As one of the original Little House on the Prairie child stars, he is synonymous with wholesome storylines and feel-good moments.But fans of the NBC series have been left reeling at the discovery Andrew Garvey icon Patrick Labyorteaux starred in one of the most brutal TV murders of all time.Patrick, now 61, shot to fame playing the sweet yet spirited son of Jonathan and Alice Garvey from 1977 to 1981, but made another – and very different – indelible mark on TV history during Dexter’s incredible fourth season in 2009.The actor took center stage in episode five Dirty Harry, in which his character was slaughtered by John Lithgow’s depraved Trinity Killer, while a horrified Dexter (Michael C Hall) watched on helplessly.Trinity first comes to the attention of Dexter when retired FBI Special Agent Frank Lundy (who led the hunt for the Bay Harbor Butcher in season two) arrives in Miami to investigate the apparent suicide death of a young woman in a bath.Lundy (Keith Carradine) reveals he is hunting a meticulous killer who murders in cycles of threes, a young woman with her femoral artery slashed in a bathtub, a married mother-of-two who falls off a building and a father-of-two bludgeoned to death. As one of the original Little House on the Prairie child stars, Patrick Labyorteaux (L) is synonymous with wholesome storylines and feel-good moments – he’s pictured on the show with brother and co-star Matthew But fans of the NBC series have been left reeling at the discovery Andrew Garvey icon Patrick Labyorteaux starred in one of the most brutal TV murders of all time in 2009 – seen on season four of DexterPatrick’s character Earl Doorman is first introduced as an unassuming sandwich shop manager working in a largely vacant office building, who first encounters Trinity when the monster poses as a prospective renter.While the security guard Benson (Christopher Varga), who is leading the tour at 100 Oceangate, is heavily speculated to be the killer’s next victim, the gentle Earl is later revealed to be the serial killer’s actual target.As Earl meets Trinity and Benson earlier in the day, he says: ‘Right on schedule and you brought me a customer!’He politely offers Mitchell a coffee, asking: ‘Can I top you off?’A smirking Trinity responds: ‘No thanks, caffeine makes me a different person. Appreciate the offer though.’All Dexter knows is that Trinity’s next victim will be a middle-aged father of two children, recreating the bludgeoning of his own father – and the potential Miami murder site. Hours later, Dexter attempts to stop Trinity – but is unable to locate him in time – while a screaming Earl is attacked in a stock room. The actor took center stage in episode five Dirty Harry, in which his character was slaughtered by John Lithgow’s depraved Trinity Killer, while a horrified Dexter (Michael C Hall) watched on helplessly In harrowing scenes, Trinity s seen beating coffee bar worker Earl to death As Trinity smashes his kneecaps in with a hammer, Earl tearfully screams: ‘Please stop! I’m a father!’ Patrick makes a second appearance as a a decomposing corpse as Miami Metro investigate his murder at 100 Oceangate – in episode Remains To Be SeenAs Trinity smashes his kneecaps in with a hammer, Earl tearfully screams: ‘Please stop! I’m a father!’ Trinity growls: ‘You were no father. You made me… you made me do this!’ before striking him in the head at least six times, killing him. A horrified Dexter is watching from the security room but fails to get to Trinity before the killing. Michael C. Hall and James Remar were seen filming season two of Dexter: Resurrection in New York City earlier this year – the second season premieres October 30Patrick makes a second appearance as a decomposing corpse as Miami Metro investigate his murder at 100 Oceangate – in episode Remains To Be Seen. Despite his stellar acting career, Patrick’s guest-starring role goes uncredited on the two episodes, and he is not listed on the cast alongside other guest stars including Courtney Ford and Jeff Leaf. Fans were left stunned at the revelation with one writing: ‘No way!’ while another typed, ‘I never knew this.’Little House on the Prairie proved to be a family affair for Patrick as his younger brother Matthew Labyorteaux, 59, played Albert Quinn Ingalls, With both Dexter and Little House on the Prairie being thrust back into the spotlight courtesy of their respective reboots, a new spotlight is being shone on the Labyorteaux brothers.Matthew joined the show partway through as adopted son Albert, quickly becoming a firm favorite with viewers. Matthew joined the show partway through as adopted son Albert, quickly becoming a firm favorite with viewers Today, Matthew is still acting and writing screenplays, and he also opened an online acting school, Working Actors School (pictured in 2024) Dexter: Resurrection season two premieres October 30 – starring Michael C. Hall and Uma ThurmanAlbert’s storylines were among the show’s most dramatic, including a powerful addiction arc in later series that was considered groundbreaking television for its time, and Labyorteaux’s performance drew considerable praise. He has spoken warmly about his time on the series in interviews over the years, describing the cast as a genuine family and crediting the experience with shaping who he became as a person. He remains a beloved figure among the show’s devoted fanbase.Today, Labyorteaux is still acting and writing screenplays, and he also opened an online acting school, Working Actors School.He said of the course, ‘You don’t have to be in Hollywood, and that’s kind of the way the industry is now. It’s for adults, it’s for kids, and we have different classes for different age groups. It’s a great school if you’re looking to start out.’