JJ Maybank's death drives the revenge mission in Outer Banks Season 5.
JJ is killed by Chandler Groff at the end of Season 4, in front of Kiara. The tragedy leaves the Pogues mourning and becomes the emotional foundation for their final adventure. Their pursuit is directed toward finding Groff and bringing him to justice or revenge.
JJ had been one of the core Pogues since the beginning of the series. His friendship with John B, Pope, and Kiara made him central to the group's identity, so his death affects both the plot and the relationships among the survivors. The Season 5 story begins after this loss rather than treating it as a distant piece of backstory.