Days of our Lives Recap June 26: EJ Discovers Holly's Smith Island Coriseal Incident

On the Friday, June 26, 2026 episode of Days of our Lives, Stephanie made a decision, Brady and Kristen told Rachel about Sophia, Philip made a shocking discovery, and EJ overheard Sarah talk to Brady about Coriseal.

Choosing a Way Forward

Stephanie got news from Belle | Image: Peacock

At Stephanie’s apartment, Belle told Stephanie that the judge had determined that Owen was not fit to stand trial. Stephanie worried aloud that Owen would be released from Bayview after a few years, but Belle assured Stephanie that Owen was going to a high security facility for dangerous offenders instead. Belle reminded Stephanie that she was a survivor, and she needed to move past her fears of Owen.

After Belle left, Stephanie read a news article about her ordeal with Owen. The article quoted Jeremy as saying that Stephanie had given him the will to fight and survive. Stephanie looked at a photo of Owen, and she told him that she was no longer his victim. Stephanie was removing the extra deadbolts from the door when Alex returned home. Stephanie explained that the only way she could feel safer was to look inside herself and choose not to be scared.

Books and Beefs

EJ paced the DiMera living room as he spoke on the phone with Rita. EJ stressed that the drugs needed to stay buried both on Smith Island and in any investigation. When Chad arrived, he asked EJ if things had improved with Kristen since he had last seen his siblings. EJ explained that even though Rachel had shot him, Kristen blamed EJ for Rachel’s mental health issues.

EJ argued that Kristen was to blame for Rachel’s problems, not him. Chad agreed that Kristen had never been good at accepting responsibility for her actions. EJ noted that he had more important issues to deal with, but he would not elaborate. Chad asked to borrow Stefano’s chess book to help Belle decode the meaning of the chess set that Stefano had left to Marlena. When EJ asked about the box, Chad refused to tell EJ any details.

After Chad left, he met up with Belle at Julie’s bookstore. Belle told Chad that Paul had been unable to find anything unique about the lira they had found in the box. Chad told Belle that with the kids visiting their grandparents for the next month, he had plenty of time to help Belle with her mystery.

The Talk

Brady and Kristen told Rachel about Sophia's death | Image: Peacock

Kristen met up with Brady in Rachel’s room at Bayview and said she had been late because she had been unable to find the stuffed narwhal she had gotten for Rachel. When Rachel returned to the room, she had the stuffed narwhal in her arms. Rachel explained that EJ had given it to her the night before. Rachel said that EJ had told her that he forgave her for shooting him and given her the narwhal. When Kristen asked if EJ had mentioned anything else, Rachel said that EJ had told her about the fire in Johnny’s apartment.

Kristen and Brady told Rachel that Sophia had set the fire, and then she had killed herself. Upset, Rachel wondered aloud if the doctors would be unable to help her like they had been unable to help Sophia. Brady assured Rachel that she would be fine because she was learning how to deal with her emotions in a healthy manner. Kristen stressed that Rachel could count on her parents for support. A furious Kristen ordered Dr. Gregory to place EJ on the banned list at Bayview.

Word Spreads

EJ teased Xander about his affair with Kristen in front of Sarah | Image: Peacock

At the hospital, Xander asked Sarah if Holly was going to be okay. Sarah admitted she was not sure, but was still upset about Destiny. Sarah thanked Xander for having been a comfort to her after Destiny’s death. Xander told Sarah that Holly was in great hands. Sarah asked about the Coriseal investigation. Xander confirmed that the records of the drug had been suspiciously deleted, but he was working to recover the files from an inside contact.

When Xander admitted he was eager to take down EJ, Sarah reminded him that the investigation was about saving lives. Xander agreed. Sarah asked Xander to be careful, but she would only admit that Victoria needed him, not her. Xander appeared to understand that Sarah was saying she needed him too.

EJ interrupted and mentioned Xander’s affair with Kristen. Sarah was taken aback. EJ laughed as Sarah excused herself and walked away. As Xander glowered, EJ reminded Xander that he was no longer with Sarah. EJ advised Xander to move on. “You will regret this,” Xander growled. After Xander left, Sarah returned and chastised EJ for using Xander’s love life as a weapon. EJ warned Sarah not to make him an enemy. Sarah said she could say the same thing to him.

Brady met up with Sarah at the hospital to tell her about the talk with Rachel and asked if Sarah was okay. Sarah told Brady about her confrontation with EJ, and how she had struggled not to ask about Coriseal. Nearby, EJ eavesdropped. Sarah admitted that it was a stretch to believe that the issue with the drug at DiMera Pharmaceuticals was the cause of Holly’s symptoms. When Sarah mentioned Holly had gotten sick on Smith Island, EJ appeared concerned.

The Bottom Line

Philip was surprised to see that the Titan loan had been paid off | Image: Peacock

Alex visited Philip at Titan, so Philip asked about Stephanie. Alex admitted that between the PTSD and Kelsey, Stephanie was struggling. Caught up in his own anger, Philip noted that Alex and Stephanie would work through their issues because the problems were not based on deception or treachery. Alex told Philip he was sorry about Gabi. Philip said he would never forgive Gabi for what she had done to their family. When Alex noted that Gabi was attempting to make amends, Philip admitted Xander had convinced him to accept the money.

Philip argued that there would be trouble if EJ discovered Gabi’s intended use for Stefano’s money. “That’s why we have to make sure that EJ never finds out,” Alex said. Alex asked Philip if he had known about the set-up for the plagiarism lawsuit. Philip confirmed he had been in the dark. Philip added that he was not surprised by Kate’s actions. Alex noted that they were lucky that Xander had dropped the lawsuit and that Johnny had decided to move on.

Alex pointed out that EJ was under a lot of scrutiny because of Lexie, and he might be too distracted to attack them. When Alex suggested they sell the estate, Philip was horrified. Alex asked Philip if Victor would choose saving Titan over the house. When Xander returned to the office, Philip was finishing running the numbers to pay off the loan. A confused Philip told Xander that the Titan loan had been paid, but he did not know how.

Do you think Sophia is still alive out there on Smith Island? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.