Who killed evil abuser Anthony Fox in Emmerdale? All the suspects

Viewers discovered that he abused daughter Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly) when she was a child, and that for over 32 years, Ruby has been uncertain over daughter Steph's (Georgia Jay) true paternity.

In upcoming scenes, the truth is well and truly out. A flash-forward shows a bloody human tooth glistening on the floor of the Depot...

Amid the present day action, a gun shot rings out and Anthony is soon found dead by a mystery local, with his tooth laying undiscovered somewhere.

But the question is, who killed him?

There are plenty of people who would want to bump Anthony off, and below, we round up all the possible suspects.

Read on as we delve into the latest murder case to rock the Dales.

Who killed evil abuser Anthony Fox in Emmerdale? All the suspects

Caleb Miligan

Caleb (William Ash) and Ruby are together and united next week, but soon, Caleb pulls up in his car and orders Anthony to get in.

With Caleb by now aware of Anthony's sickening actions, could he be the one to end his father-in-law's life?

With Anthony's tooth said to be undiscovered, and the flash forward showing this laying on the floor of the building Caleb owns, it's looking highly likely he's involved.

Yes, Caleb could certainly be angry enough to take fatal action. But there are still several other characters to consider...

Ruby Fox-Miligan

There's an unguarded interaction between Anthony and Ruby outside the church, but is the subject his abuse, or her secret tryst with Cain (Jeff Hordley), of which Anthony is in the know and has been using against her?

Might Ruby feel forced to protect herself once more if Anthony leaves her terrified for her safety?

We could see the traumatised woman lashing out in self-defence...

Steph Miligan

Steph is surprised that Ruby and Caleb are back together, and that they're suddenly acting like nothing has happened.

Later, Steph is confused that her grandfather has failed to meet up with her as planned.

She soon asks her parents of Anthony's whereabouts.

But despite her apparent clueless demeanour, could Steph actually have heard someone discussing Anthony's crime?

What if Steph secretly confronts Anthony and, in a moment of fury, lashes out and brings about his demise?

Nicola King

Ignorant of Anthony's past, Nicola (Nicola Wheeler) leaves daughter Angelica (Rebecca Bakes) alone with him for a tutoring session.

In the café, Chas (Lucy Pargeter) hears of this and quickly alerts Nicola to the dark truth that Angel isn't safe with Anthony.

Nicola rushes home and puts a stop to the session, telling Anthony she's heard he's a danger to children.

Anthony's panic turns to anger, and things turn physically threatening for Nicola.

We know she gets rescued from this situation, but might Nicola end up at risk once more, and ultimately take a life?

At the hospital, Nicola raises suspicion when she awkwardly visits A&E to find out if Anthony has been admitted...

Laurel Thomas

Disowned by most of his family, Anthony nurses a hangover after sleeping on Laurel's (Charlotte Bellamy) sofa.

When Anthony turns threatening towards Nicola, Laurel intervenes, striking Anthony with a candlestick which leaves him unconscious.

Laurel is a wreck in the wake of this incident, and the former vicar's wife seeks religious guidance over her guilt.

Does her blow with the candlestick kill Anthony?

Or, with Anthony discovered dead later, does Laurel merely conclude she's responsible when, perhaps, she isn't?

Angelica King

We couldn't help putting Angel on this list, partly due to her track record after inadvertently causing the death of Heath Hope (Sebastian Dowling).

But there's also the fact that she's been spending time with Anthony, unaware that he's a sexual predator.

What if Angel, having developed a new attitude and recently fearing that she might be evil, fights back against despicable Anthony and kills him?

Cain Dingle

In the pub backroom, Cain is concerned to see half-sister Chas so emotional over something.

Cain fears his fling with Ruby might have been exposed, and gets Chas to open up.

When Chas reveals a horrifying truth, Cain is left ashen. We can only assume he has just learned of Ruby's ordeal.

Cain has a history of using violence against, well, almost everyone he crosses paths with.

But could Cain decide to kill two birds with one stone by protecting his secret and ridding the world of Anthony, as a form of Dingle justice?

Chas Dingle

Chas is clearly struggling with her knowledge of Anthony, not helped by reminders of what her own son Aaron (Danny Miller) went through at the hands of his own father, Gordon Livesy (Gary Mavers).

With memories of this well and truly stirred up, if Chas should have a chance encounter with Anthony, could she see red and lash out?

She also has a history of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), which once led to a terrified Chas using a weapon on Diane Sugden (Elizabeth Estensen).

If recent events cause a relapse, could we be looking at history repeating itself?

Aaron Dingle

Aaron is unnerved to witness the conversation between Ruby and Anthony, but has he been told anything of what went on?

As mentioned above, Aaron is a survivor of sexual abuse and would certainly have his own brand of anger towards Anthony.

With Aaron's track record with violence, it's easy to wonder if he's the one to seal Anthony's fate.

Anyone affected by Ruby's story can find support via the NSPCC website. You can also call the helpline on 0808 800 5000. You can also visit the website for Rape Crisis and contact Rape Crisis's 23/7 support line on 0808 500 2222.

Read more:

• Emmerdale unveils February teaser as lives hang in the balance in icy crash
• Emmerdale 2025 preview: 12 spoilers for the year ahead
• Emmerdale teases five flashforwards as Ruby's world implodes and night out turns into disaster
• 7 Emmerdale characters who should have a big 2025 – from Kim Tate to Aaron Dingle

Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 7:30pm on ITV1. Stream on ITVX.

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