EastEnders fans are convinced they’ve cracked the case behind Zoe Slater’s terrifying stalking ordeal — and their theories suggest a shocking psychological twist could be on the way.

In recent weeks, the BBC One drama has taken a dark turn as Zoe (Michelle Ryan) finds herself trapped in a spiralling nightmare. From blood-soaked encounters to haunting messages, viewers are now questioning whether her greatest enemy might be closer than she realises — or even inside her own mind.

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Zoe’s Life Unravels

Zoe’s storyline has gripped fans with its blend of fear, guilt, and mystery. Still haunted by the son she abandoned at birth in 2006, Zoe’s search for him has led to lies, desperation, and chaos.

After falsely claiming Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman) was her baby’s father, Zoe lost the financial support of Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), who had been funding a private investigator. Without that help, Zoe’s fragile hope began to crumble.

But things took a sinister turn on Halloween, when Zoe was trapped in The Queen Vic’s barrel store, screaming for help as her mother Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) discovered her covered in blood.

To make matters worse, a disturbing video of Kat and her abusive uncle Harry Slater — who is also Zoe’s father — was played in front of shocked pub-goers. The incident left Zoe hysterical, pleading with Kat to believe her claims that someone was targeting her.

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A Trail of Disturbing Clues

Zoe’s nightmare didn’t end there. Her car vanished, her cat went missing, and strange photos of the Slater family appeared in the Vic’s living room — with Zoe’s face ominously crossed out in every picture.

When her private investigator later revealed she had made progress in tracking down Zoe’s long-lost son, she refused to share details without an extra £3,000 payment. The moment only deepened Zoe’s paranoia and despair.

As the strange events pile up, viewers are torn between believing Zoe’s claims and fearing she’s losing her grip on reality.

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Fans Point the Finger at Anthony Trueman

At first, many fans believed Zoe’s ex-boyfriend Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey) was behind the torment. His return to her life seemed suspiciously timed, and his calm demeanour made some think he was gaslighting her from the shadows.

But now, a new — and darker — theory is gaining traction online.

One Reddit user shared the chilling “Zoe’s Son Is Dead – The Zoe Psycho Theory”:

“The choice of Psycho as the movie Zoe watched isn’t random. It’s foreshadowing. After years of trauma, she’s developed a split personality to cope. There’s no stalker, no intruder, no son — it’s all in Zoe’s mind.”

Another fan added:

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s doing these things to herself. The missing cat mirrors her search for her child. It’s symbolic — and heartbreaking.”

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A Christmas Twist in the Making?

Many viewers now suspect Zoe’s unraveling will lead to a shocking Christmas storyline, where the truth about her “stalker” is finally revealed.

“If Zoe’s doing this to herself, it would be one of EastEnders’ most powerful stories in years,” one fan wrote. “It’s a breath of fresh air to see the show tackling mental health this way.”

With Kat the only one beginning to question Zoe’s version of events, the tension is building toward a devastating climax. Whether Anthony Trueman is the culprit — or Zoe’s mind is — one thing is certain: this is shaping up to be one of EastEnders’ most chilling twists in years.