Emmerdale kills off major character in bloodied soap first after five years on ITV show
Viewers have watched John Sugden's reign of terror play out over the last several months.
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It now appears that the villainous army medic claimed another victim.
Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) has been suspicious about John for a long time.
Emmerdale fans know John killed Nate Robinson in a shock twist last year.
And he's gone on to kill his ex-fiancee Aidan shortly after he woke up from a coma.
Viewers also watched recently as he framed patient Owen for Nate's murder - before killing him too.
Mackenzie discovered an old photo of John with an army buddy - the same man who took Nate's belongings away.
Driving Mack away from the village, John confronted him for searching through his stuff.
He chillingly asked the mechanic: "By now I'm guessing you've joined up the dots?"
John added: "Really would've been better for everyone if you had not seen that photo of me. Better for you."
Mackenzie confirmed he knows John killed Nate - and he's known there was "something wrong" with him for a while.
Emmerdale icon set to quit the Dales days after co-star's exit was confirmed and shock cheating plot
After a scuffle, Mackenzie fled into the woods while John pursues, armed with a crossbow.
Cornering him, John shot Mackenzie in the back with an arrow, after he tries escaping.
Later, viewers saw the boot of John's van with blood stains and a body covered by a sheet.
The episode ended with a flashback of John throwing a heavy rock down at a helpless Mackenzie.
It comes as The Sun previously revealed Lawrence Robb had filmed devastating murder scenes for his character.
A source said at the time: 'The scenes are going to be really harrowing for fans to watch.
'Mackenzie has been in so many scrapes and dangerous positions but this time it looks like he's bitten off more than he can chew.
'Viewers will be on the edges of their seats watching what happens.'
Darkest soap storylines
Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock...
EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca's adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.
Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.
Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap's first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs - who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.
Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of 'Richard Hillman' is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it's not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn't.
The scenes are set to air later this year after Mackenzie makes a chilling discovery about John.
The insider added: 'There are huge twists and turns coming throughout this storyline and it's going to run for months and months.
'Nothing can be ruled out - bosses are really going for it and doing everything they can to keep the audience on their toes.'
Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and ITVX.
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