Who is Ava Vitali on Days of Our Lives? Character Details Explained

Ava Vitali is one of the most dramatic and unpredictable characters ever to appear on Days of Our Lives. Introduced in 2008 and portrayed by actress Tamara Braun, Ava is tied to the powerful and dangerous Vitali mob family. She is known for her obsession with Steve Johnson, her troubled past, criminal behavior, faked deaths, mental illness, and shocking returns to Salem.

While viewers know her as Ava on Days of Our Lives, Tamara Braun has since moved to another soap opera, The Young and the Restless, where she plays a different character. However, Ava Vitali’s legacy in Salem remains unforgettable.

Ava Vitali’s Background and First Appearance

Ava first arrived in 2008 as a mysterious woman stalking Steve “Patch” Johnson. Her obsession quickly turned deadly when she sabotaged a plane carrying the Brady family, leading to the tragic death of Shawn Brady. At that time, she was being drugged by her father, Martino Vitali, which triggered her paranoia and delusions.

Believing Hope Brady was Steve’s wife Kayla, Ava kidnapped her and later shot at Hope during a tense confrontation. Her father Martino was eventually killed by Bo Brady, adding more fuel to her chaotic story.

A Complicated Love and Family History

Ava’s story became even darker when she claimed she had a son with Steve. She forced Steve to help find him, only to learn the boy supposedly died of pneumonia. Her heartbreak turned into revenge, and she targeted both Steve and Kayla Brady.

In 2016, a shocking twist occurred — Joey Johnson, Steve and Kayla’s teenage son, smothered Ava in a hospital bed. Steve confessed to protect Joey, but the ISA later cleared them. Everyone believed Ava was dead.

Ava Returns from the Dead

In true Days of Our Lives fashion, Ava returned alive after being secretly resurrected by Dr. Wilhelm Rolf and Kristen DiMera. She reunited with the Vitali mob and became involved in new criminal schemes.

Her life then took another tragic turn with her son Charlie Dale, who kidnapped and drugged her. After Charlie was murdered, Ava was suspected but later cleared when Jan Spears was identified as the killer.

Recent Storylines: Love, Revenge, and Madness

Ava entered a relationship with Rafe Hernandez, but it ended badly after betrayal. She later bonded with Gwen Rizczech, forming an alliance built on secrets and manipulation.

Her final spiral included:

• A relationship with Jake DiMera, who was later killed

• A fake marriage scam with Gabi Hernandez

• Kidnapping Susan Banks with Xander Kiriakis

• A car crash while hallucinating her dead son Charlie

• Planting a bomb at Susan’s memorial, injuring her own son Tripp Johnson

Overcome by guilt and mental illness, Ava was committed to Bayview Psychiatric Hospital, where she remains one of Salem’s most tragic anti-heroines.

Ava Vitali’s Legacy

Ava Vitali is one of Days of Our Lives’ most intense characters — part villain, part victim. Her story is rooted in mob violence, heartbreak, mental breakdowns, and desperate love. Whether loved or hated, Ava Vitali is a character fans will never forget.