The Days Of Our Lives Necktie Killer Storyline Explained
"Days of Our Lives" viewers who have been tuning into the NBC soap opera for years know that there have been a number of shocking and bizarre plotlines on the show throughout the decades. "DOOL" fans have watched as many characters have been written off the show through murder and mayhem when killers like The Salem Strangler ran wild (via Soap Central) Marlena Evans was also thought to have murdered a number of her friends and family members as The Salem Stalker in the show's Melaswen Island storyline (via Nine). Of course, the story of the Necktie Killer also had fans captivated.
When the character of Ben Weston (Robert Scott Wilson) first came to Salem, he was introduced as the younger brother of Jordan Ridgeway. Ben began to settle into Salem and even found a job at Club TBD (via Soap Central). Not long after Ben moved to Salem, the fictional mid-western town was rocked when a string of murders occurred. The victims were all strangled, and the murderer was dubbed the "Necktie Killer." Fans didn't know who to suspect for the murders until the soap opera finally revealed that Ben was the man behind the brutal killings (via TV Source Magazine). So, what lead up to Ben's reign of terror as the Necktie Killer?
Ben Weston killed Salem citizens
According to Soaps, Ben Weston was first introduced to "Days of Our Lives" fans in 2014. Shortly after arriving in Salem, he met fan-favorite character Abigail Deveraux (then Kate Mansi). The two hit it off and began dating, but there was always some tension between Ben and Abby's former boyfriend, Chad DiMera (Billy Flynn). The two even got into a vicious fight, where Ben nearly beat Chad to death.
Despite the issues with Chad, Abigail and Ben grew closer and eventually got engaged. They moved in together, and Ben was happy when he found that Abby was pregnant. However, things quickly changed when Ben began to exhibit even more angry and aggressive behavior.
Things took a very dramatic turn when Serena Mason was found murdered in the park (via Soaps in Depth). Later, Eve Donovan's daughter Paige Larson was also strangled to death. Eventually, "DOOL" viewers learned that Ben was behind the murders, and watched as he shockingly killed the legacy character, Will Horton.
With three murders under his belt, Ben panicked and took a heavily pregnant Abigail to a secluded cabin, where he continued his mental breakdown.
Ben was eventually sent to a mental hospital
"Days of Our Lives" fans were stunned that the soap had opted to kill the character of Will Horton, and were glued to their televisions as Ben Weston fled town with Abigail Deveraux. Abby quickly figured out that Ben was mentally unstable while they were at the cabin. The stress sent her into labor and Ben quickly retrieved a midwife named Wendy to deliver the baby. After the baby boy was born, Ben knew he couldn't let Wendy live, so he took her outside and killed her (via Soaps in Depth).
Chad eventually found Abigail and Ben at the cabin, but Ben captured him and tied both him and Abby to the bed in the cabin. Ben then lit the bed on fire and ran off with the baby, whom he had named Colin. Chad and Abigail eventually escaped the fire and the police caught up with Ben. He was taken to Bayview Sanitarium after suffering his mental breakdown, per Soaps. Abby later renamed the baby Thomas after her great-grandfather, and it was discovered that the baby was actually Chad's son, which led the pair to reunite. However, that wasn't the last of Ben.
Ben and Abigail both struggled with their mental health
Abigail was tormented by the memories of her time with Ben, and it eventually caused her to have her own mental breakdown. "Days of Our Lives" viewers watched Abby struggle with her mental health, and even deal with a split personality disorder (via Soaps in Depth). Meanwhile, Ben spent years at Bayview, where he was taught how to cope with his mental issues and given medication to keep him stable. He was eventually released on the recommendation of Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) and returned to Salem.
People in Salem weren't exactly thrilled that Ben had been released, and tried to steer clear of him. However, they were happy to find out that Will Horton had been brought back to life by Dr. Rolf's resurrection serum, leaving Ben with one less victim (via Soaps).
After returning to Salem, Ben saved Ciara Brady's (Victoria Konefal) life and the two grew close. Ben and Ciara eventually began dating despite disapproval from family and friends, per Soaps in Depth. The two eventually tied the knot and welcomed a child together. Meanwhile, Chad and Abigail also got married and welcomed a second child, a daughter named Charlotte. Ben hasn't had an easy road, but in spite of his violent history as the Necktie Killer, "DOOL" fans have grown to love the character.