General Hospital (GH) spoilers reveal that the show has an easy opportunity to finally give fans closure on an unsolved mystery. GH writers have never explained who killed Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt (Roger Howarth) and taunted Ava Jerome (Maura West) with disturbing messages in the aftermath, but they have the perfect solution right in front of them.

Now that John “Jagger” Cates (Adam J. Harrington) has become such a monster, we have no problem buying that he pulled the trigger on Austin.

That’s especially true since the culprit was wearing shiny dress shoes like an FBI agent would wear.

Ava was rattled after someone sent her photos of Austin’s body, unsettling notes and the murder weapon.

John could’ve been the one playing twisted games and manipulating Ava – just like he’s trying to manipulate Ava now.

Perhaps Agent Cates always viewed Ava as someone he could eventually make his ally against Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) – whether it was by choice or by coercion.

Of course, we know Austin was killed before he could hand over proof against Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober).

There was a time when it felt like John might have something to hide regarding Cyrus.

Agent Cates once seemed on edge over Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) using Cyrus to pry info out of Phillip O’Neill (Jeff Leaf) at Pentonville.

John may have gotten tangled up in a risky alliance with Cyrus, who could’ve been the one who originally supplied the mob meeting recording that incriminated Carly Spencer (Laura Wright).

Agent Cates may have taken matters into his own hands to silence Austin as part of that Cyrus alliance.

Anna suspects that Jack Brennan (Charles Mesure) might have leverage over John, so what if that involves Austin’s grim fate?

Does Brennan know that Agent Cates killed Austin?

Regardless, it looks like John is on the verge of exiting GH, so the show might as well solve Austin’s murder on Agent Cates’ way out!

Do you think John is responsible for Austin’s demise? Will that crime be exposed before John exits the ABC soap?

General Hospital spoilers say John will have to pay the price for all the lines he’s crossed, so we’ll bring you updates on any Austin-related news and predictions on whether justice will be served.