Were Lalo And Howard's Bodies Found? Unpacking The Mystery Of The Superlab Grave
The fates of Lalo Salamanca and Howard Hamlin have, in a way, captivated many viewers since their shocking end on Better Call Saul. Fans of the acclaimed series, a prequel to the iconic Breaking Bad, have often pondered what became of these two characters after their lives were abruptly cut short. It's a question that, quite frankly, goes beyond just knowing what happened; it touches on the very fabric of justice, closure, and the meticulous nature of crime scene investigations within the world Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould created. As the final episodes aired, a lot of people started wondering about every last detail, and this particular mystery really stands out.
For those who followed Jimmy McGill's transformation into Saul Goodman, the conclusion of Lalo and Howard's stories was, you know, a pivotal moment. Their shared grave beneath Gus Fring's superlab became a chilling symbol of the dark consequences that, in some respects, swallowed up everyone around Jimmy and Kim. The show made it clear where they ended up, yet the question of whether authorities ever uncovered their remains has sparked endless discussions among the show's devoted audience. It's a point of debate that, arguably, speaks to the show's incredible depth and its ability to leave viewers thinking long after the credits roll.
So, we're here to really look at this intriguing puzzle. Did law enforcement ever stumble upon the hidden burial site of Lalo and Howard? We'll explore the details revealed in both Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad, consider the practicalities of a major crime scene investigation, and, in a way, see what the show itself told us. It's a complex question with a few different layers, and it’s one that, very truly, continues to spark conversation among those who love these stories.
- What Percentage Of The Raiders Does Tom Brady Own
- What Is The Highest Paid Franchise In Sports
- Who Owns The Las Vegas Raiders
- Who Was The First Black Coach To Win The Nba Championship
- What Car Does Mark Drive In Highway To Heaven
Table of Contents
- The Secret Burial Site
- The Superlab After the Fire: What Was Found?
- Law Enforcement and the Unseen Graves
- Kim Wexler's Confession and the Missing Bodies
- Howard's Family and the Quest for Closure
- The Concrete Slab and City Demolition
- What Fans Thought and What the Show Revealed
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Secret Burial Site
In a moment that, you know, truly cemented the grim reality of their situation, Better Call Saul showed us Mike Ehrmantraut taking care of the bodies. Mike, with Gus Fring's direction, buried both Lalo Salamanca and Howard Hamlin in a shared grave. This wasn't just any burial spot; it was, in fact, deep within Gus's underground meth lab, the very superlab that would later play a significant role in Breaking Bad. The ditch they were put into was then backfilled, and a concrete slab was poured right over it. This act, in a way, was meant to hide the terrible truth and ensure these two men would disappear without a trace. It was a rather stark scene, cementing their fates.
The choice of location for their final resting place was, arguably, quite deliberate. Burying them under a concrete floor, especially one in a secret underground structure, was a way to make sure they wouldn't be easily discovered. The depth of the burial, combined with the solid concrete covering, made it, you know, incredibly difficult for anyone to just stumble upon them. This was, after all, a place designed to be hidden, a clandestine operation, and so it made sense to conceal such a significant secret within its very foundations. Mike, being the practical sort, made sure the job was done thoroughly, leaving no obvious signs.
This burial was a direct consequence of the escalating violence and desperation that consumed the characters. Lalo's unexpected arrival and his confrontation with Gus, leading to Lalo's death, and Howard's tragic misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, meant that Mike had to act quickly and decisively. The superlab, already a place of dark secrets, became, in some respects, the ultimate hiding spot for these two very different men. Their shared grave symbolized the merging of two separate worlds, pulled into the same destructive orbit by Jimmy and Kim's actions and the larger criminal enterprises at play. It was, quite honestly, a chilling end for both of them.
- Who Is The Richest Qb Of All Time
- Who Is The Lowest Paid Nfl Player
- Who Is Richer Peyton Or Eli Manning
- Is Patrick Mahomes Sister His Half Sister
- How Rich Is Bridget Moynahan
The Superlab After the Fire: What Was Found?
Years later, during the events of Breaking Bad, specifically in season 5, episode 1, the superlab became a scene of intense destruction. Walt and Jesse, in their efforts to erase all traces of Gus Fring's empire, set the lab ablaze. This chemical fire, though, was not the kind that would just burn through concrete and expose what was buried deep below. The sheer intensity of the fire, while devastating to the visible structure, wouldn't have reached the depths where Lalo and Howard lay. The ground and the concrete slab provided, in a way, a significant barrier against the heat. So, the fire itself wasn't going to reveal any hidden secrets.
When law enforcement, including Hank Schrader and his team, later went over the lab, they did find bodies. However, these were not Lalo and Howard. The bodies discovered were, in fact, two of Gus's henchmen. Walt had shot these two men dead over by the elevator just before he and Jesse torched the place. So, the authorities were dealing with the immediate aftermath of a violent shootout and a massive fire, focusing on the obvious casualties. This means that, as a matter of fact, the bodies found were directly related to the events of the lab's destruction, not its long-held secrets.
There was, you know, a lot of speculation among fans about whether these discovered bodies could have been Lalo and Howard. But the show pretty clearly laid out that the two bodies Hank's team found were the guards Walt killed. The idea that the fire would somehow expose corpses buried under six or more feet of dirt and concrete is, in a way, not very realistic given the construction. The fire, while significant, primarily affected the visible parts of the lab, leaving the deep, concrete-covered burial site undisturbed. It was, after all, a very secure hiding place.
Law Enforcement and the Unseen Graves
When a major crime scene like the superlab is investigated, law enforcement, especially the DEA and police, would go over the area with, you know, a very fine-toothed comb. They would typically scan for any nasty surprises underfoot. This might involve ground-penetrating radar or other tools to look for anomalies. However, the critical point is that Lalo and Howard were buried well below the foundation slab, under several feet of dirt and concrete. The police would have had, arguably, no compelling reason to dig that deep unless they suspected something specific was there. Their focus would be on the immediate crime scene and any obvious evidence.
Cadaver dogs, for instance, can smell human remains even 15 or more feet underground, sometimes up to 25 feet. So, it's, you know, a possibility that if dogs were brought in specifically for a deep search, they might have picked up something. But again, for such an extensive search to happen, there would need to be a reason to believe bodies were buried there. Given that the only people who knew Lalo and Howard were there were Mike and Gus's crew, and they're all dead by this point, there was no one to tip off the authorities. This lack of information is, in a way, a key factor in why the bodies remained undiscovered. It was, simply put, a well-kept secret.
The DEA would, most likely, not find them unless there was a very compelling reason to excavate such a deep and seemingly undisturbed area. The immediate aftermath of the lab fire and the discovery of the two guards' bodies would have directed their investigation in a specific direction. They would be looking for evidence related to the meth operation and the recent violence, not necessarily digging up the entire foundation on a hunch. So, the chances of them discovering Lalo and Howard's bodies without a specific lead were, you know, pretty slim. It’s a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack when you don't even know there's a needle there.
Kim Wexler's Confession and the Missing Bodies
Years after Howard's death, in Better Call Saul season 6, episode 12, Kim Wexler took a significant step. She provided an affidavit, a sworn statement, admitting that Lalo Salamanca killed Howard Hamlin in her and Jimmy's apartment that night. She also revealed that Lalo sent her to kill Gus Fring and that Mike removed the bodies. This confession, in a way, provided the authorities with the truth about what happened to Howard. It was, arguably, a huge moment for the character and the show, finally bringing some light to a very dark secret. This meant that, at last, someone was telling the actual story.
Despite Kim's detailed affidavit, there's no mention in the show of Howard's body ever being found after this confession. In a scene between Cheryl, Howard's widow, and Kim, which takes place six years after Howard's death, Cheryl directly asks Kim, "Where's his body?" This question, you know, pretty clearly indicates that Howard's remains had not been recovered. So, even with a clear admission of murder and the involvement of Mike in disposing of the body, the physical evidence remained elusive. It's a rather stark reminder that even truth doesn't always lead to immediate answers or closure.
This situation highlights a rather painful reality for families of missing persons. Knowing what happened is one thing, but the absence of a body can prevent true closure. Kim's confession, while providing the narrative truth, didn't, in a way, magically make the bodies appear. The deep burial under concrete, in a location that was later destroyed and investigated for other reasons, meant that even with a confession, the physical recovery was still incredibly challenging, if not impossible. It's, quite honestly, a very sad aspect of the story, showing the lasting impact of these dark deeds.
Howard's Family and the Quest for Closure
For Howard Hamlin's friends and family, especially his wife Cheryl, the recovery of his body would provide, you know, a very needed slither of closure. They always believed the HHM lawyer took his own life, a narrative concocted by Jimmy and Kim to explain his disappearance. The truth, as revealed by Kim, was far more sinister and tragic. Knowing he was murdered by Lalo Salamanca, a notorious cartel member, is one thing. But without a body, the grieving process is often, in a way, left incomplete. It's a fundamental human need to have a place to mourn, a physical presence to say goodbye to.
The show, through Cheryl's poignant question to Kim, really emphasizes this point. Her inquiry, "Where's his body?", is not just a casual question; it's, arguably, a desperate plea for a final piece of her husband. The absence of his remains means that, for Cheryl, the mystery of his physical whereabouts persists, even if the circumstances of his death are now known. This lack of a body keeps the wound open, preventing a full and proper farewell. It's a rather heartbreaking aspect of the aftermath, showing the ripple effects of the criminal world on innocent lives.
While Lalo's loved ones are all dead by this point, meaning there's no one left to seek his body, Howard's situation is different. His family, though misled for years, still existed and carried the burden of his disappearance. The recovery of his body would have, in a way, offered a tangible end to their long, painful wait. It’s a very human element woven into the show's gritty narrative, reminding us that even in a world of cartels and cunning lawyers, the simple need for closure remains paramount. This is, you know, a deeply emotional part of the story, highlighting the personal cost of these dark actions.
The Concrete Slab and City Demolition
The ditch where Lalo and Howard were buried was, as we know, backfilled and then covered with a concrete slab. This was a very deliberate act to conceal their presence. However, the area where the lab was built wasn't, you know, zoned for a secret underground structure. This raises a practical question: wouldn't the city of Albuquerque, at some point, contract a demolition crew to go in and demo the old slab? After the lab's destruction by fire, the site would likely be considered a hazardous and unauthorized structure. So, eventually, the city would want to clean it up. This is, in a way, a very reasonable assumption about urban planning and safety regulations.
If a demolition crew were to come in, they would, arguably, be tasked with removing all remnants of the structure, including the concrete foundation. This process would involve breaking up the slab and excavating the ground beneath it. It's during such an operation that, you know, the bodies could potentially be discovered. A large-scale demolition project would likely involve heavy machinery digging deep into the earth, which could unearth the grave. This is, quite honestly, one of the few scenarios where their remains might have been accidentally found. It's a bit of a logical leap, but a compelling one.
However, the show never explicitly states that such a demolition occurred, or if it did, that the bodies were found. The narrative focuses on the immediate aftermath and the characters' personal struggles, not the long-term municipal cleanup. It's possible that the site, being so remote and clandestine, simply remained untouched for years, or that any demolition was superficial and didn't go deep enough. The show leaves this aspect, in a way, open to interpretation. So, while it's a logical point, the story doesn't confirm it. Learn more about the broader implications of Gus Fring's empire on our site, and link to this page to understand other character fates.
What Fans Thought and What the Show Revealed
During the original run of Breaking Bad, neither Lalo nor Howard existed as characters in the narrative. They were created later for Better Call Saul, which served as a prequel. This meant that any bodies found in Breaking Bad could not, you know, logically be Lalo and Howard. Fans who watched Breaking Bad first and then Better Call Saul had to reconcile this. The two bodies that were found in the lab during Breaking Bad were, as we discussed, the two men Walt shot dead before burning the lab down. So, there was no mystery about those specific remains. This is, in a way, a key piece of information for understanding the timeline.
As Better Call Saul grew more intense, especially as the end loomed ever closer, fans began to spot key scenes and connect the dots. The reveal in Better Call Saul's eighth episode, "Point and Shoot," that Howard and Lalo were, in a way, in Breaking Bad all along, albeit as unseen, buried figures, was a macabre surprise. This confirmation came directly from the show's creators, tying the two series together in a chilling way. It meant that the ultimate fate of these characters was sealed long before we even knew them. It was, quite honestly, a very clever narrative choice.
Looking back at a specific moment in Breaking Bad, some fans initially believed it was Hank Schrader and his team who discovered their grave. However, this was a misunderstanding of what was actually shown. The show pretty clearly depicted the discovery of Gus's henchmen, not a deeper, secret grave. So, while the idea of a hidden burial site under the lab was, you know, a compelling fan theory for a while, Better Call Saul ultimately confirmed the truth: they were indeed buried there, but their bodies remained undiscovered by the authorities, at least as far as the narrative goes. This is, in some respects, a definitive answer from the show itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the police find Lalo and Howard's bodies in the Breaking Bad lab?
No, the police and DEA did not find Lalo and Howard's bodies in the lab during the events of Breaking Bad. The bodies discovered there were, in fact, two of Gus Fring's henchmen whom Walter White killed just before setting the lab on fire. Lalo and Howard were buried much deeper, under a concrete slab, and there was no reason for law enforcement to dig to that specific depth. This is, you know, a very important distinction to make.
Why wasn't Howard Hamlin's body found even after Kim Wexler's confession?
Even after Kim Wexler provided her affidavit admitting that Lalo killed Howard and Mike disposed of the body, Howard's body was not found. This is because he was buried very deep under the concrete floor of the superlab, a location that remained hidden and unexcavated by authorities. As of the show's conclusion, and as confirmed by Cheryl Hamlin's question to Kim, his body has, in a way, clearly not been recovered. It's a rather sad reality for his family.
Could cadaver dogs have found Lalo and Howard's bodies?
While cadaver dogs are incredibly skilled and can smell human remains many feet underground (sometimes up to 25 feet), it's highly unlikely they would have been used to search for bodies in that specific, deep location without a compelling reason. Law enforcement would have had no knowledge or suspicion that bodies were buried so deeply beneath the superlab. So, while technically possible for the dogs, the circumstances would have, you know, prevented such a targeted search. It's a bit of a hypothetical situation, honestly.
- Where Does Tom Brady Live Full Time
- Which Football Team Is The Most Profitable
- What Percentage Of The Raiders Does Tom Brady Own
- How Much Are The Raiders Worth
- What Teams Are Going To Las Vegas In 2026
Was vs. Were: How to Use Were vs. Was Correctly? - Confused Words
Grammar Archives - English Speaking Course
Was vs. Were: How to Use Them Correctly • 7ESL
