Tears are flooding Salem as an era tragically ends! On Monday, June 2nd, the entire “Days of Our Lives” world witnessed a gut-wrenching sight: the iconic character John Black (portrayed by the beloved Drake Hogestyn) has permanently departed. Our hero breathed his last after sustaining severe injuries in a horrific explosion, all for a noble cause: to secure a cure for sepsis and save his dear brother, Bo Brady’s life. John Black’s exit isn’t just a storyline conclusion; it’s a powerful, heartbreaking tribute to the real-life legend Drake Hogestyn – who embodied John Black for nearly four decades and courageously fought pancreatic cancer until his final moments on September 28, 2024.

Amidst the overwhelming grief for John’s funeral, as his family and friends gather to mourn, a cold, unsettling ripple of unease is spreading, hinting at a nightmare that refuses to end. John’s sworn enemy – the vile villain Orpheus (portrayed by George DelHoyo) – who had previously kidnapped John on a past ISA assignment, is now sending ominous signals about a potential return to Salem!

💔 TRIBUTE FROM A FOE: ORPHEUS UNVEILS DRAKE HOGESTYN’S SECRETS!

As John Black’s funeral unfolds, filled with poignant eulogies and tears from Marlena, Brady, Belle, Eric, and other beloved characters, actor George DelHoyo (Orpheus) made a surprising appearance on Michael Fairman’s YouTube tribute, “Drake Hogestyn Tribute Live – Days of Our Lives.” There, DelHoyo not only expressed profound respect for Drake Hogestyn but also revealed never-before-heard details about a true legend.

With immense admiration, DelHoyo shared: “He (Drake) was honest and extremely generous. I got that from the first day I met him.” It’s a striking contrast to see Orpheus, once John Black’s ultimate nightmare, speak so highly of Drake, underscoring the deep real-life connection between the two actors.

The actor also recounted Hogestyn’s extraordinary work ethic: “The discipline, the unbelievable discipline he had with his work and with everything he did frankly. I mean I don’t know that I’ve ever known anybody that was that prepared when you showed up on set, and I prepared pretty well, but I think he had the script there just to make the rest of us feel good.” He continued, “I mean he had it down, every queue, he knew my lines as well as his. He just was always ready, and he was always very awake too because you know no matter how early you started he’d been there three hours before. If it was 7:00 he was there at 4. Working out showering doing the whole thing and going over the lines and then man he was right there ready to hit it.” These words aren’t just praise; they paint a vivid picture of a remarkable man, a dedicated artist who gave his all to the role of John Black and to “Days of Our Lives.”

DelHoyo added further poignant memories of their work together: “I think he came to my room to run lines to just humor me, probably I just loved working with him, I loved his generosity, his kindness and his willingness to be positive and encouraging and full of praise for what I did, and for what others did. I mean he was never reluctant to offer enthusiasm for the work that he was seeing. I love that about him. That’s not always entirely common. He was a great pleasure and a joy to know and to be with.” These heartfelt words only deepen the sense of loss felt by fans and colleagues alike.

😱 JOHN BLACK’S DEATH & THE OMINOUS HINT FROM ORPHEUS!

John Black has exited the screen after an incredible 4425 episodes, a run stretching back to 1986. “Days of Our Lives” writers had to make the difficult decision to pen the character’s death because Drake Hogestyn bravely stepped away from the role to battle pancreatic cancer. “While we wanted John to have a heroic and meaningful exit, we wrote the story with the fervent hope that Drake would be able to return someday,” the writers shared. “Realizing he might never come back, while praying he would, we needed to craft an exit that honored John, Drake, and the fans.” The June 2, 2025 episode depicted John’s family, especially Marlena, saying a tearful goodbye.

But even as the tears have yet to dry, a detail shared by DelHoyo has sent shivers down the spines of fans: “I have been back a couple of times since we lost him [Hogestyn], and I feel his absence there for me personally.” This is a chilling clue! Orpheus has made appearances even after Drake Hogestyn’s passing! While the show hasn’t officially confirmed his latest return, it wouldn’t be the first time Orpheus has resurfaced without prior network announcement.

Is the return of John Black’s ultimate adversary a calculated move to destabilize Salem while the town is still in mourning? Or is it a stark reminder that even when a hero falls, pure evil always lurks, waiting for the opportune moment to strike?

As “Days of Our Lives” continues to unfold the aftermath of John Black’s death and prepares for his impending funeral, all eyes will be on any signs of Orpheus. His re-emergence amidst the somber atmosphere could plunge Salem into a new, terrifying nightmare, turning grief into sheer terror!