Emmerdale‘s police take one step closer to catching Nate Robinson’s killer tonight as they realise that the guilty party has been lurking around the village.

Detectives investigating Nate’s murder share the shocking news with his family after examining how his phone was used months after his death.

The development comes after the police secure a warrant to search Butler’s Farm, still pursuing Nate’s grief-stricken father Cain Dingle as their prime suspect.

Nothing is found at the farm, so Cain demands answers on what they’ve been looking for and why.

DC Cole replies: “His phone – we believe the killer held onto it.”

When urged to track the signal to get some proper answers, Cole replies: “We did. Since you last saw your son, his phone’s only been switched on a few times. And each time, within half a mile of the village.”

With realisation dawning on her, Cain’s wife Moira says: “So the murderer could still be in the village…”

The police’s discovery narrows down their list of suspects considerably as they continue to investigate Nate’s demise.

Viewers are keen to see John Sugden face justice, after a recent flashback scene showed him accidentally kill Nate last September amid a failed attempt to play the hero. John later disposed of Nate’s body in a nearby lake.

Upcoming episodes will see Cain remain a person of interest in the investigation, while Nate’s estranged wife Tracy also faces suspicion.

Now back in the village following his honeymoon, can John slyly find a way to stay out of trouble? Or is his luck already starting to run out?

Emmerdale fans can see how the investigation unfolds when the latest episode airs tonight at 7.30pm on ITV1. It’s also streaming early now on ITVX.