Suspicion is rife in Emmerdale next week as the police close in on Emma Barton’s killer. New clues and a series of flashbacks might make you change your mind about who you think dunnit.
Ross Barton
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So Ross is definitely high on the list of suspects. We know he was near the viaduct around the time of Emma’s death and even walked away from her dead body. And there was the whole burning her handbag thing, which is very sketchy behaviour if you ask us. He’s got plenty of reason to have wanted his mum dead. She killed his little brother, Finn, and their dad, James. And, let’s be honest, he never really wanted her back in their lives in the first place.
Mike Parr, who plays the aggrieved son, says: “Ross clearly had his reasons for wanting Emma dead. He was furious when he discovered she had killed his dad so in essence it would have been for revenge. Ross never wanted Emma in their lives again.
And he always saw through her. He had never forgiven her for walking out on them as young boys or for nearly killing him when he was a baby. So killing his dad and his brother would have definitely pushed him to the edge of his tolerance of her.”
He added: “Ross is more than capable of murder. Not only because he had so much loathing for his mother but he has had a dodgy past.
Don’t forget he also arranged a pact with Andy Sugden when they planned to swap roles and kill each other’s brothers. Ross shot Robert as part of that agreement so he kept his side of the bargain but it turned out Andy didn’t go ahead with his side of it.”
Our verdict: He’s definitely acting dodgy, but we think Ross is too obvious.
Pete Barton
When it comes to the Barton boys and their capability of murder, don’t overlook Pete Barton. Pete’s been acting strangely too. It could be put down to grief – or it could be more than that. Pete adored Finn and he also believed he was baby Isaac’s dad when Emma died. Could he have thought she’d hurt his son and reacted in anger by giving her a shove? And don’t forget Pete has got previous. Remember how he left Ross for dead when the truth about him and Debbie Dingle came out? Next week, Pete points the finger at Gabby – but is he trying to draw attention away from himself?
Anthony Quinlan, AKA Pete, said: “Pete has huge guilt that when Finn was missing for two days he didn’t do more. He also thought he had a new son with Moira and then immediately discovered Emma had taken him from the hospital.
“Pete is not himself at the moment. He and Ross have absolutely no trust between each other and are both suspicious of each other.”
He added: “Pete to date has been the happy go lucky brother but things have gone wrong. His relationships in the village have broken down after his affair with Priya and he’s been dealing with a lot of stress.
“Finn was his adored younger brother so he would never forgive Emma for killing him and his dad. Plus, she had taken his baby so yes he’s got more than enough motive. Also, don’t forget that Pete did leave Ross for dead. So he does have it in him.”
Our verdict: Pete’s acting out of character and is accusing everyone. What’s he trying to cover up?
Adam Barton
It’s no secret that was absolutely no love lost between Adam and his Auntie Emma. And while he’s not the sort of lad you’d normally have at the top of a murder suspect list, he found Emma covered in blood outside the burning barn and thought she’d hurt Moira. He didn’t make things look too good for himself when he took off after her into the woods – armed with a gun. This week we find out that he changed his tyres after the murder – but why? Was he at the viaduct?
Adam Thomas – who plays Adam – revealed: “Adam knows he’s got a pretty dodgy track record and a terrible alibi. He ran after Emma into the woods with a gun. Even his wife Victoria has doubts over whether Adam has done it.
“Adam is really worried and is he trying to get people like Moira to cover for him. He’s been dug out of a few scrapes before.”
He added: “Adam is so protective of his mother he will have taken that really badly. Plus, he feels aggrieved that because Emma killed his dad he never got the time to get to know him.
“Adam was taking it slowly regarding building bridges with his dad but Emma denied him that.”
Our verdict: We know that Adam is leaving, but we don’t think he has what it takes to be a killer.
Moira Barton
To say that Moira and Emma didn’t get on is a bit like saying mice aren’t that keen on cats. These two were each other’s arch enemies and Moira certainly had multiple motives to want Emma dead. Emma was bitterly jealous that James had cheated on her twice with Moira and that, when he died, he was still in love with her. Moira had discharged herself from hospital around the time Emma died and was even seen loading up a gun as she set off to find her. Also, since giving birth, we’ve seen Moira’s mental health decline. Is is post-natal depression or could she be suffering some post-traumatic stress condition after KILLING SOMEONE?
Natalie J Robb, who plays the new mum, said: “Moira definitely had motive. She was put in extreme danger in the barn by Emma and then Emma took her baby. Moira would have seen red at this. We even saw her grab her gun.”
She added: “Moira is very maternal but also as hard as nuts. She always puts her kids first. It is a year since she lost Holly then she has a new baby and within minutes Emma has posed a threat to her new child.
“Moira would not have tolerated that. Moira will protect her kids at any cost and could well have seen Emma off but you will have to wait and see.”
Our verdict: We don’t think Moira has it in her to take a life, even of someone she hated.
Gabby Thomas
Currently the bookies favourite is Gabby and we know that she too had plenty of reason to want to kill Emma. Gabs was one of the first people to properly see through Em and realise how deeply unhinged she actually was. Gabby was already taking revenge for Emma tormenting her brother and confusing her late father and was unable to forgive her for being so cruel to her sick dad. On the day Emma died, Gabby went missing and returned with hands like blocks of ice. Did she slip out to the viaduct? New evidence that puts Gabby in the frame comes to light next week and Pete accuses her of killing his mum.
Rosie Bentham who plays the teen said: “Gabby knew things were getting out of control with Emma and she rang her mum to get help. Could Gabby have gone one step too far? She’s acting very guilty and perhaps has something to confess.”
Our verdict: Gabby’s looking a very likely candidate but is a child killer a bit too copy cat for Emmerdale?
Cain Dingle
He might not have realised he was the baby’s dad at the time, but he knew that Emma’s disappearing act with the little one distressed his ex, Moira. They might not be together but Cain still MASSIVELY cares for her, so he could have easily have pushed Emma after she almost killed Moira and then stole her baby.
Jeff Hordly – Cain – revealed: “Cain wants to protect Moira. Emma putting Moira in danger could probably be enough motive for Cain to finish her off.
“When Emma stole the baby, he would’ve seen red and thought; there’s a problem here and I need to go and sort this. Although Cain didn’t realise he was the dad, a small part of him probably knew he was. Cain just wanted to protect Moira and find the baby.”
Our verdict: Is his motive strong enough to murder a person? We’re not convinced. Cain was practically a man of God at the time.
Laurel Thomas
Laurel was supposedly away when Emma was killed but next week a train ticket shows she was actually in the village after all and not with her sister. We then see Laurel ask Bob and her sister to lie for her. What’s she hiding? Did she secretly come back and kill Emma? We’re not entirely sure how Emma died – could there have been a tussle with Laurel which led to her falling? Could Laurel have even been trying to talk her down? Why ALL THE LIES?
Actress Charlotte Bellamy revealed: “Every fibre of Laurel hates what Emma did to Ashley.
“And then, of course, there’s what Emma did to Arthur. Finding out she mentally tortured a 10 year old boy who was totally vulnerable was Laurel’s worst nightmare.”
Our verdict: One to watch!
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So, who do you think killed Emma? Has this changed anything?