Big changes are ahead for Days of Our Lives, and longtime viewers should brace themselves for heartbreak. The show is preparing for a major shake-up as Billy Flynn, who has portrayed Chad DiMera for nearly a decade, says goodbye to Salem. And the most painful part? There will be no recast—meaning Chad’s exit is not only real, but likely permanent. As speculation runs wild, one chilling question looms large: Will Chad survive long enough to walk away, or is tragedy just around the corner?

Billy Flynn’s Departure Ends an Era

Fans have come to know and love Chad as one of Salem’s most complex and compelling characters. Through love, loss, betrayal, and redemption, he has grown from a rebellious outsider into a central figure in the ever-twisting DiMera saga. So it came as a gut punch when news broke that Billy Flynn has wrapped filming and will be leaving the series.

But what makes this departure different is that there’s no planned recast for Chad. His story will come to a close—one way or another. And fans are already buzzing with theories. Will he simply leave town, or are the writers planning something far more dramatic and final?

Death in Salem: A Real Possibility

Let’s face it—this is Days of Our Lives, where no one is ever really safe. In a town where death often means a round-trip ticket, it’s tempting to dismiss the idea that Chad could die. But this time, things feel different. Chad’s possible death isn’t just a plot twist—it could serve as the emotional and narrative climax to a legacy that spans generations.

Insiders are whispering that his exit will be nothing short of heartbreaking. And considering the show films 8–9 months in advance, Chad will still appear on-screen through early 2026. That gives the writers plenty of time to slowly build up to his departure with layers of suspense, emotion, and devastating twists.

The DiMera Curse Strikes Again?

The DiMera family is no stranger to epic tragedy. Stefano, Lexie, Andre, Abigail—all taken in one shocking storyline or another. It’s almost a family tradition. If Chad’s story ends in death, it would fall in line with the dramatic downfalls that define the DiMera legacy. Could his death mark the final blow to a family already crumbling under the weight of its own power plays and betrayals?

Or could his exit be symbolic—a way to break free from the blood-stained DiMera legacy once and for all? Either path feels hauntingly poetic.

Clyde Weston: The Looming Threat

One name keeps coming up in fan discussions: Clyde Weston. Though currently in a coma, Clyde remains a looming danger. This isn’t your average soap villain—he’s methodical, relentless, and vengeful. He has a long and bitter history with Chad, especially since Chad married Abigail, the woman Clyde’s son Ben was once obsessed with.

What if Clyde wakes up and comes gunning for Chad? What if his final act of revenge is to take down the man who’s repeatedly gotten in his way? If Chad is too busy trying to build a peaceful life and protect his children, he might not even see the danger until it’s too late.

A Holiday Tragedy?

Picture this: It’s winter in Salem. The snow gently falls as townspeople prepare for the holidays. The DiMera mansion is decked out in lights. Then, a gunshot breaks the silence. Sirens scream through the night. A body is found. It’s Chad—bleeding in the snow, as Abigail’s cry pierces the cold air.

Could this be Chad’s tragic farewell? A shocking moment that sets off a ripple effect through the DiMera family? Abigail could spiral. EJ could become consumed with vengeance. Stefan might seize power, and Gabi could manipulate the situation to her advantage. It wouldn’t just be a death—it would be a political and emotional earthquake.

Or Could Chad Vanish Instead?

Still, Days of Our Lives is known for its twists. What if Chad fakes his death to protect his family? What if he disappears under a new identity, helped by someone like Steve or Shane? Maybe Kristen helps him escape as part of her own secret agenda. Or perhaps he’s kidnapped by someone with a long-standing grudge against the DiMeras.

Whatever the case, whether Chad dies or disappears, the void he leaves behind will be massive.

What Chad Leaves Behind

Chad was the rare DiMera who tried to change the family legacy from within. He was a moral compass in a sea of corruption. With him gone, the family’s already fragile structure could collapse. EJ is too broken, Stefan is too ruthless, Kristen is too manipulative, and Tony is too distant. There is no one else quite like Chad.

His absence would mark the end of an era—the loss of a character who stood for honor, love, and loyalty in a family built on secrets and schemes.

The Final Chapter

Whether Chad dies a hero—perhaps taking a bullet for his child—or walks away quietly into the shadows, the impact will be enormous. If his exit ends in bloodshed, it could serve as the powerful final act of a man who fought for something better. If he survives and vanishes, it could offer a bittersweet goodbye that leaves the door cracked open for a future return.