What happened to Dario Hernandez on Days of Our Lives? Exploring details as actor Francisco San Martin dies at 39

Francisco San Martin played Dario Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, debuting on March 11, 2011. Initially a small-time thief, Dario survived a near-death encounter with Deimos Kiriakis after an attempted assassination. Over time, he sought redemption and justice but eventually left Salem for a fresh start in Argentina.

Francisco San Martin tragically passed away at the age of 39 on Thursday, January 16, 2025. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office confirmed that his death was a su*cide by hanging, leaving his loved ones and the entertainment community in deep sorrow. His body was found at his home in Los Angeles and pronounced dead at 8:50 p.m.

The coroner's report, filed under case number 2025-01116, confirmed the cause of death. This heartbreaking news has left fans and coworkers in shock as they try to cope with the loss of their loved one. Tributes and messages of condolences have poured in, reflecting the profound impact he had on those who knew him.

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Who is Dario Hernandez on Days of Our Lives?

Dario Hernandez, a character played by Francisco San Martin and later by Jordi Vilasuso, was first seen on Days of Our Lives as the brother of Gabi and Rafe Hernandez. He appeared in 2011 as a small-time thief who stole jewelry and sold it for money.

However, his real reason for coming to Salem was to look into the unsolved murder of his sister, Arianna. This mission highlighted his strong sense of family loyalty.

While living in Salem, Dario fell in love with Melanie Jonas, and their relationship grew stronger as they teamed up to solve Arianna's case. After facing many challenges, including a short time working at Titan Industries, Dario left for Argentina to take a new job, which marked his first departure from the show.

In 2016, Dario came back to Days of Our Lives. He worked as a bartender in Los Angeles before deciding to return to Salem to be with his family. His comeback stirred up drama as he tried to manipulate Summer Townsend and fought with his estranged father, Eduardo Hernandez.

Dario Hernandez reconciled with his father, Eduardo, after a near-death experience and joined him in a smuggling operation involving stolen microchips. He continued scheming, targeting the Orwell device, planning Deimos Kiriakis' murder, and orchestrating attacks on Gabi to disrupt family ties. Dario later fell for Abigail Deveraux and tricked her into marrying him to avoid deportation. However, Abigail uncovered his crimes and blackmailed him into leaving Salem.

Dario’s criminal activities caught up with him when he was exposed for counterfeiting and arrested by the FBI. He tried to make a deal by joining witness protection but ended up running away from Salem after a failed hit-and-run plan left Abigail severely injured.

Before his final exit, he expressed deep regret for his actions and helped expose Commissioner Raines as a corrupt accomplice. Dario’s storyline concluded in 2017 with a heartfelt goodbye to Abigail, marking the end of his chaotic journey.

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Fans can watch the new episode of Days of Our Lives on Peacock.