2003 and 2004 were probably the most violent years in Salem's history. The Salem Stalker had started a reign of terror that ended in the "deaths" of many of the town's longtime residents. No one, including unspoiled viewers, could figure out who was killing half the town, including Alice Horton, who got choked on a donut. The murderer's identity was finally revealed after Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) was mauled by a tiger during a circus. As he lied near death in his hospital bed, someone sneaked into his room and attempted to put poison in his IV. As Tony awoke, the camera slowly panned up to reveal that none other than Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), one of DAYS' most popular heroines, was the infamous Salem Stalker. As the increasingly goofy storyline unfolded, we learned the victims were not dead after all, but trapped on an island made to look like Salem. But at the time, it looked like a non-possessed Marlena had killed many of her most cherished friends and loved ones, and it made for some truly unforgettable moments.
2003 and 2004 were probably the most violent years in Salem's history. The Salem Stalker had started a reign of terror that ended in the "deaths" of many of the town's longtime residents. No one, including unspoiled viewers, could figure out who was killing half the town, including Alice Horton, who got choked on a donut. The murderer's identity was finally revealed after Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) was mauled by a tiger during a circus. As he lied near death in his hospital bed, someone sneaked into his room and attempted to put poison in his IV. As Tony awoke, the camera slowly panned up to reveal that none other than Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), one of DAYS' most popular heroines, was the infamous Salem Stalker. As the increasingly goofy storyline unfolded, we learned the victims were not dead after all, but trapped on an island made to look like Salem. But at the time, it looked like a non-possessed Marlena had killed many of her most cherished friends and loved ones, and it made for some truly unforgettable moments.