Emmerdale viewers believe they have cracked the identity of villain Ray Walters' killer, following a dramatic flashback episode on Monday 19th January 2026 that shifted suspicion away from Arthur Thomas.
Flashback Puts Laurel in the Frame
The episode, which aired at 8pm on ITV1, replayed key events from Laurel Thomas's perspective. Audiences saw her horror upon discovering her love interest Ray was a drug dealer and her confrontation with him in her own home.
Ray forced his way into Laurel's house, exhibiting menacing and erratic behaviour that left her terrified and effectively trapped. Although she initially stood her ground, Laurel eventually believed Ray's claims that he wanted to change.
In a surprising move, she agreed to let him flee and not involve the police. This decision was quickly uncovered by Nicola King, who then urged Laurel to lure Ray back so they could trap him for the authorities.
Arthur's Confrontation and a Red Herring
Elsewhere, Laurel's son Arthur also confronted Ray. The situation turned physical when Ray shoved the teenager, leading Arthur to pick up a rock, poised to strike.
While this scene initially pointed the finger at Arthur, many fans now believe this was a deliberate misdirection. Theories that Arthur would be revealed as the killer have been largely abandoned following a crucial moment at the episode's climax.
Graham Foster's Shock Return Sparks Killer Theory
The major twist came with the unexpected return of Graham Foster, a character villagers believe to be dead. His cameo appearance on Monday, which included witnessing Ray's aggression towards Arthur, has sparked a compelling new theory.
With another comeback scheduled for Tuesday's episode, viewers are speculating that Graham, or an associate acting on his behalf, is the one who ultimately killed Ray.
Fans took to social media to share their convictions. One viewer wrote: "I said Laurel but now I'm thinking Graham or an associate did it on his behalf." Another added: "Left field but maybe Graham," with a third agreeing: "I will say Graham."
A further, more detailed theory noted the mirrored structure of the whodunnit week, stating: "Ray's whodunnit week seems to take the exact same format as Graham's, being a different POV each day. Happens exactly 6 years later, just as Graham is set to return. The mirror makes it seem kind of obvious to me that Graham is the culprit."
Emmerdale continues weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with the mystery of Ray Walters' murder set to unravel further.
