EastEnders’ most ruthless serial killers – from cold-blooded Gray Atkins to impulsive thug Nick Cotton

MANY villains have walked the streets of Walford over the years who have made it their mission to wreak chaos.

But EastEnders has had its fair share of blood-thirsty and cruel serial killers.

Gray Atkins

Portrayed by actor Toby-Alexander Smith, Gray Atkins is the main villain roaming free in Walford as of 2022.

Gray made his first appearance in the Square in March, 2019, and moved into No.1 alongside his wife Chantelle (Jessica Plummer) and their two children, Mackenzie and Mia.

He has mentioned, throughout his appearances, that he moved to Albert Square to allow Chantelle to live closer to her family.

The happy couple attracted a lot of attention from envious residents asking them for advice on keeping the harmony going in a marriage.

But appearances are often deceiving in EastEnders.

Over the summer, and just as Chantelle was finding her mark by making some new friends, Gray turned out to be overcome by outbursts of uncontrollable anger.

Chantelle was seen being both physically and mentally abused over the years - and the domestic abuse led to her death.

Gray is set for a final appearance during the month of March, 2022, as his downfall begins and it could even include his death.

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Chantelle Atkins (1995-2020)

As mentioned above, Chantelle was the target of horrific acts of physical and mental abuse throughout her marriage with Gray.

In September, 2020, she made the decision to escape the violence and leave her husband.

She had been encouraged by her emotional connection with Kheerat Panesar, who was ready to help her start afresh.

However, Gray soon knew of her plans and confronted her.

In a final face to face encounter, Chantelle was impaled with an upturned knife in the dishwasher, after Gray violently pushed her to stop her from leaving.

Chantelle didn't die immediately but instead of calling for help, Gray decided to stage her death and make it out to be a tragic home accident.

He has since assured that his wife died after slipping on one their children's toys.

In a tragic moment of foreshadowing, Chantelle had previously been reminded by Gray that all cutlery in the dishwasher should be upturned to be cleaned correctly.

Tina Carter (1974-2020)

Gray managed to keep his dark secret under wraps until Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White) realised what he had done.

On December 28, 2020, Tina confronted Gray with the knowledge he had killed Chantelle, amid a feud with the Beales.

Tina was able to come to the conclusion Gray had abused and killed Chantelle as she went through her own ordeal with domestic violence during her relationship with Tosh Mackintosh.

She tried to escape No.1 but Gray was determined to have his dark past remain a mystery and strangled her.

For the following year, as her sister Shirley frantically searched for her, Tina was said to be missing as fans were still hoping she had managed to somehow come out of the encounter alive.

In January, 2022, just as Shirley was giving up on her search, Tina's death was confirmed.

Her body has been found underneath the floorboards of the Argee Bhajee by Phil Mitchell.

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Kush Kazemi (1985-2021)

After several failed romances with Stacey Slater, Nancy Carter and Denise Fox, Kush (Davood Ghadami) fell for Whitney Dean.

The couple were engaged and decided to leave Walford for Dubai with Kush's son Arthur due to his rift with the Mitchells.

But Gray was having none of it as Whitney, who was also Chantelle's friend, had then become a new obsession for him.

Kush was pushed in front of an oncoming train in April, 2021, and died instantly in Walford tube station.

Other victims include:

• Mrs. Atkins, Gray's mother: although it has never been truly confirmed, Gray's dying father heavily implied that his son had also killed his own mother in September, 2021.
• Mackenzie and Mia Atkins: in October, 2020, Gray attempted to end his life and decided that his children would also be dying with him. He turned on the gas in his home and was ready to set everything ablaze with a lighter before Shirley Carter convinced him out of it, saving Gray and his children.

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Lucas Johnson

A reformed drug addict and preacher, Lucas was played by Don Gilet and is perhaps one of the Square most ruthless serial killers.

He made his first appearance in the BBC One soap in 2008 and was sentenced to life in prison, thus leaving in 2010.

After a temporary return in 2016, Lucas came back again just in time for Christmas in 2020.

He was eventually jailed again for drug smuggling after he tried to help his daughter Chelsea Fox get away from drug lord Caleb.

Ironically, Chelsea went on to tie the knot with Gray Atkins and the couple share a son named Jordan.

Lucas' last appearance in the borough was aired on March 18, 2021, but could he come back?

Here are all of his victims.

Trina Johnson (1971-2009)

It seems Lucas could have been a blueprint for fellow killer Gray.

Lucas murdered his first wife Trina (Sharon Duncan Brewster) in a fit of rage as he was trying to pry her off of him.

Trina had wanted to rekindle their affair and the pair met in Charlie Slater's allotment shed.

Lucas had other plans as he wanted to tie the knot with Denise Fox.

Trina was pushed on to a rake which went through her neck.

Lucas disguised the death by putting a drug kit on her, which made the police jump to the conclusion that Trina's death was accidental.

Owen Turner (1970-2009)

Played by Lee Ross, Owen uncovered the truth about Trina's death and planned to reveal Lucas' hand in the murder.

Lucas found out about Owen's plans and decided that killing again was his only option.

The would-be whistle-blower was strangled to death and his body was buried under Trina's memorial tree.

Owen was said to be missing and his mother Liz had suspicions something terrible must have happened to him from the get-go.

When she says that Owen had the habit of giving her daffodils on her birthday since he was 16, Lucas sends her lilies in Owen's name, Liz's least favourite flower.

Owen's body was found in June, 2010.

Gemma Charleston (2010)

Desperate to avoid prison, the criminal framed his former wife Denise Fox - who is also the mother of his daughter Chelsea - for Trina and Owen's murders.

Unfortunately, Gemma was an easy prey as she worked as a prostitue.

She was simply collateral damage in his plan as he strangled her to death before dumping her body in the canal, faking Denise's suicide.

Other victims include:

• Sugar (2010): in a gut-wrenching twist, Lucas drowned his son's dog Sugar when he caught the pup sniffing around Trina's memorial tree, where he buried Owen.
• Denise Fox (July 8, 2010): Lucas first strangled Denise when she wanted to report him to the police for his crimes. He couldn't go through with it and kept her hostage for weeks instead, killing Gemma Charleston to make everyone believe Denise had died.
• Ellis Prince (June 16, 2009): Lucas was angry to find out Ellis had given Chelsea drugs and sneaked up on him to hit him over the head. Ellis survived.
• Stacey Slater (October 2, 2009): Lucas panicked when Stacey said she was going to phone the police, believing she had found he killed Trina. He later realised she only wanted to phone the authorities because of a breakdown caused by her bipolar disorder.

Janine Butcher

Janine has been portrayed by Charlie Brooks since 1999 but the character made her first appearance in 1989.

She has since grown into a manipulative cold-hearted "super-bitch", and is the only woman to have wreaked true havoc in the Square.

A troublemaker at heart, she eventually turned to murder, making several victims in Walford, which include men she was romantically involved with.

As of 2022, she is a recurring character in EastEnders and has her eye on The Vic landlord Mick Carter.

Her victims include:

Barry Evans (1961-2004)

Janine has multiple murders under her belt but began killing at the tender age of 21, in 2004.

She claimed her first victim in the Scottish Highlands during her first honeymoon.

Car dealer Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson) was Janine's first husband but was manipulated into falling for her as she only wanted to get her hands on his money with the help of boyfriend Paul Trueman.

Barry was pushed off a cliff a day after their wedding, when Janine confessed everything to him.

Although she admitted to her affair with Paul, Barry was ready to forgive her and begged her to give their marriage a go.

As he went to hug her, Janine pushed him away from her and off the cliff edge.

Barry hit his head on multiple rocks, causing a brain bleed.

Janine left him to die and inherited all of his wealth, leaving Barry's son Jack with nothing.

Danielle Jones (1989-2009)

After she was accused of killing Laura Beale - which surprisingly didn't turn out to be true despite their feud - Janine left Walford.

She returned in 2008 and went on to kill again, although her second victim was accidental.

Janine ran Danielle Jones (Lauren Crace) by accident when she was speeding in the streets of Walford.

Danielle died in Ronnie Mitchell's arms.

Michael Moon (1972-2013)

Another black widow moment for Janine, as she was also married to Michael (Steve John Shepherd).

The EastEnders villains shared a volatile relationship but matters only got worse when their daughter Scarlett was involved.

During an intense battle for the latter's custody, Michael manipulated Alice Branning (Jasmyn Banks) into doing his bidding and kill Janine.

Unfortunately for him, Alice turned on him and stabbed him during a heated confrontation and while he was holding Janine by the throat.

When she ran off to let the police take matters into their own hands, Michael went to attack Janine once again but the latter stabbed him a second time and the wound turned out to be fatal.

Other victims include:

• Lily Slater (September 28, 2010). Janine pushed her pram during a fight with Jean, Kat and Stacey Slater after finding out she was her husband Ryan's baby but Lily wasn't even in the pram.
• Ryan Malloy (December 20, 2010). Janine squeezed his oxygen tubes while he was unconscious in hospital after finding out he had cheated on her with Stacey Slater but she wasn't able to go through with it.
• David Wicks (December 25, 2013). Ran him over with her car after he blackmailed her with a tape of her confessing to killing Michael Moon.

Phil Mitchell

Phil is played by Steve McFadden and was first introduced to EastEnders viewers in February, 1990.

Although he first came to the borough alongside his brother Grant to open an automobile repair shop, Phil has turned into a true villain.

He has managed to escape justice on numerous occasions but could be pushed behind bars in 2022 as his involvement in Vincent Hubbard's death has been uncovered.

Phil never actually intended to kill anybody but his violent and vindictive tendencies have still secured him a place in this list.

His victims include:

Alan Hall (1994)

The EastEnders tough man was involved in Alan's (Nick Pickard) death in spite of him.

Phil was paid by Frank Butcher to set fire the car lot, as part of an insurance claim.

Although initially reluctant, Phil finally relented and torched the car lot.

However, he wasn't expecting a vagrant, Alan, to be asleep in one of the cars.

When they both found out, Phil and Frank were awash with guilt.

Luke Browning (1987-2017)

Phil waited several years, and a break from Walford, before claiming his second victim but unintentionally instigated Luke's death.

Phil's son Ben was violently attacked by Luke Browning (Adam Astill) on December 1, 2017.

While he is known for his impulsive and violent nature, Phil is also a highly protective family man and decided to take things to the next level.

In a bid to make him pay for the assault, Phil ordered Aidan Maguire to kidnap and only scare Luke off on December 5, 2017.

However, it's been confirmed by Aidan that Luke was actually killed.

Vincent Hubbard (1973-2018)

Played by Richard Blackwood, Vincent Hubbard vanished from Albert Square in 2018 in mysterious circumstances.

Once again, Vincent's death was unintentionally instigated by Phil.

Much like Luke, Vincent was kidnapped by Aidan and his henchmen as he was suspected to be ready to turn them into the police for their crimes.

Phil only wanted Vincent to be scared off and away from the authorities but Aidan went too far again.

Vincent's death was confirmed by Phil in 2021 and the villain showed Denise Fox a video recording of him seemingly being shot to death.

Vincent's wife Kim (Tameka Empson) has since been seeking revenge.

Dennis Rickman Jr. (2006-2020)

Phil never intended to kill his stepson but his fight with Keanu Taylor (whom he did want to kill) caused Dennis' death in February, 2020.

Both Keanu and Phil were involved in a heated fight on a boat when the former was pushed into the boat's wheel.

This caused the boat to crash and Dennis drowned as a result.

Keanu was pushed away by Sharon Watts who told him to leave Walford, unable to cope with her son's death.

Other victims include:

• Steve Owen (March 1, 2002): Steve instantly died when his car exploded. He had then been involved in a car chase with Phil.
• Jack Dalton (July 18, 2003): Phil was embroiled in a feud between Dennis Rickman and Jack. Dennis begged him to let him kill Jack and Phil complied, causing Jack's death.
• Dennis Rickman (December 30, 2005): Phil told Dennis Johnny Allen assaulted his wife Sharon Watts. In a fit of rage, Dennis beat Johnny up but was killed for the battering by Johnny's henchman, Danny Moon.
• Danny Moon (March 31, 2006): crimes only snowball around Phil. Danny had kidnapped Phil and Grant and, in an attempt to save them, Jake Moon shot and killed Danny.
• Stella Crawford (July 20, 2007): Phil discovered Stella had been abusing his son Ben and chased her out of their wedding ceremony seeking answers. Phil chased her into an old factory and Stella jumped off the rook to get away from him.
• Kevin Wicks (January 1, 2008): Kevin died in a car crash as he drove one of his and Phil's dodgy cars, despite being told by Phil to destroy it.
• Heather Trott (March 19, 2012): in a bid to protect his son Ben, Heather's real murderer, Phil disposed of the evidence and made it look like Heather had been killed in burglary gone wrong.
• Lucy Beal (April 18, 2014): Phil helped cover up her death and framed Max Branning.
• Tina Carter (December 28, 2020): Phil and his former wife Sharon let her take the blame for the attempted murder of Ian Beale. She was then killed by Gray Atkins while on the run.

Nick Cotton

John Altman slipped into Nasty Nick's leather jacket for the first time in 1985 and became the first ever EastEnders serial killer.

The son of Dot Cotton, Nick claimed his first victim as soon as he settled in the Square, on his first ever episode.

Throughout the years, despite his breaks from the programme and until his death in 2015, Nick made his criminal life become his one and only career.

Nick died following a heroin overdose, meaning viewers don't have to expect to see him ever again.

His victims include:

Reg Cox (1936-1985)

Elderly Reg was found beaten with a led pipe in his own home when Nick decided to steal from him.

He died in hospital and the case for his murder was open, just as Nick was selling his war medals away.

Nick was suspected and even imprisoned for the death but he was later released due to a lack of evidence.

Four years after Reg's death, Nick admitted he was responsible.

Eddie Royle (1991)

Nick was on drugs when he stabbed The Vic landlord Eddie (Michael Melia).

Eddie died in the middle of the square.

Nick was initially locked in his upstairs bedroom by his mother Dot for his drug habits.

He was arrested and stood trial but was found not guilty.

Ashley Cotton (1984-2001)

Nick was responsible for his son Ashley's death, although it was not intentional as he actually meant to kill Mark Fowler, who left him in a wheelchair a year prior.

He cut the breaks on Mark's motorbike but when Ashley had an argument with Mark about Nick, the young man stole the vehicle.

Ashely crashed the motorbike into the Launderette and died.

Emma Summerhayes (1978-2015)

Another unintentional death for Nick as he originally targeted another character.

Nick sabotaged Ronnie Mitchell's car, resulting in the breaks to fail.

As the car went out of control, Emma was hit when she was in the middle of the road.

The car crashed into the middle of the Square with Ronnie, Roxy and Charlie still inside.

Emma died in hospital from a brain haemorrhage, a consequence of the accident.

Nick felt no remorse over her death.

Other victims include:

• Dot Cotton (June 14, 1990): Tried to kill her by poisoning her shepherd's pie to get his hands on her money but couldn't go through with it. He tried again in 2009, this time asking his niece and non-biological daughter Dotty to spike her tea with crushed up pills. Dotty couldn't go through with it and spiked him instead.
• Nigel Bates (September 7, 1993): Nick held a knife to his throat as he was being kicked out of Dot's house, while the latter moved away from Walford.
• Damian Spinks (sometime between 1993 and 1997): Nick's former cellmate, it was revealed to Dot that he had tried to kill him when Damian tracked Dot down.
• Martin Fowler (December 31, 2000): Nick pumped him full of drugs.
• Mark Fowler (January 22, 2001, and June 14, 2001): as mentioned above, Nick decided to cut the breaks on Mark's motorbike, resulting in his son's death. Months before, however, Nick ordered Ashley to burn Mark alive, by sending him out to do his dirty work with a can of petrol to set his house on fire. Ashley couldn't go though with it.
• Lisa Shaw (June 11, 2001): Nick tried to attack Lisa down a dark alley but Mark came to save her.
• Bradley Branning (June 2, 2009): Bradley tried to save Nick from a burning café. But just as it was ready to explode, Nick saved himself without a care in the world, leaving Bradley crippled as the café exploded. Bradley survived.
• Ronnie Mitchell (January 1, 2015): Nick cut the breaks on her car, causing an accident. While Emma Summerhayes was killed, Ronnie was left in a wheelchair.