Who Killed Sophie Madsen? 'The Blame' Ending Explained as Emma Uncovers Tom's Secret

'The Blame' ends with DI Emma Crane discovering that the colleague she trusted most is Sophie's killer. In the final episode of the ITV thriller, it is revealed that DI Tom Radley was directly responsible for Sophie Madsen's death, after she uncovered evidence linking tech specialist Neil Shergill to a pattern of sexual assaults.

The six-part series, starring Michelle Keegan as Emma Crane and Douglas Booth as DI Tom Radley, initially appears to point towards tech specialist Neil Shergill as the culprit. But the finale reveals that Sophie's death was connected to a more complex web of police misconduct, cover-ups and moral compromise.

Did Neil Shergill Kill Sophie?

For much of the finale, Neil appears to be the answer to the mystery. Emma discovers that he had been drugging and sexually assaulting women who had approached police for help, exploiting information available to him through the force.

Sophie had also gone to Neil's home believing he could help her expose police officers who had behaved inappropriately during her earlier interactions with the force. Instead, Neil attempted to harm her.

Sophie managed to escape from Neil's house after discovering photographs that appeared to document his crimes. She later arranged to meet Tom in the woods, intending to identify Neil and expose what he had done. However, this is where the investigation changes direction.

Tom Radley's Secret Is Finally Revealed

Emma eventually realises that Tom has been hiding something about the day Sophie died. Her suspicions begin after she learns more about Tom's relationship with his former police partner, Kapil Manek. Kapil explains that Tom was ambitious and had previously chosen to protect his own career rather than expose Neil's wrongdoing.

Tom had already discovered that Neil was responsible for raping Marissa Andrei. Rather than properly exposing him, however, Tom allowed Neil to remain free. In return, Neil helped Tom deal with a professional problem involving Kapil. The revelation forces Emma to reconsider Tom's role in Sophie's death.

She orders Tom's suit from the day Sophie was murdered to be tested for DNA. When Emma's DNA is not found on it, she realises something is wrong. Because of her close relationship with Tom, traces of her should have been present.

Emma concludes Tom must have replaced the suit he wore that day, because her DNA should have been present given how close they were.

So, Who Killed Sophie Madsen?

The final revelation is that Tom killed Sophie. After Sophie showed Tom the evidence she had found at Neil's house, she told him that she intended to identify Neil. Tom knew that exposing Neil could also expose his own decision to ignore what he knew about the sexual assaults.

Instead of protecting Sophie, Tom attempted to undermine her credibility. He even blamed her for supposedly flirting with her skating coach. When Sophie tried to escape, she stumbled and struck her head on a fallen log. Tom discovered that she was still alive. Rather than calling for help, Tom attacked her with a rock, killing her.

The revelation means Tom was not simply a police officer who failed to expose Neil. He became directly responsible for Sophie's death in an attempt to protect himself.

Emma Discovers Tom's Other Secret

Emma eventually confronts Tom after piecing together what happened. The truth leaves her devastated because Tom was one of the few colleagues she believed she could trust. She realises that when Tom entered Neil's home, he was not simply looking for evidence to help the investigation.

His frantic search through the drawers was an attempt to find phone records that could potentially connect him to Sophie. Emma then makes the decision to have Tom arrested. But the finale does not end there.

The Final Twist Explained

After Tom's arrest, DC Lewis Brimah finds something hidden in Emma's clothing: another copy of one of Neil's so-called trophy photographs. The discovery is significant because Emma had previously concealed a photograph after becoming involved in an earlier case in which evidence had been planted to secure a conviction.

That case ultimately involved the wrong man, while Neil was the actual perpetrator. Lewis therefore now has evidence that could potentially expose Emma's own misconduct.

The ending leaves her future uncertain and reinforces one of the central ideas in 'The Blame': the culture surrounding the investigation has compromised almost everyone involved. Emma may have uncovered the truth about Sophie's murder, but the discovery of her own secret suggests that the consequences of the case are far from over.