Emmerdale viewers are bracing themselves for heartbreak as one of the soap’s darkest and most disturbing storylines to date edges closer to what many fear will be a devastating conclusion.

As Ray Walters’ reign of terror continues to tighten its grip on the village, fans are increasingly convinced that a murder is looming — and all signs point to a victim

whose death would shatter Rhona Goskirk’s world forever.  The tension has been steadily building for weeks, with Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and his equally sinister mother

Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) emerging as one of Emmerdale’s most chilling villain pairings in recent memory. What began as a coercive drug-dealing plot involving vulnerable teenager April Windsor has spiralled into a web of violence, blackmail, and fear that now threatens to consume an entire family.

At the heart of the storyline is April (Amelia Flanagan), who was reluctantly forced into selling drugs for Ray and Celia in a desperate attempt to clear the dangerous debt hanging over her boyfriend Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle). Trapped by fear and manipulation, April’s ordeal became even darker when it was revealed that Ray and Celia were holding multiple captives hostage at their remote farm — including Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards).

When Dylan threatened to go to the police, Ray responded with chilling brutality, mowing the young man down with his car and leaving him fighting for his life. Dylan’s eventual awakening from a coma at Hotten General should have marked a turning point — but instead, it only intensified Ray’s grip on the people around him.

Unable to cope with the pressure any longer, April finally confided in her parents, Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoë Henry), exposing the terrifying reality of Ray and Celia’s control. Horrified and desperate to protect their daughter, Marlon and Rhona attempted to buy their way out of the nightmare, offering Ray money in the hope that he would leave April alone.

But Ray, true to form, refused to let go.

Ray Walters has been blackmailing Marlon Dingle and Rhona Goskirk

Rather than backing off, he continued to extort the couple, exploiting their fear and keeping them trapped in a cycle of silence and submission. For Rhona, the strain has been unbearable — made even worse by the return of her mother, Mary Goskirk (Louise Jameson), who arrived back in the village blissfully unaware of the danger lurking just beneath the surface.

In Tuesday’s episode, Rhona’s anxiety reached breaking point as she voiced her fears about what would happen if Mary uncovered the truth. That fear was heightened when Ray deliberately inserted himself into Mary’s good graces, charming her by helping with heavy shopping bags and presenting himself as the perfect gentleman.

Mary, taken in by the act, later told Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) that Ray would make an “excellent partner” — a comment that sent a visible chill through Rhona. Her immediate and forceful rejection of the idea only raised Mary’s suspicions further, making it painfully clear that her daughter was hiding something significant.

Rhona lashed out at her mum on Tuesday

Back at Smithy Cottage, Rhona made a decision that stunned viewers and fractured her relationship with her mother. In a desperate attempt to keep Mary away from Ray — and unknowingly protect her from what many believe is impending danger — Rhona asked her to leave.

“Now April is back home again, it finally feels like we’re getting back to some kind of normality,” Rhona explained, struggling to keep her composure. “April’s happy. But it’s made us realise that she needs her own space, we all do. Sorry, Mum. I hate doing this. It’s just too crowded when you’re here. It’s too much pressure.”

Mary wasn’t fooled for a second.

“I’m not buying this,” she snapped. “You can’t expect me to move out without telling me why. I don’t believe a word of it.”

As Rhona awkwardly suggested Mary return to Cornwall or stay with friends in Kent, the conversation escalated into a bitter confrontation. Mary’s sarcastic retort — joking about calling NASA to send her to space — masked deep hurt and confusion. She demanded the truth, warning Rhona that pushing her away without explanation could permanently damage their bond.

Emmerdale fans are concerned for Mary’s safety

But Rhona couldn’t bring herself to confess. And in that silence, viewers sensed tragedy looming.

Almost immediately, fans began speculating that Mary’s growing curiosity could make her Ray’s next target. On social media, concern turned to dread as viewers shared a chilling theory: Ray may murder Mary to maintain control over Rhona and Marlon.

“I’m really worried for Mary,” one fan wrote. “She’s asking too many questions. Ray won’t hesitate if she gets too close to the truth.”

Another echoed the fear: “I think Mary could be Ray’s next murder victim. It would devastate Rhona — which is exactly why Ray would do it.”

Some viewers believe the storyline has been subtly foreshadowing Mary’s exit for months. “It feels like they’ve been teasing Mary leaving for ages,” one fan noted. “This would be the most heartbreaking way possible.”

Others expressed horror at the idea of Rhona losing her mother before they can repair their fractured relationship. “It would be absolutely cruel if Ray kills Mary before they get a chance to make things right,” one viewer wrote. “Rhona would never forgive herself.”

If the theory proves true, the impact on Emmerdale would be seismic. Mary’s death would not only devastate Rhona and Marlon but would cement Ray Walters as one of the soap’s most dangerous villains — a man capable of killing without hesitation to preserve his power.

As Emmerdale edges closer to what promises to be an explosive climax, one thing is clear: the danger is no longer abstract. It’s personal, it’s immediate, and it may already be too late.

For Rhona Goskirk, the worst fear may not be losing control of the situation — but losing her mother forever.