Who Killed the White Tiger in Daredevil: Born Again? Cole North?

Disney finally released the Daredevil: Born Again finale, which answered who killed White Tiger, also known as Hector Ayala. After being acquitted in court thanks to Matt Murdock’s defense, Hector was brutally gunned down, leaving fans questioning: Who really pulled the trigger?

Was it Frank Castle, the Punisher, or someone else hiding behind the symbol? The mystery simmered for several episodes until a major reveal pointed to a surprising culprit.

Was Hector Ayala aka White Tiger killed by Cole North in Daredevil: Born Again?

Yes, Daredevil: Born Again finally confirmed who killed Hector Ayala, also known as White Tiger—and the shooter was none other than Sergeant Cole North.

Episodes 2 and 3 of Daredevil: Born Again introduced Hector Ayala as both a former defendant in a murder case and the vigilante known as White Tiger. Matt Murdock, having stepped back from his Daredevil persona, defended Hector in court and successfully proved his innocence. But the relief quickly vanished. The episode ended with someone wearing a skull mask—one resembling the Punisher’s symbol—shooting Hector in the head.

Viewers initially suspected Frank Castle. However, Castle denied any involvement. Investigators found a bullet casing marked with the Punisher logo, pointing to a copycat rather than the real vigilante. The mystery stretched across several episodes as new clues emerged. Many NYPD officers in the series displayed Punisher tattoos and belonged to the Anti-Vigilante Task Force created by Wilson Fisk.

Tension reached a peak in Episode 7 when Daredevil and Punisher clashed with members of the task force in Matt’s apartment, triggering a brutal, close-quarters battle that left the apartment in ruins. During the fight, Frank Castle noticed a familiar detail—the same Punisher-branded bullet casing used in White Tiger’s murder. That moment confirmed Officer Cole North as the person who shot Hector Ayala.