The question of who killed the sinister Ray Walters in the Yorkshire Dales is set to be answered this week on ITV's Emmerdale, with all evidence pointing towards one villager in particular: Laurel Thomas.
Laurel's Guilty Behaviour and Key Evidence
In a major week of episodes airing from Monday 19th January 2026, a series of flashbacks will finally expose Ray's final moments. The soap has singled out Laurel, dedicating an entire focused episode to her, which aired on Monday. Her recent strange behaviour has been impossible to ignore.
Viewers have witnessed her covering her tracks, being seen with a potential weapon, and even seeking solace and forgiveness in a local church. The most damning piece of physical evidence is that Laurel ended up in possession of Ray's distinctive red rucksack, which she was later seen desperately trying to dispose of.
A Motive Born of Betrayal and Justice
If Laurel is the culprit, the murder is unlikely to have been premeditated. Her motive stems from a devastating personal betrayal. After being swept off her feet by Ray, she discovered the truth about his criminal past and his "sick crimes."
Monday's flashbacks revisited a heated confrontation where a guilt-ridden and worried Laurel refused to listen to Ray's explanations. He followed her home, bursting in to beg for his freedom and confess his past. Faced with his pleas, Laurel had a critical choice to make regarding justice, a decision that may have had fatal consequences.
The Arthur Theory: A Mother's Cover-Up?
A compelling alternative theory suggests Laurel may be protecting the real killer: her son, Arthur Thomas. Fans strongly suspect Arthur could have killed Ray, potentially in defence of his mother. Online speculation points to a pair of scissors as the weapon, with theorists suggesting Laurel found and washed them clean.
One fan posted: "I’m guessing it’s Arthur who’s killed Ray, defending Laurel." Another agreed: "We think Arthur killed Ray with pair of scissors. Laurel found the scissors and washed them." This would explain Laurel's intense panic and secretive actions as a desperate attempt to shield her child.
Whether the killer is Laurel herself or someone she loves, the truth will unravel this week as Emmerdale reveals what everyone is hiding. The dramatic episodes air weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
