Soapy Sadness: The Five Most Tragic Soap Opera Deaths of 2018

It’s never easy losing a favorite soap opera character, and unfortunately, 2018 has had some seriously tragic ones that have ripped out our hearts.

Here are Soap Hub’s picks for which ones ripped our hearts out the most and made us wish every show had their own Dr. Rolf to bring people back to life.

Nathan West
Ryan Paevey’s departure from General Hospital warranted a hasty exit for the handsome cop who stole Maxie’s (Kirsten Storms) heart.

His own father did the deed several months before Nathan got the chance to be a dad himself. Knowing what a great life Nathan could have had made it all the more heartbreaking.

Andre DiMera
Sure, you’re thinking why is Andre’s (Thaao Penghlis) death tragic since he got so evil again at the end?

Well, about 10 minutes before that, he was so cute with wife Kate (Lauren Koslow) and he was Abby’s (then Marci Miller) champion. His death at her hands made Abby a murderess and split her personalities. Sad!

Hilary Hamilton
The death of superstar Hilary (and her unborn child) canonized the often backstabbing character right into sainthood and made Devon (Bryton James) super sad!

It also sent his beloved sister to the slammer for doing the deed and just like that, The Young and the Restless fans were without two of their most dynamic leading ladies.

Nicole Walker
Nicole (Arianne Zucker) was already living her life away from Salem on DAYS. The show couldn’t leave well enough alone and decided to kill her a fiery blaze as we watched her beg for her life.

This was a hideous way to say goodbye to a character who we had rooted for to become a mother (and she was finally) for so many years.

Kiki Jerome
Hayley Erin’s going primetime so her GH character was killed off in gruesome fashion soon after winning her #MeToo court battle.

She had everything to live for and could have been recast, but noooo. We lost long-term story for short-term murder mayhem — and Emmy-worthy performances from Maura West (Ava), who ripped our hearts out.

Honorable Mentions
It was a bad year to be born in soapland, at least for David Grant on DAYS and Wiley on GH. David’s parents, Eli (Lamon Archey) and Lani (Sal Stowers) continue to mourn but have also reunited.

The first Wiley’s poor mom, Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) doesn’t even know he died thanks to Brad’s (Parry Shen) quick thinking. Both were incredibly sad.