Reyes. He had arrived at the Dutton Ranch to investigate a cattle shipment, warning Beth and Rip that he would "rather die than tell you shit." Rip responded by stating that if their suspicions were confirmed, Rob-Will would be "a dead man."
Following a discussion with Mariano Reyes, Rob-Will shared a poignant moment with his daughter, Oreana, reassuring her of his love before a gunshot echoed through the house. Oreana discovered her father dead shortly after.
Several factors suggest Joaquin's involvement. The brothers had a long-standing rivalry, particularly concerning the "10-Petal" succession. Rob-Will had threatened Joaquin, asserting his claim and vowing to prevent Joaquin from obtaining it. This intense competition and Rob-Will's aggressive stance could have provided Joaquin with a motive.
Further evidence emerges from Joaquin's actions prior to Rob-Will's death. In Episode 8, Joaquin attempted to incriminate his brother by placing the gun Rob-Will used to kill Wes Ayers on Sheriff Wade's desk and requesting a warrant for his arrest. Although this plan failed due to the missing body, it demonstrated Joaquin's deep animosity and willingness to act against his own family.
Perhaps the most compelling clue is Mariano Reyes' explicit instruction to Joaquin: "I want you to kill your brother." Given Mariano's influence, it is plausible that Joaquin would comply with such a command to prove his capability and secure power.
Witness accounts place Joaquin near the scene at the time of the murder. While Rob-Will and Oreana were upstairs, Joaquin was observed sitting in his black SUV in the driveway, contemplating and loading a gun. Immediately after Oreana found her father's body, a black SUV, consistent with Joaquin's vehicle, was seen speeding away from the residence.
In the final moments of the season, Joaquin was shown pulling his SUV over to cry, glancing at a gun. These combined elements strongly implicate Joaquin in Rob-Will's death, setting the stage for significant conflict and fallout in "Dutton Ranch" Season 2.