Late Sunday, in a carousel post on Instagram, “General Hospital” star Kirsten Storms shared an update regarding the alleged break-in that occurred last year while she was away from her home in Tennessee, the recent restraining order filed against her by ex-husband Brandon Barash (ex-Stefan DiMera/ex-Jake DiMera, “Days of our Lives”; ex-Johnny Zacchara, “General Hospital”) and her status at the long-running ABC soap opera where she’s played the role of Maxie Jones since 2005.

“I’m sure some of you guys have read the stories online regarding a situation involving something my ex-husband is currently trying to claim,” said Storms, opening up publicly for the first time since reports surfaced in April that Barash had filed an emergency restraining order against her last year, claiming that she was “exhibiting concerning behavior” and that he feared for their daughter’s well-being.

According to TMZ, which first reported the news, the judge in the case granted the temporary restraining order, which included claims by Barash that Storms had been experiencing “delusions and hallucinations” in mid-2025, explaining that things later improved for a short time, only to reverse afterward.

“Because I did see one story online stating I reported the apartment break-in AFTER he filed something against me in court, I really need to address this entire issue,” continued Storms. “Not only because the records/evidence will show those stories are completely false (the break-in happened and was reported to the building and Franklin PD before he filed anything in court), but also because *it puts my safety in a dangerous position for anyone to try and shift focus away from the fact that there was a person regularly entering my residence while I was out of town for medical appts in St Louis*.”

Storms is likely referring to another TMZ report, which alleged Storms had called the police “months after ex granted protective order,” something which Storms disputes. The outlet published a third story on the matter a few days later, with a spokesperson for the Franklin Police Department in Tennessee saying, “I can confirm that there is an active investigation as it pertains to her case.”

“You can see from my previous posts that the damage to the lock on my apartment door was extensive and obvious. I took that photo in August of last year – months before Brandon filed anything in court,” said Storms in her post. “I was also speaking with the people who worked in the leasing office of the building (in person and via email), attempting to get answers on the damage to my door and wanting to know about locating building camera footage. This communication also started the first week of August.” She added, “I waited to post about the break-in on my Instagram for a few months. I had already moved out of the building and honestly, it’s been something that is difficult to accept happened pretty much as soon as I moved out here.

“Choosing to take time off from work (for my own personal reasons) was a ‘leap of faith’ kind of moment for myself. Seeking a ‘quality a life” kinda thing?'”

Move To Tennesse And What The Future Holds

“Moving to Tennessee, as a single mom who lives alone 50% of the time, with a newly discovered brain aneurysm….well, I don’t think I need to explain how upsetting this entire situation has been for me,” the soap star said of some of the things she’s been dealing with since moving to the state last summer with her daughter. “Realizing that not only was my apartment/space/privacy being violated, but this person also gained access to my WiFi and cellphone *while in my apartment* (the Franklin PD has received evidence on all of this – resulting in an investigation). I haven’t been online much because of how the circumstances have been twisted into something that it shouldn’t be. This has been a very serious thing for me to go through.” She added, “Thank you for the encouraging DM’s and good vibes being sent my way. I have no doubt this will be handled in the correct way and I will feel comfortable remaining in Tennessee.”

In an Instagram video posted in February, Storms explained that the break-in situation began last December, when someone “accessed my apartment, and they were relentlessly getting on my internet and doing stuff to my accounts.” She reported the incident to the Franklin Police and also shared details online to see if she could get assistance from someone in the cybersecurity sector. “If you could please DM me if you know someone, or like a retired police officer, somebody who specializes in this sort of thing, I would really appreciate it,” she said at the time.

As for her future at “General Hospital,” Storms did address the matter in her post on Sunday, saying, “Given what’s been going on, I can’t say I will feel comfortable heading back to Los Angeles and returning to work. This has been an eye opening experience about the downside of my profession. My daughter is my entire life, she is (and always will be) my first priority.”

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Though Storms returned on-screen as Maxie Jones on “General Hospital” in February as a contract player, her name has been missing from the contract section during the show’s end credits since late March.

Note: The post Kirsten Storms Provides Update On Alleged Break-In, Temporary Restraining Order Filed By Ex & ‘General Hospital’ Status first appeared on Soap Opera Network.

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At this point, bring back Molly Burnett or Nicole Paggi and carve out a week to script Maxie and Spinelli relocating back to Portland. Have James stay with Felicia and Max in Port Charles and wrap this stuff up.

This just makes me sad for her and her family.

At this juncture, either find a permanent recast or have a line about Maxie settling down in X location, deciding she needed a change of scenery after all she had been through.

After all the Mollys, as an example, at least the show finally found someone suitable and continued on. I do believe the role of Maxie could also be recast, especially since Kirsten didn't even originate the role. At the same time, however, it also depends on story, and it seems like GH has re-directed Cassius/"Nathan", so he is no longer dependent on Maxie.

And wisely, Maxie wasn't in the midst of an important storyline, so if the character is not recast, nothing is really lost. Although it would be sad that none of Felicia's kids would be around, but hey...the nature of soaps.

Jen Lilley & Ryan Paevey have been love interests in Hallmark movies. They should legit try and get her back as a Maxie recast again. I always thought she was a good Maxie, and I loved her as Theresa on DAYS.

6 hours ago, dio said:

Jen Lilley & Ryan Paevey have been love interests in Hallmark movies. They should legit try and get her back as a Maxie recast again. I always thought she was a good Maxie, and I loved her as Theresa on DAYS.

I don’t think she would return. She had to deal with whatever backstage issues were happening at the time that she has alluded to, KS’s fans being awful online, and then KS adding to that personally by commenting herself. I think that well might be poisoned for her.

50 minutes ago, titan1978 said:

I don’t think she would return. She had to deal with whatever backstage issues were happening at the time that she has alluded to, KS’s fans being awful online, and then KS adding to that personally by commenting herself. I think that well might be poisoned for her.

I'm not the biggest JL fan, but she was great and believable as a Maxie recast. KS was far too old to be acting like a mean girl with her obnoxious BFF Farah Fath cheering her on.

As it stands, I don't think the show even needs Maxie and hasn't for a while. Just write her off with a happy ending.

Yeah, Jen Lilley is pretty clear that her time at GH was not great. I doubt she would ever return. I really liked JL as Maxie and Theresa on Days.

I'd try to grab Molly Burnett if they need Maxie back.

Idk, KS and FF's behavior always rubbed me the wrong way. I don't think Lilley is perfect, but it's not like she 'stole' the Maxie role. KS was literally unable to perform and come into work for well over a year. GH kept extending Jen's stay because Kirsten kept delaying coming back.

41 minutes ago, carolineg said:

Yeah, Jen Lilley is pretty clear that her time at GH was not great. I doubt she would ever return. I really liked JL as Maxie and Theresa on Days.

Same. I did like her on both shows, and she fit both roles. And honestly, I know she was not universally liked, but given that Nicole Paggi was the most recent pinch-hitter, have her come in for a week for Maxie to find out about Cassius, leave town with Spinelli, and leave James with Felicia, Mac, and Cody so we can see that shining star!

1 hour ago, CrazySexyQ said:

As it stands, I don't think the show even needs Maxie and hasn't for a while. Just write her off with a happy ending.

And Mac and Felicia could decide to leave Port Charles as well, so that they can be closer to Maxie and Spinelli and what must be Maxie's 18th child. (One more, gal, you'll tie my biological maternal grandmother for the record!)

1 hour ago, Liberty City said:

Same. I did like her on both shows, and she fit both roles. And honestly, I know she was not universally liked, but given that Nicole Paggi was the most recent pinch-hitter, have her come in for a week for Maxie to find out about Cassius, leave town with Spinelli, and leave James with Felicia, Mac, and Cody so we can see that shining star!

Yup. Totally fine to give her a small exit to revisit later if need be.

I don't even think KS is remarkable as Maxie. When she's on and well she's great, but when she's not she's bad. I like KS and really liked her as Belle. It's not an irreplaceable part though. There are plenty of actresses in the world that could play Maxie and have a full time focus on the role.

4 minutes ago, carolineg said:

I don't even think KS is remarkable as Maxie.

ICAM!!

1 hour ago, Khan said:

ICAM!!

I think KS has a charm and a very likeable factor when she's in a good place. There is also a lot of 35-40 year old actresses in the world that could bring the same energy without the Kirsten headaches and leaves.

4 hours ago, carolineg said:

I'd try to grab Molly Burnett if they need Maxie back.

Me too, and I would let her bitch it up a bit. Even in journalist mode instead of cosmetics mogul, Lulu could fulfill some of what Maxie did, they just need to let Lulu have any semblance of a sense of fun. She’s so dour. None of Luke’s children have been allowed to be as charming as they should be, and all the actors were capable of it. Even Emme Ryan could have worked better if they didn’t saddle her with her eggs being violated repeatedly and dealing with children that were essentially taken from her. She had a plucky quality that could have been utilized but they just didn’t go there enough.

2 hours ago, Khan said:

And Mac and Felicia could decide to leave Port Charles as well

The first time I actually paid full attention to GH as a very little child was when Frisco pulled that hat off Felicia, so I have a lot of fondness for her. Then Riche arrived and they used Felicia everywhere- the Ryan story, protesting Marco Dane’s sexist gym policies and in the mix with Jagger, falling in love with Mac, the Outback, and being a mom figure to Robin. I loved that era for her character. I was happy to see her brought back, and I think there is a place for her without Maxie.

49 minutes ago, carolineg said:

think KS has a charm and a very likeable factor when she's in a good place. There

After her rocky start as a vixen-lite and foil for “good” sister Georgie, they really found a great niche that worked for her, the show, and the character. Screwball comedy through the Bob Guza lens, and a sarcastic presence that was absolutely needed during those years. A lot of that was KS.

The problem was during that Frons era those were the only characters spared. The suits think all the Maureen Bauers of the genre are just boring and would rather have all their shows full of Todd Mannings, Maxies, Sonny, Tracy Q’s, Reva, Luke, Zach Slater, Greenlee, etc. Only the hot and young, and sarcastic, iconoclastic, and as many anti-hero’s as possible. But I need a Georgie to balance Maxie out, and I think those shows all did too.

2 hours ago, carolineg said:

Yup. Totally fine to give her a small exit to revisit later if need be.

I agree. The only time I ever felt compelled watching Kirsten Storms as Maxie was in scenes concerning the death of Nathan. Other than that, any random blonde actor could play the part. I think it comes down to being in the role for 20 years off-and-on; that is the issue for some.