Few soap operas embrace mystery, resurrection, and dark family secrets quite like Days of Our Lives. For decades, Salem has been a town where the dead rarely stay buried,

where family crypts conceal more lies than answers, and where the past has an uncanny habit of clawing its way back into the present. Now, a chilling new revelation involving DNA testing

and a skeletal fragment found in the DiMera family tomb threatens to rewrite history—and possibly close the book on one of the most iconic villains daytime television has ever known.

At the center of this haunting storyline is a discovery so unsettling that it has sent shockwaves through Salem and left fans reeling: DNA analysis of the skeleton has revealed a shocking identity, one that could finally confirm the permanent demise of Stefano DiMera—the infamous Phoenix himself.

A Grim Discovery in the DiMera Crypt

The DiMera crypt has always been a place steeped in dread. Hidden beneath the opulent DiMera estate, its cold stone walls have witnessed generations of betrayal, ambition, and bloodshed. This time, however, the tomb became the epicenter of a mystery that no one saw coming.

The discovery occurred during Chad DiMera’s desperate search for answers about his beloved Abigail. Haunted by grief and unresolved questions surrounding her disappearance, Chad ventured into the depths of the crypt, clinging to the fragile hope that he might finally find closure. Instead, he found skeletal remains—bone fragments scattered in the shadows, their presence both horrifying and cruelly ambiguous.

At first, Chad feared the worst. The possibility that the remains belonged to Abigail nearly shattered him. In Salem, tragedy often arrives without warning, and Chad has already lost more than most. But just as despair threatened to consume him, an unexpected voice of reason intervened.

Theo Carver Changes Everything

Enter Theo Carver, whose sharp intellect and analytical eye proved pivotal. While emotions ran high, Theo approached the discovery with calm precision. Examining the bone fragment closely, he noticed something crucial: the size and density didn’t align with that of a woman.

“This isn’t Abigail,” Theo concluded. “This bone belongs to a man.”

That single revelation changed everything.

If the skeleton wasn’t Abigail’s, then whose remains were hidden in the DiMera crypt? Almost immediately, one name loomed larger than any other—Stefano DiMera.

Is This Finally the End of the Phoenix?

Stefano DiMera is more than a villain; he is a legend. For decades, he terrorized Salem with elaborate schemes involving mind control, imposters, secret islands, and miraculous resurrections. Shot, blown up, poisoned, drowned—Stefano cheated death so many times that fans came to expect his inevitable return. His nickname, “The Phoenix,” became synonymous with his uncanny ability to rise from the ashes.

Yet this time feels different.

The skeletal remains are tangible. Real. Unlike past fake deaths or misdirections, this discovery comes with scientific scrutiny. When law enforcement, led by Rafe Hernandez, seized the bone fragments and sent them for forensic testing, the story crossed a critical threshold. This wasn’t rumor or speculation—it was evidence.

The DNA Results That Rock Salem

When the DNA test results arrived, the implications were staggering. The analysis reportedly confirmed a genetic match consistent with Stefano DiMera. Bone degradation aligned with the timeline of his last presumed death, and forensic markers suggested exposure to toxins similar to those used in past assassination attempts.

For the DiMera family, the confirmation was devastating.

EJ DiMera, Stefano’s ambitious and conflicted son, was forced to confront the unthinkable: his father might truly be gone for good. Stefano was a monster, yes—but he was also EJ’s father, mentor, and twisted moral compass. The DNA report doesn’t just close a case; it opens emotional wounds that may never fully heal.

Emotional Fallout for the DiMeras

Chad DiMera, already fractured by loss, is left grappling with disbelief. Stefano was supposed to be indestructible. Accepting his permanent death means accepting a future without the looming shadow that has defined his family for generations.

Kristen DiMera, meanwhile, is unlikely to take the news quietly. Her devotion to her father has always bordered on obsession, and the confirmation of his death could ignite a dangerous spiral—one fueled by grief, rage, and a hunger for control.

And EJ? The power vacuum Stefano leaves behind could transform him completely. Without the Phoenix pulling the strings, EJ may feel emboldened to fully embrace his darker instincts, positioning himself as Salem’s next great threat.

The Mystery Deepens: Who Put the Skeleton There?

While the DNA results point strongly toward Stefano, one question remains unanswered: who placed the skeleton in the DiMera tomb?

Was it a vengeful enemy seeking to torment the family? Stefano amassed countless foes over the years—Orpheus, Vivian Alamain, Megan Hathaway, and more. Any one of them could have orchestrated this macabre reveal as a final act of revenge.

Or was it an inside job? A calculated move by someone within the DiMera family to manipulate inheritance, power, or perception? In Salem, betrayal often comes from the closest quarters.

This unanswered question ensures the storyline remains rich with suspense, even as it appears to bring long-awaited closure.

A Turning Point for Days of Our Lives

If Stefano DiMera is truly gone, Days of Our Lives stands at a crossroads. His presence shaped the show for decades, setting the standard for larger-than-life villains and operatic storytelling. Letting him rest—truly rest—signals a shift toward a new era.

Without Stefano’s shadow, Salem’s conflicts may become more grounded, more intimate. Power struggles, family fractures, and emotional reckonings could take center stage, driven by human flaws rather than near-supernatural masterminds.

It’s a bold move, but one that honors the legacy of both the character and the late Joseph Mascolo, who portrayed Stefano with unforgettable charisma and menace.

What Comes Next?

The DNA revelation doesn’t just close a chapter—it ignites new ones. Alliances will shift. Old wounds will reopen. And the DiMera family, long defined by Stefano’s iron grip, must now redefine itself in his absence.

Whether this discovery marks a permanent farewell or the setup for one final twist remains to be seen. After all, this is Salem. But for now, the evidence suggests something fans have rarely been allowed to believe: the Phoenix may finally be ashes.

One thing is certain—Days of Our Lives has delivered a storyline that honors its past while daring to reshape its future. And Salem will never be the same again.