Emmerdale viewers are sharing theories about who killed villain Ray Walters after Monday’s shocking episode
Charlotte Tutton Soaps Editor and Angie Quinn Screen Time Reporter
22:26, 05 Jan 2026Updated 22:26, 05 Jan 2026
Ray Walters has been killed off in Emmerdale (Image: ITV)
Another shocking demise unfolded on Emmerdale this Monday, as antagonist Ray Walters met his end.
The villain was last witnessed dealing with the consequences of his sinister behaviour, as residents turned against him.
Last week delivered the chilling scene where he murdered his mother Celia Daniels, a fellow antagonist who had orchestrated their illicit drug enterprise and worker exploitation scheme at their farm.
Ray fatally stabbed Celia before declaring to her lifeless form that he was now “free”. He had anticipated this would allow him a fresh start with Celia eliminated, but his efforts proved futile.
He quickly antagonised multiple characters, with Laurel discovering his activities.
Emmerdale viewers learned villain Ray Walters had mysteriously died(Image: ITV)READ MORE: ITV Corriedale chaos as two fan favourites killed off and legend receives sad diagnosisREAD MORE: Is Cain Dingle leaving Emmerdale? Fans issue demand after health diagnosis bombshell
Disgusted by the trauma Ray and Celia inflicted upon April and Dylan, she informed him their relationship was finished, and they would never reunite, reports the Mirror.
Monday’s episode opened with a mysterious corpse being hauled across the ground, later identified as Ray, launching another murder mystery. Initially, there were no clues regarding the circumstances or perpetrator.
Ray’s body was shown with staring eyes, partially concealed by a covering. This covering was being pulled along the floor by an unidentified individual, presumably the murderer or an accomplice.
Near the episode’s conclusion, viewers caught a glimpse of a potential suspect. Ray’s final facial expression conveyed complete shock and fear.
Another brutal death was revealed on Emmerdale on Monday(Image: ITV)
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It appears he wasn’t anticipating his end. We witnessed various scenes, including tearful individuals, people attempting to conceal evidence and seemingly casual exchanges.
Rhona Goskirk rang someone and enquired, “Have you done it?” whilst Marlon was spotted concealing his mobile phone. When Rhona questioned his whereabouts, he offered various justifications.
Nearby, Ross Barton was sitting in a vehicle with the missing April. She assured him she’d be fine now and he promised he “had her back”, but warned they “better not mention this” to anyone.
The nature of “this was” is yet to be disclosed. Ross glanced towards the rear seat where a firearm lay. Laurel was subsequently shown cleaning a pair of scissors, her trembling hands betraying her state of distress.
Celia and Ray have terrorised Emmerdale before their untimely deaths (Image: ITV)
April then confided in Rhona and Marlon about her woodland encounter with Ray.
Rhona wondered whether April was concerned that Celia and Ray might search for her, with Marlon remaining silent as April responded “maybe”. This might indicate they’re unaware of Ray and Celia’s deaths, suggesting they aren’t the perpetrators.
Naturally, one of them could be feigning ignorance to hide their involvement. As April tearfully confessed her struggle with the knowledge she’d ended someone’s life, oblivious to Callum’s survival, several potential culprits emerged.
Rhona seemed troubled by April’s reference to “taking a man’s life”, before the camera shifted to Laurel as April continued speaking, with Laurel weeping. We then observed Ross with the weapon, before the shot revealed Ray’s motionless form in the body bag, eyes shut.
The baddie had last been seen facing the repercussions of his dark actions, with villagers turning on him(Image: ITV)
However, there was another twist during the dramatic Corriedale episode as Ray’s dead body appeared in the back of Jai Sharma’s (Chris Bisson) van. But how did it get there?
Emmerdale viewers have been speculating about Ray’s death, with one person writing: “I feel Dylan killed Ray tbh.”
Another fan speculated: “Guys Bear killed Ray,” while a third suggested: “Curveball suspects – Arthur Jai.”
A fourth viewer questioned: “What about Ross?” and another queried: “Did Laurel stab Ray to death?”.
Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX