Days of Our Lives 7/3/25 Full Next Week and Preview: R.I.P Thomas

Next week on Days of Our Lives, Salem spirals into a whirlwind of heartbreak, danger, and shocking revelations that will leave fans reeling. Secrets will be unearthed, lives will be shattered, and by week’s end, one young life will be tragically cut short — marking one of the most devastating storylines the show has delivered in years.

The week begins with a cloud of tension hanging over University Hospital, where Aaron Green stands trembling in front of a DNA lab door. Once a celebrated baseball prodigy, Aaron now carries the weight of a secret that could destroy two families. In his hand lies an envelope — the results of a paternity test that could reveal whether he’s the father of little Tazoro, the baby everyone believes belongs to Johnny DiMera and Chanel Dupree.

As Aaron clutches the paper, memories flash before his eyes — the night he and Chanel shared an impulsive connection under a meteor shower, the guilt that consumed him when Johnny learned Chanel was pregnant, and the ache of wondering if that child might carry his DNA. When the lab tech finally calls his name, the world seems to stop. “The results are conclusive,” the voice says, and Aaron’s heart drops. Whether the answer confirms or denies his fears, the fallout will be catastrophic.

If Aaron is the father, he must decide whether to fight for his child or step aside and let Chanel and Johnny raise Tazoro as their own. But if Johnny is the father, that doesn’t bring relief either — the DiMera bloodline carries its own legacy of manipulation and madness. Behind Aaron’s turmoil is a deeper pain — the absence of his own father, a wound that shaped him into the man he is. That pain resurfaces as he stands in the rain later in the week, delivering a raw, emotional monologue on the Salem Pier. Chanel overhears every word, and Johnny arrives just in time to witness a moment that could change everything — a confrontation that erupts into heartbreak, confession, and perhaps an unexpected kiss.

Meanwhile, at Salem High, young Ariana Grace Horton finds herself caught between two worlds — safety and danger, past and future. After a touching reunion with her uncle Theo Carver, now a successful tech mogul, Ari feels a spark of destiny. Theo offers her a summer internship, and the chemistry between them is undeniable. But trouble arrives in the form of Liam Frasier, the mysterious transfer student with a dark past and a dangerous charm.

Liam’s bad-boy confidence pulls Ari in despite her better judgment. When Theo catches Liam slipping Ari a burner phone, his insecurities boil over, leading to a tense confrontation that nearly turns violent. But what neither of them knows is that Liam is tied to something far more sinister — a secret underground laboratory that could destroy them all.

Underneath the newly built Mike Horton Free Clinic lies a clandestine lab funded by EJ DiMera. Officially, it’s a facility for neurological research, but in truth, EJ’s experiments push the limits of morality. Memory manipulation, behavior control, and whispers of resurrection — the lab’s true purpose is horrifying.

Leo Stark, Salem’s gossip columnist and professional troublemaker, stumbles into the conspiracy after overhearing EJ’s cryptic phone call about “phase one subjects.” Sneaking into the clinic after hours, Leo discovers files listing human test subjects, including one labeled “LS” — his own initials. Before he can escape, EJ appears from the shadows. The last thing we hear is Leo’s terrified scream echoing through the ventilation shafts. Will he survive — or become EJ’s next experiment?

Elsewhere, Theo and Liam’s rivalry deepens when old wounds reopen. Years ago, Liam bullied Theo relentlessly in school, mocking his autism. Now, face-to-face as adults, Theo’s calm exterior hides old scars and conflicting emotions. The tension between them simmers dangerously — until a late-night bonfire party pushes things to the edge. When Liam challenges Theo to a cruel game of “truth or dare,” what Theo confesses shocks everyone and could alter how Salem sees him forever.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Horton’s love life becomes a disaster zone. His online dating escapades spiral out of control when three women — Gwen Rizczech, Cat Green, and a mysterious stranger with a black cat emoji as her profile — all arrive at the same Halloween party. Lies unravel in spectacular fashion: Gwen’s fury leads to a flying drink, Cat storms out in tears, and the mystery woman’s unmasking stuns the entire room.

But the most haunting story of the week unfolds at the DiMera mansion — where a childish prank turns deadly. Rachel Black, Kristen’s mischievous daughter, convinces her cousin Thomas DiMera to join her in “just a little fun.” They plan to scare Cat Green by launching pumpkins from an antique DiMera catapult. But when Thomas pulls the lever, the prank spirals into horror.

The first pumpkin misses. The second strikes Cat’s shoulder. The third, loaded with a hidden metal component from the ancient mechanism, hurls straight toward her head. Alex Kiriakis dives into action, shoving Cat out of the way just in time. But the impact triggers the mechanism again — sending a sharp blade flying through the air.

Time slows. The screen goes silent. Then, a piercing cry breaks through. The blade misses Cat — but strikes Thomas. The young boy collapses, blood blooming across the grass as chaos erupts. Rachel screams. Kristen rushes forward in horror. Chad drops his coffee, racing to his son’s side, his face pale with disbelief. “Thomas! Stay with me!” he shouts, his voice cracking as he cradles his child.

By the time paramedics arrive, it’s too late. The monitor flatlines, and the world of Days of Our Lives shatters. Thomas DiMera is gone.

The aftermath devastates Salem. Rachel blames herself, but Kristen’s fury knows no bounds. Chad, broken and hollow, refuses to let go of his son’s hand. In one of the most emotional performances the show has ever delivered, Billy Flynn portrays a father’s unimaginable grief with haunting realism. The once-proud DiMera mansion falls silent — the laughter of children replaced by sobs echoing through its marble halls.

As the week ends, the entire town gathers for the dedication of the Mike Horton Free Clinic. But instead of a celebration, the event becomes a somber memorial. Aaron’s paternity results, Theo’s confession, and EJ’s experiment all come to a head — converging in one fateful moment as lightning flashes across the Salem skyline.

Leo’s muffled screams rumble beneath the floor. Ari watches Theo walk away. Aaron clutches the DNA results, still unopened. And Chad, standing beside a small white casket, whispers goodbye to his son.

Salem has seen heartbreak before, but this time, nothing will ever be the same.

Next week on Days of Our Lives, love, loss, and redemption intertwine in the most tragic and unforgettable way. Brace yourself — because when the dust settles, the words on everyone’s lips will be the same: R.I.P. Thomas.