Summary

• There could be a shocking reveal about The Jackal in the upcoming episodes of Walker, possibly involving a character close to the Rangers.
• Detective Luna's involvement in the case raises suspicion, with hints pointing to the possibility of him being The Jackal or an accomplice.
• If Luna turns out to be innocent, his fate might still be grim, as he could be a potential target for The Jackal in future episodes of Walker.

The identity of Walker season 4's main antagonist, a serial killer known only as The Jackal, has remained a mystery, with some hints forming at least one theory about who the killer could be. The Jackal whodunit was introduced at the end of Walker season 3 when Jared Padalecki's Cordell Walker learned that the killer they thought was dead had returned. The central focus of the latest season has been not only stopping The Jackal but also confronting how the investigation drove Ranger Larry James to a very dark place — a path Cordell is finding himself on.

The truth about The Jackal will probably be revealed in the next few episodes, resolving before a potential Walker season 5. Based on previous seasons, the killer will likely be someone close to the Rangers or the Walker family. Since The Jackal went on a rampage roughly five years prior without being caught, there is a possibility the killer could have been eluding authorities due to being a member of law enforcement or perhaps partnered up with someone involved with the investigation. The theory centered on the serial killer's identity points to a character that fits both categories.

Walker Theory: Justin Johnson Cortez's Detective Luna Could Be The Jackal

Detective Luna has been working the case from the start

Detective David Luna, played by Walker: Independence's Justin Johnson Cortez, previously investigated The Jackal case alongside Cordell and James. He's now working with the Rangers again after notifying Cordell about The Jackal's return, effectively reopening the case. During his time in Austin, a few subtle signs indicate that Luna could be The Jackal. For instance, a quick mention of somehow knowing Cordell's girlfriend Geri's address raised a few eyebrows among the show's audience, as there was no substantial reason for him to have that information.

More importantly, his involvement with the case from the beginning and access to the information surrounding the investigation would make it easier for Luna to avoid getting caught if he ends up being the culprit.

Another big red flag is that Luna is a new, significant character on Walker; like previous characters, that alone makes him suspicious. More importantly, his involvement with the case from the beginning and access to the information surrounding the investigation would make it easier for Luna to avoid getting caught if he ends up being the culprit. There is a possibility the detective could be guilty by other means, however. Even if he's not The Jackal, theoretically, he could be helping the killer as an accomplice.

Detective Luna Might Be Involved Even If He's Not The Killer In Walker

Luna could be passing along information to The Jackal

In Walker season 4, episode 7, "Hold Me Now," Cordell closes in on where The Jackal has ostensibly been hiding out — a defunct zoo. Cassie refuses to let Cordell go there alone, and Luna immediately asks to come along. Again, the moment exemplifies how the show excels at making characters suspicious before revealing whether they are villains or red herrings. Detective Luna wanting to come with could be completely innocent; he has been on this case as long as Cordell and Captain James have and would likely want to have Cassie's back, considering the two are a couple now.

On the other hand, it's another pointed instance possibly meant to guide the audience to the conclusion that Luna is still acting suspiciously. When the three arrive at the abandoned zoo and split up, it becomes clear that someone has set up a base of operations there. The mysterious person flees as Cordell gives chase, and it's hard not to notice that they appeared to have been given a heads-up that the Rangers were coming. The killer was already on the move before the trio arrived.

Considering his knowledge of Cordell and Cassie's movements, it wouldn't be a stretch if Luna was revealed to be a co-conspirator of The Jackal's. The episode potentially clears Luna of being the actual serial killer since the unseen perpetrator hits Cordell over the head to escape while Luna is searching for the Ranger alongside Cassie. However, Luna possibly being partners with The Jackal would not be a surprise. The detective could have been feeding the serial killer information all of this time and helping The Jackal to avoid detection as a member of law enforcement.

Walker's Villains Are Often Close To Cordell And His Loved Ones

Former antagonists have included friends, love interests, and law enforcement

If Luna is The Jackal or working with them, his proximity to the team puts him in a prime position to manipulate the case or continue helping the killer. It also wouldn't be the first time a bad guy on Walker has been someone Cordell, the Walker family, or one of the Rangers has been close to. One of the initial twists of the series was learning that Cordell's wife, Emily, was murdered by Stan Morrison. Stan was a longtime "friend" of Walker's parents, Bonham and Abeline, and the corrupt leader of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Infamously, Walker season 2 featured the Walker family's former neighbors and rivals, the Davidsons, turning their lives upside down. Matriarch Gale Davidson is eventually revealed to be the culprit of a barn fire and killed her husband, Marv. Most recently, Walker season 3 introduced the mayor's chief of staff, Kevin Golden, who developed ties with the Walker family and Trey and sparked a relationship with Cassie. Unfortunately for Ranger Perez, Kevin ended up being the anarchist leader of a domestic terrorist group, Grey Flag, with a vendetta against Cordell.

If Detective Luna is revealed to be involved, it might be too predictable for some viewers that Cassie has another villainous boyfriend.

Since Cassie took out Kevin to save Cordell, it could feel cruel for her new love interest to be another bad guy. It took time for Cassie to get over the betrayal and re-solidify her friendship with Trey, who initially encouraged her to start a romantic relationship with Kevin, ignoring her instincts. If Detective Luna is revealed to be involved, it might be too predictable for some viewers that Cassie has another villainous boyfriend. However, the writers could intentionally be using this to throw the audience off. Plus, Cortez portraying a dark antagonist would be a welcome change.

If Detective Luna Is Not The Jackal, He Could Be A Future Victim

Luna probably won't make it to season 5 if Walker is renewed

Of course, if Detective Luna is innocent and uninvolved with The Jackal, that would mean he is as much of a target as Cordell, Trey, Captain James, Cassie, and anyone else hunting the serial killer (along with their families). Instead of Cassie losing her latest romantic partner to a twist that he is a killer or helping one, she might end up mourning him if Luna is killed by The Jackal. The clues that Luna could be evil might easily be misleading to surprise suspicious viewers when he is potentially taken by The Jackal and buried alive.

If the show is renewed, an even bigger twist would be if Detective Luna survived and returned for Walker season 5. New major characters on Walker don't often last from one season to the next. Luna being an honest detective from Corpus Christi, surviving The Jackal, and coming back for a potential season 5 would be an unexpected turn. Cassie and her boyfriend could figure out the long-distance relationship issue instead of their romance falling apart due to a serial killer. Knowing Walker, however, the likelihood of a happy ending for Cassie and Luna is difficult to believe.

Walker airs every Wednesday night on The CW at 8 p.m. EST and can be streamed the next day on The CW app.