Summer Bay is bracing for a heart-wrenching week as Home and Away dives deep into the emotional turmoil surrounding young Cohen Murray and the complex web of

family secrets that have shaped his life. Following the shocking arrest of his mother, Samantha (Heidi May), and her subsequent renunciation of custody, Cohen has been placed

in the care of the ever-loyal Roo Stewart (Georgie Parker). But just as the boy begins to find some stability, a new twist threatens to upend everything, leaving fans asking:

has Adrian Purcell (Tom Matthews), the man who may be Cohen’s father, walked away from his son before their bond could fully form?

Cohen’s Early Struggles and Samantha’s Renunciation

The story began back in June, when Samantha and Cohen were discovered living in a tent, following her arrest on multiple theft charges. The boy’s world was turned upside down as he faced the stark reality that his mother could no longer care for him. Samantha’s unexpected announcement that she intended to relinquish all custody rights left Cohen in limbo, unsure of who would step in to provide the love and stability he so desperately needed.

Sergeant David Langham (Jeremy Lindsay Taylor) immediately launched an investigation, hoping to locate any living relatives who could care for Cohen. Roo, meanwhile, withheld the devastating truth from the boy, hoping that either a family member would come forward or that Samantha might change her mind. Cohen’s only lead was his grandmother, whom he believed lived in Canberra—but David’s exhaustive search turned up nothing, leaving the boy increasingly isolated.

It was only through the persistence of Cash Newman (Nicholas Cartwright) that a breakthrough occurred. Cash discovered that Cohen’s grandmother actually lived in Queanbeyan, just across the border in New South Wales. Tragically, David later learned that she had died of cancer only a few months earlier, extinguishing that last hope of a familiar family connection. With Samantha’s renunciation finalized and Cohen’s letters to her returning unopened from prison, Roo faced the heartbreaking task of gently telling him that his mother had abandoned him.

Roo Steps Up

The following week, Cohen’s health scare—a bout of tonsillitis requiring hospital admission—prompted Roo to make a life-changing decision. She would formally seek to adopt him, providing the stability and care he had been missing. Cohen was overjoyed at the idea, and Roo immediately set about beginning the adoption process with the department.

Yet just as the Stewart family was beginning to envision a hopeful future, an unexpected revelation threw everything into doubt. A deep dive into Samantha’s old case files uncovered that her bail had been posted years earlier by a man named Adrian Purcell. Further investigation and confirmation by both David and social worker Harper suggested that Adrian was, in fact, Cohen’s biological father.

Adrian’s Entrance – A Father Finally Revealed

Adrian was soon summoned to the Yabbie Creek police station, where he confirmed that he had always believed himself to be Cohen’s father. A photograph of the young boy remained in his wallet—a tangible reminder of the son he thought he might never meet. According to Adrian, Samantha had taken Cohen when he was just three months old, insisting the child was not his and severing all contact.

While DNA confirmation was still pending, Adrian could not resist approaching Cohen at the surf club. The meeting left the boy bewildered, forcing Roo and Cash to explain the complicated family history. When the results arrived, confirming what Adrian had long suspected, the moment was bittersweet for Roo. While she celebrated Cohen’s right to know his father, she also feared that the revelation might jeopardize the bond she had worked so hard to build.

The Fragile Father-Son Bond

Their first real meeting seemed to go well, with Cohen already warming to Adrian, calling him “dad” as they played footy together. But the fragile connection quickly faltered. Adrian attempted to explain that he had never abandoned Cohen—that it was Samantha who had misled him. Yet Cohen, still idolizing his mother, could not accept that she would lie and angrily rejected Adrian, leaving both men frustrated and hurt.

Roo initially allowed Cohen’s decision to stand, mindful of respecting the boy’s feelings. But when Alf Stewart took Cohen fishing, the young boy confided the truth behind his anger: he felt betrayed and unsure whom to trust. Alf encouraged Roo to give Adrian another chance, reminding her that this was uncharted territory for everyone involved.

Roo Faces Pressure

The stakes were raised when Harper warned Roo that obstructing Adrian’s relationship with Cohen could result in her losing her role as foster carer. Faced with the possibility of being forced out, Roo made the difficult decision to step back and allow father and son another opportunity to reconnect. The pair tentatively agreed to start over, giving hope that Cohen might finally experience a genuine familial bond.

This week, however, tension mounts. While Cohen is eager to learn more about his father, Adrian admits he has no idea how to be a dad. Roo worries that Adrian may not fully grasp the responsibilities he has just stepped into, potentially setting up false hopes for the boy. Meanwhile, Roo’s own emotions are tested as she struggles with the prospect of losing Cohen to his biological father, despite having grown to love him deeply.

Adrian’s Sudden Departure – Heartbreak for Cohen

The drama reaches a boiling point when Adrian, after a dinner with Roo and Cohen during which he spoke excitedly about his extended family, is spotted packing his car the next day. Without explanation, he announces that he must leave town, simply asking Roo to tell Cohen he is sorry. Roo is left stunned, realizing the devastating impact this could have on the boy. Cohen, who had just come to terms with his mother’s abandonment, now faces the possibility of losing another parental figure.

As Nathan Murray (who plays Cohen) told TV Week, “Cohen has begun to trust Roo and can see how caring she is. But the fear of losing someone else he loves is overwhelming for him.” Roo, determined not to let him down again, heads to the police station to track down Adrian, hoping she can convince him to return before Cohen is forced to confront yet another painful separation.

A Tense Week Ahead in Summer Bay

With Adrian’s sudden exit and Cohen’s trust hanging by a thread, viewers can expect a week of emotional highs and lows in Summer Bay. Will Adrian come back for his son, or has he truly abandoned the boy he never got to know? Can Roo maintain her role as a stable and loving presence in Cohen’s life, even as his biological father asserts his rights?

These storylines underscore the recurring Home and Away themes of family, loyalty, and resilience in the face of heartache. From Samantha’s shocking decisions to Adrian’s sudden disappearance, the show explores the complexities of parenthood, forgiveness, and what it means to truly care for someone in need.

For fans, the drama promises tears, tension, and moments of heartwarming connection as Cohen navigates these challenging relationships. Roo’s unwavering dedication, Adrian’s struggle to step into fatherhood, and Cohen’s search for belonging combine to create one of the most emotionally charged narratives in Summer Bay in recent memory.

As the week unfolds, viewers will be left on the edge of their seats, wondering if Cohen will finally find the security and love he has longed for, or if heartbreak will strike again. With Home and Away, nothing is ever simple—and this storyline proves yet again why the Bay remains one of television’s most compelling settings for drama.