Summer Bay has been rocked by yet another mystery this week as fan favourite Mali Hudson (Kyle Shilling) has suddenly disappeared — leaving viewers, and his on-screen loved ones, completely stunned.

In scenes that aired last night, Mali was last seen leaving the surf club after a heated exchange with girlfriend Rose Delaney (Kirsty Marillier). The couple had been struggling for weeks over Mali’s growing frustration about his role in the Bay and Rose’s demanding job as a police officer. But what no one expected was that Mali would simply vanish.

Sources close to the production have hinted that this shock disappearance is “just the beginning” of one of the show’s most emotional storylines in months. “Fans won’t believe where this is going,” one insider teased. “There’s heartbreak, suspicion, and a major twist that changes everything for Rose.”

On-screen, panic quickly spreads when Mali’s ute is found abandoned near the coastal road heading out of Yabbie Creek. His phone, wallet, and surfboard were still inside — sparking fears that something terrible may have happened. Rose, wracked with guilt, launches a desperate search, convinced his disappearance is somehow connected to a recent case she’s been working on.

“Rose is absolutely broken,” another source reveals. “She blames herself, and as the days go on, it becomes clear that something much darker might be behind Mali’s vanishing act.”

Fans have already taken to social media, flooding forums with theories. Some believe Mali has fled to protect Rose from danger, while others suspect foul play involving shady figures from his past. “There’s no way Mali would just leave his family,” one viewer posted. “Something’s wrong — he’s in trouble.”

Off-screen, whispers about actor Kyle Shilling’s future on the soap have added to the speculation. While Channel Seven has refused to comment on his status, one production insider told TV Buzz that the storyline was written to “give Kyle options.”

“He’s been with the show for nearly two years now, and this arc was designed as a potential exit or reinvention,” the source said. “Whether Mali returns depends on how this mystery unfolds — and on Kyle’s own plans.”

For now, producers are keeping the plot tightly under wraps. All that’s been confirmed is that the next few weeks will deliver some of the show’s most intense and emotional scenes yet.

“Mali’s disappearance will ripple through every corner of the Bay,” a spokesperson teased. “Friendships will fracture, secrets will come to light, and not everyone will make it through unscathed.”

Could Mali still be alive? Has he gone into hiding — or met a tragic fate?

One thing’s certain: Summer Bay will never be the same again.

Stay tuned — this is one storyline no fan will want to miss.