In this week’s shocking Home and Away storyline, tragedy strikes Summer Bay when Theo Poulos’ fate is sealed in a devastating accident that will change the Bay forever.

The drama begins against the backdrop of Cash and Eden’s picture-perfect wedding in the Hunter Valley. While love and celebration fill the air, another storyline brews beneath the surface—one tied to old secrets, painful memories, and a dangerous man. Lacey has been pursuing her relentless quest to expose counselor Craig Wendell, whom she believes caused the crash that killed her mother two years ago. Her sister, Jo, survived that same crash but was left with memory gaps that only recently began to resurface during hypnotherapy sessions. These recovered memories pointed to another car being involved, one belonging to Wendell, and for Lacey, that was all the proof she needed.

While Theo tries to push Lacey’s dangerous pursuit to the back of his mind, choosing instead to enjoy the wedding festivities, Lacey is already laying the groundwork for her next move. She sneaks information from her father David’s case files, pressures Jo into more hypnotherapy, and even threatens Wendell directly, demanding that he confess to his crimes or be exposed. David, a police sergeant, warns her that she has crossed too many lines—tampering with evidence, breaking into his office, and blackmailing a suspect. Worse, her interference risks driving Wendell out of the country before he can ever be brought to justice. But Lacey, stubborn and emotional, refuses to stop. She wants justice for her mother and closure for her family, no matter the cost.

Back at the wedding, Theo can’t shake his concern over Lacey’s absence. He was expecting her to join him after Jo’s session, but the hours tick by with no sign of her. Even as he catches the bouquet in a moment of lighthearted fun, there’s a shadow hanging over him—his girlfriend is missing, and her obsession with Wendell could be leading her straight into danger. Finally, Theo reaches her by phone. Lacey reveals that she isn’t coming to the wedding after all. Instead, she’s setting a trap for Wendell. She convinces Theo to meet her back in Summer Bay.

Their reunion quickly sparks conflict with Leah and Justin, who are horrified when Theo admits he’s heading straight into a confrontation with the man Lacey believes killed her mother. Leah begs him not to go, warning him of the risks after what happened the last time he got tangled up with dangerous people. But Theo, loyal to Lacey and determined to stand by her side, refuses to back down. In anger and frustration, he storms out of the wedding celebrations, leaving Leah fearing she has seen her nephew for the final time.

Late that night, on a deserted country road, Lacey and Theo finally come face-to-face with Wendell. Lacey confronts him with details of Jo’s resurfaced memories, demanding that he confess to police. At first, Wendell appears shaken, even agreeing to go immediately to authorities. But as soon as he returns to his car, the truth of his character is revealed. Instead of leaving for the station, he slams the accelerator, aiming his vehicle directly at Lacey in a shocking attempt to silence her forever.

In that split second, Theo makes the ultimate sacrifice. He leaps in front of the speeding car, shoving Lacey out of harm’s way. Wendell’s BMW collides with Theo at full force, leaving him broken and motionless on the road. The episode ends on that devastating cliffhanger—Theo lying lifeless, Lacey in shock, and Wendell speeding away into the night.

But the promos that follow erase any doubt. Theo does not survive his injuries. Actor Matt Evans’ departure had long been rumored, and now the tragic truth is confirmed—Theo Poulos is gone. His death rocks Summer Bay, shattering the lives of Leah, Justin, Lacey, and the wider community.

The aftermath plays out in heartbreaking scenes. At the Morgan house, Leah and Justin receive the devastating news from police: there has been an accident. Rushing to the scene, Leah arrives just as Theo’s body is being loaded into an ambulance. Overcome with grief, she collapses, screaming as Lacey sits nearby in shock, wrapped in a blanket. Justin can only hold Leah in his arms as she sobs, both of them realizing their nephew is gone forever.

In the days that follow, emotions boil over. David reassures his daughter that she is not to blame, but Lacey cannot forgive herself. “It is my fault he’s gone,” she weeps, convinced her obsession with Wendell cost Theo his life. Leah, too, is consumed by anger and grief. In one explosive confrontation, she tells Lacey that Theo’s blood is on her hands. “You are not welcome in this house, and I will never forgive you,” Leah screams, slamming the door on the girl who inadvertently dragged Theo into harm’s way.

As grief hardens into resolve, attention turns to Wendell. David and Cash launch a relentless manhunt, determined to bring the corrupt counselor to justice. Viewers are shown tense scenes of police cars racing down country roads, officers scouring train stations and car parks, and David himself consumed with rage. At one point, he punches a wall at the station, unable to contain his fury over Wendell’s escape.

The chase reaches a climax when Wendell is finally tracked down. He flees his car and darts into the woods, with Cash giving chase. “Stop!” Cash shouts as he dives onto Wendell, tackling him to the ground. The question now hangs in the air: will the law finally hold Wendell accountable for both the crash that killed Lacey’s mother and the reckless act that cost Theo his life?

Theo’s death leaves a gaping hole in Summer Bay. Leah and Justin grieve together, mourning not only their nephew but also the future he will never have. Just hours before his death, Theo had been making plans—agreeing to be the first artist on Remy’s record label, imagining a future with Lacey, even entertaining the idea of proposing during an upcoming trip to Tasmania. All of those dreams are now gone, leaving only pain in their place.

As the community reels, the stage is set for a gripping new chapter. Will Wendell pay for his crimes, or will his connections and manipulations allow him to slip through justice once again? Can Leah ever forgive Lacey, or will Theo’s death permanently fracture their family? And for Lacey, the girl who wanted closure, will she ever escape the guilt of knowing that the boy she loved died trying to protect her?

Home and Away delivers one of its most devastating storylines yet, saying goodbye to Theo in a tragic twist that blends love, sacrifice, and betrayal. What began as a wedding celebration ends in heartbreak, as Summer Bay loses one of its most beloved sons, and the hunt for his killer begins.