Salem is bracing for another explosive week — and if the latest developments are any indication, no one will be left untouched. The long-teased kidnapping of

Stephanie Johnson is finally set to unfold during the week of February 23, 2026 on Days of Our Lives, delivering the payoff to a winter preview that promised danger,

suspense, and emotional fallout. But while Stephanie’s abduction may be inevitable, the real shockwave could come from an entirely different direction: Jeremy’s potential exoneration.

For months, viewers have watched tension simmer around Stephanie’s past with Jeremy, her former abusive partner. What initially appeared to be a bold and meaningful attempt to explore domestic violence through a serious lens gradually shifted into more familiar soap territory — stalking, suspicion, and ultimately, kidnapping.

Stephanie’s Nightmare Becomes Reality

The signs have been there. Anonymous threats. Unsettling encounters. Stephanie’s visible fear masked by anger. The assumption — both in Salem and among viewers — has consistently pointed toward Jeremy. After all, history makes for a convenient villain.

Now, the spoilers confirm what many expected: Stephanie will be kidnapped from the hospital in a brazen attack. In classic Salem fashion, the perpetrator reportedly disguises themselves as medical personnel and incapacitates her with chloroform before vanishing.

It’s a trope Days has leaned on before, and once again it raises uncomfortable questions. How does someone infiltrate a hospital so easily? How does Steve Johnson, fiercely protective father and seasoned investigator, miss the signs?

The execution may frustrate some longtime fans, especially given the psychological depth this storyline initially promised. The idea of a traumatized survivor being targeted by a stalker held powerful dramatic potential. Instead, the narrative appears to pivot toward high-stakes action rather than sustained psychological exploration.

Yet if the mechanics feel familiar, the emotional stakes are anything but.

Steve Johnson Unleashed

When Stephanie disappears, her family will not waste a second.

And if there’s one thing viewers know, it’s this: Steve Johnson does not play when it comes to his daughter.

Determined, guilt-ridden, and fueled by righteous fury, Steve launches into action. His search is expected to be relentless, tapping into the gritty edge that has long defined him. For fans who crave emotional intensity and parental vengeance, this arc could deliver some of the week’s most powerful performances.

Unexpectedly joining the hunt is Brady Black. While some may question his divided priorities — particularly with his recently released and emotionally fragile daughter Rachel — Brady’s involvement suggests deeper integration into Salem’s investigative world. Could this mark a permanent shift toward him working full-time with the detective agency? It’s a move many viewers have anticipated.

Meanwhile, Stephanie herself won’t simply wait to be rescued. Spoilers indicate she will attempt to free herself — a welcome departure from the traditional “damsel in distress” formula. If executed well, this could restore some of the agency the storyline briefly lost.

Jeremy: Villain or Victim?

Perhaps the most intriguing twist isn’t the kidnapping itself — it’s what it may reveal.

Jeremy has been the prime suspect almost by default. His violent past with Stephanie makes him an easy target for suspicion. But easy isn’t always accurate.

After briefly being detained by police, Jeremy left Salem under the weight of public accusation. His departure felt abrupt, cutting short what could have been a layered redemption arc. A reformed abuser struggling to prove he has changed would have offered rare complexity. Instead, the town largely wrote him off.

Now, new developments may finally challenge that narrative.

If Jeremy is confirmed to be in New York when Stephanie is abducted, the timeline alone could dismantle the accusations against him. His innocence wouldn’t come from heroic action — but from hard evidence. And that matters.

Even more compelling is Marlena Evans’ involvement. As Salem’s resident psychiatrist, Marlena weighs in with a crucial perspective: Jeremy does not fit the psychological profile of a stalker.

Kayla, who has been firmly convinced of Jeremy’s guilt, is reportedly stunned by Marlena’s assessment. This dynamic could be pivotal. Unlike emotionally driven accusations from others in town, Marlena’s opinion carries clinical authority. If Kayla begins to question her assumptions, it may open the door to deeper reflection — and possibly guilt.

For Jeremy, this could be the beginning of long-overdue vindication.

Meanwhile in Salem…

As if one kidnapping weren’t enough, the rest of Salem continues to pulse with drama.

Sophia is pushing Rachel to help sabotage Holly — a scheme that threatens to spiral quickly. Whether Rachel confides in Kristen remains to be seen, but the potential for a mother-daughter alliance against Sophia could ignite fireworks.

Elsewhere, Chanel and Sarah unexpectedly bond over motherhood, offering a softer emotional counterpoint to the week’s darker themes. Meanwhile, EJ DiMera attempts to strike a strategic deal with Liam, signaling another power play brewing beneath the surface.

In a morally murky twist, Abe and EJ reportedly collaborate to keep Theo away from DiMera Enterprises. For Abe, often portrayed as Salem’s moral compass, this maneuver could complicate his legacy.

Salem, as always, is layered — one crisis bleeding into the next.

Will Justice Prevail?

The biggest question looming over the week is not simply who kidnapped Stephanie — but whether this ordeal will finally untangle the web of suspicion surrounding Jeremy.

If the story pivots toward exposing the real stalker while clearing an innocent man, it may redeem earlier narrative missteps. If not, viewers risk experiencing yet another recycled kidnapping arc without meaningful consequence.

What is certain is this: February 23 will not be quiet in Salem.

With Stephanie fighting for survival, Steve hunting for answers, and Jeremy’s fate hanging in the balance, the stage is set for a week of revelations, reckonings, and raw emotion.

And in a town where past sins rarely stay buried, the truth — however shocking — is never far behind.