Summer Spellman is the new prime suspect in the murder of Theo Silverton on Coronation Street, with a shocking gun twist that leaves her future in jeopardy. The character, played by Harriet Bibby, has been implicated by an incriminating journal entry and was caught attempting to flee the cobbles. All suspects in Theo's murder have motives, but Summer has a particularly strong axe to grind against the bully, who left her adoptive father Billy Mayhew to die in the Corriedale crash.
Summer's Motive for Murder
Summer was so determined to get justice for Billy that she was willing to hand over his life insurance payout to the conniving Carl Webster to provoke a confession from Theo. However, that plan backfired, leading Theo to confront Summer and taunt her with how a frightened, gravely injured Billy prayed to God for life with his dying breath. If hatred is not Summer's primary motivation, it could be self-defence. On the night of Theo's murder, she was searching his flat when he emerged from the darkness and advanced on her menacingly. Theo was later found dead on the cobbles, making Summer the last person to see him alive.
The Smoking Gun
While DS Kit Green focuses on Gary Windass as his prime suspect, upcoming scenes see the spotlight shift to Summer. When Kit reassures Todd Grimshaw that they are closing in on Theo's killer, his words make Summer shift uncomfortably. Meanwhile, George Shuttleworth accidentally knocks over Summer's bag and is horrified to see a page from her journal describing putting a gun to Theo's head. As George and Christina Boyd read through the hate-filled passages, they are startled by Summer's sudden return. But the trouble does not end there. Kit is looking through Lisa Swain's wedding photos when he spots a crucial detail that could implicate Summer, leading Lisa to take Summer in for questioning. On the street, Todd defends Summer to Lisa. Later, George quizzes Summer about Theo's death, and a flashback reveals what he saw on the night. How will Summer react? And could she really be Theo's murderer?
