THE MYSTERY of who killed Lauren Bolton on Coronation Street has been lingering in the minds of viewers for a while, but some now think they’ve cracked the case.

The girl first appeared in the ITV soap back in November 2022 as a potential love interest for Max Turner (Paddy Bever).

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Coronation Street’s Lauren Bolton is missing and presumed deadCredit: ITV

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Roy Cropper came under suspicion and has been charged with her murderCredit: ITV

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But soap fans now think someone entirely different is responsibleCredit: ITVEarlier this year, the teen went missing after losing her job at Roy’s Rolls, prompting a police search for her.When cops inspected her flat they found evidence of a struggle, along with a bloodied weapon they suspect was used to hit her over the head.

Her former boss Roy Cropper was charged with her murder and jailed as Weatherfield police became convinced that he is a secret sexual predator who paid Lauren for sex before murdering her in a rage.

The teen had been struggling to make ends meet and earned extra cash by posting X-rated content on porn site Ovidz before her disappearance.

However, aside from this and her being sacked, the police have no evidence to suggest that Roy did kill her.

Now Corrie fans think they’ve figured out who actually ended the girl’s life.

Spoilers released ahead of next week’s episodes showed Nathan Curtis being brought in for questioning by detectives as the cops begin to suspect they’ve got the wrong man behind bars.

The vile abuser was previously part of a gang that groomed children for sex.

After his release from jail, victim Bethany Platt told local authorities she believes he was involved with Lauren’s disappearance.

However, viewers became suspicious when they saw that seemingly nice guy Joel Deering is set to represent Nathan as his solicitor.

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Questioning why he would take on the role of defending a predator, fans began to wonder if he killed Lauren himself, and is planning to frame his client for it.

One person took to social media, sadly saying: “This reads as though it’s Joel I fear.”

Another chimed in: “Hearing Joel’s representing Nathan could be something actually.”

Some audience members already began to suspect him when they discovered his penchant for keeping secrets.

Dee-Dee Bailey ended her relationship with the man when she discovered he had intentionally not told her about his wife and daughter.

Someone suggested: “Joel……. he’s keeping Lauren captive and using DeeDee to get lowdown on Roy’s case.”

Another agreed something was afoot, saying: “So Joel’s back on the scene as the Lauren Bolton disappearance ramps up a gear.

“My guess is that he’s the mystery boyfriend and is actually a psycho nutter who is holding Lauren captive in a cellar somewhere.”

Coronation Street’s shock exits 2024

Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let’s break down who’s left the famous soap:

Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.

The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.

Paul Foreman will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.

After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite, portrayed by Peter Ash, was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.

Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.

Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.

Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.

Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.

The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.

Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.

Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.

It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.

Show stalwart Eileen Grimshaw is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour.

She’s had to leave the Street immediately after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.