The dramatic Christmas Day death in EastEnders has taken a stunning new turn, with police officially charging Zoe Slater with the murder of Anthony Trueman, despite compelling evidence suggesting another iconic character may be the true culprit.
A Festive Confrontation Turns Deadly
The fateful events unfolded during the soap's festive special. A violent showdown erupted between former lovers Zoe Slater, played by Michelle Ryan, and Anthony Trueman, portrayed by Nicholas Bailey. The confrontation was sparked when Zoe discovered Anthony knew he was the father of her twins and had cruelly lied to Kat Slater, telling her the babies had died.
After being exposed and thrown out of the Queen Vic's community dinner by a furious Kat, a drunk and unhinged Anthony returned. A bitter exchange of taunts turned physical. Zoe shoved Anthony, causing him to smash his head on a doorway. In retaliation, Anthony slammed Zoe's head against a bannister, leaving both characters unconscious. Zoe later woke up, but Anthony did not.
A Web of Lies and a New Suspect
Initially, Kat Slater was determined to cover up the incident. However, Zoe's resolve to confess was hardened by a perfect storm of revelations: a run-in with her former frenemy Chrissie Watts, the discovery that her stalker Jasmine Fisher is actually her daughter, and the chilling realisation that Jasmine and Chrissie had been working together to torment her.
After reconciling with Jasmine, Zoe handed herself in to the police. However, the plot thickened when Jasmine revealed to Kat that Chrissie had advised her to flee before police arrived. This knowledge convinced Kat that Chrissie Watts, not Zoe, killed Anthony and is now framing her – a sinister echo of Chrissie's past crimes.
The Case Takes a Dramatic Legal Turn
In a subsequent episode, the Mitchell family's notorious lawyer, Ritchie Scott, delivered crucial information to Zoe. She revealed that Anthony had suffered two separate blows to the head. As Zoe was knocked out after delivering the first, she logically could not have inflicted the fatal second strike.
This development pointed the finger squarely at Chrissie as a new police suspect. Yet, despite this, the authorities have proceeded to formally charge Zoe with murder, leaving her family reeling. A devastated Patrick Trueman, Anthony's father, crumbled in Kat's arms after a futile search for answers.
Meanwhile, Kat's attempts to gather evidence hit a wall. Sam Mitchell, who witnessed Chrissie's Christmas return alongside Kat, had no useful information. The situation at home also deteriorated, with Tommy Moon and Lily Slater erupting in rage upon learning Jasmine was the stalker who had caused them so much trouble.
With Jasmine too terrified to contact Chrissie and Zoe now facing a murder charge, the case appears far from closed for the Slaters. Kat is more convinced than ever that Chrissie is the real killer, setting the stage for a fierce battle to clear Zoe's name, a task that will likely require more than just Kat's determination and Phil Mitchell's dubious legal contacts.
