When Ava Vitali (Tamara Braun) returned to Salem, "Days of Our Lives" fans knew that there would be trouble for Steve Johnson and Kayla Brady. Steve and Ava had a past relationship that she never really moved on from. Ava seemed obsessed with splitting up Steve and Kayla and decided to target their son, Joey Johnson. Ava used Joey as a pawn to break up his parents, which she hoped would help her get closer to Steve, per Soaps in Depth.

Joey began working with Ava under false pretenses not knowing what her true plans were. During their time working side-by-side, the young Joey started to develop feelings for Ava and fell in love with his father's much-older ex-girlfriend.

Eventually, Ava kidnapped Kayla and held her prisoner. Ava refused to give Steve his wife's location unless he slept with her. Steve was forced to get intimate with Ava and afterward, she gave up Kayla's location (via Soap Central)

The entire situation embarrassed and hurt Joey, who believed that Ava was trying to help his parents get back together. Joey's heart was broken after learning the truth about Ava, and he became furious with her for what she had done, according to TV Overmind. Joey eventually snapped and did the unthinkable amid his anger.