Home > Commentary

5 Of The Most Devastating Soap Opera Deaths of all Time

Brad Carlton, Stefano and Hope, Jason MorganBrad Carlton, Stefano and Hope, Jason Morgan
 Comments

Soap opera deaths are some of the most traumatic events you’ll ever see on TV. As fans, we invest time watching these characters day-to-day adventures and when one passes, it seems as if a close friend is gone.

While death is a regular occurrence on soap operas, there are some that have affected fans more than others. Here are five soap opera deaths that fans just cannot forget.

How many of these horrific events brought you to tears?

Dixie's death on AMC brought fans to tears who followed the beloved character for years on the serial.
Dixie’s death on AMC brought fans to tears who followed the beloved character for years on the serial.

5. The Accidental Death of Dixie Chandler on AMC
The town of Pine Valley was under the wrath of the Satin Slayer, not knowing who or how they would attack next. Long-time heroine Dixie Cooney (Cady McClain) mistakenly ate a batch of peanut butter pancakes laced with a drug known to bring on V-Tach. The food was not intended for the beloved Pine Valley resident. Instead, it was initially intended for the Satin Slayer’s next victim, Babe Carey Chandler. Dixie collapsed with her beloved Tad Martin (Michael E. Knight), making Dixie the third victim of the Satin Slayer.

Days' Hope murdering Stefano was a turning point for the long-running character, who avenged the horrors the madman had put her through for most of her life.
Days’ Hope murdering Stefano was a turning point for the long-running character, who avenged the horrors the madman had put her through for most of her life.

4. Stefano DiMera Dies Facing Down Hope Brady on Days
There was a reason the character of Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo) was nicknamed The Phoenix. No matter how he “died,” Stefano always seemed to rise and return. After years of near-fatal misses, the diabolical DiMera finally met his match against long-standing nemesis, Detective Hope Brady. Hope (Kristian Alfonso) assumed that Stefano was responsible for Bo’s kidnapping and torture. She confronted one of Salem’s most notorious criminals and shot him to death. She and Rafe later disposed of Stefano’s body and framed Andre for his murder. Little did she knows Stefano wasn’t responsible for Bo’s death at all. This one may still come back to bite Hope after DAYS’ Summer Olympic break.

What do you think? Post a comment!
The death of B.J. Jones was one of the most horrific and tragic in General Hospital history.
The death of B.J. Jones was one of the most horrific and tragic in General Hospital history.

3. BJ Jones Dies and Gives Life to Another on General Hospital
Soap opera deaths are tragic, but there are none more upsetting than the death of a child. In 1994, one of the most horrific we have ever seen took place on General Hospital. Little BJ Jones was involved in a school bus accident, leaving the child with horrific injuries and brain death. In a tragic twist, BJ’s cousin Maxie was in need of a heart transplant. After BJ’s death, her parents, Tony (Brad Maule) and Bobbie (Jacklyn Zeman), agreed to give Maxie her cousin’s heart.

Y&R gave the death of Brad Carlton a tragic twist.
Y&R gave the death of Brad Carlton a tragic twist, as he died being a hero, saving his beloved’s daughter from death and giving his own life in the process.

2. Brad Carlton’s Heroic Last Act on The Young and the Restless
Brad Carlton followed Sharon Newman up to the Abbott cabin after she said she needed some time alone. Although she pushed him away initially, Brad declared his love for her. She didn’t feel the same and sent him back to Genoa City. On his way back to town, he experienced car trouble. While he was fixing his vehicle, he saw that Sharon’s son Noah Newman was drowning after falling through the ice while skating with girlfriend, Eden. Brad died after heroically helping Noah, leaving behind daughters, Colleen and Abby.

GH's Jason died and was later tossed into the river, bringing an end to Steve Burton's long-running time on the ABC serial.
GH’s Jason died and was later tossed into the river, bringing an end to Steve Burton’s long-running time on the ABC serial.

1. The Death and Life of General Hospital’s Jason Morgan
Jason Morgan left the lavish life of luxury of the Quartermaine family and became a crime lord alongside mob boss Sonny Corinthos. He lived this life for nearly two decades and thought he was invincible. After reuniting with Sam and their baby Danny, Jason attended a meeting on the pier. Suddenly, Jason was shot at the hands of Cesar Faison and fell into water. His body was never found, despite Sam’s valiant attempts. Although the character of Jason would later return, his untimely death shocked the show’s viewers, who had watched the character evolve over the years from insecure teenager to mature mobster.

[relbar link=”http://soaphub.wpengine.com/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-michael-easton-reunion-general-hospital/” text=”Kelly Monaco and Michael Easton Reunion on General Hospital!”]Do you have a character death that impacted you as a fan that you’d like to share? Leave your comments in the section below.
 
Share your thoughts, leave a comment in the section below. Additionally, for more daytime soap spoilers updates, recaps, and news,  go to Soap Hub’s Facebook fanpage and join the conversation about all your favorite soaps!
 

 

[boombox widget=”quiz” id=”200349″ width=”100%” height=”auto”]

Subscribe Now

Get spoilers, news and recaps in your inbox daily.

Subscribe Now

Get spoilers, news and recaps in your inbox daily.