The Days Of Our Lives Comings and Goings bring genuinely bittersweet news this week. Elia Cantu has confirmed she wrapped filming as Jada Hunter after nearly four years in Salem. The actress broke the news on Instagram with a theatrical bow and a message that hit fans right in the chest. Salem is losing one of its most layered characters, and the timing stings given how much story Jada still had left to tell.
Elia Cantu Closes the Chapter on Jada Hunter
Cantu made her Days of Our Lives debut on July 19, 2022, stepping into the role of Jada Hunter with confidence and never looking back. She quickly became one of Salem’s most prominent fixtures, serving as the city’s police commissioner and driving several high-profile storylines over the course of nearly four years. Jada also carried real legacy weight. Her father is Marcus Hunter, the beloved character brought to life by the late Richard Biggs from 1987 to 1992.
The exit announcement came via Instagram, where Cantu posted a short video of herself taking a theatrical bow, simply captioning it “Godspeed.” Her farewell message was personal, specific and genuinely moving. “Jada Louise Hunter,” she wrote. “It’s been an honor. She is bold, layered, and I’ll forever cherish bringing her to life. She remains a staple in Salem, and I’ll carry everything she taught me as I go. Jada, you will always be my girl.”
Days Of Our Lives Comings and Goings: The Road to This Exit
The signs had been there for a while. Back in March 2026, Cantu and co-star Galen Gering were both moved from contract to recurring status. The show confirmed at the time that Rafe and Jada were still in Salem, but the reduced status signalled that changes were quietly coming. Cantu’s full exit now makes that transition official and permanent.
What makes this departure land harder is the context around it. Jada had been growing closer to Shawn Brady in recent weeks, and that connection had genuine romantic potential. Brandon Beemer’s Shawn seemed like exactly the kind of story anchor Jada deserved. That chapter may now close before it ever fully opened.
What Comes Next for Jada and for Elia
Because Days of Our Lives films almost a year in advance, fans will still see Jada on screen well into the spring of 2027. That is a small but meaningful consolation for viewers who are not ready to say goodbye just yet. Her final scenes are still months away from airing, which means there is still a story left to watch unfold.
Cantu closed her farewell with warmth for everyone she worked alongside. “To the cast and crew, thank you for your hard work and long hours. What a journey it has been. To the Days fans, thank you. You are incredibly supportive, caring, and dedicated.” She also hinted that more is coming from her, without revealing specific projects. Salem may be losing Jada, but the world has not seen the last of Elia Cantu.
Jada Hunter leaving Salem marks the end of a genuinely important era for the Days Of Our Lives Comings and Goings. Four years, one unforgettable commissioner and a romance that never quite got its moment. Cantu gave this role everything she had, and Salem felt every bit of it. Stay with Soap Opera Daily for every update as her final scenes get closer to airing.