As General Hospital prepares to usher in a new year, Port Charles finds itself on the brink of devastation. Leaked information suggests that 2026 will open with death, betrayal, and long-awaited reckonings that could permanently reshape the canvas. While ABC has not officially confirmed these developments, the insider details circulating among soap insiders paint a chilling picture—one that culminates in a New Year’s Eve nightmare involving multiple bodies, stunned investigators, and emotional fallout that will ripple through the town for months.

At the center of this grim forecast stands Dante Falconeri, who is reportedly left reeling after the discovery of three corpses tied to separate but deeply interconnected storylines. The tragedy is not confined to a single family or feud; instead, it marks the convergence of long-simmering vendettas, real-life losses, and unfinished business that General Hospital has been carefully positioning behind the scenes.

Jack Brennan’s Delayed but Inevitable Downfall

One of the most anticipated exits involves WSB Bureau Chief Jack Brennan. Early leaks indicated that Brennan would meet a violent end before the close of 2025, but new information suggests his demise has been pushed into early 2026. This delay appears strategic, coinciding with the return of fan-favorite Valentin Cassadine and setting the stage for a complex revenge arc.

According to insiders, Carly Corinthos Spencer will align herself with Valentin in a dangerous partnership aimed squarely at Brennan. Carly’s motivations are deeply personal. After uncovering the extent of Brennan’s lies and manipulation, her feelings curdle from passion into icy resolve. In the language of daytime drama, betrayal on this scale is a death sentence. Brennan has crossed every moral boundary, alienated every ally, and exposed himself as irredeemable.

The intrigue lies not just in that he will die, but how. Will Valentin orchestrate the final blow to protect his own interests? Will Carly, pushed beyond her breaking point, take justice into her own hands? Or could a third party—perhaps Josslyn, acting in defense of her mother—change everything? However it unfolds, Brennan’s death is expected to be violent, final, and conspicuously unmourned. Unlike others, he will not receive a funeral, underscoring his status as a villain whose absence is considered a solution, not a loss.

Honoring Legends Through Story

While Brennan’s death serves narrative justice, two other deaths carry far deeper emotional weight, as they are tied to real-life losses within the General Hospital family.

Denise Alexander, beloved for her portrayal of Leslie Webber, passed away in March 2025. In keeping with the show’s long-standing practice of allowing time to craft meaningful farewells, Leslie Webber’s on-screen death is reportedly planned for spring 2026. Though it will occur offscreen, its impact—particularly on Laura Spencer—will be profound. Laura, a character defined by resilience, has endured more loss than most. The death of her mother adds another layer of grief, offering Genie Francis powerful material to explore the quiet devastation of losing a foundational figure late in life.

Even more heartbreaking is the loss of Tristan Rogers, whose death in August 2025 shocked the daytime community. Rogers’ final appearances as Robert Scorpio now feel haunting in retrospect, especially given how frail he appeared onscreen. His eventual diagnosis with end-stage lung cancer—and rapid passing—lent tragic poignancy to what were once assumed to be temporary story beats.

Robert Scorpio’s on-screen death is also slated for spring 2026, and the production is reportedly intent on doing it right. The show is said to be holding off on his funeral episode until it can secure appearances from Emma Samms (Holly Sutton) and Kimberly McCullough (Robin Scorpio). Their presence is essential, ensuring that Robert’s farewell honors not only the character’s legacy as a hero and father, but the actor’s towering contribution to daytime television.

Three Deaths, Two Funerals, One Shattered Town

In total, three major character deaths are expected during the 2026 calendar year: Jack Brennan, Leslie Webber, and Robert Scorpio. Of those, only Leslie and Robert will be honored with funerals. Brennan’s lack of a memorial speaks volumes about how Port Charles will remember him—or rather, how it won’t.

These losses converge into what insiders describe as a harrowing New Year’s Eve storyline, one that leaves Dante Falconeri stunned as he confronts the aftermath of multiple deaths. While details remain scarce, the emotional and procedural toll on Dante is expected to be immense, reinforcing his role as both investigator and grieving member of the community.

A Tribute to Anthony Geary

Amid the darkness, General Hospital will pause to honor another legend. On January 1, ABC will air a special rerun of Anthony Geary’s final full episode as Luke Spencer from 2015. Though Luke has already died onscreen, this remembers the actor, not the character. The episode—Luke’s true farewell—captures the essence of what made both Luke and Geary iconic: charm, danger, romance, and heart.

The tribute serves as a reminder that even in loss, General Hospital knows how to celebrate legacy, offering viewers closure and gratitude rather than unrelenting sorrow.

The Shadow of Nell Benson Looms Large

As if death weren’t enough, whispers of a potential Nell Benson return continue to electrify the fanbase. Though unconfirmed, speculation suggests that Nell could reemerge in 2026, detonating emotional landmines—especially where Wiley is concerned. As his biological mother, Nell represents a truth that cannot stay buried forever.

Her return would instantly ignite tension between Nell, Willow, and Nina, forming a volatile triangle of motherhood, resentment, and competing claims. For Willow, Nell’s reappearance would threaten everything she has built. For Nina, it would reopen wounds tied to loss and regret. And for Michael, it would mean confronting the past he has fought so hard to bury.

Many fans advocate for a limited return—three to six months of controlled chaos—allowing Nell to wreak havoc without overwhelming the canvas. Whether she returns as a master manipulator, a vengeful mother, or something even darker remains to be seen.

A New Year Forever Changed

If these leaks prove accurate, General Hospital is heading into one of its most emotionally charged years in recent memory. With three deaths, two funerals, a stunned Dante, and the looming possibility of a villain’s resurrection, Port Charles will ring in 2026 forever altered.

In true soap fashion, the new year will not begin with hope—but with consequences.