Days Recap: Days of our Lives Recap July 6: A Mystery Clue Leads to Holly's Diagnosis

In today’s Days of our Lives recap for July 6, 2026, the claws came out between Kristen and Gwen, and Johnny was pulled deeper into EJ’s deadly dealings, while his clue led to a potential life-saving discovery.

Sarah Gets a Clue

Xander sat vigil by Holly's bedside | Image: Peacock

In Holly’s hospital room, Xander arrived and found Sarah sleeping in a chair beside a slumbering Holly. Sarah awoke, surprised her ex was there. Xander explained he’d wanted to check on both Holly and Sarah, especially because Sarah had been running herself ragged since Destiny’s death.

Sarah lamented how Holly’s condition was worsening and her body shutting down, and no one had any idea why. She got a page about the test results and briefly left the room. Xander stayed behind and told a still-sleeping Holly how much Victoria and the entire family missed her; he urged his niece to get well.

Meanwhile, Sarah went to her office and was perplexed to discover a medical book laying open on her desk, with a light shining on the contents. She read the displayed pages, which contained information about arsenic. Sarah suddenly had an epiphany and raced back to Holly’s room. She excitedly told Xander and a just-arrived Kayla that she believed she knew what was wrong with Holly. After Xander departed, Sarah filled Kayla in on the full details of her presumed diagnosis: arsenic poisoning.

Kayla reassured Sarah that she hadn’t messed up in overlooking arsenic because it was such a rare occurrence, and its symptoms mirrored so many other conditions. Kayla wanted to run additional tests to be certain before they began treatments, but Sarah stressed they were running out of time. The doctors discussed how Holly might have ingested arsenic. Sarah hoped Holly hadn’t intentionally taken tainted pills. Kayla went to order tests for arsenic on the well water sample.

Later, Sarah brought Holly – who was awake – a dose of the treatment. She had gotten approval from Nicole to proceed with the medication. Holly took the medicine as Sarah expressed optimism that they had finally turned a corner.

Suspicious Minds

Kristen and Brady had words in Horton Town Square | Image: JPI

In Horton Town Square, Kristen encountered Brady and began needling him about being sans a date on the Fourth of July. Brady retorted that he’d been to see Rachel, and the doctors thought she might be able to come home soon. The information didn’t invoke the response Brady had been expecting; Kristen insisted that Rachel couldn’t leave the hospital yet. Brady questioned Kristen’s panic. She told him about the incident with EJ visiting Rachel.

Kristen was certain EJ was trying to send her a message. When Brady asked why EJ might want to send a message and wondered if he should be worried, Kristen abruptly ended the conversation and left. As Brady mulled over the discussion, Steve – who had been enjoying watching fireworks and gossiping about the love lives of their friends with Kayla—approached. Brady informed his new partner about his newfound suspicions of Kristen and what trouble she might have gotten herself into this time.

Later, Brady and Steve went to the hospital to get an update on the water sample. Brady was shocked to learn from Xander that Sarah now suspected arsenic poisoning. Both men believed all roads led back to EJ, so Brady wanted to do some more digging. Xander got a dig in himself about Brady’s novel career path, but he surprisingly commended his nephew on getting out of the family business while the getting was good. After Xander groused about EJ’s latest dirty maneuver with the loan and its impact on Titan and – by extension – Basic Black. Brady asked what he could do to help.

Meanwhile, Brady’s partner, Steve, searched Sarah’s office for any indication of who might have left the book on the desk. Brady and he had agreed that it must have been someone with a link to both DiMera and to Holly.

The Cover-Up Is Worse

Johnny didn't like who he was becoming | Image: Peacock

At Johnny and Chanel’s place, EJ paid an unwelcome visit to Johnny, who confirmed he had carried out his father’s directive to plant the arsenic information in Sarah’s office. To EJ’s relief, Johnny had avoided all security cameras and worn gloves. EJ explained to his angry son that he couldn’t have undertaken the task himself because he had been busy disposing of the remaining contaminant from Smith Island. Johnny again blasted EJ for ever allowing the situation to reach this point, but EJ insisted he never would have ordered the disposal of the toxins at such a public place.

Johnny then blamed himself for not heeding Chanel’s warnings about rejoining the company. As a consequence, he had been forced to leave his sick wife’s side in order to do his father’s bidding. EJ stressed they had to do what was best for the company’s future. Johnny should be clear of the drama soon, provided he did EJ one more favor: keep the information about the drugs secret from his truth-telling cousin Theo. Johnny protested but ultimately seemed to concede.

Following EJ’s departure, Johnny chatted with his son Trey about how he’d always strived to be a good role model for his family. The gravity of his actions clearly weighed on him.

Catfight!

Leo had to keep Kristen away from Gwen | Image: Peacock

At the Salem Inn, Leo recovered from his concussive state long enough to see Gwen rampaging around his room. She snapped at Leo for opening his “gossipy” mouth and ruining her complication-free dalliance with Xander. Leo said he’d owed Gwen the truth, especially after how she had been hurt in the past, including by him. Gwen eased up and turned her ire elsewhere. She didn’t blame Xander because he’d been upfront about their lack of a romance from the beginning.

Kristen, on the other hand – “I’m going to kill her,” Gwen informed Leo as she breezed out the door. Leo quickly got dressed and rushed after Gwen, determined to save his friend from the “Duchess of Diabolical,” Kristen.

Later, at the DiMera mansion, Kristen smiled when she saw Gwen approach, relieved the visitor hadn’t been EJ. Gwen wiped the smile away by letting Kristen know she had much bigger problems than EJ. Kristen played dumb until Gwen confronted her about Xander. Kristen was entirely unfazed and said it didn’t mean anything, for her or for Xander. Her former friend’s unapologetic response enraged Gwen further.

Gwen lashed out at Kristen for becoming the latest in a long line of people who supposedly cared about her but who had put a knife in her back instead. Gwen vowed she was done rolling over and being victimized. Kristen smirked and inquired if Gwen was done with her “pity party.” She suggested that Gwen should have made more of an effort to “satisfy” Xander. Gwen roared and lunged at Kristen.

The commotion summoned Leo, who had been eavesdropping at the door and suddenly found himself in the middle of a full-on catfight. Leo managed to drag Gwen away from Kristen, while Gwen victoriously held up a hunk of Kristen’s hair. EJ had also arrived on the scene and grabbed Kristen. He got a flailing fist square on the nose for his effort. As they were forced into their respective corners, the women stared each other down with contempt.

Team Gwen or Team Kristen? Team DiMera or Team Titan? Team Holly or Team Arsenic? Sound off in the comments.