Days of our lives spoilers: John is dying, revealing shocking secret to Marlena and Steve.

A Hero’s Final Act: John Black’s Farewell Leaves Days of Our Lives Fans Grieving, Questioning, and Hoping

Welcome back to TV Days Drama Digest, where we peel back the layers of Salem’s most riveting storylines. Today, we delve into one of the most emotional and controversial arcs to hit Days of Our Lives in recent memory—the apparent end of John Black, portrayed by the late and beloved Drake Hogestyn. The episode that aired on May 23, 2025, not only delivered a high-stakes explosion and heart-wrenching goodbyes—it left viewers with a haunting question: Was that really Drake Hogestyn’s voice uttering John Black’s final words?

In the wake of Hogestyn’s recent passing from cancer, fans find themselves caught in a whirlwind of sorrow, speculation, and reverence. As social media buzzes with theories and tribute posts, we’re breaking down the powerful narrative, behind-the-scenes whispers, and the legacy of a character who helped shape modern soap opera.

The Final Mission: John Black’s Sacrifice

The May 23rd episode will likely go down as one of the most emotionally searing chapters in Days history. In a mission that blended espionage and emotional stakes, John teamed up with Hope Brady and Dr. Russell to infiltrate a high-security laboratory in a desperate attempt to secure Versix—a groundbreaking drug that could potentially save Bo Brady’s life.

The lab, shrouded in alarms and electronic traps, became a death trap when a desperate addict lunged at Dr. Russell, throwing the operation into chaos. John, ever the stalwart protector, threw himself into the fray. A brutal fight ensued on the lab’s cold, sterile floor. Hope managed to pull Russell to safety, but John stayed behind—true to character, refusing to retreat when others were at risk.

Then came the explosion.

A thunderous blast rocked the facility, sending fire and debris cascading. In the aftermath, John was found unconscious, burned and barely breathing—clutching the tray of Versix he had shielded with his own body. As paramedics raced him to the hospital, he rasped out a line that seemed to echo across the decades of Days history: “I’m going to save Bo.”

Salem University Hospital: A Fight Against Fate

John’s condition was grim. With third-degree burns over nearly a third of his body and extensive smoke inhalation, the prognosis was bleak. Steve “Patch” Johnson, his longtime brother-in-arms, stood vigil beside him, overcome with emotion as he described how John protected the miracle drug with everything he had.

“He shielded it like it was his own child,” Steve choked out, his trademark stoicism crumbling.

As Kayla Brady gave a medically grim report to Marlena Evans—the great love of John’s life—fans could feel the weight of decades come crashing down. The scenes were saturated with grief, love, and history. Marlena, played with aching depth by Deidre Hall, whispered over John’s bed, “You’ve been through so much, John. I know you’re tired… but please don’t leave us now.”

And then, in a voice hoarse and weak: “I love you, Doc.”

That iconic line, followed by a cryptic murmur—“I have a code”—were John’s last spoken words before he slipped into unconsciousness.

Was That Really Drake Hogestyn’s Voice?

That one question now haunts the Days fandom: Was it truly Drake Hogestyn’s voice delivering those final lines?

The beloved actor passed away from cancer just three weeks before the episode aired. Given the nature of soap opera production, it’s entirely plausible his scenes were filmed months in advance. But fans are torn. Some insist it was undeniably Drake—his voice, his cadence, his heart.

“That was Drake’s voice. No question,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). “You can’t fake that kind of emotion.”

Others aren’t so sure. Given the severity of John’s injuries and the actor’s declining health, some speculate that the show may have utilized a voice double or repurposed archival audio. “With the burns and the smoke inhalation, they could’ve easily dubbed the lines and we’d never know,” another viewer speculated. “But it felt like John.”

It’s a debate that’s stirred the deepest emotions in longtime fans. Some are calling for transparency from Days producers—demanding to know whether those final words were Drake’s swan song or a digital tribute.

The Legacy of John Black

Regardless of how those lines were recorded, the legacy of John Black remains unshakable. Introduced in 1986 as a mysterious amnesiac believed to be Roman Brady, John evolved into one of the most enduring and complex characters on daytime television.

His decades-spanning romance with Marlena weathered demonic possession, international espionage, kidnappings, mistaken identities, and near-death experiences. Their love story—filled with passion, betrayal, and redemption—earned them the enduring fan moniker “Jarlena.”

Through every reinvention—mercenary, priest, ISA agent—John Black remained the show’s moral compass. Drake Hogestyn brought a gravitas and charisma that made him not just a soap star, but a legend.

A Community in Mourning

The Days of Our Lives fandom is united in grief. On X, the hashtag #JohnBlackLives trended intermittently as fans flooded timelines with tributes and memories. “Drake deserved every Emmy he never got,” one fan wrote. Another shared, “The explosion, the burns, the ‘I love you, Doc’—that was the most John exit imaginable. I’m heartbroken, but grateful.”

Yet, some fans remain unsettled. “Why kill him off? Why not let John and Marlena ride off into the sunset?” a viewer lamented. Another echoed, “If that wasn’t Drake’s voice, they owe us an explanation.”

Others are already crafting fan theories about the cryptic line “I have a code.” Was it a final clue? A message hidden in plain sight? Or is John Black’s story not quite over?

What Comes Next?

In Salem, John Black’s absence will leave a gaping void. Marlena, Hope, and Steve are left to pick up the pieces. Bo Brady’s fate may be swayed by John’s sacrifice, and Dr. Russell’s work with Versix is bound to become a focal point in future storylines.

And then there’s that mysterious “code.”

In soap operas, death is often a temporary state. Whether via twin, clone, dream sequence, or miraculous recovery, the doors to resurrection are never quite shut. Could John Black return in another form? Could a younger John appear in flashbacks as part of a legacy arc? Could Drake Hogestyn’s final performance pave the way for something even bigger?

Final Thoughts

Drake Hogestyn’s impact on Days of Our Lives is indelible. Whether those final words were his or a tribute voiced by someone else, they captured the spirit of a man who gave everything to a role and a fanbase that adored him.

“I love you, Doc.” Simple. Profound. Eternal.

As Salem moves forward, so too does the legacy of John Black—a hero, a lover, a fighter, and above all, a symbol of hope.

And maybe… just maybe… a man with one last code to crack.