Emmerdale fans 'work out' secret murder - but John's not the killer

There's a new murder theory being shared by Emmerdale fans, after a recent death on the ITV soap.

A character named Owen was recently killed off on the show, left to die by killer John Sugden who then framed him for Nate Robinson's murder. Owen was later found dead with his 'confession' believed by the police.

It comes months on from fans finding out John had accidentally killed Nate back in September before dumping his body in the lake. After the body was found a few months ago, John took action to cover his tracks before recently setting up Owen as the killer.

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Robert Sugden, John's brother, was surprised to find out Owen's guilt given weeks ago the newcomer drugged him on a date. So when he realised John had been at Owen's home the day before he was found dead it set off alarm bells.

Owen's sudden death and the confession all happening just after the spiking too left Robert suspicious. The John connection has now left him convinced he is to blame and has framed Owen, cos Robert knows for a fact that Owen didn't kill Nate.

Robert knows this because he met with Owen's brother Steve, and found out Owen had an alibi for the night Nate left the village, or was believed to have. So the day Nate died, his 'killer' Owen was with Steve committing a crime.

Steve told Robert the pair had been doing something illegal, which is why he had not come forward. He had no intention of clearing his brother's name, even threatening Robert despite it being proof Owen was not the killer.

But some fans think there's even more to the tale, and that there's a different reason why Steve wants to stay quiet. Seeing his dark behaviour and some of the comments he made about Owen to Robert, fans think he might have caused Owen's death and made it look like an accident.

Fans are speculating that something happened with the crime they were committing, and maybe Owen went to spill the beans or Steve got greedy with whatever payment there may have been. Taking to social media one fan said: "I think Steve killed Owen. No other logical reason for him to threaten Robert and say 'stop digging.'

"If the police realise Owen didn't commit suicide, then they will question the validity of the suicide note and start listening to Robert." Another fan said: "Interesting theory! We have been shown that Steve was grossed out by Owen's sexual orientation, that dislike could very well go much deeper."

A third fan commented: "Maybe they got a lot of money from a dodgy job but Steve didn't want to split it with Owen so he killed him so he'd keep all the money, and also because they were related maybe Owen's death would lead to Steve inheriting all of Owen's stuff."

Another fan said: "Maybe Owen threatened to tell someone what they'd done and his brother had to silence him. Something just feels off - WHY would you let your brother be framed for murder if you KNOW he can't have done it?"

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , and Threads.