Borderlands 4 is packed with colorful side quests, and one of the most intriguing early missions you'll stumble upon is Meat is Murder. Set in the eerie Coastal Bonescape subsection of Fadefield, this quest combines mystery, combat, and classic Borderlands humor. If you're hunting for rewards like Eridium, a new Vault Hunter Style, and some extra experience, this side mission is worth your time.

This walkthrough will take you step by step through how to start, progress, and complete Meat is Murder in Borderlands 4.

How to Start the Meat is Murder Quest in Borderlands 4

To begin the quest, head to Harper's Hideaway in Coastal Bonescape. Inside, you'll meet Byron, but before you can talk to him, you'll need to destroy a glowing barricade that's trapping him in place. Once you blow it up, you can interact with Byron to officially start Meat is Murder.

Tip: There's a known bug where the barricade doesn't despawn properly. If this happens, reload your game to reset the area.

Before the quest properly kicks off, you'll need to clear the Hideaway of enemies. Expect waves of Rippers to spawn, but at this stage in the game, they aren't too difficult to handle. Once the room is secure, talk to Byron again, and you'll be on your way.

Step 1: Find Four Clues

Byron will lead you into a barn where the investigation begins. Using your ECHO Device, scan the area for glowing green objects. There are four clues in total:

1. Scratch Marks on Metal Board - Climb up the wooden piles near the southern wall.

2. Crashed Ripper Drill & Corpses - Interact with one of the fallen bodies.

3. Dead Wildhorn - Located near the eastern barn exit.

4. Dismembered Limbs on a Table - Found by the grinder on the western side.

After collecting all clues, speak with Byron again to progress the mission.

Step 2: Locate Harper

Next, Byron sends you to find Harper. Sadly, Harper's fate is grim-he's hanging above the grinder you saw earlier. Interact with the nearby radio to trigger the grinder and reveal Harper's body.

Byron will comment on the grisly discovery, and your next step is to activate the Kill Switch to try to shut down the grinder.

Step 3: Destroy the Coolant Regulators

Climb the platform to the left of the grinder and interact with the control panel. Unfortunately, it doesn't work, and you'll be tasked with destroying the Coolant Regulators instead.

·Head outside the barn, activate your ECHO Device, and follow the glowing markers.

·Grapple open the first door you encounter and destroy the glowing regulator inside.

·Do the same on the opposite side of the barn.

Once both regulators are destroyed, return to the grinder.

Step 4: Release Harper and Examine the Body

Shoot the chain holding Harper's body to release it. After the body drops, inspect it to notice that the axe embedded in Harper isn't his. This confirms foul play.

Next, examine the radio nearby to gather more evidence and trigger Byron's dialogue.

Step 5: Survive the Ripper Ambush

After investigating Harper, you'll be ambushed by a group of Rippers. This fight is manageable, though a couple of Badass Rippers may spawn depending on difficulty.

Combat Tip: Use the barn's wide floor space to kite enemies. High-damage shotguns and elemental weapons work well here.

Defeat all enemies to move on.

Step 6: Visit the Tool Shop and Travel to Plungeford

Once the barn is safe, Byron directs you to the Tool Shop east of Harper's Hideaway. It's marked clearly on your map. Speak with the shop owner, who gives you a lead about a hidden cave behind a waterfall in Plungeford.

Follow your quest tracker and use your ECHO Device to navigate toward the cave. Break the wooden boards blocking the entrance and head inside.

Step 7: Confront the Murderer

Inside the cave, you'll confront Zeke, the murderer behind Harper's death. Zeke is lightly armored but carries powerful weapons capable of shredding shields quickly.

·Stay mobile to avoid his repeated gunfire.

·Use cover and time your Vault Hunter abilities to burst him down.

Tip: Before the fight, upgrading by acquiring rare Borderlands 4 Items can make this battle far easier.

Meat is Murder Quest Rewards

After defeating Zeke and completing the quest, you'll receive a reward cache containing:

·A blue or purple-rarity gun (weapon type varies)

·Tropic of Cairn Vault Hunter Style unlock

·Eridium

·EXP

This makes Meat is Murder a rewarding quest for both early-game progression and cosmetic unlocks.

Tips for Completing Meat is Murder in Borderlands 4

·Reload if bugged: If the barricade doesn't break at the start, reload your game.

·Check collectibles: While at Harper's Hideaway, complete the Evocarium challenge to clear the area's collectibles.

·Upgrade wisely: Use enhancements or buy Borderlands 4 Items to strengthen your build before confronting Zeke.

Final Thoughts

The Meat is Murder quest in Borderlands 4 blends detective work with intense combat, offering both lore and loot. Between investigating clues, taking down Rippers, and unmasking Zeke, it's a satisfying side quest that also nets useful rewards.

If you're looking to maximize your early-game progression in Borderlands 4, don't skip Meat is Murder. It's a perfect mix of storytelling, action, and loot-everything fans love about the Borderlands series.