90s Soap Heartthrob, 56, Makes Long-Awaited Return to ‘Days of Our Lives'
The fan favorite character is returning to Salem early next year.
parade.comHere’s what I can share based on recent reporting.
- Patrick Muldoon, known for Days of Our Lives (as Austin Reed) and Melrose Place, has recently been in the news in connection with his death at 57 in April 2026. Multiple outlets report the cause as a sudden heart attack, with family statements confirming his passing. This is a major update affecting fans and colleagues in the soap opera community. [cite ][cite ]
- In terms of Days of Our Lives specifically, there has been renewed coverage about Muldoon in the context of legacy and obituaries; there hasn’t been credible reporting confirming a new role or return to Days of Our Lives after his 2012-era appearances. Most outlets focus on his career highlights and the obituary timeline. [cite ][cite ][cite ]
- For ongoing or future DOOL-related developments, the show and its official social channels would be the best sources to watch for tributes, rerun announcements, or potential callbacks honoring his work. [cite ]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest obituaries or summarize the timeline of Muldoon’s DOOL appearances and other notable projects, with sources. I can also set up a quick alert list to track any new announcements about DOOL and Patrick Muldoon. [cite ][cite ]