Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Leo Uses Gwen’s Dead-Man Switch to Blackmail EJ and Save Her

Leo Stark may be preparing to launch a dangerous rescue mission after realizing that Gwen Rizczech has mysteriously disappeared. Since Gwen previously warned him that EJ DiMera would be responsible if anything happened to her, Leo’s suspicions could quickly turn toward Salem’s most powerful schemer.

Fortunately, Gwen appears to have anticipated the possibility of being kidnapped—or even killed. Before vanishing, she created a “dead man’s switch” containing enough evidence to expose EJ’s secret medical operation and potentially destroy him.

Now Leo may have to use that information before it is too late.

Gwen Prepared for EJ’s Betrayal

Gwen previously confided in Leo that she possessed damaging evidence against EJ. The material reportedly concerns his secret laboratory activity at the hospital and the questionable science surrounding Dr. Rolf’s miracle serum.

Leo immediately wanted access to the information so he could publish a major exposé. Gwen refused to give it to him directly because she understood the danger involved.

She believed EJ would kill her if she publicly exposed his secrets. However, she also knew he might eliminate her even if she remained silent.

To protect herself, Gwen arranged for an attorney to hold the evidence. If the lawyer failed to hear from her within ten days, the files would automatically be released to Leo.

The arrangement was designed as an insurance policy. EJ could threaten Gwen, kidnap her or make her disappear, but he would not be able to prevent the evidence from eventually reaching the outside world.

At least, that was the plan.

EJ Had Several Reasons to Silence Gwen

EJ’s relationship with Gwen had already become increasingly hostile.

The two were connected through the proposed profits from Dr. Rolf’s serum, but EJ allegedly reduced Gwen’s percentage of the money. Their original plan to sell the treatment on the black market also failed to develop as expected.

Instead, they were forced to wait for possible regulatory approval to use the serum as a legitimate treatment. That process would take much longer and likely produce far less money than their original illegal operation.

EJ therefore had a financial reason to remove Gwen from the arrangement.

The situation became even more urgent after Gwen received approval to purchase Salem University Hospital. Kayla was delighted to inform EJ that the state board had decided he would no longer remain the hospital’s owner.

If Gwen completed the purchase, EJ could lose both control of the hospital and access to the facility supporting his secret work.

Shortly after receiving the call confirming that she could move forward with the deal, Gwen was grabbed by a masked attacker.

The timing makes EJ the most obvious suspect.

By making Gwen disappear, EJ could prevent the hospital sale and avoid sharing future profits with her. He might also believe he had permanently silenced one of the few people capable of exposing him.

Leo Discovers Gwen Never Returned Home

Leo’s panic begins when he visits Gwen’s room at the Salem Inn.

He notices that the bed is still turned down and apparently has not been slept in. A hotel employee may confirm that Gwen never returned the previous night.

That discovery immediately reminds Leo of Gwen’s warning: if she disappeared, EJ was probably responsible.

Leo had recently received Chad DiMera’s approval to investigate the sale of counterfeit designer products. Since Gwen and Gabi Hernandez were already discussing fake handbags, he may initially contact Gabi about that story.

However, their conversation could quickly turn to Gwen’s disappearance.

Spoilers indicate that Leo and Gabi will team up. Gabi likes Gwen and may feel indebted to her for helping uncover the counterfeit merchandise connected to her business.

Once Leo explains the situation, Gabi could agree to help search for Gwen and gather evidence against EJ.

Is Melinda Holding Gwen’s Evidence?

Melinda Trask is also expected to help Leo.

That raises the possibility that she is the attorney Gwen trusted with her dead-man’s switch.

Melinda would be a logical choice. She understands the law, knows how dangerous the DiMeras can be and has never hidden her dislike for EJ.

The problem is that Gwen’s instructions may prevent Melinda from releasing the evidence before the ten-day deadline. Even if Leo is convinced that Gwen is in immediate danger, Melinda could argue that she is legally required to follow her client’s directions.

Leo may not be willing to wait.

He could decide to bluff EJ by claiming that he has already spoken to Gwen’s lawyer and obtained the evidence. Leo might warn that if Gwen is not released unharmed, everything will be delivered to the police and published.

He could also protect himself by claiming that any attempt to silence him would automatically trigger the same release.

EJ would then face an impossible choice. He could continue holding Gwen and risk exposure, or release her and hope she remains too frightened to act against him.

Leo May Blackmail EJ Into Releasing Gwen

EJ is already dealing with several crises.

He is fighting to retain control of the hospital, facing questions about dangerous substances and worrying that his secret medical project could be discovered. Police attention is the last thing he needs.

Even without seeing the evidence, EJ may believe Gwen is capable of creating a detailed revenge dossier against him. She understands his methods too well and has enough personal knowledge to make the threat credible.

Leo could use that fear to force EJ’s hand.

He may confront EJ directly and demand Gwen’s safe return. If EJ denies involvement, Leo could threaten to release the files anyway.

This strategy would be extremely risky, but Leo’s loyalty to Gwen may outweigh his fear.

Although he would love to publish a sensational story about EJ, he does not want to obtain it at the cost of Gwen’s life.

Could Someone Else Have Kidnapped Gwen?

EJ remains the leading suspect, but he may not be the only possibility.

Rita could have arranged the kidnapping on EJ’s orders, allowing him to maintain some distance from the crime. Kristen DiMera also has problems with Gwen, though their conflict may not be serious enough to justify an abduction.

Dimitri von Leuschner is another possible suspect.

Dimitri wants to prove that Gwen was responsible for kidnapping him. Although he has been away from Salem, he could have secretly arranged for someone to capture her.

However, the timing of Gwen’s hospital purchase strongly points back to EJ.

Even if Dimitri turns out to be responsible for the kidnapping, Gwen’s dead-man’s switch could still destroy EJ. The evidence is designed to be released whenever she disappears, regardless of who caused it.

Gwen May Turn the Tables on EJ

Gwen is expected to reappear, since future scenes reportedly place her with Leo, Rafe Hernandez and Dimitri inside the DiMera mansion.

When she returns, she may attempt to protect herself by revealing EJ’s crimes.

Dimitri could accuse Gwen of arranging his kidnapping, but she may insist that EJ was the true mastermind. She could claim that EJ captured Dimitri, threatened her and forced her to finance the secret laboratory.

That explanation might convince Rafe to investigate EJ rather than arrest Gwen immediately.

Leo may also try to persuade Dimitri to make a deal. Dimitri may refuse to cooperate with Rafe directly but could listen to Leo if he believes they share a common enemy.

The confrontation could result in several characters combining their evidence against EJ.

Leo and Gwen Could Repair Their Friendship

Leo and Gwen’s relationship has survived betrayal, rivalry and romantic chaos.

Gwen still resents Leo for becoming involved with Dimitri, but saving her life could finally repair their friendship. If Leo risks everything to locate her and uses the dead-man’s switch to force her release, Gwen may decide that he has earned another chance.

Gabi and Melinda could also become unexpected allies in the rescue effort. All three women have reasons to distrust EJ, and working together could create a formidable coalition against him.

EJ may believe kidnapping Gwen solved his immediate problems. Instead, it could unite several enemies and place the most dangerous evidence against him directly in Leo’s hands.

Will Leo successfully blackmail EJ into releasing Gwen, or will activating the dead-man’s switch unleash a scandal that finally brings the DiMera heir down?