Salem is reeling after an emotional bombshell that’s left the town shaken to its core. In a storyline packed with sorrow, suspense, and lasting legacy, Days of Our Lives fans are witnessing the most heart-wrenching chapter in the life of the beloved John Black. Played for decades by the iconic Drake Hogestyn, John’s final scenes aired just weeks after the actor’s real-life passing from cancer, blurring the lines between fiction and reality in one of the soap’s most poignant farewells.

In the May 23rd, 2025 episode, viewers watched breathlessly as John risked everything in a high-stakes mission to save Bo Brady’s life. Alongside Hope Brady and Dr. Russell, John broke into a top-security lab in pursuit of Versix — an experimental drug that could be Bo’s only shot at survival. As alarms blared and danger loomed, the trio’s courage was put to the ultimate test.

But just as they were on the verge of success, a desperate addict lunged at Dr. Russell. In a flash, John threw himself into the line of fire, wrestling the attacker to the ground in a violent scuffle. Hope rushed Russell to safety, but when she returned for John, tragedy struck. An explosion rocked the lab, engulfing the screen in flames. The aftermath revealed John’s body, burned and broken, yet still clutching the precious Versix — a symbol of his undying commitment to protect those he loves.

As he was rushed to Salem University Hospital, John’s breathing was shallow, his body devastated by the blast. But even on the brink of death, he managed to rasp a final promise: “I’m going to save Bo.” These words, simple yet profound, captured the essence of the man fans have cherished for nearly 40 years.

Inside the hospital, the tension was unbearable. Steve “Patch” Johnson, John’s closest friend and partner through decades of danger, stood beside him. Tearfully, Steve described how John had shielded the tray of Versix with his own body — an act of pure heroism. Steve, usually the rock, crumbled under the emotional weight, unable to hold back his grief.

The prognosis was grim. Dr. Kayla Brady informed Marlena — John’s soulmate and the heart of his story — that he had suffered third-degree burns over 30% of his body and severe smoke inhalation. Marlena, portrayed with gut-wrenching emotion by Deidre Hall, remained by John’s side, her voice soft but pleading. “Please, don’t leave us now,” she whispered, her words filled with decades of shared love and loss.

And then came the moment that shattered viewers. With great effort, John opened his eyes and told Marlena, “I love you, Doc.” But before she could respond, John added something cryptic — “I have a code” — before falling unconscious once again. The hospital room fell into chaos as doctors worked desperately to save him. Marlena clutched his hand, whispering, “I’m right here, John. I love you, too.” Her voice echoed as the screen faded to black — leaving fans stunned and in tears.

But the emotional turmoil didn’t end there. Fans quickly took to social media, asking a haunting question: Was that really Drake Hogestyn’s voice in John’s final moments? Given Hogestyn’s death just three weeks before the episode aired, theories exploded online. Could it have been a voice double? Archive audio? Or did the actor manage to record his farewell scenes before his health declined?

Longtime viewers swear the voice belonged to Hogestyn. “That was Drake. You can’t fake that kind of heart,” one fan tweeted. Others weren’t so sure, speculating that the voice might have been enhanced in post-production due to the character’s injuries. Still, the emotion in those final words was undeniable, real or not — and the debate only intensified the heartbreak.

Further adding to the mystery was the confirmed use of a stunt double in earlier scenes, including one involving an ice trap. While practical, it led fans to wonder how much of the final episode was real and how much was carefully edited. If this was Hogestyn’s last performance, it stands as a powerful tribute not just to John Black, but to the actor himself — a man whose legacy is forever tied to the show.

John Black’s journey has always been epic. Introduced in 1986 as a man with no past and mistaken identity, he grew into one of Salem’s greatest heroes. He battled brainwashing, mobsters, and international conspiracies. And through it all, his unwavering love for Marlena kept him grounded. Together, they were “Jarlena,” the supercouple who weathered it all.

His final act — risking his life to save Bo and protect a life-saving cure — was a perfect end for a man defined by his courage. Fans across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are united in their grief. One post read simply, “John Black’s death broke me.” Another said, “It felt like we were losing Drake and John at the same time.”

As fans process this loss, one thing remains clear: John Black’s spirit lives on in the hearts of viewers, etched forever in the legacy of Days of Our Lives. Whether his voice in that final scene was Drake’s or not, the soul behind those words could only belong to one man. A hero. A husband. A legend.

This is not just the end of a storyline. It’s the end of an era. And Salem will never be the same.