Douglas passed on March 6th of 1993. He was credited until the end of March. By April, Richard Backus was listed as HW. Douglas left a years worth of Bible. It detailed what would happen. The remaining writers wrote the scripts and breakdowns without Marland guidance.
The show at the time featured Martha return as Lily. Holden searching for Lily in Malta. Damian arrived in Oakdale looking for his wife, Lily. Royce and Emily as a couple. They even had a beautiful remote at that time in Italy. Royce and Neal keeping the secret that they were Lucinda brother and sister. Neal murder by Royce. Lucinda finding out about her siblings.
Linc being recast and then killed off that started another murder mystery. Andy and Courtney being married.
It culminated at the end of the year with Connor arrested for Linc murder.
The show floundered most of the year in the ratings with increases during Neal and Linc murder and Royce trial for killing Neal. The ratings finally recovered at the end of the year with Connor arrest.
The show started falling apart story wise and in the ratings in April of 1994 when Marland bible ran out. The show truly never recovered after it.